system
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human
[SpongeBob] How do SpongeBob and Squidward get by with what Mr. Krabs pays them?

The boring not so fun answer is that it’s just a kid’s show don’t think too much into it.

But I wonder, it’s very clear SpongeBob and Squidward aren’t paid very well by Mr. Krabs yet both of them are able to maintain living in large two story houses. I’m not sure if the words “rent” or “mortgage” were ever said in the show but SpongeBob has mentioned paying bills before so I think it’s safe to assume that they’re also paying for their homes. Is the housing market just really good in Bikini Bottom that anybody get a house?

Also, they both regularly have groceries in their homes, Squidward also has a large art and clarinet collection and SpongeBob has an entire library in his house. How are SpongeBob and Squidward able to live their lives working for the Krusty Krab?
gpt
Small town, small cost of living. While Krabs is also a tightwad, he still has to pay whatever the local minimum wage is. In some areas that can be enough to get by one, especially given that with only 2 employees Squidward and SpongeBob likely get alot of overtime.

Their houses also appear to be constricted of flotsam so they're likely the equivalent to mobile homes, which are frankly quite affordable, if commonly shitty. They're rarely shown eating out, or paying for entertainment so frugal spending may be assisting. If the minimum wage is low enough they may be living off government subsidies as well.