Meet the Working Class | Hard Earned | ENDEVR Documentary 

Hard Earned - Episode 2: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-q3dj2v0m1bQ.html Hard Earned - Episode 3: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WH4C-bfjz5k.html Hard Earned - Episode 4: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UWLlyQb-tp0.html Hard Earned - Episode 5: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5EIuVxHsvmI.html Hard Earned - Episode 6: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jSuIanjztQg.html

This documentary was made in 2012 or 2013. Ten years ago is an eternity ago financially. Everything is extremely worse now. An updated documentary is practically mandatory.

I worked in retail once again this past year. It was literally soul crushing. The toxic co-workers, the toxic customers, not having a life outside of work because of the crazy hours I was working. The day I quit, I literally got sick. My body was like sit down NOW! it’s so hard to maintain self care in those types of jobs real talk.

This documentary is ten years old. It's probably more relevant now than ever before. The grind is real.

Just came across this video. Almost in tears. I live in Chicago and know the places they're showing. Just to see these hardworking people struggling like this is so heartbreaking. I hope and pray they're in a better place now.

My sister was a server (waitress) for many years. It's very difficult physically carrying those heavy trays. And she said it so well, tips depend on how much people like you when you serve them. Also always working weekends & holidays is tough especially if you have kids and/or a partner. She finally opened her own coffee/dessert/sandwich/ gelato shop (plus event catering) 10 years age & is doing well. 🙏

"tired of always depending, for my money, on how other people feel about me" Same.

"People ask me what my dream is. I don't have one". Emilia We hear you. We hear all of you. WE ARE YOU. My love and respect to you.

Watching videos like this keeps me humble. I had to work 2-3 jobs just to get by and now I’m able to take care of my household without much fear of not having enough. Going through those struggles helps me not to take what I currently have for granted and know that things can go right back to the way they were. So I stay grinding and keep that hunger and ambition in order to keep moving forward. I do my best to let people know that financial problems can be temporary if you’re willing to do whatever it takes!!

The politicians wouldn’t be able to survive on minimum wage but I guess it doesn’t affect them so they don’t care

" It's called The American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it " - The late great George Carlin .

I feel for Emilia. As someone who worked in construction, she's absolutely right that it's hard to go from making $80,000 a year down to something significantly less. I made more money than I ever had in my life (upwards of $110,000), but what they make you give is so much more. Either you're home every night and broke, or you're traveling the country, only spending maybe two weeks home out of the year. You also pay with your body. I'm only 30, but I can tell you my knees, shoulders and wrists are absolutely shot.

Takita and DJ, working so hard! I truly hope they are in a better place today. They are providing a great life for their kids. It is so important for kids to experience that love and commitment.

Not that it’s important at all, but Emilia looks absolutely fabulous for her age. Especially given the very strenuous and physically/mentally draining jobs she has.

My husband and I got married really young but we didn't have our child until 14 years later. I am glad we were able save lots of money, bought a house and we don't have to live from paycheck to paycheck.

This video, while very outdated, is a great example of how important it is that public transit services work for all and not just some.

As a Latino it sucks because you’re responsible for your parents bad decisions because they didn’t take into account like hey I’m going to get old one day. And assume their kids will take care of them. My sister and I are breaking that cycle it’s not fair to your kids. That mentality needs to stop.

I love watching these type of documentaries. It's humbling.

My 2 cents: if you were not born into wealth or privilege, or you don’t live in a European country with great social welfare systems, in order to “succeed” you have to make a series of well thought out/calculated decisions. Finish school, get a skill, if you can’t afford college start off at a community college, join the military, hold off on having children. When you start earning money save/invest. Keep your skills sharps, be flexible enough so you can pivot if you need to change careers. Nothing I just mentioned is easy, but that’s life. I wish our system was different, but it’s not and until something changes, we have to set ourselves up for success because the government will not do it for us.

I worked in 13 Walgreens stores in Central Florida... The company ABUSES good hardworking employees and makes the most pathetic people management (who get intimidated by anyone who can do their job better than them and will do everything to keep you down)! Something is SERIOUSLY wrong with this company! The stores are totally rundown and neglected! A 360 is needed in this badly run organization!

I’ve come to realize the smartest decision I’ve made is deciding to not have kids. I see so many people struggling with kids.

"I have no dreams" Saddest words I've ever heard.

Would love to have an update on these individuals in 2023.

When the one woman was talking about being the youngest and taking care of her parents...I feel that. I do most of everything for my parents. Three older brothers and one sister and due to their own circumstance's, moved away, disabled, incarcerated...its me that does most everything. It's exhausting and maddening.

There’s nothing wrong with living with your parents if it’s for mutual a benefit. I had family that all lived together because they couldn’t afford to do it alone.

I am going to encourage my 7 year old son to learn a trade. Some make so much more than those who went to a four year college.

College is not the only way out, especially when you have all the responsibilities of running a household. Many times young people are pushed into college so hard that they have no choice. They don't realize the importance of what they study and end up wasting so much time, effort and money in a hope and dream that is very unlikely to happen. A little bit of help and guidance can go a very long way in getting a better paying job which would change everything. Then a little more guidance and advice on not squandering that little bit of a lifeline on a nice car before it is affordable as well. College is not the only way and it very often hurts people more then it helps. Be careful and wise with decisions, it will effect things well into the future.

I noticed the common denominator is most of the people had kids when they weren’t financially ready. There is a saying that poor family planning can lead to poverty, and this is the perfect example of that.

A lot of people struggling while riches are getting richer.

Amazing how people are determined to do their best regardless of the tough economy and family they support

As a server/Bartender just turning 40, I see much of myself in Emilia. People don’t realize how tough it is serving/bartending.

The server at the beginning breaks me, my mom is also a server and has worked like that my whole life. She did whatever it took to put food on the table pay the rent put cloths on us..and it has only gotten worse over the years. I see how tired she is and it hurts..

Lmao when the real estate agent said "once it's your home no one can take it away from you" ... yeah except for the BANK...

I’m also confused about why 18-year olds decide to have several children, when they have no education and then have to work for a pittance? In Sweden, where I’m from, the average age for having your first child is 34, when you’ve got your life into place.

I lost my job due to the COVID economic impact and haven't been able to find a job in my field for a year +. I took seasonal job to pay bills but retail jobs are physically demanding and it's hurting my knees. The only difference for me are that I graduated with 2 bachelor s degrees without debit and I'm still proud of it. Eating lots of ramen noodles, campus food bank. Only eating out when there's coupons special etc. I never want any kids, this life is hard enough, why bring another life into this world when I can hardly survive with degrees? It's not a politically correct thing to say, but the Walgreens couple have 2 kids knowing their financial situation... The couple who said moving into parents home as an adult is hard, in many other cultures in different countries, there are multiple generations family under one roof. I'm not saying they shouldn't buy their own home, but save until they have more funds and access the housing market, interest rates etc. Moving into new home cost money, buying furniture etc which might lead to more debt.

Takira and her husband are hard workers and good parents. My hat is off to them for feeding that many mouths and trying so hard. Good genuine, hard-working people.

it blows my mind this was made 10 years ago...would love to see an updated version of todays pricing and wages.

School is not a guarantee for success sometimes it's just more debt

God Bless the people like these folks who are underpaid but so essential to making our world go round. You are noticed and we appreciate all you do. Now is the time for you to be paid your fair share...if you are working, there is no reason why you should have to struggle...

I am an Eastern European and I feel sad watching that people are struggling to meet ends in one of the supossedly richest countries in the world. It is the fault of the corporations and the government to keep the working class poor without social benefits. Let me give you an example of France with 40 days paid leave annually, with maternity leave of 1 year and so on. Even in my country Bulgaria when you have a baby the mother is entitled to 2 years maternity leave with almost the whole salary paid each month. Living in the US and being poor is Shame on the government!

I worked service jobs, minimum wage and tips, for years. I was 39 when I started working at a bingo hall and I loved the job. Still minimum wage and tips, but fun. Then the closures started. I went through 9 closures with them and decided at the age of 41 I needed to do something different. My beloved niece recommended I enroll in an office skills school she was going to. I did and 2 weeks after graduating I got a job with the county I lived in. It wasn't easy, but I stayed with them for 18 years, retired at 60 and now have a pension and Social Security and make more than I did when I was working. It's never too late!

Is there a 2022 update on these families and how they have got along?

I feel for the very devoted hard-working latina daughter. You can tell she's a carrier empath. She is compelled to help out due to emotional obligation and she's feeling awful for feeling understandable resentment about the situation.

I struggle to feel bad for the lady with 16k debt. She doesn't need a motorcycle or the insurance for it. Sell it, pay your debt, and make moves towards eliminating that debt.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become". - Steve Jobs -

my main takeaway for this is that birth control in ALL forms should be free and widely available! My (ex) partner and I waited til we were in our late 20's to have a child. We were definitely able to afford it and it was STILL hard and was (and IS) expensive - even while living below our means and making 2-4x what these families are making. Children are an 18+ year long emotional and financial responsibility, and people really need to think before having them!

It's pretty insane how we the working people pretty much kept the world running in the midst of the covid debacle. The world forgot that pretty fast.

you guys can do it. after university i didnt have the family for support so i became homeless. i was working and eventually got an apartment. i started paying off my student loans by eating rice and beans. i dont have any children and i dont have a mortgage or vehicle so that helped. i live in a very expensive city and a car is not necessary. you guys have the support so you are on your way.

I haven't watched it yet - but my initial feeling is being working class isn't an bad thing, seems the media portray is as a failure or something to transition from but working class are very important because we all need services, things made, built, fixed. I think the problem is that working class people/trades are no longer being paid a decent wage/salary. I grew up in a working class family and everyone in our extended families, mostly factory workers, home helps, etc... were able to buy their own home & take a cheap holiday somewhere every year, not just surviving but actually enjoying life. It's not like that anymore.

Blown away by this. My heart goes out to these folks grinding just to get by!

6:00 I was a line cook for many years, then ran a pizza place in a college town (football Saturdays!). Not having weekends/holidays off, needing to work when everyone else was relaxing and celebrating, was one of the main reasons I switched to tech. That, and the money.

I wouldn't know what to tell a young person today on how to make a living. Everything is so different from when I was young. However, there is a time in your life early 20's "or younger" when you need to decide on learning a trade, going into the military or going to college... and receiving degree in photography or basket weaving 101 isn't the answer. Your degree needs to be something important "Engineering, Finance Computer Science" etc. It's going to be tough! These are the what I call the "Paying your Dues years". Its not fun and it takes GUTS!! It's hard hard work and most people don't want to do it. But you do it and you will become successful. Never quit... NEVER!

I was right there 10 years ago too. I listened to audio books every chance I got, found some grants/scholarships to pay for part of school, and worked plenty of overtime while going to school full time. Fast forward until now and I'm a successful accountant. It feels weird to be valued, as every human should be, but I know the work I put in to get here. For all those feeling hopeless, you can do it too and it's worth it for a STEM degree or a trade journeyman credential!

America is not a country, America is business.

Everything that happened to the people in this video was my greatest fear after high school.

I can’t believe Elizabeth couldn’t understand that having an expensive ring shouldn’t be a priority in your situation. You can always get a different one after you’ve acquired a roof over your heads. I felt SO sorry for Jose. You can get a silver band for $15. I did and still have it 35 years later. I love it just the same because monetary value shouldn’t dictate how much someone loves you. The jewelry companies and consumerism have made us, particularly women, believe this. I guess Elizabeth has every right to want that ring but it was bizarre that it took her so long to figure out why Jose might have a problem with it. She never considered his feelings, saying she gets paid more, which is a fair point, but she wouldn’t even discuss it. This is what I want and that’s that, which was demeaning to Jose, I think. But then he even apologized when she complained that he wasn’t happy enough. “I’m sorry I came off like that.” And he was sincere, in spite of the $3,131 that was spent. You have a good man, there, even if you did pay for half the ring. I have much compassion for your situation, which I can relate too, and how hard you both work to make it. I wish you nothing but good things. Jose’s son, Ayden is super cute.

It was really sad to hear that she was 50 and she was still broke. Financial planning is actually extremely important to have from a very young age which we don't learn.

DJ's story about the basketball scholarships is heartbreaking. I wish all of them the best! But one thing I have to point out. Having children is a huge responsibility. It's so much more than the love and fuzziness. You gotta be reasonably prepared before letting go of birth control.

I'm 66. When I was about 18 and getting ready to graduate high school my Father said he could get me a job at Kodak where he worked. That was considered a very good job in my area at the time. My brothers and sisters all went to work there and have done well even though Kodak hasn't. But for me that didn't look attractive. I instantly knew what my entire life would be if I went down that path. Exactly what income I'd get. I also didn't like the idea I'd be so dependent on 1 company. My Father thought Kodak would grow forever. Instead I joined the Army to get money for college. That's more risky than a factory job. Then a high paying job in Alaska for 6 months to get some money. Then college. For my major I looked at want ads and saw the most ads for high paying jobs was something called "computers". I loved drawing, painting and would have loved to just take Fine Arts in college...but I knew college was training for earning money and knew I wasn't that talented to make a good living as an artist. I knew other more talented artists struggling. So Fine Art was my minor. Ended up dropping out to take a job creating Atari 2600 games. Fun, intense, paid well and everyone told me I should get a serious job instead. I stayed with it and ended up working in tech startups. No big scores, but fun, pay was very good and once in awhile some bonuses and small stock payouts. I see most people starting out taking the easy path. They don't see it as "easy" because they have nothing to compare it to. These can be well paying jobs for a single 18 year old but these jobs have very limited upside income because they're low skill. To make increasing income you need to be doing something that requires an increasing skill. A factory worker on a line for 3 years vs 15 years is worth about the same to an employer.

What's sad and unacceptable is these low wage hard workers usually don't get or aren't eligible for any kind of assistance. You gotta be lazy and refuse to work to get help sadly. Totally respect these hard workers. What's scary is this generation when they retire if they can ever retire. No pensions no 401ks and a SSI system going broke. Scary

I sympathize with them, nine years of working retail was challening to say the least. Began my first retail position at exactly $7.25 and nearly ten years of grocery experience my waged only increase to $15. I understand their fear, their struggle, and their fervent hope for better opportunities because it was those were at the forefront of my mind everyday.

Shouts out to the life time waitresses. Without them Restaurants would not run. They are the nurses of the service industry. Love.

This is depressing, I'm at the half way point and I can't even finish watching this

I went through the same thing as the young hispanic woman did .I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters ,.I had to step in and take care of her, because if I did not, then she would have had to be put in nursing home. I am in my mid fifties, and am not in good health, and I am not well off financially either. Everyone else always had excuses why they could not help. So I was my mothers only caregiver for 15 years, with no help from siblings. My mother had lived such a hard life., and I wasnt about to let her end up being neglected in some nursing home, because that is what happens to people with Dementia. When a parent has Dementia, the whole family should help out on a regular basis, and not lay it all on one person. There are ways to make it work. For example, those family members with challenging health conditions could be the ones to come by twice weekly to sit and visit with parent and see if they are doing ok. those in better physical shape could take turns cleaning for parent .those that can cook could take turns fixing food for parent . .etc, etc . Even grandchildren can get involved with helping out. It would be a great way to teach them that family should work together , and help one another. , Instead of PUT IT ALL ON 1 PERSON !!

Sometimes you have to fail to succeed, Most times it amazes me greatly how I moved from an average lifestyle to earning over $63k per month, Utter shock is the word. I have understood a lot in the past few years that there are lots of opportunities in the financial market. The only thing is to know where to invest.......

Many people are one paycheck away from becoming homeless...

I worked 35 years in the restaurant industry. I loved directing the kitchen in a controlled chaos environment. Having a cigarette on the back step watching people pulling boats etc on the weekend was hard though. Truly we are a band of people that didn’t quit fit into 9-5 or “normal” society. We were a family who spoke the same language

Thank you so much for making this documentary. Deeply thought provoking and inspiring.

Working for someone else is soul crushing most of the time .

Rule number one: if you don't have plenty of money don't have kids. You make it difficult for yourself, plus the kid suffers.

I totally get what Elizabeth said about her parents' culture, not from the US but I grew up the same, half with dad's parents and half with mom's dad, even if both parents had degrees and good jobs and could have easily rented their own place, and neither grandparents needed constant care or any other help. A lot of kids in my country can't wait to move to the big city for college to get out of the small town and the parents' house but it's trickier when you grow up in the big city. Luckily my parents understood my need to move out and we get along great not being in the same house. Also YES YES YES to De'Jaun's mom, free education has a ton of benefits. Drawbacks too, college is kinda like 3 more years of high school and then there's a ton of people with degrees that don't mean that much anymore, so you still gotta grind. And the quality of free education is not always great at least where I'm from. But that's a long, long debate. It sucks to see when someone has so much potential but gets his wings cut off.

My heart goes out to Elizabeth. I understand certain cultures do this but I am Mexican and I would never want to burden my kids. I want to leave a legacy. Good for both Jose and Elizabeth grinding and making their lives happen.

Family planning is very important...I feel for the kids 😌

There was a time when I was single that I was working three jobs. It wasn't because I had a family to support. It was because I knew that one day, I would.

I worked as a male waiter for 2 years. I’m not good looking, so I barely got any tips no matter how well my service was. 😞 my best friend who was good looking literally earned about 4x as me and the manager and customers all really liked him too. Life is so unfair

To the guy who did two tours in the military: Thank you for your service. But sir, you got a job paying $17 an hour which may not be the best but it is much better than minimum wage and you are complaing about the hours? You will still see your son, you are not going back overseas. Feeding him & keeping a roof over his head is important, too. Man up and be grateful while you work towards better things. We all have to start somewhere. Stop looking at what is wrong and start saying thank you for what is right.

The first lady spoke to me. My dad worked security jobs or factory jobs and did drill with Air National guard on weekends. This meant I hardly ever saw him as a child and had very few down/fun times with him.

YOUNG GENERATION(17-26): Be careful with your choices! The consequences are for lifetime!!!

“You don’t know somebody you don’t work here.” Literally 101% of all companies in existence lol

Ugh, the guy that tore the ligaments in his shoulder and lost his scholarship! I wish these young athletes could negotiate with these colleges that they can finish their educations and keep those scholarships if they get a sports related injury. So unfair of these greedy universities.

I left home at 16 and joined a program called Job Corps. After getting out, I waited tables for a while before joining the military - as I was getting out, I got my license in massage therapy. That allowed me to make a decent income while I went back to school and worked on my degree which I got in 2019. Now, I work and invest. Work and invest. Still trying to make it.

This is humbling but I wonder why people choose to bring children into this lifestyle when they are barely making themselves.

There is a serious shortage of people in the trades... So learn a trade, no student debt and a six figure income down the road. Start your own business, never look back and never get laid off... I was a roofing contractor in Canada for 35 years and made a very good living.... If you must do the school route, make sure you get into something that has a ($) future... like engineering, medical, law, finance, computer programing/hardware etc.

Takita seems to me to be a great mother! A type of mother I wish I could have had. I would have known love, knowledge, caring and gave her complete respect and proud to be her child. Takita is a wonderful woman to be around. She does not yell at her kids, and she instills in them love and respect. Takita deserves more from society and have more, if I could give her money I would.

Elizabeth's mom Ana said wise words, "I don't care what you wanna be, but be." I love that. Then she continued, "If you wanna sweep the streets, do it, but with a diploma. You'll be the boss of all the street sweepers." " You have to talk strong to them" This is a great series, I watched the 4th one first not knowing that there were 1-6, so now im watching in order. I'm enjoying watching them

Im at $20/hr as a postal worker and cant even get a place on my own where I live, cost of living is wild.

This was filmed in 2013. Nothings changed.

Praying for all of you. God Bless all of you good hard-working folks!

I was born into a family of performers, working from the age of 6 & not being paid, even though I worked 2 shows a day, went to school every day. I then worked in a restaurant for 5 years to get myself through school. Finally I was given a chance to work for a company in marketing. It's so hard for young people, but my dream is to own my own home, and find myself someone to be with.

Its hard, coming from Bosnia here without anything, today I am financially free because I educated myself and invested in some things 15-20 years ago, even though in my community that is nonsense, you are supposed to work in a shop all your life everything else is not good for you, people keep you down in the same cycle they are in. Sometimes taking chances and risks is worth it, I think its only going to get rougher for middle class.

If “wine knowledge” is deterring her from applying to the higher paying job, I truly wish she knew she could find free resources. Based on the restaurant, they wouldn’t have too big of a selection, maybe a few dozen. She’s imagining a mountain when it’s a bunny hill and it kills me that a better life for her awaits with someone’s help. Amazing documentary but we need some follow ups after the community sees these individual stories. Maybe it hits extra hard because she truly deserves it and can’t get it. I’d love to see a channel that not only reports but helps too. 😥

man that singing for the bus to come is so relatable. "common bus, there's somewhere i gotta beeeee"

I wish things were easier for those on minimum wage. I pray they don't give up. I hope God gives them the strength to reach the end. God bless you. KC Comanche tx

I love how we use billions in our taxes to subsidize billion dollar corporations and high wealth tax cuts, while every year cuts instead of investing in education, healthcare, safety nets, public transportation, on and on. As I see it, spend decades defunding, then say it’s not working, privatize it, where quarterly profits is only goal, then capitalize and extract every cent and minute of money and labor out of every citizen below a certain class

That's why you ALWAYS have to be nice with people who work at restaurants. This is the hardest job in my opinion. Feel empathy and leave nice tips if you can. They just have their strength and you can make a huge difference in a hard day. Love to all of them ❤

2013? I'm not sure if I feel better knowing this series was 10 years ago. I like watching these because it helps to keep things in perspective.

"you'll start to come home and say that's my house... nobody can take that away from me" yeah except the bank or the government lmao

Never thought much about minimum wage when I was young and full of energy. You really need to be happy at your job and love what you do. Always tip for good service or don’t go out.

10 years later and our federal minimum wage is still $7.25 an hour. Which is also the cost of a dozen eggs.

Start your own side "at home business" or become a Direct sales company consultant. Start a home bakery..plenty of extra work you can do if you put ur mind to it. That's what I'm doing working for myself