Social Science
Student’s Name
University Affiliation
Social Science
Poverty is defined as the lack of ability to meet a certain level of material possession with a certain amount of income. Even people who have jobs and make a living can be unable to meet their needs effectively. This is illustrated by the two list below that is the initial list and the final list. The initial list shows the needs that this family of 4 is needed to cater for monthly and annually. The final list shows the exceptions that have to be made by the family to come nearer to the government poverty line for a 4 children family. The family will have to lower its quality of life to be able to come closer to the poverty line. For example they could be forced to stop using their personal car for the purpose of going to work and dropping their children to school. They may be left to opt for the use public service vehicles to cut down on fuel and car maintenance costs. The children may be left to use the school and daycare car as their means of transport.
Initial list
GOODS AND SERVICES MONTHLY ESTIMATES IN $
· Food
Groceries 30
Lunch for parents at the workplace 60
School and day care lunches 60
Processes foods expenses such as Sugar, Flour among others 30
Daily food expenses
Buying milk for break fast 34
Breakfast Cereals 40
Bread or breakfast snack 30
Buying perishable goods that could not be bought in bulk
Such some vegetables and meat 12
Family dinner out 76
Snacks for children 20
Total food expense 372
· Clothing
Uniforms for school child 30
Home clothing for the children 66
Clothing for parents 84
Repair cost for clothing 10
Total clothing expense 190
· Transportation
Car fuel expenses 300
Occasional bus fee 30
Car maintenance and repair expenses 150
Car insurance 32
Total transportation expense 512
· Child Care
Day care for the young child 45
Buying toys for children 10
Meeting their day to day demands 50
Total child care expense 105
· Health Care
Hospital bills 80
Paying for medical insurance for the all members 150
Family first aid kit 30
Other necessary medication that needs to be stored in the house 9
Total healthcare expenses 269
· Taxes
Taxes paid in order to meet the basic needs of the family 72
Taxes to the government that is deducted from their salaries 300
Total tax expenses 372
· Housing
Rent for the house 200
Total housing expenses 200
· House Bills
Electricity bills 15
Water bills 10
Telephone bills 9
Total house bill expense 34
· Leisure and entertainment 200
· Vacations 500
· Schools expenses
School fees for the child in school 40
Buying books for the child and other stationeries 30
Paying for certain school activities such as club registration 15
Provision of home schooling for areas of difficulty 30
Paying for school trips and trip expenses 20
Total school expenses 135
· Saving and investment 300
· Other necessities
Personal care products for the members for example sprays and lotions 20
Social cost such as unions and contributions 15
Personal care services such as spa services 40
Total necessity expense 75
Total monthly expenses 3264
Total annual expenses 39168
Final list
Initial list
GOODS AND SERVICES REDUCED ESTIMATES IN $
· Food
Family dinner out 50
Snacks for children 15
Total food expense 341
· Clothing
Uniforms for school child 20
Home clothing for the children 30
Clothing for parents 50
Total clothing expense 100
· Transportation
Car fuel expenses 100
Occasional bus fee 100
Car maintenance and repair expenses 50
Total transportation expense 250
· Child Care
Day care for the young child 30
Meeting their day to day demands 25
Total child care expense 65
· Health Care
Hospital bills 40
Paying for medical insurance for the all members 100
Family first aid kit 15
Total healthcare expenses 166
· Taxes
Taxes paid in order to meet the basic needs of the family 65
Taxes to the government that is deducted from their salaries 300
Total tax expenses 365
· Housing
Rent for the house 110
Total housing expenses 110
· House Bills
Electricity bills 10
Water bills 8
Telephone bills 5
Total house bill expense 23
· Leisure and entertainment 100
· Vacations 200
· Saving and investment 150
· Other necessities
Personal care products for the members for example sprays and lotions 15
Social cost such as unions and contributions 15
Personal care services such as spa services 5
Total necessity expense 35
Total monthly expenses 2040
Total annual expenses 24480
References
Tony, M. learning to serve. Family budget. Review press
Whalen & Charles J. (2011). Poverty. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Young, W., Stebbins, D., Frederick, B. & Shahery, O. (2014). Poverty line. Santa Monica, CA: RAND.
11 years ago
