Target Workers Get a Predictable Rude Awakening After Company Implements Minimum Wage Increase

[mystery-ak]

Target Workers Get a Predictable Rude Awakening After Company Implements Minimum Wage Increase

Posted at 8:30 pm on October 14, 2019 by Sister Toldjah

excerpt:

In a shocking display of actual journalism, CNN recently interviewed over 20 current and former Target employees who say that the gradual wage hike (their minimum is now $13) brought along with it less hours and, of course, less take-home pay. Why? Because Target started to look for ways to cut corners:

But some store workers say the wage increases are not helping because their hours are falling, making it difficult to keep their health insurance and in some cases to pay their bills.
[…]
“I got that dollar raise but I’m getting $200 less in my paycheck,” said one, Heather, who started in November at a Florida store working around 40 hours a week. She’s now below 20 some weeks, she said. “I have no idea how I’m going to pay rent or buy food.”
[…]
Beyond just a drop in earnings that Target workers who spoke with CNN Business have experienced, employees who average fewer than 30 hours of work a week during the year aren’t eligible to qualify for health insurance benefits through the company during annual enrollment season in the spring.
[…]
Target workers who say their hours have dropped have been given a variety of reasons why by their supervisors, including that there were not hours available or that their managers couldn’t fit additional hours in their budgets. Others said they received no explanation for why their hours fell.

One former store director in Ohio who oversaw around 130 employees said hours dropped at the store in the past year for several reasons, including the introduction of self-checkout and elimination of backroom shifts.

more
https://www.redstate.com/sister-toldjah/2019/10/14/target-workers-get-predictable-rude-awakening-company-implements-minimum-wage-increase/

[skeeter]

All of the warnings concerning a higher minimum wage are playing out here in CA, and the economic gulf between public & high tech employees and the rest of the state's population is getting wider by the day.

[PeteS in CA]

All of the warnings concerning a higher minimum wage are playing out here in CA, and the economic gulf between public & high tech employees and the rest of the state's population is getting wider by the day.

Predictions of what would happen were spoken when this stupidity first became a political issue.

Early-adopter cities of this foolishness, like SF and Seattle, saw and continue to see the predicted automation, hours cutbacks, and business closings that were predicted.

Now, as more cities and states adopt this foolishness and national/regional businesses adopt the foolishness in self-defense from government, the long predicted consequences are going national.

The reality denial is also national, unfortunately.

[Hoodat]

I have a very low tolerance for willful economic ignorance.

[GtHawk]

All of the warnings concerning a higher minimum wage are playing out here in CA, and the economic gulf between public & high tech employees and the rest of the state's population is getting wider by the day.

Actually it's playing out wherever they do this, anyone that has run a business in California over a long period of time knows exactly what happens with a minimum wage increase and the size of these increase in today's competitive marketplace just amplify the results. I remember in the mid seventies business was so good that we could absorb the minimum wage increases with minor menu price increases but those days are long gone and far away. As businesses reach the brick wall of employee and service cuts we will all see higher prices and it won't just be the minimum wage employees that have lost income to cut hours or higher taxes that are affected, it will be the seniors on social security and others that haven't gotten wage increases that will feel the pain too.

I'm sure there will be someone that read an article by an expert or posts statistics and graphs from 'government data' that proves my real life experience to be all bullshit, but hey I was the guy that had to cut employee hours, cut payroll and post the price increases that those government stats said were bullshit.

[sneakypete]

I have a very low tolerance for willful economic ignorance.

@Hoodat

It's more purposeful than willful. The uber wealthy Dims like Soros don't like competition with the businesses they own,and they also know they can buy businesses they don't own at a dime to a dollar in bankruptcy sales.

People like Soros and Warren Buffett didn't become multi-billionaires because they were generous with their money.

Collapse the economy and then start fresh as the only ones with the money and the assets to start anew. So what if they lose money for a year or two,once everything is back to normal they will be the only ones standing with the means and the ability to conduct business.

[goatprairie]

Many people have a very dim idea of what they're actually worth. I should know, I was a union member most of my working life.
Our union reps were always ranting about how much we were owed by the places I worked at.
One thing they couldn't do....they couldn't keep our jobs. When a company realizes they don't need you, out you go, union or no union.
If I had the power I might pass a law banning strikes.  Not necessarily ban unions, but just have an arbitrator who decides what is just.
I was involved in a number of strikes, and the final result was it would have been better just to go on working instead of striking for the slight "gains" we made.

[berdie]

Many people have a very dim idea of what they're actually worth. I should know, I was a union member most of my working life.
Our union reps were always ranting about how much we were owed by the places I worked at.
One thing they couldn't do....they couldn't keep our jobs. When a company realizes they don't need you, out you go, union or no union.
If I had the power I might pass a law banning strikes.  Not necessarily ban unions, but just have an arbitrator who decides what is just.
I was involved in a number of strikes, and the final result was it would have been better just to go on working instead of striking for the slight "gains" we made.

I don't know how much that was union. I'm not a union employee.  I was talking to a long time co-worker not long ago. We both agreed we under valued ourselves and our work. The newer generations over values themselves. I don't know which opinion is best...but I had a good job for 45 years. Of course, they would have still booted me if the time came. I was pretty fortunate and left on my own terms.

[OfTheCross]

Eh, in reading the original CNN article the main complaint was hours cut below the healthcare threshold.

That happens all the time in retail whether you make $8 or $15/hour

https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/business/target-cutting-hours-wage-increase/index.html

There's a lot of factors involved.

Even the fact that there are more employees to give hours to:

"Target has been adding workers to help it keep up with growth. It has hired more than 35,000 new workers over the last two years and has approximately 360,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees, according to its latest annual securities filing."

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Eh, in reading the original CNN article the main complaint was hours cut below the healthcare threshold.

That happens all the time in retail whether you make $8 or $15/hour

https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/business/target-cutting-hours-wage-increase/index.html

Guess the idiots who wanted the higher per hour rates didn't factor that in.

[skeeter]

Eh, in reading the original CNN article the main complaint was hours cut below the healthcare threshold.

That happens all the time in retail whether you make $8 or $15/hour

https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/14/business/target-cutting-hours-wage-increase/index.html

There's a lot of factors involved.

Even the fact that there are more employees to give hours to:

"Target has been adding workers to help it keep up with growth. It has hired more than 35,000 new workers over the last two years and has approximately 360,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees, according to its latest annual securities filing."

There are other government mandates that also contribute to employer inability to employ as many people as they used to, but as an actual employer who knows other employers I can assure you that the minimum wage increases are the primary reason we can no longer afford to employ people in this state.

Ignore the reality if you like, but it will be apparent even to you eventually.

[OfTheCross]

There are other government mandates that also contribute to employer inability to employ as many people as they used to, but as an actual employer who knows other employers I can assure you that the minimum wage increases are the primary reason we can no longer afford to employ people in this state.

Ignore the reality if you like, but it will be apparent even to you eventually.

My co-worker just told me that he's pondering quitting his job and going on disability because his wage didn't even enough to pay his rent. He'd rather work odd jobs and collect collect a check than sacrifice 40 hours a week for peanuts.

Wages matter to people for morale and desire to work.

[Wingnut]

My co-worker just told me that he's pondering quitting his job and going on disability because his wage didn't even enough to pay his rent. He'd rather work odd jobs and collect collect a check than sacrifice 40 hours a week for peanuts.

We had a name for people like your  "co-worker".

We called them "lazy bums"

[Hoodat]

We had a name for people like your  "co-worker".

We called them "lazy bums"

I call them 'Democrats.'.

[roamer_1]

My co-worker just told me that he's pondering quitting his job and going on disability because his wage didn't even enough to pay his rent. He'd rather work odd jobs and collect collect a check than sacrifice 40 hours a week for peanuts.

Wages matter to people for morale and desire to work.

Doesn't matter. the wage is a mathematical function of the job's worth. Nothing will change that.
You can pay entry level workers 30 bucks an hour, and all that will happen is the price of the retail product will increase to compensate.

And everything else will go up likewise, until the 30 dollars is commiserate with the original value.
Except that in the interim, businesses that cannot handle the increase in wage by increasing retail price will fail, and thus make fewer jobs available, and more workers out of work.

That is the pipe dream of minimum wage.

[sneakypete]

I call them 'Democrats.'.

@Hoodat

There is a difference?

[Wingnut]

I call them 'Democrats.'.

That is their name today. 

[Absalom]

Factors of production have a cost,
so capitalists will always choose their least cost alternative.
Some appear surprised/shocked.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

Going on disability and working odd jobs.

You're disabled or you're not, pick one.

No actually, don't pick.  It's not YOUR choice.  You don't choose to be disabled, you choose to be dishonest.

[sneakypete]

Going on disability and working odd jobs.

You're disabled or you're not, pick one.

No actually, don't pick.  It's not YOUR choice.  You don't choose to be disabled, you choose to be dishonest.

@InHeavenThereIsNoBeer


Welllllll,there is a pretty flexible line there. When I first got hit with the Agent Orange infestation in my armpits and torso,there was no way I could hold a steady job because I had good days and bad days.

What I could do was occasionally go to Manpower and work a day or two so I could buy enough food to eat and help pay my rent. Even then I had to catch a bus to Manpower because it was cheaper than buying the gas.

Everywhere I worked tried to hire me full-time,but I just couldn't do it because of not wanting to take a chance on sweating and getting the open wounds any more infected,or missing doctors appointments at the VA hospital so I didn't miss work.

Life is often too complicated for simple stands.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

We had a name for people like your  "co-worker".

We called them "lazy bums"

Got a nephew who was laid off.  After a couple of months, I asked him when he was going to begin looking for another job.

His answer was when his unemployment ran out.

That is a lazy bum.

[skeeter]

My co-worker just told me that he's pondering quitting his job and going on disability because his wage didn't even enough to pay his rent. He'd rather work odd jobs and collect collect a check than sacrifice 40 hours a week for peanuts.

Wages matter to people for morale and desire to work.

Working for peanuts didn't bother me when I was 19 years old. Unlike your friend when I wanted more money I knew I had to exert myself. Which I, and everyone else I knew, did as I got older.

Maybe people ought to stop expecting to be able to buy a home and raise kids on their salary as a cashier at the Dollar Store.

[Gefn]

My local target is hiring for the holidays starting at $15. Part time only but that’s a lot of money.

[Cyber Liberty]

I don't know how much that was union. I'm not a union employee.  I was talking to a long time co-worker not long ago. We both agreed we under valued ourselves and our work. The newer generations over values themselves. I don't know which opinion is best...but I had a good job for 45 years. Of course, they would have still booted me if the time came. I was pretty fortunate and left on my own terms.

My story is similar.  I had an excellent paying job for 34 years at Motorola, over 25 of them in R&D, and eventually I was obsoleted and offered a severance package.  Since I'd been expecting it for years and saved up a bunch of money, I decided to call it "retirement," even though it was not exactly on my own terms.  I did see it coming.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

@InHeavenThereIsNoBeer


Welllllll,there is a pretty flexible line there. When I first got hit with the Agent Orange infestation in my armpits and torso,there was no way I could hold a steady job because I had good days and bad days.

What I could do was occasionally go to Manpower and work a day or two so I could buy enough food to eat and help pay my rent. Even then I had to catch a bus to Manpower because it was cheaper than buying the gas.

Everywhere I worked tried to hire me full-time,but I just couldn't do it because of not wanting to take a chance on sweating and getting the open wounds any more infected,or missing doctors appointments at the VA hospital so I didn't miss work.

Life is often too complicated for simple stands.

You said, "there was no way I could hold a steady job".

You didn't choose to go on disability, it happened to you.   People today are choosing that it's better to just go on the dole than work for a living.  That ain't you.

[berdie]

My story is similar.  I had an excellent paying job for 34 years at Motorola, over 25 of them in R&D, and eventually I was obsoleted and offered a severance package.  Since I'd been expecting it for years and saved up a bunch of money, I decided to call it "retirement," even though it was not exactly on my own terms.  I did see it coming.

Yep...I don't know about you @Cyber Liberty but this has been one of the greatest blessings I could have received in my life. Fortunately, I'm a "what if" person and put back money for this joyous time. Oh, I'm not rich by any means. Just comfortable...and happy and stress free.

[sneakypete]

Got a nephew who was laid off.  After a couple of months, I asked him when he was going to begin looking for another job.

His answer was when his unemployment ran out.

That is a lazy bum.

@IsailedawayfromFR

The saddest part is by that time he will be used to the unemployment checks rolling in,and will be totally surprised when they stop coming. Teens tend to live in "right now time".

[sneakypete]

You said, "there was no way I could hold a steady job".

You didn't choose to go on disability, it happened to you.   People today are choosing that it's better to just go on the dole than work for a living.  That ain't you.

@InHeavenThereIsNoBeer

Well,I WAS on disability and still am. At the time I was drawing 30 percent disability from the VA. Maybe YOU can live on that kind of money,but when your 70 dollar a month rent is a third of your monthly income,things are going to get tight while you wait for the next check to come in. I ate a lot of peanut butter on expired bread sandwiches back then. Paying 70 bucks a month rent including utilities for a furnished apartment in Denver in the mid-70's tells you I wasn't exactly living large before I lost my job for not showing up for work due to hospital appointments.

Having a job is ALWAYS better than not having a job. Even if your job sucks,you can be looking for a better one while continuing to work. Plus,it's easier to get a job if you can tell prospective employeers,"I have been working at XXX for a x years,but there are no raises and I need more money","I like working for xxx but I need more of a challenge",etc,etc,etc. Potential employers tend to give you the old fish eye if you tell them "I don't have a job now.",and want to know why.

Truth to tell,I LOVE working. True,I am probably not the biggest fan of office jobs you have never met,but I could usually manage to hold a office job long enough to find a real job. I was even taking dish washing jobs in restaurants when I was in my late 30's so I could get free meals and a paycheck until I could do better.

First time I ever got a job with paid vacation I took two weeks off to avoid losing the vacation time,and by the second week I was bored and looking in the help wanted ads for part time work.

Even now I have spent a BUNCH of money putting up a 1800 sq foot workshop with air,heat,full bath,and filling it with tools,antique cars,and car parts,just so I would have something to do when I feel good enough to do something. I feel better just knowing it is there so I can work when I am able to work. If I lose that,you might as well go ahead and shoot me and put me out of my misery.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

@IsailedawayfromFR

The saddest part is by that time he will be used to the unemployment checks rolling in,and will be totally surprised when they stop coming. Teens tend to live in "right now time".

I wish he were a kid.

Is 42 now married with three kids.

[sneakypete]

I wish he were a kid.

Is 42 now married with three kids.

@IsailedawayfromFR

That is the saddest damn thing I have been told in months. Just look at the message this sends his children. It really pisses me off.

[Cyber Liberty]

I never took unemployment.  I guess I could have because I got "laid off," but I didn't feel right asking for it.

I met my Retirement goal of having no mortgage, and I walked with enough cash to buy a Castle in a smaller town.  Now I have a nice, distant view of the Casinos in Laughlin across the river.

[OfTheCross]

Working for peanuts didn't bother me when I was 19 years old. Unlike your friend when I wanted more money I knew I had to exert myself. Which I, and everyone else I knew, did as I got older.

Maybe people ought to stop expecting to be able to buy a home and raise kids on their salary as a cashier at the Dollar Store.

I don't know how old he is. Probably early-mid 20s. College graduate, smart, and physically limited. This guy shows up every day at 6:30 and goes home every day at 5:30. A dedicated employee. He's not lazy, he's disillusioned and disappointed.

He mentioned some remorse in having gone to school as opposed becoming a police officer. Now that he's physically limited, he cannot be an officer.

I don't blame him for thinking he'd be better off collecting Disability and working under the table.

[skeeter]

I don't know how old he is. Probably early-mid 20s. College graduate, smart, and physically limited. This guy shows up every day at 6:30 and goes home every day at 5:30. A dedicated employee. He's not lazy, he's disillusioned and disappointed.

He mentioned some remorse in having gone to school as opposed becoming a police officer. Now that he's physically limited, he cannot be an officer.

I don't blame him for thinking he'd be better off collecting Disability and working under the table.

It sounds as though your friend might need disability. My comments are directed at others who think they deserve a ‘living wage’ from their minimum skill, minimum effort job that they have no  interest in moving beyond though, with a little ambition and discomfort, they could.

[OfTheCross]

It sounds as though your friend might need disability. My comments are directed at others who think they deserve a ‘living wage’ from their minimum skill, minimum effort job that they have no  interest in moving beyond though, with a little ambition and discomfort, they could.

I support a living wage. I was of the mindset that the wage should be enough to support 1 adult. So, if you work, you can afford to pay for a roof, food, etc. Basic necessities. I am also of the opinion that it should be directly linked the to cost on living in the specific-market.

BUT, I recently heard (possibly on C-Span) that, that minimum wage earners in 1968 could support family of three above poverty line.

That bit of information is making me rethink my position.

[skeeter]

I support a living wage. I was of the mindset that the wage should be enough to support 1 adult. So, if you work, you can afford to pay for a roof, food, etc. Basic necessities. I am also of the opinion that it should be directly linked the to cost on living in the specific-market.

BUT, I recently heard (possibly on C-Span) that, that minimum wage earners in 1968 could support family of three above poverty line.

That bit of information is making me rethink my position.

I believe a wage should reflect the actual value to society of the work being performed. Don’t like your wage? Enhance your own self worth. Your way is a bit too stalinesque IMO.

[OfTheCross]

I believe a wage should reflect the actual value to society of the work being performed. Don’t like your wage? Enhance your own self worth. Your way is a bit too stalinesque IMO.

I think you're mistaken. I googled Stanist wage policies and I don't think this is what you support. Correct me if I'm wrong...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_reform_in_the_Soviet_Union,_1956%E2%80%931962

"Throughout the Stalinist period, most Soviet workers had been paid for their work based on a piece-rate system. Thus their individual wages were directly tied to the amount of work they produced. This policy was intended to encourage workers to toil and therefore increase production as much as possible."

[Wingnut]

BUT, I recently heard (possibly on C-Span) that, that minimum wage earners in 1968 could support family of three above poverty line.

That bit of information is making me rethink my position.

It can be done today if you tighten your belt and live without unneeded luxury items.  But people today don't have the self control nor the will to do so. After all this the age of instant gratification.

[skeeter]

I think you're mistaken. I googled Stanist wage policies and I don't think this is what you support. Correct me if I'm wrong...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_reform_in_the_Soviet_Union,_1956%E2%80%931962

"Throughout the Stalinist period, most Soviet workers had been paid for their work based on a piece-rate system. Thus their individual wages were directly tied to the amount of work they produced. This policy was intended to encourage workers to toil and therefore increase production as much as possible."

I certainly don’t. I’m more of an invisible hand of the market type.

[Cyber Liberty]

I think you're mistaken. I googled Stanist wage policies and I don't think this is what you support. Correct me if I'm wrong...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_reform_in_the_Soviet_Union,_1956%E2%80%931962

"Throughout the Stalinist period, most Soviet workers had been paid for their work based on a piece-rate system. Thus their individual wages were directly tied to the amount of work they produced. This policy was intended to encourage workers to toil and therefore increase production as much as possible."

Old joke from the old Soviet days:  "We pretend to work, and they pretend to pay us."

Any mention of the Soviet "pay system" that does not recognize this expression is wildly optimistic, to be kind.  Here is your Pulitzer Prize, named after that reporter who said, He's seen the soviet system, and it works.

You are a fool if you believe the Soviet pay system is something to be admired and copied.

[goatprairie]

I support a living wage. I was of the mindset that the wage should be enough to support 1 adult. So, if you work, you can afford to pay for a roof, food, etc. Basic necessities. I am also of the opinion that it should be directly linked the to cost on living in the specific-market.

BUT, I recently heard (possibly on C-Span) that, that minimum wage earners in 1968 could support family of three above poverty line.

That bit of information is making me rethink my position.

If you support a living wage, you are basically a socialist. Is that what you are?

[Cyber Liberty]

If you support a living wage, you are basically a socialist. Is that what you are?

[DB]

I don't know how much that was union. I'm not a union employee.  I was talking to a long time co-worker not long ago. We both agreed we under valued ourselves and our work. The newer generations over values themselves. I don't know which opinion is best...but I had a good job for 45 years. Of course, they would have still booted me if the time came. I was pretty fortunate and left on my own terms.

The general rule I followed was produce more than what I was paid for. In doing so you make yourself more valuable to the company and get paid more. It is the way to advance upward.

[OfTheCross]

If you support a living wage, you are basically a socialist. Is that what you are?

What if we support a living wage and get rid of most government assistance?

[Cyber Liberty]

The general rule I followed was produce more than what I was paid for. In doing so you make yourself more valuable to the company and get paid more. It is the way to advance upward.

And for that, the gen-weenies cal us "saps."  Tough.  I cried all the way to my retirement Castle in BHC.

(Hey, @DB, how are you liking the desert?)

[DB]

I think you're mistaken. I googled Stanist wage policies and I don't think this is what you support. Correct me if I'm wrong...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_reform_in_the_Soviet_Union,_1956%E2%80%931962

"Throughout the Stalinist period, most Soviet workers had been paid for their work based on a piece-rate system. Thus their individual wages were directly tied to the amount of work they produced. This policy was intended to encourage workers to toil and therefore increase production as much as possible."

But people today "can't live" without their cell phone, Internet, air conditioning, electronic toys, etc, etc... The families you speak of then would be considered dirt poor these days but they didn't "know better". We were one of them.

In 1956 gas and electricity were cheap. Many people didn't have a phone or had a party line. These things weren't loaded down with taxes and fees. Houses were basic and weren't burdened with a large number of minimum energy/safety/fire/structural requirements along with permits/fees and taxes. Every aspect of our lives have slowly been regulated and taxed "for our own good" until we are consumed by all the added weight and wonder what happened. And in spite of all that continue to pile more on.

[Cyber Liberty]

What if we support a living wage and get rid of most government assistance?

If that means "Government-set wages," then the argument is ridiculous.  All that does is shift the Welfare burden to employers by forcing them to pay more than what their unambitious employees are worth.  Meanwhile, the "government assistance" will continue to flow because the majority of voters accept it in some form, and will throw any politician that threatens the gravy train straight out of office, in favor of some socialist promising to keep the checks coming.

There are no shortages of sad sacks to trot out when the politicians need the tears to flow.  And there are plenty of socialists fools available to keep the shipwreck afloat somehow.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

The general rule I followed was produce more than what I was paid for. In doing so you make yourself more valuable to the company and get paid more. It is the way to advance upward.

I always tried to produce less than my cost to the company, and then have Uncle Sugar force the big evil corporations I worked for to pay me a "living wage".  Turns out companies don't go into business to lose money, and zero isn't much to live on.

[OfTheCross]

But people today "can't live" without their cell phone, Internet, air conditioning, electronic toys, etc, etc... The families you speak of then would be considered dirt poor these days but they didn't "know better". We were one of them.

In 1956 gas and electricity were cheap. Many people didn't have a phone or had a party line. These things weren't loaded down with taxes and fees. Houses were basic and weren't burdened with a large number of minimum energy/safety/fire/structural requirements along with permits/fees and taxes. Every aspect of our lives have slowly been regulated and taxed "for our own good" until we are consumed by all the added weight and wonder what happened. And in spite of all that continue to pile more on.

A great amout of households already live without internet:

https://connectednation.org/blog/2019/10/09/new-u-s-census-findings-number-of-households-without-internet-access/

Phone plans can be found for $30 a month. AC isn't guaranteed, even if you have it, and it breaks, you might have to rely on fans.

Gas and electricity are still relatively cheap in this country.

[Cyber Liberty]

I think you're mistaken. I googled Stanist wage policies and I don't think this is what you support. Correct me if I'm wrong...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_reform_in_the_Soviet_Union,_1956%E2%80%931962

"Throughout the Stalinist period, most Soviet workers had been paid for their work based on a piece-rate system. Thus their individual wages were directly tied to the amount of work they produced. This policy was intended to encourage workers to toil and therefore increase production as much as possible."

I never thought I'd see a day when somebody would come on TBR and speak of Stalin in such glowing terms.  Unless you mean to demonstrate how that quoted part was repeatedly violated by Stalin's band of merry thugs, you are in for an awakening.  Unless you don't.

[DB]

A great amout of households already live without internet:

https://connectednation.org/blog/2019/10/09/new-u-s-census-findings-number-of-households-without-internet-access/

Phone plans can be found for $30 a month. AC isn't guaranteed, even if you have it, and it breaks, you might have to rely on fans.

Gas and electricity are still relatively cheap in this country.

You contradict yourself. You are saying these things are cheap but people can't afford them because they aren't paid enough...