I don't care who told you this. But being in a foreign land is not romantic. I mean,  if you need to stay here more than 180 days.

First of all, you need to get a driver's license. So that you can open a bank account. Which, you will tell HR department that you would like to have a direct deposit. You do not want to miss your paycheck by the mail. Then of course you will need to get a car. A car takes you to find a job, have some income, so you can do grocery shopping. You will probably put away more if you cook for yourself.  And do not forget that you may not want to live with your friend from hometown more than 2 months. Spending 60 nights on her couch makes you all sore for another 60 days. Then you think no matter if i put away enough, i will get a place of my own.

Finally, you have a driver's license, a bank account, a job, a car and a place to call your own. It seems like you have come a long way. However, it has just begun.

You work $25/hr and put in 12 hour for a day, 36 hours a week. Federal tax, state tax and city tax will take away $350-ish off from the paycheck before you lay your hands on it. 2% for 401K. The landlord lady takes $600 every 5th of the month. $125 for car payment. $3.19 for every gallon put in the car. $80 every week to Meijer's. Then put away whatever is left to a saving account. Interest? 3%? top?

And you think you are finally having your American dream....