On the one hand, I'm a little impatient with the litany of complaint & dismissal of options like getting a degree... there's always something you can do... but

On the one hand, I'm a little impatient with the litany of complaint & dismissal of options like getting a degree... there's always something you can do... but on the other hand, making $35k vs $150k really is like being a peasant vs a royal. On $150k a year you can save -- save a lot if you're in a low cost of living area, save a bit less in a high cost of living area. On $35k a year you are fine if you have good health and no dependents, but if you've got to pay for daycare or elder care or support anyone else, you're on an endless treadmill just this far away from missing a bill or being unable to deal with car trouble or a furnace problem or a sudden eviction because your landlord's brother wants to move in.... it really does feel impossible to make it out of the financial trap. It might not be impossible, but it's very very hard.