Question

Nickel and Dimed takes place in 1998-2000, a time of unprecedented prosperity in America. Which answer choice best describes how Ehrenreich’s experience would be in today’s economy?

A. Working in the service industry, Ehrenreich would be quite successful and able to afford to live comfortably.
B. Working in the service industry, Ehrenreich would be have stock invested in the company and living off of residual income.
C. Working in the service industry, Ehrenreich would be making about the same amount of money per hour and living within the poverty line.
D. Working in the service industry, Ehrenreich would be making about the same amount of money per hour, but not living in poverty.

Answer 1

Answer: D. Working in the service industry, Ehrenreich would be making about the same amount of money per hour, but not living in poverty.

Step-by-step explanation:

The federal minimum wage in 2000 was $5.15 as compared to the current $7.25 which means that if inflation was taken into account, Ehrenreich would still be making about the same amount of money per hour.

The cost of goods and services have disproportionately risen since then however which means that Ehrenreich would have higher expenses as a percentage of income but overall not living in poverty.