How many jobs do we need to work to support a family now? A change in the future. (minimum wage, how much)

[moguldreamer]

Originally Posted by DannyHobkins

It used to be that one income could support an entire family of 4 with no problems, with a stay at home wife.

"Tech companies are serving up million-dollar-a-year compensation packages, accelerated stock-vesting schedules and offers to poach entire engineering teams to draw people with expertise and experience in the kind of generative AI that is powering ChatGPT and other humanlike bots. They are competing against each other and against startups vying to be the next big thing to unseat the giants."

While mrs. moguldreamer might disagree with me, I assert it is very possible to support a family of 4 with a million-dollar-per-year compensation package, accelerated stock-vesting and all the support one desires.

[natalie469]

Many don’t want kids these days. It’s too expensive, and they don't want the responsibility.

[saltine]

Try the 70s.
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/pur...lar-over-time/

On top of that we have our current housing affordability crisis.

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by jetgraphics

Aggregate government (local, state, federal) spending takes approximately 44.4% of the GDP.
On average, a taxpayer works almost half the year for Uncle Sugar.
That is why it takes 2 or more adults working to support a family.

This is part of it. Government has become a for profit business, rewarding the bureaucrats with multiple pensions and good salaries and benefits. The politicians use them as patronage favors also. Look at the number of police and their vehicles and equipment. From local to state to Federal, the agencies have the best of everything and it's not just law enforcement. It's all of them. Too much government and too many employees.

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by stone26

Maybe they just need a better job.

Maybe they are NOT quantified!

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by James Bond 007

Typical new house built in the 1950's or 1960's:
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.5384...8192?entry=ttu

Typical new house built in the 2010's or 2020's:
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.7103...8192?entry=ttu

No wonder.

if you are going to post costs, you also have to post "cost of living"

1 without the other is useless.

[moguldreamer]

Originally Posted by saltine

Try the 70s.
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/pur...lar-over-time/

On top of that we have our current housing affordability crisis.

Actually, there is no affordability crisis. Every person who purchases a house affords it.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Move to Ca. 20 an hour to hand out fast food bags. You'll still need 7 roommates to pull it off but you are entitled to live here. Go team blue.

[AnesthesiaMD]

Originally Posted by moguldreamer

Actually, there is no affordability crisis. Every person who purchases a house affords it.

While the first sentence is true, the second one is patently NOT. Otherwise, foreclosures wouldn’t be a thing.

[webster]

After the housing crash of 2008, the US has not had any coherent program to build adequate affordable housing. The average size house in 1960 was less than 1,500 sq. ft. today it's over 2,200 sq. ft.; larger houses, fancier appliances and finishes has resulted in less and less affordable housing.

But it's not just housing. In 1960, the average dinner plate size was 9", today its 12". Larger houses, more food...the math is simple, we consume more.