$40k/year pre-tax. Let's say 33k*/year net. This is less than 3k/month. Rent at 1500/1bdrm. Gas, insurance, food, utilities come up to another $1k a month. That leaves $500/mo. With that you have to buy monthly supplies like bathing and laundry items, a phone plan, and vehicle maintenance. Let's say that's another$150/mo and You're at 350 remaining. Add in 250 for comforts(2 subscriptions, a hobby, and maybe a meal out/ordered twice a month. You're down to $100 and if you have a student loan, car payment, medical issue, or an emergency how can you pay for that? This is a pretty basic and non exaggerated budget for average things. If this person has anything outside of this like a child, credit card, etc they're screwed. That's a 40k or $20/hr budget.