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. In other words, they are struggling to make ends meet. Despite working hard and holding important jobs in our state, more than one in four Connecticut families are ALICE; combined with those in poverty, 38% of Connecticut households is experiencing financial hardship.
For the next few minutes, you'll experience some of the tough choices that ALICE households have to make every single day and learn about the commitment Connecticut United Ways has made to help ALICE families.
You and your partner have two small children — one infant and one preschooler.
Like so many people in Connecticut and across the country, you lost your job during the COVID-19 pandemic and find yourself scrambling to find a new job. Your partner’s monthly earnings are $2000.
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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Nursing Assistant
$21.50/hour, 3rd shift, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., days per week varies
Workers who hold third-shift jobs and have inconsistent schedules 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. 45% of jobs in Connecticut pay less than $40,000 a year, but it costs more than $90,000 for a family of four to afford the essentials in our state. Close
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Retail Salesperson
$12.50/hour, full-time, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 days a week
45% of jobs in Connecticut pay less than $20 per hour, and nearly two-thirds of those jobs pay less than $15 per hour. Learn More
Retail sales, the 2nd most common occupation in Connecticut, pays a wage that is well below what is needed to make ends meet. The more than 44,000 retail salespeople in the state make an average of $12.57 per hour, or $26,146 if working full-time, year-round. These jobs fall short of meeting the family Household Survival Budget by almost $65,000 per year. Close
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Teaching Assistant
$15.80/hour, Full-time, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,5 days a week
45% of jobs in Connecticut pay less than $20 per hour, and nearly two-thirds of those jobs pay less than $15 per hour. 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. 45% of jobs in Connecticut pay less than $40,000 a year, but it costs more than $90,000 for a family of four to afford the essentials in our state. Close
Decide where you're going to live
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Single-Family Homeowner
Small house with 3 bedrooms
ALICE households are often forced to spend more than 30% of their income on rent/mortgage and utility costs. This requires them to make tough choices, often forgoing basic necessities such as food, medicine and in some cases, heat. Learn More
48% of renters and 32% of homeowners in Connecticut are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more 30% of their income on housing. This means less money to pay for other necessities such as child care, transportation, food and health care. Close
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Apartment Rental 1
2-bedroom unit in a large complex
ALICE households are often forced to spend more than 30% of their income on rent/mortgage and utility costs. This requires them to make tough choices, often forgoing basic necessities such as food, medicine and in some cases, heat. Learn More
48% of renters and 32% of homeowners in Connecticut are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more 30% of their income on housing. This means less money to pay for other necessities such as child care, transportation, food and health care. Close
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Apartment Rental 2
2-bedroom unit in an old house
ALICE households are often forced to spend more than 30% of their income on rent/mortgage and utility costs. This requires them to make tough choices, often forgoing basic necessities such as food, medicine and in some cases, heat. Learn More
48% of renters and 32% of homeowners in Connecticut are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more 30% 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.
Child care accounts for nearly 25% of the Household Survival Budget and is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, some ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold. Learn More
Those ALICE families that do receive assistance are often faced with difficult choices around career advancement - sometimes passing up opportunities to move up at work because they can't afford to earn more money. Close
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Licensed Home-Based Childcare
Your children are cared for by a licensed individual with other children.
Child care accounts for nearly 25% of the Household Survival Budget and is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, some ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold. Learn More
Those ALICE families that do receive assistance are often faced with difficult choices around career advancement - sometimes passing up opportunities to move up at work because they can't afford to earn more money. Close
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Family, Friends and Neighbors
Your children are watched in your home or theirs, requiring you to cover basic expenses.
Child care accounts for nearly 25% of the Household Survival Budget and is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, some ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold. Learn More
Those ALICE families that do receive assistance are often faced with difficult choices around career advancement - sometimes passing up opportunities to move up at work because they can't afford to earn more money. 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 Connecticut 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.
There is limited public transportation in Connecticut 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
ALICE households often lack access to healthy and affordable food as well as the time to prepare it. Learn More
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Mix
A combination of fresh and frozen options with a mix of name brands and bargain brands
ALICE households often lack access to healthy and affordable food as well as the time to prepare it. Learn More
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Low Cost
Limited amounts of healthy options with lots of frozen and processed foods and bargain brands
ALICE households often lack access to healthy and affordable food as well as the time to prepare it. Learn More