Presumably they haven't been living paycheck to paycheck for the past 19. It's not that difficult for a SWE in North America.
Yes, I guess investments, etc., but 1.5 years is a long time.
I don't think I could go more than 2-3 months. Maybe I should start saving some money.
That's not rare for a SWE in NA. Difficult is another matter. Plenty of SWE's in NA are now staring down the barrel of not being able to afford their own home for much longer (or to afford their first home).