For context, I make the equivalent of $220 usd per month and spend around $130 of it on rent and bills. That leaves $90 for eating for the month, laundry, home maintenance, etc.
My boss saw that my front bicycle brakes were broken and advised me to fix them, and I told her I was saving up and its costs around $12 usd. She seemed really upset about the idea that I don't have the money on me. But like, she pays my wages. She knows that the poverty line is around 300 usd per month.
She kept repeating, “But you have to keep a little money around, in case of emergency.” How can someone pay you as little as possible and then be fucking shocked when you have no money??
edit: I'm not in the US, in case that was not clear. Also, I miscalculated my rent and bills, it's actually 160 usd, which is worse for me, but the point still stands.