The Tikkun Olam committee of Congregation Bet Haverim in Atlanta, Georgia, asks the question "How little could you live on?" At the Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday, December 5 will be a special program on the Living Wage Campaign. This interfaith alliance, of which Bet Haverim is a member, hopes to raise the salaries of the lowest-paid workers in Georgia, many of whom are not covered by the federal minimum wage law. To help understand the significance of the choices workers must make, congregants have been invited to jot down ahead of time their own “subsistence” budget for a month, including just the necessities they must pay for and to bring it to the December 5 service. How little could YOU live on? Read more!

How little could YOU live on?

What are your and your family’s minimum expenses each month – just for the items you need to have, with no “luxuries” such as entertainment, restaurants, new clothes, travel, cable TV, Internet, hair appointments, etc.?

Housing $_________ per month

Utilities (water, heat, electricity, phone) $_________ per month

Food $_________ per month

Child care $_________ per month

Transportation (car payment, gas, insurance, etc.) $______ per month

Medical needs $_________ per month

Necessary clothing $_________ per month

School supplies $_________ per month

Other $_________ per month