https://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/the-middle-class-is-collapsing-nearly-1-out-of-every-4-americans-is-now-functionally-unemployed/

Do you ever feel like you are “functionally unemployed”? If so, you are definitely not alone. There are lots of people out there that cannot pay the bills each month even though they have jobs. In fact, there are lots of people out there that literally cannot afford to put a roof over their heads even though they are employed. Yes, there are many hard working Americans that are now living in their vehicles or in “tent communities” because that is all they can afford. In recent years, the cost of living has been rising much faster than paychecks have, and so now a substantial percentage of the population is living in a state of constant financial stress. The middle class has been collapsing all around us, and we are witnessing an extraordinary amount of economic suffering all over the country right now.

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I also spend only what I have to, though I'd do that no matter how much I made. I'm also grateful to a rich landlord who owns the property outright, and rarely raises the rent, not to mention the fact I can make my own hours at work where I can make it on 4 days by doing tons of overtime on weekends, federal holidays, and take leftovers home, since the restaurant gives staff breakfast, lunch, and dinner.