The Reality of
Ontario Works
"If You're Ready For A Change,
All You Need Is YOU!"
With everything that's happening right now, I thought I'd take a minute to give a dose of reality to all the people complaining about Covid 19, their jobs, losing hours, not enough money and etc., etc., etc.
You are LUCKY if you can have a full time or part time job and you should remember this now!!
There are countless people in situations where they can't get a job for various reasons and with the situation now, imagine trying to find a full time job.
Some are under the impression that Ontario Works is an easy solution, so today I would like to share the REALITY of it!
When you apply for Ontario Works, the amount you receive as a single individual is $343.00 a month.
I did not include Rent because this is not included.
$343.00 a month works out to $85.75 a week.
Trying to plan a budget for this amount, this is what my results were.
This is not considering if you're moving into a new place, this is someone already in a home so just buying what they need by the week.
This list would look a lot different if I was moving into a new place and had to start from scratch!!
Not everyone has to pay or has these services so they depend on the person.
For internet, I estimated $60.00/month which equals $15.00/week
For Cellphone, I estimated $60.00/month which equals $15.00/week
For Cable - I estimated $40.00/month. Rogers Starter Pkg. $24.99 + Box Rental - $12.00 which equals $10.00/week
Netflix - Basic - 1 screen $9.99 Standard - 2 Screens - $14.99 Premium - 4 Screens - $18.99 which equals $2.50/week
Utilities (Water, Hydro) - Varies if you share, pay yourself or is included with rent so I will leave it out for now.
For budgeting purposes I used the minimal basic services.
Internet - $15.00
Cellphone - 15.00
Netflix - $2.50
Utilities - ?
Credit Cards
Insurance
Debt
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$32.50/week = $130.00/month
$85.75 - $32.50 = $53.25/week or $343.00 - $130.00 = $213.00/month
Next, Basic items for a household:
Used Walmart to shop online, these are regular prices. If there is a sale or you have other stores to shop at the you may find items cheaper.
Garbage Bags - $7.50/100
Laundry Detergent - $5.27 - 2.03L
Dish Detergent - $1.87 - Palmolive
Light Bulbs -
Bathroom Tissue - $4.97/8 double rolls = 16 rolls - Great Value
Bodywash - $2.96 - 591ml
Shampoo - Finesse - $1.78
Conditioner - $1.78
Toothbrush - $1.37
Toothpaste - $1.37
Tampons - $ 7.47/36 Playtex
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$36.34/month = $9.09/week
Extras:
Facial Cleanser
Razors
Hairspray/Gel
Ponytail Holders
Make up
If you have a pet, then pet food is another expense.
If you travel to work then Bus Tickets, or refilling your Presto would be added.
If this is budgeted before and you have the money to budget weekly then it doesn't seem as bad but if you get your cheque and it all comes out on the 1st week then it's a different story.
Internet, cellphone, netflix = $130.00/month
Household Needs = $36.34/month
--------------------------------------------------------
$166.34
$343.00
-$166.34
------------------
$176.66 = $44.17/week
PLEASE REMEMBER WE HAVE NOT INCLUDED FOOD YET
If you work, clothing may be an option every once in a while but it doesn't seem very likely.
Now comes the choice:
Do I spend the $177.66 trying to buy grocery items that won't spoil for the month or do I spend $44.17 a week trying to buy items like eggs, mils, meat, cheese, and fruits and vegetables that may spoil if I don't use them?????
Some people cannot leave the house or get to a Grocery store so online shopping is their only option.
Grocery shopping online is a popular option, but most places you have to order a minimum of $50.00 this is without taxes, a service fee, or delivery charge. As you can see with my budget of $44.17/week this is not even a possible option.
This list is the BARE MINIMAL to survive and there are hundred of things missing for both women and men that are needs in THEIR life.
I won't even mention contact lens solution, or that people need pain relievers, cold medication.
If I just moved into a new place I would have to buy everything including spices like salt and pepper and the amount would be significantly higher.
I am budgeting from already having certain pantry essentials.
I live in Malton, Mississauga, so I checked grocery flyers for my area for the week and this is the best I could find. Luckily there were some items fairly cheap and on sale which does not happen every week!!
As you can see if you are someone who like to cook meals from scratch this is NOT an option! You are eating what you can afford, not what you want to be or should be eating!
This is a 7 day week, definitely not 3 meals a day but the best you can to stretch it!
Depending on the person, the list could be different.
one person could see the Frozen Chicken Pies for $1.00 on sale and for 2 meals a day for 7 days it would cost $14.00 for 14 chicken pies and you have lunch and dinner covered for the week. Since you can freeze them, you could even buy 56 and be covered for the month!!!
Breakfast not included.
My list for $44.17 - Don't forget taxes and if you pay for plastic bags.
Loaf of Bread - $2.50
Dry Spaghetti -$1.00 on sale
Dry Pasta - $1.00 on sale
Canned Pasta Sauce - $1.00 on sale X 2
Kraft Cheese Slices - $2.00 on sale (grilled cheese)
5LB Bag of Potatoes - $1.50 on sale
Hot Dogs - $2.00 on sale
Hot Dog Buns - $2.50
Bag of Flour - $3.00 2.5kg Store Brand
Frozen Chicken Pies - $1.00 on sale X 3
Heinz Beans - $1.00 on sale
Bottled Water - $.97/12 on sale
Folgers Coffee - $7.44 on sale
Mozzarella Cheese Block - $3.97 on sale
Campbells Broth - $1.57
Jar of Pickles - $4.00/2 Store Brand
Chips - $.97 Store Brand
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$ 38.42 plus taxes and bags if applicable.
Some of these items will obviously last past the week, which is the point. If I can get items like flour, potatoes, etc. on sale then those items are already staples on the list and I can plan meals from them!
If you feed more than yourself, cook for children, work full time or do not know how to cook then food considerations, time, allergies, special requirements may all be a factor but lucky me I only cook and eat for myself! I can take advantage of cooking once and keeping leftovers. I can plan to use one family pack of chicken for a weeks worth of meals and when I can afford it, I can have the luxury of baking a Cheesecake from scratch when I find Cream Cheese on Sale!!!
I know this has been a long post, but maybe this will help everyone be a little more patient and understanding with EVERYONE around them, including friends, family, strangers, people you encounter at the stores, repair workers, delivery men, etc.
In the middle of Covid, no one is entitled to anything, we are supposed to be working together to make things better for EVERYONE and some people still don't understand this.
Until my next post...
Have A Great Day & Don't Forget To Smile!!
Amy Seukeran - Certified Life Coach
E-mail: amysregallife@gmail.com