Bill Atkinson was sleeping in his car after falling behind on rent.

A teacher who launched a GoFundMe to help him afford a place to live has put a spotlight on teacher salaries as the new school year begins.

Bill Atkinson, a fourth grade teacher in Austin, Texas, said he began living in his car this summer when his previous living situation fell through and he could not afford rent on his $54,000 annual salary.

“No matter how much I borrowed or scraped, there was no catching up, because I just did not make enough to cover rent – because I was so used to living paycheck to paycheck, I didn’t have anything in savings to try to cover rent for a couple months,” he told “Good Morning America.” “So I tried to get a place, [but I] was having a hard time finding a place I could afford on my own.”

  • Lavitz@lemmings.world
    52·
    2 months ago

    You didn’t touch a nerve you took a very complicated situation and boiled it down to this man must not be budgeting properly. The real issue at play was the last thing you mentioned. You addressed it but it was one sentence. I’m not saying budgeting isn’t important I’m saying you’re not focusing on the issue. Sorry I was a dick but you’re missing the point entirely.

    • walden@sub.wetshaving.social
      22·
      2 months ago

      I understand the point of the article 100%. Teachers don’t get paid enough. Student loans. Medical debt. Predatory lending. The list goes on. It’s the system that we live in (in the US and a lot of other places, I’m sure).

      This person’s story has a “shock” factor so it makes for a good way to spread the word about low teacher salaries. I just disagree with the low pay being one of the only reasons for him to him live in a car. There were many events and decisions made that lead to that result. People end up living in cars for a variety of reasons, no matter if they make $25k/yr. or $300k/yr. It all has to do with staying ahead and making good decisions. Shit happens, be ready.

      It can hard to communicate tone with text, so I understand if I came across cold or harsh towards the guy. It’s just a story as old as time, and I’m a huge fan of budgeting so I mention it whenever I can.

      • Lavitz@lemmings.world
        21·
        2 months ago

        No bud I get the tone you’re bringing to the conversation and the lack of empathy for the situation.

        • walden@sub.wetshaving.social
          21·
          2 months ago

          I know we’re going back and forth here, but that’s ok. I’m very empathetic to his situation, and it’s a situation shared by many. A lot of people don’t want to hear solutions or preventative measures, they just want to go “awww” and wait for things to hopefully get better. That’s a different type of empathy vs. my desire to affect change on the mans life. I want him to have a much better QOL. Pay is only a small piece of the puzzle.