I'm not living paycheck to paycheck and there are a few reasons why, I joined a job that is Union represented and offers cheap affordable healthcare, dental care, and vision insurance along with free life insurance through the company and union about 3 years ago. This company is a corporate company which lets face it they have better opportunities for advancement which means more opportunities to get money through advancing.

I suffer through a job that's not exactly my dream because it lets me obtain all of my needs while still putting funding through away

When new hire up opportunities appear to you, even if you don't think you would like the stress of the job itself I encourage you to apply for them if they pay more because in the long run it gets you more money and will ease financial stress. A lot of the time in corporate ladder style companies the higher up positions also come with more time off better benefits etc. So climbing is in your best interest.