In California, an income even above minimum wage cannot support a single person, let alone a small family. Housing costs, even rentals are beyond the means of many and homelessness is an epidemic. I live in one of the more "affordable" communities (tho' becoming less so), and a person would need to earn at least twelve dollars an hour to just get by--minimum wage is $7.50. Most entry level jobs are minimum wage or a little above, with no health insurance. Frugality is a necessity for most--and not sufficient for many. For those of us who have the luxury of being able to live frugally while having a roof over our heads and decent clothes to wear, let us count our blessings. For most, a second income does not buy "extras"--those days are over--the second income helps pay the rent/mortgage, the utilities and groceries.