system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Despicable Me] Are Gru's minions paid? Does he give them free housing and food? How does Gru get the money for this?
gpt
>Are Gru's Minions paid?

As far as we can tell, no.  But, according to the Minions movie, the Minions don't want to be paid.  They're biologically wired to serve the biggest and meanest person they can find to the best of their ability.  It's actually shown that Minions that don't serve a villain wind up with severe depression and restlessness.  Gru is basically Supervillain Numero Uno when he recruits them, so they serve him without question.

>Does he give them free housing and food?

Based on the context, yes.  They still need food and water to survive, and, since they don't really have any other job besides "Gru's Minions," the costs incurred fall on Gru's shoulders.  And, since Gru seems to hold some kind of affection for them, he's probably more than happy to keep them around while Gru's genuine love and willingness to care for them has established an ironclad loyalty within the Minions that keeps them from switching sides to another villain.

>How does Gru get the money for this?

The same way all Mad Scientist Supervillains do:  develop high-tech weaponry to sell, steal and fence precious items, hold the world (or sometimes the moon) for ransom, etc.  Worst comes to worst, he can always get a quick loan from the Bank of Evil to cover any unexpected bills.