Agree 100%. I make about $2800/month (working on that issue) with a household of 3 (including me) and 1 more on the way. Or expenses total about $2,000. Most of the extra is going towards debt at the moment.

If I upped my income to $3,000 with no debt. It would take me 6 months to get 3 months worth of expenses. If my income moved to $50,000/yr, it would totally change our situation.

Everything is context when it comes to money. Portland living expenses are crazy compared to my midwest town. But, it still amazes me how easy it is to build wealth of you knock out debt and curb unnecessary expenses. I will get a bottle of whiskey to enjoy every so often. We get organic veggies and fruit. We don’t live pinching pennies. But I also don’t get coffee out except for dates with my wife. And I get cheap beer out because it’s so expensive.

It’s definitely all in your wants/needs and expectations. And sometimes it is just comes down to a small season of grinding a little…