Thats a terrible best case. With a beater car you can deliver pizza and make $1500 a month in most metropolitan areas. Put aside a small emergency fund. Pay off debts, smallest to largest to build psychological momentum. Once debts are paid, start saving for home if you want. And put 15% in a retirement plan. People go to college paying their way while doing this. They live frugally now and benefit later. They major in lucrative subjects. And they earn good money after (and sometimes before) graduating with minimal debt. It can be done.