Okay, Alberta MLAs. I've let you know how much of a budget I have to work with every month.
$315 dollars.
I'm willing to look past the old-style fist-shaking, talking-head screaming matches like the CNN Crossfire of old.
Let me gather you around a virtual table, as we raise our water glasses and I issue you the following challenge.
"Tell me how you would spread out 315 dollars over the course of one month."
Hit the comment button.
Email me at carydean65@gmail.com
Search Michel Mike Hebert on Facebook.
I want to hear from you.
Let's start a dialog.
I'm ready and willing.
Are you?
Your Partner In Life
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I'm sure we'll be waiting for a long time for an answe to this one. It's a legitimate question and deserves an answer.
ReplyDeleteI am not an MLA, but I am a candidate and this question piques my interest. Now, I may be taking this too literally, but I'd like to know: am I running a household or a province on this? Is this question rhetorical to make your point that a person would find it ridiculously difficult to live on $315/mon, or would you actually like us to attempt to answer it? Or is this a "my household needs are taken care of and I have $315 to spend for fun"?
ReplyDeleteThanks for opening the dialogue!
There is only 2 ways to be able to live on $315 per mnth as far as I can see. 1) Live with a relative who charges you NOTHING. 2) Live on the street.
ReplyDeleteMy sister is faced with the same question while trying to figure out how to live in Alberta on AISH income. Being born with a disorder that prevents her from being able to work means she must live in total poverty. Granted her income is not $315, it is actually $1100.00 from AISH, but after much searching and budgeting she cannot pay rent, utilities, buy food and necessities on $1100.00 either. I would also like an MLA to figure out how to live in that, let alone $315.
Melanie: First off, thanks for taking the time to comment, and best of luck on your candicy! Second, I apologize for not including some facts from my last post. I receive $1965 in what is called modified AISH, because my buiding and all assisted living buildings like it in the province like it run on the Designated Assisted Living program. My rent is $1650 per month, but as I said in my post entitled "Some Simple Math", I really don't mind paying it, as it includes three professionally prepared cafeteria meals, snacks,utilties, and all the help I need, as I have cerebral palsy. Out of that remaining $315 I pay the bill that allows me to be online writing this blog. I also try to figure out whether to buy an $84 transit pass, or up to three $20 ticket books as I need them. Obviously the pass is the better deal, but if the money isn't there, it isn't there.
ReplyDeleteAs to your other questions: I meant running a household on $315, and the question was originally meant in a rhetorical spirit to make a point. But if you or anyone want to attempt to answer it, I welcome the feedback and input. Again, best of luck and take care!
Sincerely,
Mike Hebert
Loretta: Thanks for taking the time to comment. I sincerely apologize to you for implying that the Alberta government pays me $315 per month. I receive $1965 in modified AISH, because my building runs on the Designated Assisted Living program. My rent is $1650, which includes three meals a day, snacks, utilities, and a $40 monthly laundry charge. I also get all the help I need from a caring and dedicated staff, as I have cerebral palsy. But out of the remaining $315, after I pay the internet bill, I have to decide: $84 monthly pass, or up to three $20 ticket books as I need them. It's frustrating that often the money isn't there for the pass, which at the end of the day is the better deal, even as expensive as it is. Once again, thank you for commenting Loretta, and best of luck to you and your sister.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Mike Hebert
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm glad that you receive more than $315 per month to live on. As I have been a university student for most of my life, I know exactly what it is like to live on less than $2000/mon (or even less than $600/mon). There is definitely less money to devote to any extracurricular activities at all and requires quite a bit of creativity to somehow obtain the necessities (I went a week eating an apple a day until I went to visit my parents and raid their cupboards).
After rent and food, $315 to pay the bills and have a little fun quickly runs out. However, as I know from experience, it is doable, even if difficult and not always the most fun.
Thanks,
Melanie
Hi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteIt sure is doable, and I am certainly more aware of gift cards and coupons than I have been in the past. Like you, I have also raided my parents' pantry on occasion. But what this experience has really taught me is that fun doesn't always have to cost money, whether it's a call from a friend or time spent with a loved one.
Take care,
Mike