[wakawaka28]

No, but if doing that leads people to conclude that they need to move in with roommates, that might be preferable. Roommates are certainly a great way to reduce expenses. It has downsides but it is what many poor people in other countries do naturally.

[Izkata]

Roommates, or if you're just getting started what I did could be reasonable, live with parents for a bit longer. Saved quite a lot in a year since they didn't have me pay rent, and got my first raise right around when I moved out.

And on GGP's mindset shift: Right away I put what my parents thought was an unusually high percent into my 401k, with the reasoning that if I never saw it then I'll never miss it. And it worked. I only see the amount that actually goes into my bank account and have managed all my costs based on that.

[wakawaka28]

I wish I had done that automatic contribution years ago at my first couple of jobs. I thought it didn't matter and I could hardly afford it, and I would make a lot more in subsequent years. In a way I was right but my lifestyle could have been better, cheaper, and healthier. Spending more money didn't help my social life like I thought it would.