Nickel and Dimed: Book Summary & Analysis

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In this eye-opening investigative work, a journalist goes undercover to explore the realities of low-wage work in America. Taking on various minimum-wage jobs—including waitressing, retail, and housekeeping—she uncovers the struggles of the working poor, highlighting the hidden costs of survival, the exploitation of labor, and the impossibility of getting by on wages that barely cover rent. Through firsthand experience and sharp social commentary, this book challenges the myth of upward mobility and exposes the harsh truths of economic inequality.