Only making $35,000 per year isn't all that descent. The older you get, usually the more expences you have, i.e. mortgage payment, children, retirement, etc... Also, the big thing is seniority. You want on the top of the list especially now that there is a pilot shortage. You will make your money in the near future. Just learn how to budget yourself. The first year is always the worst, and depending on what regional you work for, you might upgrade after 2 years. Then you will be in the ballpark of making $55K+. That is alot better than instructing for 3+ years until you feel comfortable financially, taking a pay cut, flying right seat for 2+ years, then upgrading. In that time period, you could have gotten hired at a regional, upgraded, and possibly moved on to a major or whatever your next goal is. Infact, I have never met or spoken to an instructor who felt like they were in a decent financial position, I certainly wasn't.