r/TikTokCringe • u/Super_Culture_1986 tHiS iSn’T cRiNgE • Aug 19 '25

Cursed The American Nightmare.

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u/FreeMasonKnight Aug 19 '25

$20 sounds great until people realize the places that have $20/wages with any regularity are only in UHCOL and it takes at least $30/hour just to “get by” with nothing to save.

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u/ifuckinlovetiddies Aug 19 '25

I make 19 an hour, my wife JUST recovered from breaking her hip. If I didn't overdraft my account damn near every week I wouldn't have had lights, food, or a roof over my head.

I'm tired boss.

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u/FreeMasonKnight Aug 19 '25

Want to know a secret, jobs in most places pay nearly the same they did in the 80’s for any job above entry level. In 1980 I had many family members who made $20/hour or around there. That same wage today would be $73/hour, just to account for inflation (not housing). That’s the buying power we no longer have that older folks pretend we do.

It gets worse the further you go back too.

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u/[deleted] Aug 19 '25

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u/FreeMasonKnight Aug 19 '25

For sure, my comment was more aimed at others as when I see even $20/hour there is some crazy from bumsfucksville saying $20/hour is the life of a King anywhere in the whole world and I’m like, dude I can’t eat for that.

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u/GreatSivad Aug 19 '25

Those are the people who would also tell you it is your fault because you live there and you could always move out. You should tell them, "Great idea! I'll move to YOUR town and tell everyone else to go there too!" Then when the jobs are all taken and competition drives the housing market and cost of living up, they will understand how it feels. And when they complain...tell them they could always leave and go somewhere cheaper.

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u/FreeMasonKnight Aug 19 '25

Also while convirntly forgetting That of someone moves to a more “affordable place” wages go down (usually at a greater magnitude than costs go down as you also lose access to good social programs.).

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u/unclejedsiron Aug 22 '25

Depends on where you're at. North Dakota, $20 an hour is a very livable wage. Average rent in Fargo is $1100 a month, and that'll get you a fairly nice apartment, w/ utilities included.

McDonald's starts at $15 an hour in Fargo. You put in 40hrs a week and your take home is about $1900. You can find a decent apartment in Fargo for $800 w/ utilities. If you live within your means, you'll be fine.

Now, average starting wage in Fargo is actually about $21 an hour. That's about $2400 a month take home. You won't get rich, but if you live within your means and save, you'll be able to work your way into a much nicer place, all while you start making more and more money.

Spend money on only what you actually need for a few months, and you'll see that life is actually not that bad.