Comments on: Where does the money go?

By: Martin Boyd

Martin Boyd — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:14:03 +0000

I was’nt to far off the mark and I was just guesstimating the expenses. Over all I think Winnipeg is the cheapest place to live in Canada. I’ve heard that broom closet apartments in Toronto are $1000.00 to $1100.00 a month. Taxes for everything are a little higher than the ‘Peg. In Calgary, a one bedroom apartment is $2000.00 a month.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:20:53 +0000

Well I am not surprsed by the results. There was a time I struggled some but always I found ways to make the dollar stretch. I made commitments with each change to address our finances and even though sacrifices had to be made my family was none the worse off.

We had 3 children, he worked days I worked evenings. Family picked up an hour or so of supervision so we moved close by family.We haggled for some household items. I thank my aunt for teaching me that skill. She was from a country where haggling for prices is a common skill.

I kept a running account of where every penny was spent so that we could afford treats every now and then.I bought healthy food and very little junk food. I walked with my kids or took the bus. We did a lot of family activities at home together and some things in the community for free. Kids love the park and picnics and exploring and with parents present it is very safe. The advent of movie videos was a godsend. What a great friday evening to make pizzas,eat popcorn and drink juice or soda for 4 for a quarter of the cost. And as it should be we spent more time together as a family.We are also very healthy as a result of not consuming a lot of junk and regular exercise.

I also became a great fan of reuse recycle when it came to clothing, trading with family and friends for kids stuff and visiting the second hand stores for my stuff.

Learning to become more resourceful can be seen as a challenge and something to be proud of with each success. Having less does not need to lead to feelings of bitterness or feeling less than. Learning to make something from what others no longer see as useful is a wonderful and creative skill. I also feel safer in myself and my resilience as an individual. I know that should my life circumstances change I could overcome pretty well anything.

By: Robert Kury

Robert Kury — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:14:42 +0000

When I hear the comment that people working in union jobs are making too much, I am left scratching my head. In reality, this last survey indicates that maybe non-union jobs and the minimum wage are too low, especially with family breakdowns and the need for independent shelter and living.

I would really like to see the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the Winnipeg City Council, the Manitoba Legislators, and the Manitoba Members of Parliament, take this survey and see their position on what is reasonable.

Thank you for this opportunity to participate.

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:50:18 +0000

Interesting comments about cooperation and resourcefulness. These have definitely gotten me thinking about my own practices.

I wanted to respond to Laura’s comment about what United Way is doing to address poverty. Here are some snippets of a couple initiatives…

United Way is part of an innovative AssetBuilders Partnership:
“Asset-building programs provide low-income individuals and families with an opportunity to save for small assets. Asset-building programs provide participants with knowledge, experience, confidence, and the incentive of matched savings to acquire assets and moving towards financial stability. United Way of Winnipeg has supported and invested in asset-building initiatives since 1998.”

And United Way was instrumental in the formation of the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council. Check out their website: http://www.wprc.ca

There are many other ways that United Way is working to address poverty. If anyone is looking for ways to get involved I encourage you to check out United Way’s website (www.unitedwaywinnipeg.mb.ca) under the “participate” tab. Or contact us at (204)477-5360.

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:11:36 +0000

I can’t believe the minimum for this is so high!! When I was a University Student (only 3 years ago) my entire household (myself and 3 guys, aged 17-20) lived on less than $1400 a month TOTAL- and that included EVERYTHING. Mortgage, TV, Phone, Internet, 2 cars, FOOD, AND recreation! Why do people need to spend more?? The thing is though that we had a garden and froze our vegetables. My parents hunt and we got a deer each year. We bought groceries when things were on sale. I love fishing and made sure we had fresh fish whenever we wanted. Why can’t more people be a bit more resourceful and/or ambitious and do these things too?? Have a family garden, spend a day at the lake… All these things are great ways to teach children about how wonderful the outdoors are – we will have a better community in the end because of it. Maybe if we were all be a little more self-sustaining, the cost of living wouldn’t be so high because it would be a buyer’s market, rather than a seller’s market for our basic needs.

By: Isabel

Isabel — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:29:14 +0000

I’m a new canadian; when we moved to Canada my only child was 15 years old already so I did the numbers based in other people’s experience. I understand in this survey we’re talking about BASIC needs, the minimun you can live with.
What I want to say is that I come from a third world country, I know what poverty looks like and how hard it is to overcome the lack of money.
Getting people together to talk about social problems is a great initiative form United Way; WE share the planet, individual well being is not an option. If WE have to start canning and freezin food to fullfill our needs, lets do it. Co-operation will make us stronger to face dificulties, lets put our skills in action for everybody’s benefit.

By: Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:15:05 +0000

My kids are now grown up but I remember struggling to get by when my kids were in school. With the sports activities and the regular daily expenses, We were living payday to payday even with both my husband and I working.

I also can’t beleive the increase in the cost of living!! It’s ridiculous! We will now have to make that effort (if even possible) to grow our own food and to start canning and freezing and hunting/fishing like our ancestors used to do to get by!

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:09:16 +0000

I have to say that I can not even begin to guess what the minimum requirements for the basics would be.
Our single parent daughter is living with us while she gets on her feet. When she first arrived – over 5 years ago she was quite sure this would be only a short-term stop on her way to self-sufficiency. She has a significant debt load from her previous relationship. She has always been a good money manager and this debt load is really hard for her to come to grips with. She has said frequently that on her wages, which are not bad, she could not find a “decent” place to live where she could pay the rent and feed and clothe them and so is staying put in our basement until the debts are cleared – another few years. Even then I think she will be hard pressed to make it without some assistance.

By: Koert Oosterhuis

Koert Oosterhuis — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:28:28 +0000

Thanks for creating this poll. My partner and I run a household with three children (ages 4-8) and a pensioner (age 70). The extended family situation in our household saves money, no doubt, in terms of childcare and makes it less likely for us to have to consume fast food. The Social Planning/Wpg Harvest shelter and transportation estimates, however, are unrealistically low in my view.

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 14:51:50 +0000

Clearly people need more money to live on, especially those who are the “working poor” and those on assistance. What is the UNITED WAY doing to advocate for this?? I would like to be part of that advocacy.