A classic work on low-wage American workers that is unfortunately still relevant. "Nickel and Dimed"

Title: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

Author: Barbara Ehrenreich

Reviewer: Richard Sesek (educator, wantrepreneur)

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Topic/Intent of book: An investigation into the lives of low-wage American workers. A journalist goes “under cover” and performs several low paying jobs (waitress at a diner, Walmart employee, worker in an elder care organization, and maid service worker) to explore how difficult it is to survive on the wages paid by such work.

I selected this book because: My wife had read the book many years ago and I was intrigued by the concept. I wanted to learn more about the challenges associated with such work because I am interested in the corporate policies and social realities that trap many in these fields.

Recommendation: Yes. This is an eye-opening look at how many people live in perpetual poverty in the “richest nation” on earth.

Major lessons from this book: Workers often get “trapped” in situations where it is nearly impossible for many to “climb out” of poverty and live in humane settings (like a decent apartment, much less a house). There are many policies as well as social forces that act to keep workers in a continuous, paycheck to paycheck existence where they are one “emergency” (e.g., medical, car wreck, unexpected bill, etc.) away from financial disaster.

Ehrenreich does a great job detailing how degrading and demeaning such work can be and how depression can easily set in, if you have the time to be depressed. She does a great job in illustrating how many of the working poor will sacrifice for themselves to help and support their coworkers despite circumstances that heavily discourage such selfless acts.

Book Inspirations: This book provides valuable insight into the lives of the working poor and the challenges they face every single day. This book has inspired me to think more charitably of persons in such occupations, those stuck in low-wage jobs with limited opportunities to break the cycle of poverty. I will also actively look for ways to improve their lot in life, including, but not limited to, supporting laws and policies aimed at improving working conditions for these people.

I read this immediately after the Covid-19 pandemic and it is vexing think about how so many “essential” workers (that carried the rest of us through the pandemic!) have been so quickly been forgotten.