I'm sorry to everyone that's not in this situation, people who still struggle on a minimal lifestyle, but I have definitely noticed a lot of people live paycheck to paycheck who made the blatant decision to find the biggest place they can for half their paycheck.

I had someone complaining to me that they are struggling when they rented a huge 4 bedroom house. I know it's definitely not a sexy option, but even families with two kids can get by in a small two bedroom apartment. Some people sign up for a lifestyle they can't afford. Some people still eat out when they can't afford it. Lots of people could be making their meals, buying cheaper groceries, skipping the luxuries, and living in a spot half as big.

I know this sounds offensive, both to people that already can't afford the minimum, and to people who think this sounds like "you poor people should live in a poor neighborhood. You don't deserve better." I know it's a shitty thing to hear, but for some people it's the absolute harsh reality, that they need to ditch the one bedroom and move into a small studio. It's so very freeing to live a lifestyle you can afford. I've certainly been in the spot where I could barely afford to live with roommates and eat even cheap groceries, but when I started making more money, I didn't up my lifestyle to what is "expected" of someone in my financial position. And now I'm comfortable and can actually save money. This definitely isn't directed at everyone, but it is directed at people who live alone and rent a two bedroom, or rent a huge house when they could getting by in a smaller apartment. Get rid of your extra ikea bullshit and live a simpler life. It is way better than it sounds.