‘Work B—-‘ sets unrealistic expectations
After three weeks on Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart, the song has climbed to No. 13, and those who listen to local Top 40 stations are bound to hear the song at least twice a day, depending on how long they tune in.
In the song, Spears claims that if listeners want luxuries such as a Bugatti, Maserati, Lamborghini, to live in a mansion and party in France, they need to “work, work.”
But what Spears fails to mention is that the average American will not be able to afford such items, no matter how much or how hard they work.
In 2012, Forbes Magazine estimated Spears’ net worth to be $200 million after making $58 million in one year, making her the second highest paid female in Hollywood only to Oprah Winfrey.
Technically, Spears could afford the items she lists, but after her breakdown in 2007, Spears’ finances are now under the control of her father and she has been living quite modestly.
Though it should be obvious that a person may have to make any of Forbes’ Rich List to be able to afford all the luxuries, it’s curious as to how much the average USF student would have to work in order to afford the extravagant items.
Without considering the cost of necessities such as food, clothing, utilities or paying back student loans, The Oracle looks at how long it would take certain people to earn their share of Spears’ luxury life.
Minimum wage:
Per year: $16,000
600 years
College degrees with highest starting salaries*:
Engineering
Per year: $63,000
152 years
Computer Science
Per year: $60,000
160 years
Business
Per year: $54,000
178 years
*according to an April article in
Forbes Magazine
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