Jeff Winkler of The Billfold interviews a part-time drug dealer who explains the economics behind his business. It sounds more like a guy trying to make ends meet than someone living the life of riches one would imagine.

What do you buy with your drug profits?
Well, it depends on where I'm at in my life. If I just need money to survive on, then I'm using it to survive. If I need it for luxuries or commodities then I use it for that. It's basically, like, I make the money, and I spend it almost as soon as I have it, which is not a good business practice. But I am militant enough that I can always have what I need to get more.

It sounds almost like you're basically living paycheck-to-paycheck.
Yeah, essentially it is the same as living paycheck-to-paycheck, which is sort of a sad fact and kind of why I'm doing this in the first place, because you know what, paycheck-to-paycheck isn't enough anymore. I know so many people who live paycheck-to-paycheck and they can't afford any sort of luxury for themselves because of that. And this is a way I can afford small luxuries for myself.

Essentially, I get to pay my bills and then I have a little extra money that I can get drunk tonight or whatever I want. When I'm at bars, I'm not drinking domestic beers, standard beers, I'm drinking more expensive beers. I can afford those sort of small luxuries for myself. If I want to go out to eat, I can go out to eat, and I don't have to worry about those things. If I need a new pair of shoes, I can get a new pair of shoes. If I need any number of things that are modest and reasonable, I can afford them and know that I will be able to pay rent the next month and will be able to pay bills next month.