Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
25.2K
Mom Shares A TikTok Of Her $9.28 Paycheck After Working For 70 Hours As A Waitress
Only your iron will is keeping you away from the mocha with whipped cream on top for six dollars. A paycheck is on the horizon, but there’s only one coffee to last you until then, and it’s filtered. Living on a tight budget is like standing on a ledge. No matter how hard you try, you’ll get tired and will start craving a treat. When the big day arrives, you finally see your holy paycheck only to find out… it’s 9 dollars. This is what happened to young Texas mother Aaliyah Cortez. After having worked 70+ hours as a bartender, the woman was left in disbelief: “I cannot afford to live off of $2.13 an hour, so I solely rely on the generosity of my customers.” So, the next time you’re on a night out don’t forget about Aaliyah, me and yourself—we’ve all been there. Scroll down below to see what Aaliyah Cortez told Bored Panda in an interview about the situation.
RELATED:
This brave young mom who works as a bartender at a local bar has raised awareness about wages in the service industry
Image credits: abronte_
@f.aa.dedPSA #psa #fyp #foryou #bartender #server #work #tips #chooseone #CleanFreshHype #photography101 #hardwork #viral♬ original sound – f.aa.ded
When speaking to Bored Panda, Aaliyah Cortez was very honest about her current life. “It’s tough being a working mom for me right now just because I’m going through a custody battle. I would love to spend time with my son, but I have to make a living so we can have a good life once the custody battle comes to an end.”
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Image credits: f.aa.ded
Monthly paychecks don’t make her life any easier. “Honestly, every time I open a check I just chuckle a little bit. My coworkers and I will compare checks to see who got the least amount and we’ll just laugh because it’s ridiculous how little we get paid.” Aaliyah still tries to stay positive: “I would just like to add that I love my job and I’m fortunate enough to make enough to get by, but it’s tough to think that if an emergency comes up it could really hurt me financially. I just wish we all had stable and consistent paychecks.”
“It’s important to tip because we literally rely solely on those tips. We’ll be greatly appreciative and it’s just nice to be compassionate and understanding that this is just how laws are set up, and if you’re going to restaurants that do abide by these laws, you are feeding into the broken system. We don’t like relying on the customer but until the laws can get changed, we still need to be paid.” Whatever you do, Don’t. Forget. To tip.
Some people, though, appeared far from convinced
Image credits: JoeMolleda321
Image credits: wesleyamullins
But Aaliyah was quick to defend her point
Image credits: abronte_
Image credits: abronte_
Image credits: abronte_
Image credits: abronte_
“My advice to fellow moms is just keep being badass. Being a mom alone is a full-time job, so I would want them to know I’m supporting them!” At the end of a day, being a mom is the most precious job of all.
Aaliyah’s post sparked a heated debate over how important it is to tip
What do you think ?
Laugh or not 4 years ago
No, that's not why you tip. That's why you fight for fair wages. And what the h*ll as it got to do with being a mom? If you don't have a child, exploitation is not bad anymore?
Tamora Spiller 4 years ago
I never understood this mentality of "this is why you tip" vs. "this is why we deserve better wages". You keep making the customer the villain and not holding the establishment accountable for giving you a living wage. I'd pay more for food to not tip if that's the answer. When I travel out of this country, tipping isn't' even a thing, so why do we keep harping on it here as if our tips are the only reason you don't have a living wage.
Load More Replies...
Coco 4 years ago
I cannot believe that people is talking about the importance of tipping instead of making the "employers" to pay decent wages. Is impressive, the human stupidity.
Nyree Huh 4 years ago
EXACTLY why is it customers responsibility to pay for wages???
Load More Replies...
bryguy 4 years ago
$2 an hour!?!? Unheard of in my country (Canada). Last time the min wage was that amount was the early 1970's. I absolutely support tipping well for good service, but should that burden really be on the customer? A tip in my opinion is above and on top of a salary, not a substitute for one.
Emperor Kitten 4 years ago
The minimum wage isn't $2. Unfortunately, people that work for tips are exempt from min wage laws. If they make less than min after tips their employer are obligated to make up the difference, but they probably wouldn't do it more than once, if ever (depends on whether the employee knows they're owed). They'd probably be fired for being a bad waiter. Tip based pay is a terrible system. That said, a good waiter at a good restaurant can make bank (statistically more if they're also attractive).
Load More Replies...
Laugh or not 4 years ago
No, that's not why you tip. That's why you fight for fair wages. And what the h*ll as it got to do with being a mom? If you don't have a child, exploitation is not bad anymore?
Tamora Spiller 4 years ago
I never understood this mentality of "this is why you tip" vs. "this is why we deserve better wages". You keep making the customer the villain and not holding the establishment accountable for giving you a living wage. I'd pay more for food to not tip if that's the answer. When I travel out of this country, tipping isn't' even a thing, so why do we keep harping on it here as if our tips are the only reason you don't have a living wage.
Load More Replies... Coco 4 years ago
I cannot believe that people is talking about the importance of tipping instead of making the "employers" to pay decent wages. Is impressive, the human stupidity.
Nyree Huh 4 years ago
EXACTLY why is it customers responsibility to pay for wages???
Load More Replies... bryguy 4 years ago
$2 an hour!?!? Unheard of in my country (Canada). Last time the min wage was that amount was the early 1970's. I absolutely support tipping well for good service, but should that burden really be on the customer? A tip in my opinion is above and on top of a salary, not a substitute for one.
Emperor Kitten 4 years ago
The minimum wage isn't $2. Unfortunately, people that work for tips are exempt from min wage laws. If they make less than min after tips their employer are obligated to make up the difference, but they probably wouldn't do it more than once, if ever (depends on whether the employee knows they're owed). They'd probably be fired for being a bad waiter. Tip based pay is a terrible system. That said, a good waiter at a good restaurant can make bank (statistically more if they're also attractive).
Load More Replies...
Related on Bored Panda
115
152