If you’re making $30k, you qualify for a ton of welfare programs throughout the country. So saying “$30k income isn’t livable” doesn’t make sense on its own without taking into account the various programs available. It may still be unlivable, but the income number on its own can’t really determine that.

So that’s why talking about expenses and skills is important. Many problems can be solved with proper budgeting, but some may need a job change to increase income. Increasing income on its own can’t solve budgeting problems (i.e. “you can’t outrun your fork”). Even people with middle and upper middle class incomes live paycheck to paycheck, nearly 1/3 of lottery winners go bankrupt, and nearly 80% of retired NFL players go broke. The reason behind most of those is the same thing I’m talking about: lack of personal finance education and skills.

Not all problems can be solved with budgeting and changing jobs, but a lot of them can be. That’s why I recommend anyone who would like to improve their situation to reach out, more often than not a few extra pairs of eyes can help get you on track to financial security.