I know several software devs who cannot save a dime and live paycheck to paycheck on around $2k a week.

$2,000. I used to get less than that a month at my first job.

just because you have to be smart doesn’t mean you’re brilliant. these devs failed to understand what budgeting was and would literally piss their paycheck away by eating out 3-4 times a day, bars, women, toys, etc.

I maxed out my 401k contributions every year. I saved half my check. I was able to save a lot, but recently I’ve been living paycheck to paycheck because everything is so damn expensive.

my point is, some of it is because of poor financial decisions. some of it is because COL is out of control. it’s hard to pass judgment on others when you don’t know their story.