> I think the very fact that people in wildly different circumstances are living paycheck to paycheck is a huge flag that this isn't as simple a problem as "they don't get paid enough".

so, certainly, that's not all of it. we all have the wealthy friend who lives paycheque to paycheque.

But... let me tell you, saving money is a whole lot easier when you make 10x the minimum to support yourself in the area than it is when you make 1x the minimum to support yourself in the area.