> You can make more than that working at McDonald's near me, and nobody would claim that is a living wage.

Or he could scrimp and put four hard years towards making manager at McDonald's. If he gets it, then he can demand they match 44k a year (his passive income at that point) or he walks.

He could then try the same at Wendy's, and walk to retire on 64k a year.

Compound interest is one helluva drug!