The minimum wage in my state is $9.45 an hour.

That equates to $378 per week, $1,512 every 4 weeks, and $19,656 every year. And it is important to remember that is the amount before taxes are taken out.

It is challenging to live making minimum wage. To make more money, oftentimes both parents work, one or more parents pick up a second job, and/or the family requests assistance from charities or the government.