LANSING - Michigan's new minimum wage law went into affect on September 1st going up from $7.40 to $8.15 per hour.

The increase is only the first in a series of raises that will occur over the next few years ultimately ending up at $9.25 per hour by 2018.

While the increase should help, according to the CEO of Michigan Works, Edythe Hatter-Williams, the best way for those struggling to get by financially is to invest in their education.

"If people want to make more money the best thing to do is to get additional education. that will be what's needed to move you maybe away from the fast food industry into an in demand industry," Hatter-Williams said.

According to Michigan's United Way 40 percent of Michigan households don't make enough money to cover basic needs, which is a major reason for the increase.

The next scheduled increase is set for January 1, where the minimum wage will go up to $8.50 per hour.