Oooh ahhhh

$16.66 in Washington state. Up to $22 in some cities.

I’m in Seattle right now and I assumed that it was a statewide thing. I stand corrected.

Cities and counties have the authority to raise the minimum wage inside their jurisdiction. I know that SeaTac, Tukwila and King County have raised theirs. It can still be tough to meet expenses, but much much better than trying to scrape by on $7.25.

Well, I started working at minimum wage as a kid trying to save up enough money to buy a car by the time i turned 16; & made it by 16 1/2. Then I got a college degree, a real job, and started making good money. If they raise the minimum wage, where's all the money going to come from? Higher taxes?

What's a real job? How is it different than other jobs?

Well, there's jobs and there's careers. Generally speaking, the latter pays considerably better. Does that help?

This isn’t always the case. I’ve had both. My favorite job - which was in-between my former career and my ultimate career - was as a cocktail waitress/bartender in nightclubs. I made more money per hour than in my real career, got to hear good music, dance, socialize and party all night long.

Including benefits? So why'd you change?

Because I have 3 degrees and was prepared for a career. This job was necessary because I had to pay my rent and unemployment was through the roof. Plus, it’s not sustainable as one ages.

Wow. I bailed a couple of years earlier than planned after my employer decided to relocate my department and turn my 20 minute commute to two hours each way and if you weren't there by 6am there was no parking. Guess which day was my last?