Case Study: Surviving a Month on a 50K IDR Daily Wage
Case Study: Surviving a Month on a 50K IDR Daily Wage
1. Introduction
In this case study, we analyze how someone can survive on a daily wage of 50,000 Indonesian Rupiah. Calculating this for a month (50K x 30 days), the total income is only 1.5 million IDR. While this may seem passable, it's extremely tight—especially in a high-cost urban area like Jakarta.
2. The Case Study
Meet Budi, a daily laborer in Jakarta. Each day, he works hard to cover his basic needs while documenting his spending and survival strategies. His story represents the reality of many workers who live on a similarly modest income.
3. Daily Spending Breakdown
Budi’s expenses fall into several core categories:
- Food: Rp 20,000/day
- Transportation: Rp 15,000/day
- Housing: Rp 10,000/day (shared rental room)
- Phone/Electricity: Rp 3,000/day
- Emergency Needs: Rp 2,000/day
| Day | Food (Rp) | Transport (Rp) | Housing (Rp) | Phone/Electricity (Rp) | Emergency (Rp) | Total (Rp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 20,000 | 15,000 | 10,000 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 50,000 |
| Tuesday | 20,000 | 15,000 | 10,000 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 50,000 |
| Wednesday | 20,000 | 15,000 | 10,000 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 50,000 |
| Thursday | 20,000 | 15,000 | 10,000 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 50,000 |
| Friday | 20,000 | 15,000 | 10,000 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 50,000 |
| Saturday | 20,000 | 15,000 | 10,000 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 50,000 |
| Sunday | 20,000 | 15,000 | 10,000 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 50,000 |
| Total | 140,000 | 105,000 | 70,000 | 21,000 | 14,000 | 700,000 |
The table shows that Budi spends around 700,000 IDR per week—translating to nearly 3 million IDR monthly. This means he must drastically cut back or supplement his income to avoid financial shortfall.
4. Survival Strategies
To cope with his limited budget, Budi uses several clever methods:
- Cooking at Home: Saves money by preparing his own meals.
- Free WiFi Spots: Avoids mobile data costs by visiting cafes with free WiFi.
- Shared Housing: Lives with friends to split rent.
- Side Jobs: Works as a freelance driver on weekends to earn extra cash.
These strategies show Budi’s resilience and ability to adapt socially, mentally, and economically.
5. Harsh Realities and Social Challenges
Beyond money, Budi faces psychological stress and limited access to healthcare, entertainment, and education. His story echoes broader issues like structural poverty, insufficient minimum wage, and growing urban inequality.
6. Insights and Reflections
We learn three things from Budi's journey:
- Financial literacy is essential.
- Empathy toward informal workers is critical.
- There is a pressing need to reform wage policies in line with rising living costs.
7. A Critical but Hopeful Closing
Budi’s experience serves as a wake-up call. It's time to discuss solutions and push for more equitable economic policies. Every small effort toward justice can lead to a bigger social shift. Let's support those living with tight budgets and advocate for change that uplifts all citizens.
Post a Comment