system
A chat on subreddit /r/pcmasterrace
human
American here, it really is the cost of living here. The amount of money paid is meaningless if everything is absurdly expensive. Let me break it down.

At $15/hr at 40 hours a week you would make $2400 per month before taxes. 

After uncle sam takes his 25% percent you're left with $1800 per month. 

I'm in a relatively low cost of living city and 900sqft 1 bedroom apartment is about $1100 per month. 

That leaves us with $700. 

Electricity: $100/month

Water/sewer/trash: $50/month

Car: $200/month for a questionable used car. Cars aren't really optional here. We do have some buses but basically no way to safely walk to them. 

Car insurance: $50-100/month depending on how covered you are. On the low end an accident could cost you thousands because your coverage isn't high enough.

Food: $400-600/month if you eat cheap

At this point we're already out of money before we get all of our food.  

Leftover bills: 

Phone: $100/month

Internet: $50/month

Health insurance: $300/month

Gas/petrol for car: $50-150/month


I'm sure I'm missing bills but you get the idea. This isn't counting the fact that a lot of people don't even get $15/hr. The cost of having children. Unexpected expenses. Missing work from being sick. Etc. 

Tldr:, USA is a capitalist hell hole
gpt
I feel like your food bill kinda gnarly. How many people in your household if you don’t mind me asking. I think me and my gf could get by on 250 but yeah it wouldn’t be fun.