re: How can folks afford to live their lives today?

eah it’s a good $40-50 to even cook a modest meal these days for my family of five if I want any left overs.
———
No way. You cooking steaks?

Lot of folks use this reasoning to just eat fast food.

As an example. Red beans and rice , add sausage. $8 -10 max. Feed 10 people on that.

Many chicken and pork recipes for meat that’s pretty cheap. Can buy a 10# bag of leq quarters for under $10.