Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America

A Revealing Look at Poverty in America

In her groundbreaking book, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, Barbara Ehrenreich takes readers on a journey into the lives of the working poor in America. Through her firsthand experiences working as a waitress, a maid, and a Walmart employee, Ehrenreich exposes the harsh realities of life for those struggling to make ends meet.

A Personal Journey into Poverty

Ehrenreich begins her journey by moving to Florida, where she takes a job as a waitress at a local restaurant. She quickly learns that the job is demanding and the pay is low. She struggles to make ends meet, even with the help of food stamps and government assistance.

Ehrenreich then moves to Maine, where she takes a job as a maid at a local motel. The work is hard and the pay is even lower than her previous job. She is forced to live in a trailer park and rely on food banks to get by.

Finally, Ehrenreich moves to Minnesota, where she takes a job at a Walmart store. The job is mind-numbing and the pay is barely enough to survive. She is constantly exhausted and stressed, and she begins to feel like she is losing her identity.

The Hidden Costs of Poverty

Throughout her journey, Ehrenreich uncovers the hidden costs of poverty. She learns that the working poor are often forced to live in dangerous neighborhoods, where they are at risk of crime and violence. They also have limited access to healthcare and education, which makes it difficult for them to improve their lives.

Ehrenreich also exposes the ways in which the government and the private sector exploit the working poor. She shows how welfare programs are often inadequate and how employers often pay poverty wages. She argues that these policies make it impossible for the working poor to escape poverty.

A Call to Action

Nickel and Dimed is a powerful and eye-opening book that sheds light on the hidden realities of poverty in America. Ehrenreich's firsthand experiences provide a unique perspective on the struggles faced by the working poor, and her call to action is a reminder that we must do more to help those in need.

Why You Should Read This Book

Nickel and Dimed is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the realities of poverty in America. It is a powerful and moving book that will change the way you think about the working poor.

Here are a few reasons why you should read Nickel and Dimed:

• It is a well-written and engaging book that is hard to put down.
• It provides a unique perspective on the struggles faced by the working poor.
• It is a call to action that reminds us that we must do more to help those in need.

If you are looking for a book that will open your eyes to the realities of poverty in America, then Nickel and Dimed is the book for you.