I lived close to paycheck to paycheck for a few years as I was paying for my school, then my wife's school. I was one of the few to do Community college, live

I lived close to paycheck to paycheck for a few years as I was paying for my school, then my wife's school. I was one of the few to do Community college, live with parents, then when my job required moving, my gf. I didn't eat out. I didn't buy new stuff. My poor friends buy/lease new cars, Apple products, take out, alcohol at bars, etc... I still don't do this. I don't expect these people to save 30k/yr. I expect them to save 5k/yr, but they squander it. They make sufficient money, they spend it on marketed products.