Re: Underemployed versus unemployed
^ in bad times, you will most likely work 60 (or more) hours a day and not 40 AND most likely your SO will also work few hours to help the family out ....
Main bread earner: 60 * 10.25 (min wage here in Ontario) : 615/week = around 2500/month S/O : 20 * 10.25 = 205/week = around 800/month
3200/3300 are enough for a family to SURVIVE
I am sure you know that when you are surviving, you dont keep iPhone with data plan, or $100/month cable, you sell one of your vehicle and pay insurance for only 1 vehicle or perhaps just use public transport, you do not eat out ...there are many things that you need to do but family CAN survive in 3200/3300...
Yes you could work 60 hours or more but then by the end of the day you are mentally and physically exhausted and you won’t find time or energy to look for more suitable job. You will be stuck in a rut for surviving.
With SO also working your family life will be non existent. A family earning $3200 per month on minimum wage is best case scenario and that also before taxes. People do live and survive under poverty limit but as I said it is easier said than done.