There are any number of life circumstances, from a failed startup to poor health, which could account for this.

None of which, I'm eager to add, are any of your goddamn business.

So many things could have happened, not everyone is able to save up. Also, it's irrelevant - either you want to help or not. Discussing the "impossibility" of his situation is not yours to judge, seriously.

I’m not judging.

A cautionary tail could do a lot of good here.

Why not let something good come out of the discussion that could prevent others from ending up in this situation?

A postmortem of sorts.

I could have ended up like this guy, but I found personal finance religion when I was 28. After making six figures for six years all I had was monthly payments equal to my paycheck and not much to show for it.

It’s pathetic how many people here leap to pity. The OP wasn’t asking for it.

Yes, a cautionary tale would be good. It's just the way you phrased it that was bugging me.

Also, I was not gunning for pity, nor was OP, true. Still, in such moments kind strangers on the internet who wish you well still feel good I believe.

Thanks for clearing it up!

precisely