[Henrietta]

"Could any reader of TNR.com exist on $13 per day? Not $13 a day spending money, $13 a day for everything."

I know I could, because I have. But then I didn't have a car, cable tv, and a cell phone, either, and it seems like most "poor" families have no trouble affording these vital "necessities."

[judgeandjury]

I know I could, because I have. But then I didn't have a car, cable tv, and a cell phone, either, and it seems like most "poor" families have no trouble affording these vital "necessities."

Also, "poor" people always seem to have enough money to buy themselves cigarettes and booze.

[RipSawyer]

But then I didn't have a car, cable tv, and a cell phone, either, and it seems like most "poor" families have no trouble affording these vital "necessities."

I will grant that cable tv is no necessity but a car is necessary for many working poor in my area as a means to travel to work and back and in some cases a cell phone may be a necessity for people who only work when called in, this is becoming fairly common.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Perhaps $500 per month would go to food, even if the family subsists on macaroni and peanut butter.

Half that if they know how to cook and shop.

"Could any reader of TNR.com exist on $13 per day? Not $13 a day spending money, $13 a day for everything."

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, it's folded neatly away to remind me why I never want to go back to it. And I did it with no government assistance at all.

[q_an_a]

in addition in many states they get food stamps, health care at community hospitals, free breakfast at school, plus dozens of other social services to help them over the short falls. these extras can double the amount of income in this story.