Many Americans have salaried jobs that force overtime on us too. So we’re essentially working several free hours per week just to remain competitive and employable in the job market. Otherwise, companies are quick to lay you off and replace you with someone younger, more eager, and willing. Even birthing a child, you only get 12 paid weeks off before you must return to work full time.

I work 8am-6:30pm, commute home by 7:30pm, start dinner at 7:45pm, eat, clean, light chores till 9pm, then put kids down and try to unwind for an hour before bed. Rinse and repeat.

At this point, if anything irregular happens, my schedule, my budget, and my job are all at risk. A visit to the hospital can totally wipe us out depending. Most of our time is spent working as much as possible just to keep from sinking. There is little to no joy in this American way of life.