And are you also sure that these numbers are for full time employees?

Either way, I am skeptical about your post. I ain't never seen a Wal-Mart in the city. Name some for me. Most Wal-Marts that I have run across are out in the boonies, where cost of living is way cheaper so that 18k a year is in fact liveable. Also, who you know trying to make a career out of a Wal-Mart gig? Most cats that I know who work at Wal-Mart(Columbia, MO) do it for extra loot and/or on a temporary basis.