Wanna Pay Your Rent? No Problem, Just Work 108 Hours A Week!
Hello worldwide Wealthy Affiliate community and Happy Tuesday [adjusted for your local timezone]
Today's post, some of you may have already guessed it, presents yet another one of the irreversible socio-economic trends which I have recently posted frequently here and which we need to be fully aware of because we can be those who can offer solutions to those affected by it.
This post was inspired by a recent editorial article in the Tampa Bay Times which focuses on the lack of housing affordability in the state of Florida and which is based upon a national study.
The sum and substance of that editorial article follows below and, for those who do like to ponder on numbers, you will find it staggering and very troubling.
Three jobs to put a roof over your head? A new national study shows how far housing prices are beyond the reach of many working Floridians. It’s an alarming snapshot of the economy that highlights the struggle for low-income families, and it underscores the need for state and local governments to do more to expand access to affordable homes.
A worker making Florida’s minimum hourly wage of $8.46 would have to work 108 hours a week — close to the equivalent of three full-time jobs — to afford a modestly priced two-bedroom apartment in the state, according to a study released this month by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a Washington advocacy group. A report by the Tampa Bay Times’ Christopher O’Donnell found a similar story in the Tampa Bay region, where the $1,133 average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is well beyond the reach of minimum wage and other low-paid workers.
A person would need to earn $21.79 an hour — more than $13 above the state’s minimum wage — for that rent to be “affordable.” That figure is based on households spending no more than 30 percent of their income on rent, a threshold recommended by housing advocates to avoid families spiraling into debt.
Of course, I know, I will hear from many echoing the same issues no matter where in the world they may live. Although this post is focused on the Florida's housing market, it is presented with the data backed by the national survey and the calculations by the Tampa Bay Times' editorial staff.
So what does this housing issue in Florida - or anywhere else in the world for that matter - have to do with us here at Wealthy Affiliate?
As a legal professional, when I present a line of argument, I need to have reliable data and/or facts which support that argument. My recent posts on various shifting or emerging socio-economic trends have cited to other similar reliable, and in some cases' official governmental, reports or studies.
Presenting a well grounded, factual case is one thing, and, no matter how skilfully crafted it can be, it is empty if it does not plea for or seek a particular outcome.
In this case, as in the case of my prior recent posts here, the well grounded arguments and conclusions are the same.
We are caught in an outdated, pre planned matrix, system or funnel from cradle to grave and all we do is to play the roles that were scripted by those who control that matrix, system or funnel.
I have stated this earlier in a previous post here. If we were to go back in time. Way back, after being cast out of the Garden of Eden, humankind has always had to live by the sweat of its brows, and through the ages it has never been easy, yet surely now it should have been easier, not in relation to the prior centuries but by today's standards,
Back in the prior centuries men, primarily, would hunt, fish or farm and provide for their families. Advances in society and technology have surely eliminated that with stores, supermarkets and most recently with online marketing. Yet with that, our survival skills have been dulled, and we have become alike the animals we have domesticated centuries ago, dependent upon various masters to "provide" for us our necessities, by standards and means set by those masters. We have settled for "road kill", a fancy name for the so called salary and benefits we receive when we trade our time for money.
From kindergarten to the time when we are placed six foot under in a wooden box, the matrix, system or funnel shapes us according to its purpose, less of what God had intended us to be and more the shape of the mold we are spewed into on the narrow end of the funnel.
Sorry if some may find this to be a bit too much, but it is the plain truth and nothing will change unless our mindset and our approach changes.
From renters, seniors, college students, regular corporate workers, blue collar workers and so on, we can be those who can inform, educate, empower and liberate millions from the claws of the matrix, system and funnel and become both personally and financially independent.
Return people to what God has intended them to be, unique, sovereign, creative and most importantly...FREE.
And yes, at that time not only will Florida's housing issues be alleviated, but so will be for most of the planet's nations if people recognize the power the "knowledge industry" has which no matrix, no system and no funnel can crush or extinguish because it is the yearning for freedom human spirit bestowed upon humanity by God.
I hope that you will find some value in this post, and as CF often advises, think of the health, wealth and personal relationship sectors and where this may fit into when you serve that particular demographic.
Blessings!
Recent Comments
70
Great article working for yourself in these times is rare. Most people were taught work hard get a good education and find a good job. The days of finding a good job and working there until you retire is almost unheard of. But to be successful financially you must find a way to generate your own income. You'll never be limited as far as your finances when your the boss . God wants us to be happy and successful. But we also should always help others in every way that we can.
We have the same problem in Portland. Oregon. Florida isn't the only state with these issues. We have high number of homelessness in our area, tents all over the place. We do not have affordable housing and to rent, peoples income must be three times more than the rent. Like you said senior retirement under social security or pensions, blue collar workers, and others earn less to meet the rent demands. HUD has long waiting kist many families remain homeless for more than 7 years never getting into housing. Sad that other countries can come in take over apt buildings (some dont do maintenance work) and increase rent really high to make huge profits.
Brenda,
Remember that David picked up 5 smooth stones in a brook before facing Goliath.and taking him down, without a sword in hand or an armor to protect him.
We collectively can be the stones that will take down this corrupt giant.
But only if we want to.
Blessins!
That was because David knew God will help and support him. We cant beat the system of things (the corruption since the Fall of Humankind, the rebellion against God) but God can take it down (did before -many cities destroyed) and will it happen in future so I leave it at that. Besides, this isn't a religion dispute, we can go on and on about our belief system, and arguments can be brought up. Thats not my intention here. Being an entrepreneur or a solopreneur has its price, it takes work to build a business. It requires hard work. Some take years or months to build it up and true it depends on only if we want to make it work. You know the saying, that came from a program, “it works if you work it” thats the bottom line.
I'm fairly sure most of us have a 'book's worth' inside of us, when it comes to thinking about this subject. See if this fact enters into any part of the discussion:
"It took over 200,000 years of human history for the world's population to reach 1 billion; and only 200 years more to reach 7 billion."
That aside and if you need anymore references from an ecclesiastical background, then look no further than:
"Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows."
I try not to be cynical of the nature of humans for I'm not one to paint all with the same brush but, to give two examples, feel free to use as small examples of the 'bigger picture'
Free car parks became paid car parks. Originally you bought a ticket in line with your intended length of stay. Upon leaving, if you saw a newcomer entering the car park and you still had time on your ticket, it was not uncommon to pass your ticket over.(The time was already paid in full) Good deed done. Now, to purchase a ticket, you have to put your vehicle registration number into the machine, this means your ticket is not transferable, so 'time' is being bought many times over. Someone probably got a raise for that idea.
All vehicles in the UK have to have 'Road Tax' on them, if they are to be used on the road. It used to be the case that once 'tax' had been bought it stayed on the vehicle until it ran out (either six or twelve months worth) even if you sold the vehicle. Any remaining tax is refunded but only for full months that haven't been used. This is now no longer the case. If you sell the vehicle the tax 'disappears' and the new owner has to purchase 'tax' for the vehicle. Here's the kicker. If you purchase the car in the middle of the month you have to tax it from the start of that month (even though the previous owner will have paid until the end of the month) and the previous owner does not get any of that month refunded. So 'The Man' gets paid twice. Another raise.
So tell me, who makes these proposals and decisions ? People do, ones who have jobs, houses, children and live under the same 'umbrella' as their fellow man.
It used to be the case, when I first looked to buy a house (Back in the Nineties) that you could borrow three times you salary with a minimum deposit or five percent. Now I believe it's closer to five times the salary but with a greater deposit.
It does seem to be a 'vicious' circle that we all become part of because as soon as you have bought your house, you want the value to increase and so it perpetuates.
Common denominator ?
My little addition to your ongoing series is one of the tiniest parts of the much bigger situation. We can blame 'The Man' but then who is 'The Man' if not us ?
Prof Twack
Great and deep points indeed, as always thank you for your comments, Sir!
Indeed the blame falls on many shoulders.
My point, however, imperfect is almost along the lines of fallen nations who departed from the ways God had intended them to live and to operate.
In the end, if some of us are awakened and see that there is another way, I find it my personal mission and fervent belief that I have an obligation to awaken and to rescue as many as I can.
Like in the story of the boy on the beach peppered by starfish stranded ashore and his attempt to make a difference to at least one starfish.
Here is why.
When asked why, Jesus made several mysterious responses, among them, "No one puts new wine into old wineskins: otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins: but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins" (Mark 2:22).
"You can't put new ideas into old mind-sets. You can't get new results with old behaviors."
In my humble mortal opinion, we can all start there.
But only if we want to.
I know that I do.
Blessings!
When I had my awakening I kept dreaming of a sustainable 'village' where money did not exist. It was the most perfect joyous existence, growing my own food, minimal living, community, pooling skills. This dream recurred for many nights.
It was so weird almost vision like, a prophesy. It does however make physically waking up to the reality very bleak!
Once you have lived the life of ego, how do you then turn back to spirit? Where does that leave this ego's projected existence, where does that leave this reality?
Sara,
A few good points, but I personally caution the pitfalls of utopia, because much is up to each individual's character and actions.
As such, if some are freeloaders not only they can burden the others but they can also influence them in a negative way.
We had some of that with the Plymouth colony which started out with that same vision but soon it had a harsh or rude awakening.
We are created as unique individuals, we need to love and support one another but we have to be wary of those who will only seek to benefit from our kindness and never contribute to the community.
I found these verses from Duran Duran's Ordinary World fittin as to the awakening:
What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away
But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive
Blessings!
Yes I'm sure 'real world' utopia is a very different place to my dream world one. Great Lyrics! Blessings right back at ya xx
As is the case so often Gabriel, you are right of course. We share a common goal, though coming at it from different angles. A two pronged approach, no less. The more 'prongs' the better
Again, tangents from the same core discussion came up a few weeks ago, along the lines of deep seated prejudices, that are slowly being diluted as the generations move on. Without getting into which ones, let's just say that with each new generation there is less tolerance for old ways.
In the words of Bob Dylan "Times, they are a changin"
It may be a while but if we can look further ahead than we usually do then we might have a chance.
Oh la la c'est vrai!
So Prof Dr Emeritus Honoris Causa Twack, you mean I am not a sole man crying in the wilderness?
Btw did you answer my suggestion to ditch the big isles north of France and move to BVI or eastern Caribbean? I personally like St. Maarten and The Bahamas.
I might have missed it being out here in the wilderness all by myself crying out...
Blessings!
Sara,
Prof Twack was singing those lyrics after you cleaned up his pockets during the Centurion Club poker tournament last night held at a secret location to avoid British press coverage.
At this rate, you may have to soon report those 'extra earnings" to the British Ministry off High Finance.
Oh and they take US Dollars, too, gladly.
Blessings!
Sara,
Thank you for the memories, we are the sore losers in the Centurion Club, so no bragging rights nor selfies this time.
But remember "Money, won't buy you love".
We alerted the British Ministry of High Finance as to your "extra winnings" but gave them the address of former Prime Minister Theresa May for the "enquiry".
Onward to Vegas, live coverage by Kaju on Wealthy Affiliate TV (the proposed name of the episode is: "Paul Revere Alert: The British Are Coming!!!) and unlimited WA logoed togas and chariots (sorry no Lambos allowed for Centurions Club members).
Even in such a deep and somber topic we still find the resolve to thrive.
In spite of it.
Blessings!
Sara,
You cause transatlantic laughter here...I am not sure if there are any import taxes on that.
I am taking cover, surely the esteemed Prof will respond shortly.
Blessings!
I am currently unable to comment, self control is being pushed to the utmost limits.
"Fools rush in, where angels fear to tread"
This is one of those that backs up my motto of 'think twice before saying nothing'
OMG everything I write has an innuendo now! So i'd rather not get a violation and get kicked out before I even began! So I will quietly leave with a smile and a wink ; )
Alone, crying in the wilderness. Who will hear your cry ?
My friend I share your vision and together we must try,
In a quest to change the world, from the inside out,
There is strength in numbers, so a cry becomes a shout.
Sara,
You are lucky in that you can pay your rent, imagine what would be like to live in a frat like house The Centurions' Club [sorry we do not use Greek letters cuz heck we're centurions] I am not sure that Wikipedia has a term for the way that would be best described by....
Better count all of our blessings!
It would just be a bunch of people, sitting at laptops, tippy tapping away whilst periodically removing themselves to tend to peeing and drinking coffee. Maybe the odd 'power' snack to see us through the last 500 words lol
Sara,
I know, among the many related issues would be cleaning up the stables for the horses which draw the chariots, then fixing flat tires for the chariots and trying to learn all the "ritualised" (British version, eh) tea ceremonies and other pompous aristocratic endeavors.
I would also see an issue washing by hand the multiple sets of togas and once in a while reminding Prof dr Twack to step off the podium after some 2 hours of oratory speeches to an empty auditorium.
Last time I did so, he handed me a copy of this exotic white paper: "High Tea, Afternoon Tea, Elevenses: English Tea Times For Dummies".
I didn't get offended by its title, it is not like I sit around and ponder about those things, I would rather settle for fish and chips served in the hardcopy of that white paper report.
Speaking of word count, I did this post just on pure inner hopium without much planning and hit almost 1000 words.
Blessings!
Dr Prof Emeritus Honoris Causa Twack,
Sara and I are delighted that you liked the frat house idea, we just need to find ways to fund it, perhaps Centurion Club poker tournaments opened to the public and where we can have an upper hand... so to say, but we can leave that to Sara, since that is how she keeps beating us into a pulp.
Will you bring the bottle of Champagne to christen the frat house?
Blessings!
Sara,
You may get a choice of judicial forum on the alleged card counting. Also, why you think I insisted on using US dollars? To bring us all under US jurisdiction.
Now, if you were willing to "refund" sure losers and write a blog post about our "superior poker akills" we can suddenly drop all allegations and start the next game.
Just sayin'...
Blessings
Sara,
I despise money and if I could do away with it for good, I would.
It makes people do heinous things to other people. Destroys families, and corrupts the people that are supposed to maintain order in our societies.
So if you still wanna start that money-free commune, how about we build Earthships, with waterwheels, solar panels and drop some windmills around so we can live truly free?
https://www.earthshipglobal.com/
Yes, I have given this a LOT of thought.
I'm in :)
Dreaming of TRULY true Freedom,
Gwendolyn J
The cost of living in the Usa is ridiculous. Not the main reason, but a good reason I chose to become an ex-pat and move somewhere else 5000 miles away. Best decision I ever made.
Make a living, make a difference.
Mark
It is so true, even the bare minimum cost if living can no longer be funded by one job, and sometimes two full time jobs! And if you make the mistake of using credit to buy a few luxuries, we’ll then you are trapped for life! You are right! Everyone was intended to be Free! Great post!
sara,
Thanks for your comments.
It was not, it is not, it will be not God's intent for his precious creation to be enslaved.
For indeed it is written:
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Genesis 1:28
Where in that is there any reference to other than being blessed, prosperous and free?
Is my reading comprehension weak?
We need to start living by those blessings bestowed upon us by God.
Or be subjugated by nefarious men.
The choice, that choice is ours to make.
Each one of us individually.
Blessins!
The devil has other plans for mankind.
Our so called free spirit has been hijacked and the birdcage and its trappings were put in front of us .
In Our Father we ask for our daily bread, and not to receive it from other but from God, but not for our daily shackles.
Is that hard for humanity to understand?
Blessings!
OK... now I'm spooked! I have a similar post regarding Canada sitting in a backburner file, waiting for further inspiration.
In Alberta, our minimum wage is $15 per hour with rental apartments at $1200- $2300 (and up depending on region). Throw in utilities, taxes, and other expenses... roommates or a second job is required.
If I keep going, I will be hijacking your post, as I do tend to rant about these things...
Shaunna
Shaunna,
No worries, north of the border articles are always welcome and no hijacking is needed, rather hitchhiking.
Blessings!
Well, well, well none other than our own distinguished Prof Dr Emeritus Honoris Causa Twack....
We need your advice on US Canadian cross border exchanges.
I personally feel that most of Hollywood's actors and actresses are Canadian. That is some great import.
How are things across the great pond Doc?
Blessings!
Gabriel it is wet, windy and very unlike British Summer Time, actually very like. Life itself is always good though.
Prof Twack,
Skip those rainy islands, come and settle down to the BVIs or the eastern Caribbean,.
Paradise awaits, Sir!
Blessings!
Interesting yet Scarry article. I think it's redicilous that both mother and father must work full time and then some, jobs just to be considered " the working poor". I miss the " Leave it to Beaver" days.
I keep on pointing to another way of life.
I keep on pointing to the power we have as members of the "knowledge industry".
I point to the almost missionary like approach we need to have when we open up the eyes of the masses who have been ridded of hope and of the gifts God bestowed upon them.
If this is not humanity in its purest form, love one another and help one another what other grater form of it there is?
They have taken away our creativity, our ability to dream and to implement those dreams.
Just think of it.
"Dream of having a home or a good college education? No problem. We have chains for you for those dreams too. 30 years plus, We owe you."
What is the simple and almost painfully easy solution?
Break away from the system, become financially independent and that will also translate into personal freedom.
We do not look for FREE stuff, we look for freedom to create, earn and be in control of our destinies.
Band Aid is not a solution to a gaping wound.
Be passionate.
Be revolutionary.
Be relentless.
Be blessed.
Bless others.
Do WELL by doing GOOD.
Be the Chief Visionary Officer of your business!
You said it. And that deserves a huge AMEN! I Myself began thinking the same way when I became disabled after breaking my neck. I was alive, and everything I touched would have passion behind it. I had to figure out ,become creative, just to get around. I walked out of that hospital in 6 days. From sock and trauma, to freedom, and I made myself a promise. My life was precious. Not only did I in one split second,look at things differently, like with an most definate attitude of gratitude, but that the rest of my life would be spent not ever complaining about the small stuff again, because I was alive to experience the small stuff, I was greatful for the small stuff. It pushes me sometimes to what I think may be my limits, but I keep finding out, I'm limitless as long as I push forward. I may have to get creative to do the same things others do with ease but guess what? I still get to do. And for that, I thank God, I love harder, I put Ray harder, I work harder but with a not greatful heart,than ever before.
Sincerely
Patches Roland
Sorry for your ordeal, just know that our God is the One who never leaves the one behind.
Blessings!
I choose to believe I was needed here, The way I am at this time for this day. Nothing is by accident dear brother. I'm a better person for it. And there goes that attitude of gratitude again😇. Not stressed, just blessed. Have a great day.
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May I link to this in an upcoming article? I feel exactly the same way.
And I decided I was not going to be a sheeple anymore. I do not want to be locked into a cubicle farm ever again, in a brick n mortar or my own home.
My husband does not understand what I'm doing online all day. He does not see the benefit of it and treats it like a hobby. He is more interested in me making a steady check weekly. HE does not see it as work, and I doubt he ever will.
I have given up trying to explain. He doesn't want to understand. So I keep working on what I'm doing here, and to soothe him, I keep several side gigs going.
But I won't be under anyone's thumb ever again Not even his.
Gwendolyn J
Gwen,
Sorry for the late reply, by all means, please do so, I am only the messenger of what is happening out there and we are the ones who need to awaken those who are either asleep, numbed or indifferent and let them know that there is another way, the way God had intended humankind to live free and to prosper.
Blessings!