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Comment by Pfhreak | Hacker News Reader

Your numbers seem reasonable, but that 66k has to support N people, covering rent, food, childcare or tuition, all the equipment and clothing costs for the business, etc.

Is it enough to save for retirement? To deal with a medical emergency or sudden bill? If not, I'd feel comfortable calling that scraping by.

There are many places that would be a tight squeeze in the states.

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$66K is median household income in US, so if it's not enough, it's a much broader problem than Camshowing/thirstwatering.

66k doesn't typically include all the costs of operating a business, safety from people with parasocial relationships, etc. which this person has to carry.

But yes, I'd also argue that it is a much broader problem in the US.

Agreed, I have never understood this type of logic that seems to justify their desire for more money.

If I can survive in LA alone on $19k, you and your family can do fine with $66k. You just want health insurance...

Sounds like a race to the bottom.

There are a lot of families living on a lot less than that. Go to the poor area of your town sometime. Where the blacks, hispanic, and immigrants live (sadly the stereotype has a lot of truth behind it). Notice that there are a lot of kids living in the small houses with bad paint. Notice someone fixing a 15 year old car outside with just hand tools. Hope that the violence problems in those areas don't get you. In general I find such people making the best of their lot, nice people who want the best for their family. They don't have much to live on but there is enough for food (except when drugs are involved which is all too common)

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