facts & figures

Lutheran, The, Sep 2005

For most Americans, financial emergencies such as a treatable illness, leaky roof or car-insurance deductible are difficult-but doable. Not so for the one-out-of-every-eight Americans who live in poverty. For a family of four, that income is $18,810 or less, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Just how far does $18,810 go?

$18,810 total annual income

-5,674 basic shelter

13,136

-2,383 utilities

10,753

-4,498 paying for and fueling a car

5,255

-5,616 food, even with $1,249 in food stamps or other public aid

-351 deficit spending begins

-890 average out-of-pocket medical expenses with health insurance.

-1,241 credit-card debt or loans increase

-3,386 child care, after subsidies

-$4,627 total annual deficit

Expenses above are based on averages for families at this income level, according to the Bureau for Labor Statistics' Consumer Expenditure Survey. Not included: vehicle insurance, taxes, education, clothing, finance charges, entertainment, school supplies, furniture, life insurance, gifts or everyday emergencies.

SOURCES: 2003 U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU FOR LABOR STATISTICS' CONSUMER EXPENDITURE SURVEY (WWW.NACCRRA.ORG)