Show Me the Receipts
We asked 10 people to document their day-to-day expenses and "show us the receipts"–AKA the true costs of living.
Show Me the Receipts artNational Women's Law Center
These people are restaurant workers, child care providers, and hospitality employees, and their everyday expenses don't line up with their pay.
Show Me the ReceiptsNational Women's Law Center
Cost of living artNational Women's Law Center
Poverty is not a personal failing. It is a policy choice.
The minimum wage falls far short of what it takes to live above the poverty line. Limited public benefits are often designed to be difficult for families to navigate. Workers are forced to dedicate a large portion of their income to rent that keeps rising.
Show Me the Receipts artNational Women's Law Center
These are all the results of policy choices–made by lawmakers and others in power–keeping families in poverty. And women of color, who are over-represented in low-paid jobs, bear the brunt.
QuaVeionta, restaurant worker, Michigan
"This is a grocery bill that I have at least twice a month so me and my family can eat healthier but all the healthy food cost so much more than the junk food which I find crazy. Seems like they want us to eat unhealthy food."
When a majority of your paycheck goes towards rent or an unexpected or emergency expense, “healthy” foods are often out of reach. With processed and fast food priced much lower than fresh produce and unprocessed food — not to mention 6% of the population living in food deserts making healthier options more inaccessible — low-paid workers and families are forced to make difficult food decisions.
doctor bill with no personal info (2021-04-27) by National Women's Law CenterNational Women's Law Center
Lee, a two-time cancer survivor and child care provider
"This is a doctor's bill. It is important that I maintain my health while working with kids. Especially during the pandemic I make it my obligation to get annual check ups for me and my family."
A doctor’s visit can be a financial burden for most. Health care is vital for a person’s well-being and economic security, but medical expenses drive millions into poverty.
Housing
Where we live is at the very core of our daily lives. With a massive shortage of affordable housing, workers and families are placed in a difficult position of having to spend a large portion of their paycheck on rent.
When families spend too much on housing, they have insufficient resources for other basic needs.
Tuition
In addition to dealing with rent, utilities, and other bills, students working low-paid jobs are also faced with rising tuition costs.
Unexpected Expenses
In addition to worrying about basic expenses, when workers and families are hit with unexpected costs like a medical emergency, car repairs—or in the case of some child care providers, a COVID scare that results in closing down their business—the effects can be disastrous.
Families living paycheck to paycheck, an unforeseen medical bill or flat tire can force parents to have to forgo certain basic necessities for the month—which could mean missing a rent payment or going without food.
Show Me the Receipts bannerNational Women's Law Center
This project was carried out in partnership with Make It Work Nevada and MI Oakland Forward.
