<prompt> Human: Background: I graduated from college two years ago and have bounced around several part-time jobs since then. I moved back in with my parents in January 2015 and am now looking to move into freelance copywritingediting and private tutoring. Ideally, Id like to do this and also have a part-time job to help balance things out.I feel like Im getting terrible advice from my parents. Just yesterday during a conversation about working for Trader Joes, my mom said I would barely scrape by on 75k if I factored in rent, car insurance, utilities, phone, etc. The cost of living in my area is pretty low and still reasonable in the bigger cities.I feel like theres no way she can be right about this, but I am incredibly clueless when it comes to money. TL;DR Good starter salary that I can live on?  <response>: my mom said I would barely scrape by on 75kYour mom probably blows money like theres no tomorrow then. My wife and I easily could live on 3500month with very little lifestyle changes, including our house payment. We make substantially more than that.Im willing to bet your mom has a massive car loan, huge credit card debt and a second mortgage.You can make it on 30,000 if you budget, watch your money closely and dont treat your paychecks like you suddenly got rich every time they roll in. Never use credit cards to buy something if you cant pay for it in cash right that second, and never carry a balance. Build up an emergency fund of six-months expenses to carry you through the sht happens moments so that they dont drive you in to spiraling debt. 