Family of six living comfortably on one income of roughly $40,000/year, paying off debts, own 2 cars we fix ourselves, grow and preserve our own food, barter services where needed. Seriously downsized housing and sold 85-90% of our belongings, I left a professional career to raise our kids. Kids are happier with more time outdoors and activities not related to electronics. Homeschoolers instead of public school BS, so we save a lot there, too. Public school really isn't "free," there's always a $200 list of school supplies, dues, and don't forget all the fees for anything extracurricular or clubs.
People CAN live on less than $60k/year, but a lot of people believe they/their kids have to have name brand clothing, larger homes, tv service, married mothers paying 3/4 of their weekly salary on childcare instead of staying home to raise their kids, the latest/newest phones and electronics, don't want to learn gardening or mechanics skills, and would rather throw away and buy new what breaks. Gotta make the inner change before the outer one can happen.