In Monday’s class we were paired into groups and given the tasks of budgeting the scenario of a single parent household with two children working minimum wage.  The information we gathered before class contributed to what methods and strategies we implied to live off of minimum wage.  Once the groups came up with the  ways they were going to live off minimum wage and scenarios, what we came up with was presented to the class.  Throughout each presentation I noticed a pattern. Each situation the single parent was involved in, to make it, they had a helping hand, resources, or a position that just happened to work itself out in their favor without having to output finances for those services. A pattern of good circumstances or viable resources that allowed for the single parent to meet the needs or have help they other wise wouldn’t. This then made me think of two things. The first being that the amount of free resources that this single parent living on minimum wage has, will determine the level of discomfort in their already uncomfortable situation. The basis of surviving and making it in this situation can heavily rely on the loopholes, strategies, ways one finds to benefit financially, which don’t require money in exchange. It’s ridiculous but very real, how much money one has to spend if they are doing it entirely on their own. No resources, no help from grandma, no help from the school providing daycare, and no money from the other parent, trying to make it.