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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Yes, in much of the country that would enough for a comfortable living. Here, it would be hard to manage on double that. As long as he can stay in that low cost area, and likes the work, he'll hopefully get raises and go up from there in time
Of course he would just have to make sure after paying rent he has 900 to 1000 leftover for bills and savings each month. Someone making $16 an hour should not be paying $850 or more rent so as long as he chooses the right place he should be fine.
Just discovered that my nephew has been working as a truck driver (local delivery of building products) and this appears to be his lifelong career.
I'm wondering how hard it is to survive on $16 per hour these days. He's in a low cost of living area. (For reference, the MIT living wage calculator shows the living wage of this area to be $10.20 per hour.)
Sure, it's not hard. I'm 29 and most of my independent life I have made around $16/hr or less. I've never had debt and before I got married I always had roommates to split living costs. If he is smart with his money, it's not difficult and a decent life can be made.
Not that I recommend people stay making $16/hr or less their whole lives. I'm now self-employed, and my income is significantly higher then that now. I don't live a whole lot differently, but I'm able to save, invest, and pay off my home quicker, so it will affect my future later on.
I bet after a few years he might get bored (or maybe not), but if he has a cdl and some experience he has a chance to make more then $16/hr. My sister-in-laws dad is a truck driver and he makes close to $60K a year, he's home ever night and has 3 day weekends. His finances are another story though, an insane amount of debt.
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