In this city, Ehrenreich found a job with The Maids, a residential housekeeping service. The second city chosen for the experiment was Portland, Maine. The waitress position becomes increasingly difficult as well, and Ehrenreich leaves the job before the month has been completed. The two jobs become too physically demanding for her to continue, and she vacates the maid position after one day. The income she receives from waiting tables is not enough to support her and to pay the next installment of rent, and Ehrenreich takes on a second job working as a hotel maid. Ehrenreich gets a job as a waitress in a diner-style restaurant, and finds a trailer to rent nearby. The first city chosen was Key West, Florida, due to the proximity to her home. The goal was to determine whether or not the author could both live off the money earned and have enough money at the end of the month to pay the next month’s rent. The experiment was to be held for one month in each location, working full time and living only off the amount of money earned in low-wage jobs. The experiment took place in Florida, Maine, and Minnesota, with the author finding a job and lodgings in each location. 'Infobox Book' name Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America image image caption Cover of Nickel and Dimed author Barbara Ehrenreich country America language English genre Non-fiction publisher Owl Books release date 2001 media type Paperback pages 240 isbn 0805063897 Barbara Ehrenreich’s non-fiction bestseller, Nickel and Dimed, is the story of an essay writer who went undercover as a low wage worker to find out how non-skilled workers make ends meet.

Nickel and dimed book