• Maggoty@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    I don’t know. I get that it seems like being poor and it’s certainly a dangerous financial area that could make you poor. But if you’re covering all your bases then I don’t think we can say your poor.

    I know it seems like splitting a hair but if we define it like that, in general terms, then people who are just financially irresponsible would also qualify, while someone making less then them would not. I’d probably put together a basket of required goods in an area, average rent, average grocery, healthcare, average utilities for X number bedrooms (i.e. kids), etc and set that as the standard you need to be able to cover and not be poor. That way if you’re making more than those items added together we know you’re actually doing alright and we can focus elsewhere.

    In a less capitalist focused system I’d probably include funding vacations, pets, and retirement.

      • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        It is a contentious subject. The basket of goods is constantly argued over in policy circles. So it’s not a settled thing by any means.