Balance
0
Payday
$
This ALICE simulation is a supplemental and separate tool from the ALICE report and is produced and operated independently from the ALICE report which is produced by United For ALICE as part of the United Way of Northern New Jersey.
If you are looking for the ALICE report for New York, please visit the following link for the full New York report from our partners at United For ALICE
Northen New York ALICE Report
Making Tough Choices
You are about to put yourself in the shoes of a typical ALICE® family. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE families are those that have earnings above the Federal Poverty Level, but below a basic cost-of-living threshold. In other words, they are struggling to make ends meet. More than one in four Northern New York families are ALICE; combined with those in poverty, more than one in three Northern New York households is experiencing financial hardship.
For the next few minutes, you’ll experience some of the tough choices that these families have to make every single day and how United Way is doing all that we can to help them along the way.
Making Tough Choices
Choose your job
Childcare worker
$10.95/hour , Full-time daily, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
5 days a week
Grocery Store Cashier
$10.31/hour, 3rd shift, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.,
5 days a week
Receptionist/Office Worker
$12.65/hour, Part-time, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
4 days a week
More than 50% of jobs in Northern New York pay less than $16 per hour, most paying $10 - $15 per hour.
Workers who hold third-shift jobs are often faced with difficulty finding childcare and transportation.
More than 50% of jobs in Northern New York pay less than $16 per hour, most paying $10 - $15 per hour.
Decide where you're going to live
Apartment Rental 1
2-bedroom unit in a large complex
Studio Apartment
Studio apartment in the center of town
Single-Family Homeowner
Small house with 3 bedrooms
ALICE households are often forced to spend more than 35% of their income on rent/mortgage and utility costs. This requires them to make tough choices, often forgoing basic necessities such as food, medicine and in some cases, heat.
ALICE households are often forced to spend more than 35% of their income on rent/mortgage and utility costs. This requires them to make tough choices, often forgoing basic necessities such as food, medicine and in some cases, heat.
ALICE households are often forced to spend more than 35% of their income on rent/mortgage and utility costs. This requires them to make tough choices, often forgoing basic necessities such as food, medicine and in some cases, heat.
Choose your childcare
Accredited Center-Based Childcare
Your children are cared for in a high-quality center with social development and a structured early learning curriculum.
Family, Friends and Neighbors
Your children are watched in your home or theirs, requiring you to cover basic expenses.
Licensed Home-Based Childcare
Your children are cared for by a licensed individual with other children.
Childcare is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, some ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold.
Childcare is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, some ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold.
Childcare is often the single largest expense for ALICE families. While there are subsidies for working families, some ALICE households exceed the eligibility threshold.
Choose your transportation
Bus
You and your partner each have a monthly bus pass.
Car
You and your partner have one car that you still owe payments on. You have to pay for insurance and gas every month.
There is limited public transportation in Northern New York making it essential for most households to have a car. Without one, it's difficult to get to work, shop for food or transport kids to childcare, school or other activities.
There is limited public transportation in Northern New York making it essential for most households to have a car. Without one, it's difficult to get to work, shop for food or transport kids to childcare, school or other activities.
Choose your household food
Fresh
All of the freshest and healthiest options available to you including name brands
Low Cost
Limited amounts of healthy options with lots of frozen and processed foods and bargain brands
Mix
A combination of fresh and frozen options with a mix of name brands and bargain brands
Challenge over...
You just ran out of money for the month.
For ALICE families, each month can bring a set of new challenges. In Northern New York, many ALICE workers earn $20 per hour or less. Even in households with two wage earners, families struggle to make ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck. In Northern New York, housing and childcare costs make up about half the household survival budget, meaning that for ALICE families, tough choices have to be made.
ALICE is our neighbors, friends, family and co-workers. When families can’t make ends meet it affects our whole community.
United Way is a champion for ALICE families. We mobilize volunteers, community organizations and local leaders to find lasting solutions to challenges in our state. We are making progress for children and families every day. Join the movement by giving to your local United Way or signing-up to volunteer in your community.
This ALICE simulation is a supplemental and separate tool from the ALICE report and is produced and operated independently from the ALICE report which is produced by United For ALICE as part of the United Way of Northern New Jersey.
If you are looking for the ALICE report for Northen New York, please visit the following link for the full Northern New York report from our partners at United For ALICE: New York ALICE report
You made it!
You made it through the month, though you probably faced some tough choices along the way.
For ALICE families, each month can bring a set of new challenges. In Northern New York, many ALICE workers earn $20 per hour or less. Even in households with two wage earners, families struggle to make ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck. When costs like housing and childcare make up 45 percent of the household survival budget, tough choices have to be made. ALICE is our neighbor, friend, family, and co-worker. When families can’t make ends meet, it affects our whole community.
United Way is a champion for ALICE families. We mobilize volunteers, community organizations and local leaders to find lasting solutions to challenges in our state. We are making progress for children and families every day. Join the movement by giving to your local United Way or signing-up to volunteer in your community.
This ALICE simulation is a supplemental and separate tool from the ALICE report and is produced and operated independently from the ALICE report which is produced by United For ALICE as part of the United Way of Northern New Jersey.
If you are looking for the ALICE report for Northern New York, please visit the following link for the full Northern New York report from our partners at United For ALICE: New York ALICE report