PAYDAY$
You are about to put yourself in the shoes of a typical ALICE® family. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE families are those that have earnings above the Federal Poverty Level, but below a basic cost-of-living threshold. Nearly one in four (24%) Indiana households are ALICE and more than one in three (37%) Hoosier households cannot afford the basics of housing, food, health care, child care, and transportation. Despite working hard, these households live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to make ends meet. United Ways across Indiana believe that thriving communities begin with thriving families, children and seniors and are focused on giving a hand up to ALICE families, while breaking down barriers and building pathways to financial stability.
For the next few minutes, you'll experience some of the tough choices that ALICE households have to make every single day.
You and your partner have two small children — one infant and one preschooler. After an unexpected layoff at your place of employment, you find yourself scrambling to find a new job. Your partner works a swing shift, therefore their schedule changes every 2 weeks. Their monthly earnings are $2000 and they get paid once a month.
But there is some good news. You have three real job opportunities. The interviews went well, so you have good reason to be optimistic.
Choose your Job
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Grocery Stockroom Associate
$12.50/hour, 3rd shift, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., 5 days a week
Workers who hold third-shift jobs are often faced with difficulty finding childcare and transportation. Learn More
ALICE workers hold many important jobs in our community like: Retail Sales, Waitstaff, Home Health Aides, Office Clerks, Receptionists, Teacher Assistants and Childcare Workers. 66% of the jobs in Indiana pay less than $40,000 a year, but it costs a minimum of $60,756 for a family of four in Indiana to afford the essentials. Close
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Cashier
$9.70/hour, Full-time, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday- Saturday
In 2018 the median hourly wage for cashiers, the most common occupation in Indiana, was $9.68, or $19,360 per year. Learn More
ALICE workers hold many important jobs in our community like: Retail Sales, Waitstaff, Home Health Aides, Office Clerks, Receptionists, Teacher Assistants and Childcare Workers. 66% of the jobs in Indiana pay less than $40,000 a year, but it costs a minimum of $60,756 for a family of four in Indiana to afford the essentials. Close
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Waitstaff at Local Restaurant
$9.09/hour, Full-time evenings, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., 5 days a week
66% of jobs in Indiana pay less than $20 per hour and 59% of Indiana worker are paid hourly. Learn More
ALICE workers hold many important jobs in our community like: Retail Sales, Waitstaff, Home Health Aides, Office Clerks, Receptionists, Teacher Assistants and Childcare Workers. 66% of the jobs in Indiana pay less than $40,000 a year, but it costs a minimum of $60,756 for a family of four in Indiana to afford the essentials. Close
Decide where you're going to live
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Single-Family Homeowner
Small house with 3 bedrooms
16.5% of Indiana homeowners are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more than one-third of their income on housing. This means less money to pay for other necessities such as child care, transportation, food and health care. Learn More
It is often more economical for ALICE households to buy a home but many have difficulty saving enough for a down payment and do not qualify for a traditional low-rate mortgage. Close
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Apartment Rental 1
2-bedroom unit in a large complex
43% of renters in Indiana are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more than one-third of their income on housing. This means less money to pay for other necessities such as child care, transportation, food and health care. Learn More
More than 30,000 Hoosiers who rent are evicted statewide each year. Close
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Apartment Rental 2
2-bedroom unit in an old house
A recent national report calculated that renters who earn the minimum wage in Indiana, $7.25 per hour, would have to work 71 hours a week to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment at fair market rate. Learn More
43% of renters in Indiana are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more than one-third of their income on housing. This means less money to pay for other necessities such as child care, transportation, food and health care. Close
Choose your Childcare
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Accredited Center-Based Childcare
Your children are cared for in a high-quality center with social development and a structured early learning curriculum.
Childcare is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, many ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold. Learn More
According to Child Care Aware, single parents in Indiana pay, on average, 52% of their income for center-based infant child care. Close
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Licensed Home-Based Childcare
Your children are cared for by a licensed individual with other children.
Childcare is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, many ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold. Learn More
The cost of infant care in Indiana costs nearly as much as the annual cost of college tuition at a four year college. Close
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Family, Friends and Neighbors
Your children are watched in your home or theirs, requiring you to cover basic expenses.
Childcare is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, many ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold. Learn More
55% of Indiana residents live in a child care desert and shortages are even more pronounced in rural areas, where 72% of families have limited access to licensed child care centers. Close
Choose your Transportation
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Car
You and your partner have one car that is paid for. You have to pay for insurance and gas every month.
There is limited public transportation in Indiana area making it essential for most households to have a car. Without one, it's difficult to get to work, shop for food or transport kids to childcare, school or other activities.
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Bus
You and your partner each have a monthly bus pass. Public transportation is very limited in most areas of Indiana.
There is limited public transportation in Indiana area making it essential for most households to have a car. Without one, it's difficult to get to work, shop for food or transport kids to childcare, school or other activities.
Choose your Food
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Fresh
All of the freshest and healthiest options available to you including name brands
One in eight Indiana households are considered food insecure. Learn More
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Mix
A combination of fresh and frozen options with a mix of name brands and bargain brands
One in eight Indiana households are considered food insecure. Learn More
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Low Cost
Limited amounts of healthy options with lots of frozen and processed foods and bargain brands
One in eight Indiana households are considered food insecure. Learn More