New study: You can't live on minimum wage
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Cameo Thomas, a single mother, plays with her 4-year-old twins outside the Community Action Agency in Jackson, where she is learning to manage her finances. / ANDRE J. JACKSON/Detroit Free Press
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- Michigan
Cameo Thomas of Jackson works two jobs as a nursing home aide to support her 4-year-old twin sons.
One job pays $9.50 an hour, the other $13.05. Sometimes she works 60 hours a week to make ends meet -- hard physical labor, most of it on her feet.
"Sometimes I get off work and think, 'Man, I'm going to need a new pair of shoes,' " the 23-year-old said.
Working harder and longer may not be enough to support a family in Michigan, particularly for
Learn to budget
For information on the Michigan $AVE$ program and other financial assistance, as well as classes on budgeting and debt management, contact:
East Michigan: Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency, 196 Cesar Chavez Ave., Pontiac. 248-209-2600.
Southern Michigan: Community Action Agency of Jackson, Hillsdale and Lenawee Counties, 1214 Greenwood, Jackson. 517-784-4800.
West Michigan: 1413 Madison SE, Grand Rapids. 616-451-9140.employees in low-paying jobs such as