2010

565 room (5 ppl in one apt but in separate rooms)

800 car all in (I drove a bmw, wasteful luxury)

600 food (ate out all the time, wasteful luxury)

50 utilities (gas and internet were included in rent)

100 entertainment (not much time)

That’s about 2400 in 2019 dollars and if I had gotten a cheaper car or taken public transit like most students there would have been plenty of savings.

On minimum wage you are about 400 in the hole after taxes, and before health insurance, savings, retirement, SO, kids etc. Not to mention this is one rented bedroom, not even a studio apt.

I did as well (in massachusetts in 2016)

With all respect to your experience, comparing a college roommate situation to a FTE earning minimum wage is a bit apples to oranges IMO. Students are eligible for many benefits including health care, and have a finite period of time (typically in their youth) until graduation. Whereas a minimum wage worker may be living on this amount with marginal raises for their whole life. Think about having a marriage and kids all while living in your college room indefinitely.

I rented a house, and didn't have roommates? I mean, it was in the shithole that is worcester, but its not impossible.