For me (the differences) -- Rent [1]: 300/mo = 3.6k Transportation [2]: 100/mo = 1.2k Food [3]: 250/mo = 3k Total: 20.7k Obviously that leaves a lot of thi

For me (the differences) -- Rent [1]: 300/mo = 3.6k Transportation [2]: 100/mo = 1.2k Food [3]: 250/mo = 3k Total: 20.7k Obviously that leaves a lot of things out, but that is what the other $14K+ is for. If you can't live on 35K, I'm guessing it's because you're either carrying too much debt, or you've convinced yourself you need to spend $X/mo on a car/living in <expensive city>/whatever when you really don't. [1] Right now I actually am renting an entire house with one roommate and we each pay $125/mo, but we are renting from a friend. Before I moved here, I paid about $240 a month. I could easily find a place under $300/mo here in Columbus, OH. [2] I don't have a car right now; instead I use public transportation or ride with my roommate or other friends. Even giving my friends gas money and renting a car once a month or so would only come to 1-1.5K per year. [3] I could easily get by on about $125/mo for groceries. Doubling that allows me to go out a couple times a week as well.