1. What does Ehrenreich propose to do for a year? Why?
2. What is her experience working for Wal-Mart in Clearview Minnesota?
3. Why does she criticize the company? Are these fair criticisms? How do her criticisms compare from those expressed in the film "Is Wal-Mart Good for the US?"
4. What are her challenges in living on wages from Wal-Mart?
5. Discuss the reason why she ends up living in a motel instead of an apartment.
6. What are the negatives of living in a motel compared to an apartment ?
7. Were your perceptions of blue-collar Americans transformed or reinforced by Nickel and Dimed? Have your notions of poverty and prosperity changed since reading the book?
8. Why do you think low-wage workers are reluctant to form labor organizations as Ehrenreich discovered at Wal-Mart? How do you think employees should lobby to improve working conditions?
9. Many campus and advocacy groups are currently involved in struggles for a "living wage." How do you think a living wage should be calculated?
10. How does managers' scrutiny -- "time theft" crackdowns and drug testing -- affect workers' morale? How can American companies make the workplace environment safe and efficient without treating employees like suspected criminals?
11. The workers in Nickel and Dimed receive almost no benefits -- no overtime pay, no retirement funds, and no health insurance. Is this fair? Do you think an increase in salary would redress the lack of benefits, or is this a completely separate problem?
12. Nickel and Dimed takes place during a time of unprecedented prosperity in America. Do you think Ehrenreich's experience would be different in today's economy? How so?
13. What did you learn from this reading that you feel helps you to understand course themes so far in the global economy unit?