Oh it’s a mystery alright. Even full time at 15 bucks an hour wouldn’t be very doable....and I understand he only worked part-time.
The internet has these cool things called paycheck calculators that let you enter the state so you can compare after tax income.
In TX, full time at 15/hr is $2154 a month take home pay. He lived at home or with Grandma, no rent or food expenses.
Tell me again how a kid who quit school to work full time couldn’t earn the money.
I really don’t know why adults can’t do the math on this.