A bit back, the NY Times ran articles on how lots of New Yorkers were claiming to be "broke" despite making healthy six-figure salaries: I noted that I supported a family of four in Manhattan comfortably on ~75-80k. People lost their minds, claiming there's no way the math works... even though that's how the typical household in New York works. Symbolic capitalists have a really extraordinary set of lifestyle choices, commitments and expectations -- the frustration of which often leads them to saying they're "broke" when they're not. The perception that they're "broke" arises from comparing themselves to the superrich while being completely oblivious to how most other people live. 50k as a single person in San Diego is far from "broke." But, sure, if you spend ~ $14k per year on DoorDash then things will get a bit tighter.