Paycheck to Paycheck
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As for cars vs. public transport: In most of the US, public transport is not a time-efficient way to get to work, if it even goes from home to work. Having one car per working adult is the thriftier move, after accounting for having access to a greater number of jobs and being able to work longer hours because transport will be quicker.
And that's before even getting into Student Loans + Medical Debt, the two actual real-world largest causes of American financial instability.
That said, when I was in my 20's and single I probably spent more than that per month because practically every meal was fast food, take out, or otherwise prepared in some manner. I suspect they could save a good $1,000/mo if they started cooking exclusively at home and paid attention to a budget while shopping.
McDonalds is surprisingly expensive if you eat it every day.
education? common sense? critical thinking? basic financial literacy?
If they like spreadsheets, there are still useful budgeting tools they can use, like https://www.budgetsheet.net to help them realize where all their money is going.
I used to work with a woman who had multiple jobs to make ends meet. She would still order lunch via Doordash from the restaurant a mile up the street. Every day.
When it comes to food, I find it difficult to fault people ..even those with questionable budgetary discipline. It is one of the most basic wants in life. Food and sex...I won’t judge.
When I was renting a room in London, I’d eat basic food for days just so I can try out Michelin star restaurants once or twice a month. And it was worth it. When I eat good food, I am out of the rat race. I become the most important person to me.
If this woman is working multiple jobs to make ends meet, getting food delivered for her is probably making her feel good.