Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Of course I can go into much more depth in my studies / research while not working. I work the minimum amount necessary to pay my living expenses so I can devote a maximum amount of time to freely pursuing other interests, which includes pure math among other things.

There are plenty of people who devote several years of their life to studying, and must pay not only their living expenses but tuition fees as well. In my opinion, those are the people who you should be asking “how did you manage this”.