MONEY Project
From Create Your Own Story
Welcome to the MONEY Project.
You are a middle-class twenty-something that has a steady job.
Now imagine you woke up one day and you were in a town you did not recognize. You have an eight-year-old child, are unemployed, have no house, and only 17 hours of college credit to your name. You have one thousand dollars.
Can you make it through December?
Let’s find out.
STEP ONE: JOB In the MONEY project, your first task is to get a job. Remember, your balance right now is $1000, and that isn’t enough for a month. You have three options.
RESTAURANT SERVER: A fast-paced restaurant where the atmosphere is speedy but friendly; your objective is to serve tables as quickly as you can. If you choose this option, then you will receive $2 per hour, plus tips. On average you will receive $7-$8 dollars an hour, but you also have to buy a uniform that costs you 35 dollars. You will work from 6 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon, 4 to 5 days a week. This creates a problem since there is no one to take your kid to school or bring them home; however, your friend has offered to take care of this for you. Your monthly pay would be $1,220 before taxes.
TEMPORARY WORKER: A fast and impatient office where you will be required to work quickly. You have to be good at typing and multitasking. You’ll be paid $8.50 an hour, which makes your monthly pay $1,360. Your boss in an impatient man; be very careful to keep him happy. Your hours vary; you won’t be able to do many activities, so keep your schedule free. If you are a reliable worker you may even become a receptionist at one of your offices at an average rate of $615 a week. Your monthly pay is $1,360, while your weekly pay is $340 (before taxes).
NANNY: Your neighbors down the street need a nanny for their three kids, two of whom are under the age of 12. The oldest is 14 and can help you out somewhat, and your neighbors have also said it’s all right for your child to come. You will be paid 4 dollars an hour from 5 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. That makes $336 dollars a week, but there are also the costs of food you and your child eat – so the deduction each week is 20 dollars. That makes your monthly pay $1264. Your monthly pay is $1264 with the cut-down cost of groceries – that is, before taxes.
Do you choose:
