30 Days (in Off-topic)

So, I just finished watching this show. For those who haven't seen it, its from the guy who did Supersize Me. Now, don't worry, he totally doesn't do anything stupid... Kidding.

I just finished watching an episode where he actually participated in the thing he was talking about. So him and his girlfriend were going to try living on Minimum Wage for a month. For those who don't know, Cheshire and I are basically homeless right now and living with some friends of ours who have been kind enough to put us up while we try to find work. So we know what its like to have nothing.

Well, we got to watch this idiot, and I'm trying to keep myself PG here, spend money for a bus pass, let his wife buy fresh fruits and vegetables every day and spend 30 bucks to go watch a movie for her birthday. Speaking from personal experience, if you're part of the "working poor", as we're classified now by our earnings, you walk everywhere, no matter how far away it is. You do not buy anything fresh, its all pre-processed, comes in a can, not good for you. Heck, we lived on Rice and Top Ramen for three months because it was all we could afford. And you certainly don't go to see a movie, doesn't matter -what- day it is. You don't waste money on something as stupid as going out to celebrate anything, unless its that you got a job that pays 15+ an hour.

Ugh, sorry. I'm just personally disgusted by the people who are currently doing these stupid Documentaries and have -no- clue what its actually like to be poor. The only reason this guy got an apartment, without paying a deposit or credit check, was because he had a film crew with him. The only reason he and his girlfriend got jobs, they had a film crew with them. Quite honestly, this idiot did -nothing- that a normal person has to do besides going to the temp agency to try and find work.

Yeah there should have been hidden camera's instead of a Filming crew with them it kinda defeats the purpose of the exercise.

I enjoyed the 30 Days series. I did not see the minimum wage episode that you speak of.

I make a bit more than minimum wage. Still, I can certainly agree with your opinion on the matter. Even above minimum wage, after rent, utilities, food and gas, life is tough. There is rarely enough money left over for luxuries like entertainment and expensive foods (I'm not sure fresh produce qualifies as expensive foods though). Hell, I don't even have enough for "necessities" like health insurance auto repairs. I might catch one movie a month which costs way, way less than $30, and I don't get to go out with my friends anywhere near as much as I could before.

I also agree that having a camera at your back might make getting an apartment and a job a bit easier. For the rest of us, it's not so simple.

I've seen pretty much every 30 Days episode, and the minimum wage one was the worst of the lot. It's been a while since I saw it, but I do remember thinking how bizarre it was that his vegan wife kept buying fresh fruit instead of cheap collegiate fare (mmm... processed).

Watch some of the other episodes before you dismiss the entire series based on that one show. If I recall correctly, Morgan Spurlock only appears in a handful of the actual shows, aside from cutaway shots and narration.

I didn't even eat Top Ramen when I was that poor. Big bowls of white rice. Or a can of green beans, a can of whole potatoes, and water to drink. Didn't eat cans of corn again after they made me puke.

I've found Ramen to be very cost efficient. 15 cents a pack and while it might not taste the greatest, it'll fill you, even if its uncooked. And what really made it funny is they were buying bottles of water every day.

Been there bud. Hope things turn around for you. I was forced to move in with my sister due to this recession. i have my same job but only 2/3rds the hours. I've tried looking for more work but in southern idaho most of those jobs are filled by illegals. It gets not only frustrating but down right depressing. I can see why people are flying planes into the IRS buildings and wierd stuff like that. People are getting desperate because there isn't much else they can do. Forced into a corner it is amazing what a person will do to survive.

Just keep your head above the water and wait for the flood to subside. Things will either get better or they wont. All you can do is Chugga Chugga dude. And yes, series like that piss me off too. 2 1/2 years homeless before i moved in with family its been 10 years since then, but i still remember.