The purpose of this discussion is to shed-light on the challenges many Americans face when it comes to prioritizing limited resources. This discussion will ask you to imagine that you are living in poverty and based on this perspective make decisions about prioritizing your monthly expenses.

Let's start with a question based on your opinion, that does not require any prior reading.

Remember, an active discussion is the key to an interesting and engaging online course. This discussion and other discussions in this course are designed to simulate a classroom discussion. As others join in the discussion, you should read what has already been posted and continue on with the discussion from there.

Imagine that you are a single mother or father of an 8-year-old child. You work two jobs and do not qualify for employer-sponsored health care. You make $15,000 annually which puts you and your family below the poverty threshold.

Imagine that you have heart disease and require medication and you do not have enough money this month to cover your rent, your medication, childcare, or food.. You are already in arrears on rent and risk being evicted if you do not pay. Without your medication, you risk a potential heart attack which, without health insurance, would surely bankrupt you and potentially cause you to lose one or both of your jobs due to excessive absence. Without childcare, you are unable to work and without food for your child, you risk crippling his or her ability to do well in school.

If you could only pay for one thing, a basic living necessity, what would you choose and why?