"Working Poor"

Most people don't like to talk about money. At best, the conversation's awkward, at its worst, it's competitive, embarrassing, shameful, or proud. In our home, like many homes, it's excruciating. It's hard to talk about something that mostly has an unpleasant ending or seems unfixable. Tonight we budgeted for what our life will be like when Piper comes. According to our calculations, we'll fall at least $500 short every month. That's kind of a big percentage of our income-- not the sort of thing that's made up easily for us. So what does that mean? It means that we have to make more money. Or spend less.

Right now, spending less isn't feasible. Our monthly expenses didn't include things like co-pays for the doctor or for prescriptions or clothes or auto repairs or anything other than very basic needs. The one biggest irony? That TD will be starting school in the fall. He will be working toward his Master's in Social Work and I'm terribly proud that he got into such a good program with amazing opportunities. He can only go part-time so that he can be around for Piper, but this does mean that he can't work the two jobs he has now (the man works 70-80 hours a week!) However, the only way TD will make enough money to be able to spend most of his life working semi-reasonable hours is if he gets this degree. If he doesn't, things will never look up financially. And, of course, along with the degree will be a sense of fulfillment, irreplaceable skills, and education--all, as they say, "priceless" benefits.

What I'm trying to say is that we are what everyone calls "The Working Poor." Do you wonder what these people look like? They're us. Two people with 3.5 college degrees between them, both of whom work two jobs, and who want to have a family. We feel no need to live any way other than modestly, but we like to go to the dollar movies and out for Thai every so often. We're mostly nice to our neighbors, don't smoke crack, and help old ladies cross the street. But, fuck if we can pay our bills.

I'm not asking for a pity party, but I am wondering what will happen to us. We are not alone. We are in very good company right now. We are currently only a few hundred dollars shy of meeting income eligibility for WIC. That's right, if I just worked one fewer day a week, we could have some food supplements for Piper. Again, we're not alone--lots of families are hovering in this income bracket. Consider the conundrums (for many of us):

• We could save $500/month by ditching one of our two vehicles. BUT, public transportation doesn't run to TD's job and having a car is a requirement of mine.
• We could maybe save $300-$400/month if we move to the other side of town and downsize our living space. But guess who won't take people with 2 dogs and a baby? EVERY LANDLORD EVER! (tried it last year w/out the baby) Also, it would cost us approx $1500 to make the move.
• We will be paying for Piper's care while we're at work. That is more important to us than having just about anything. But if one us stayed home with her, we'd fall far short of being able to pay the bills. A non-negotiable expenditure.

So what gives? The food? The electricity? The gas? The phone? I guess we'll find out or figure it out. Writing about this is about being honest. Saying that people who may seem like they should have their shit together but actually can't figure out how they're going to get the car to work with the gas gauge on "e" is just saying the truth, not just about our family, but about many families.

This is where I break into fiery political rhetoric and tell you who to vote for and what needs to happen with our economy, but I am too fucking tired from making lists of numbers, adding, subtracting, and doing it again--hoping for a different answer.

-Thus sayeth a mom who is a few months from having a PhD and who works two jobs.