Expenses always dictate what kind of money suffices as "a living." $500/week, while really just an example, is an okay income by most standards. $2000/mo - in cash - is like earning maybe $35,000 before taxes. Assuming you don't live in a city like L.A., NYC, etc, don't have a car payment, and don't support a family, you can enjoy a modest living, easily afford sticks, heads, and the occasional new cymbal, snare, or kit, and even put a little cash in the bank.
Example: Back in the day, 1977 to be exact, I made $140/wk cash playing 6 nights a week on a steady Holiday Inn gig. Now, that was not very good money even 38 years ago, yet I made a living just playing, and had money in the bank! My apartment in the L.A. area was maybe $125/mo, no roommate needed, and I had no other debts. If I'd had a car payment, a wife, credit card balance, etc, that income obviously wouldn't have come close to me surviving.
And there are players making $10,000/wk on tour, and that's still not enough to support their lifestyle!
It's all about managing expenses.
Bermuda