Search - Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America

I believe that every single parent should read this book right before their kids graduate college. I have graduated from college, have my degree, and I'll be danged if I can find a decent paying job with insurance. Our Wal-mart was going to pay me only 6.75 an hour..and that was with money added in for years spent working on a farm..and that was with my degree. Not something a person could live on. This book is a must so that people can understand why so many college kids are coming back home (like I did). You just can't make it out there anymore it seems, and 7 bucks an hour won't pay the rent...and that is being serious.

An eye-opener, though I wish people of all financial status and age could have the opportunity to read this. Provides just the icing on the cake insight into the "working class." Quite interesting to see the growing paranoia of the author as she struggles to find semi-decent housing- perhaps this was the biggest struggle she had to face during her research. She does end with some broad rather PC conclusions but you have to remember that she's now back to her high-paying job and upper-middle class lifestyle. She's able to end on a cheery note that does not match the true dire conditions of the struggling working class Americans.

Wow...and I thought "I" didn't make enough money! Eye opening, surely! Truly makes you think about the true meaning of a 'living wage'.

I thought this book was fascinating! It gives an insight into what it is like to work in minimum wage jobs and to try to make ends meet on a less than living wage. The author spends a year in several different low-wage fields (waitressing, housecleaning, working at Walmart, etc) and she gives an honest account of the experiences, both good and bad that she takes away. A must-read for anybody fortunate enough not to have to live through this scenario in real-life. It gave me a totally new perspective.

Hard truths about what life is like when all you have is a minimum wage job (or two).

One of the few books that I have re-read. Reminds me of the television show "Undercover Boss." The author works in various low income jobs, living in poorer sections of towns, "renting a wreck" to drive. She describes first hand job situations and the heart-breaking living conditions of co-workers. Jobs included working for a Wal-Mart and a house-cleaning service. This confirms the fact that the "working poor" are often ignored and taken advantage of by bosses and corporations. A must read for everyone who cares for their fellow Americans in the work-place. CPeyton