> If you're making minimum wage, there's not much consumption to be lowered. Rent, transport, and food will eat it all up (and then some).

Rent, transportation, and food are consumption. If they're eating up everything and then some, find a way to lower them. Move in with your parents if you have to, or share a place with friends. Learn to love rice, beans, and potatoes. Walk or take the bus. There are lots of options.

(This isn't abstract theory; I'm presently living on not much more than minimum wage, and I have a wife and kid.)

If you're making minimum wage, chances are you're already riding the bus, eating rice, beans, and potatoes. Chances are also pretty good that your parents and friends are in a similar financial situation.

How many minimum wage earners have a MS degree like you?

> If you're making minimum wage, chances are you're already riding the bus, eating rice, beans, and potatoes.

This is true of very few of the minimum wage and less earners I've been friends with over the years. (I apologize, I don't have broader statistics than "people I know".)

It's amazing how little money you can get by on if you're willing to really cut back. I don't think it takes an MS degree to figure out how.