I left Vancouver many years ago.

You sound like the type of person who I remember living here. Sensible, grounded, cool etc.

also you need to have a stable non-zero hour contract job that pays more than 15 an hour.

How much do you earn? I'd be curious to hear more of your saving tips! Good job, you. :)

Good for you, but let's stop pretending it's possible for everyone. Those of us too disabled to work are doomed to live in poverty until we die.

I'm not suggesting that you haven't accomplished something good; you have, but I'm just curious if you had parental help? Such as being able to live with them rent-free. I hear so many people patting themselves on the back and feeling superior for how much money they've managed to save, etc, only to find out later they were almost entirely supported by their parents for years. If you did it while entirely supporting yourself including paying all your own bills, rent, etc, then kudos. If not, well.....,

I'm very much like you but I make $16 and consider myself very lucky. I feel like that is a luxury when living in Vancouver. Which is actually quite sad. The minimum wage here is scary. Ten years ago in another province working a job that was just a job (not even a trade) i was making more than what they are paying folks here for min. Wage now. In my actual trade what I'm getting paid now is hard to find and my job isnt ever lasting. I've prepared myself already to lose a few bucks in the near future, unless I move away. It's not easy for everyone to save. My boyfriend makes double and because of some debt and living in Vancouver he's found it hard. We don't even eat out or party that much. When you're at the bottom while living here it can feel impossible to save. I've been doing it since the moment I left home bit by bit and managed to pay off my debt before I reached this soul sucking city.

A few years ago (4-5 years) I was making $17/hr and my bf was making about $25. We stayed home and barely did anything. Never went out or partied but we were still social and hung out with friends. We saved $25K and took a 6 month trip all over SE Asia, Australia and New Zealand. It's was spectacular! Fast forward a few years and we ended our relationship. That means I'm single, living on my own, working part time as a server. I have $10K in the bank and I pay for all my own bills. I don't get help and even pay for a lot of stuff for my broke bf. Not sure how I do it but I'm really good with money somehow. It is possible people!!!