[USER]

Please tell me there are single income households (only one person working) with 2 or more people in the households living off of $40k/year? It’s just me thankfully but how do you guys do it if you do it?!?!

I cannot imagine!! How else do I boost my income?

I applied to everything and either they want me to work on the same days as I work my other job or they aren’t hiring, I’ve tried DoorDash but it became a huge money pit as I never made enough to put into my pocket.

I’m truly afraid for my financial future.

[Liz]

Family of 4 living off of 1 income around 40,000/year but last year I paid $966/month for health insurance. I picked a cheaper option this year.

We have a very tight budget. We paid off our house a year ago.

We don’t do daycare. My husband is a sahd. We used to work opposite shifts until he broke his back. Disability takes years and he can’t work so it’s just me working. I get a lot second hand or repurpose.

I grow a garden, I sew, we keep the house cold in winter and warm in summer so save electric.

We have a tight grocery budget too. We have 2 paid off older vehicles we keep maintained and have a budget.

I do so many little things that add I could write a book lol.

[Jody]

Seems we always have one area in our lives that we overspend on. I know people who cry poor but (and here the list of things I notice people refuse to eliminate from their lives) buy daily coffees, get their nails done weekly or their hair, drink alcohol beverages daily, smoke cigarettes or recreational drugs.

These are the things that are rarely mentioned.

[Stephanie]

Well if there are 2 or more in the household and they are adults they need to find a job to help. If you are single with kiddos then apply for any assistance available instead of working several jobs as the kiddos need some parenting time.

Kids don’t need brand name clothing or the latest cell phones.

Thrift shopping and if there are local food banks for staple items.

[Bethany]

Where do you live? I don’t think that income would be possible where I live (I also have two kids).

Can you take online classes to get into a different career?

How long have you been in your job and could you ask for a raise?

[Tommy]

I’m 1 person and I can live off of $20,000 a year after taxes. Everything I own is paid off and I have zero debt.

[Brenda]

For yrs I saved all my tax returns so when the housing market collapsed I bought an old home for 19k. In my good yrs I made 26 and for the past 7 almost 19. I stick to a budget and can stress a penny.

I buy $100 week food so I have to do it regardless of prices. Buy used, old cars, eat leftovers, nothing name brand and when I see a sale I get o lo if I can.

Don’t run ac have window ac and plenty of blankets for winter. Everything I do daily involves saving $ I have no room for mistakes.

I get and have everything I want but for a lower price.

[Renate]

It can be done, but it’s easier to do in some parts of the country than others. I had to moonlight at different times when I was younger.

If you work a dayshift job, the classic way to do it, is to work retail or food service evenings and weekends.

Those kinds of employers will be glad to accommodate those hours.

Here in Indiana, 40 grand for a single person should be doable. You have to make a budget and know where your money is going.

[Traci]

I bought my home in 2012, so I have a lower mortgage. But live off 40k. I have a pay as you go cell phone for $15 a month and only have 3gig of data.

I mostly don’t use unless I have wifi. So, I sign into walmart or the groceries stores when I need to look something up while I’m out getting groceries.

Before I pick up food, I check who has it the cheapest. I also have tmobile wifi, $50 a month.

I’ve tried to do Verizon ($35 a month) but they are not in my area. Just those two things save me a lot more then my friend who pays over $100 a month on unlimited phone and direct TV.

If I don’t need something I try and sell it first even if it’s $5, every bit helps. The same with groceries.

I wait to buy certain food until it’s on sell and stock up then. 50cents off doesn’t sound like much, but again every little bit helps.

I do go out to eat at times, but only when they have a meal deal. Like Wednesday at Burger King. $2.99 whopper Jr and fries or sonic Mondays double cheeseburger $1.99.

I hate the idea of spending money to save money. But I did find this last summer I got a window ac unit and kept the temp high for the whole house at night but was still comfortable in my room.

That helped with my electric bill. Why heat (gas) I turned my hot water to medium (it still can scold me) but that lowered my average gas bill by $7 a month.

Water I have a trash rain barrel to water things outside. Besides that I’m still looking for ways to try and save water.

Heat I bought an electric blanket on sale and use that and keep my house temperature lower.

None of it saves tons, but a little here and there helps

[Jackie]

I am not now in this situation but I was, and it was hell. Frankly, I think the only way we made it through is because my in-laws gave us spots of money from time to time and because I am kinda a wizard with money and budgeting.

There were times when we literally never bought anything; we kept our house at 55° and froze all the time.

We had a wood stove though, so my husband would find free wooden pallets, which he brought home and cut up for burning. Our car was always breaking down. We owned a very small house and never gave up on it.

We refinanced on the house a couple of times. We never got trapped by credit cards. If we didn’t have the money, we didn’t buy it. I cooked everything; never went out to eat; didn’t smoke or drink.

So, I could offer some advice for what it’s worth:
1. Never give up.

2. Go to the library for books; while you’re at it, look for The Tightwad Gazette – it was my Bible.

3. If you own a house, do everything you can to keep it.

4. Cook everything; don’t go out; don’t order takeout.

5. Save some money however small. It builds fast.

6. Consider a roommate if you can.

7. Consider dog walking for others locally.

8. Never buy a new car; never take a car loan. Get a beat up looking car cheap for cash; look for deals.

9. Become friends with someone who is good with small repairs on cars; ask them to show you or help you.

10. Believe in yourself; have a can do attitude.

11. Also look to increase your knowledge about budgeting; if you like spreadsheets, start using them for your budgeting.

Good luck!

[Suzanne]

Sometimes it’s a lot easier to cut costs than make more money, go for the big savings first.

Can you save money by shopping around for all the insurance you pay for, what about your cell phone, if you can cut that in half that’s a huge savings.

And just go down your budget line by line and get creative

[Melinda]

Utilizes local Food banks and churches for food and clothing.
Also get on list for income

Based housing.

The list is long, but often moves quickly
Stay strong and keep going!

[Carl]

It certainly can be done, but your standards of living have to lower significantly, and everyone needs to contribute in any way they can.

Good luck out there.

[Rona]

Well until not that long ago I was living on below 40k. My daughter has now started working and I after a 9 month layoff got a way better paying position so now I feel rich.

lol To be perfectly honest it was not easy at all but dedication helps. First, I took control of my money.

I knew exactly what was coming in and going out. If I had a shortfall it allowed me to possibly adjust because I saw it early. When you’re making a small income every penny matters.

No matter what I saved something I’m not talking big bucks either but something is better than nothing. I set expectations for my daughter till this day she just heads straight to the clearance section when she needs something (it gives me a chuckle).

I planned everything how much would school trips, oil changes, insurance cost.

I set that money aside little by little. I made due so I didn’t go over budget. We ate what we could afford.

If I got a tax refund it became my emergency fund for the year minus one want because we all deserve a want here and there and any current needs.

I couponed did point sites, cash back sites because even though it may not be much it was more than I had.

Basically I did a lot of little things to make it work.

My daughter and niece who basically lived with me put the word out they were available for task. They got hired several times.

At Christmas when people asked what we needed instead of saying whatever I gave detailed list.

Even if I get one thing it helped. Anyway don’t give up just take control even when it looks bleak I hope some money making opportunities come your way!

Good luck.

[Dina]

I have been there, didn’t eat for three days at a time so my kids could eat. Start with, If one of the other persons in the house is an adult that watches the children, you need to work opposite shifts to save in child care.

Try to get the same days off so you don’t completely miss each other. No cable, no internet, shop around for the lowest car insurance, phone cell phone provider, pick up food from food pantries, join a barter group in your area, join a “free” FB, apply for food stamps shop at the 99 before you go to any other stores, go to thrift stores, compare and buy in bulk , look out for free entertainment, movies in the park, concerts in the park, rent free movies from the library ,carpool, taking in child care, sell Avon + the discounted promos, cut the bottom of the toothpaste.

Take free online courses, get certificate s, and start preparing for a new job, make a vision board (l did, it reminded me every that l would have what l dreamed of) As l was packing the house up from our rented space to our newly purchased home every thing on my vision board came true.

You can do hard things

[Angel]

Hubby & I live off less then that in British Columbia Canada. Only way we can survive is by living in low income housing.

We don’t eat out, travel, visit family. Stay home as much as possible.

We buy everything second hand, discounted, in bulk, on sale. I don’t wear makeup, jewelry. Don’t buy skin, hair, nail stuff.

We cut our own hair. We don’t go to the gym, buy coffee out. We just exist really.

[Bonnie]

You’re not alone. I pray a lot. Save a bit here and there but stuff comes up. Two weeks get check and new tires. It’s so hard now.

I’m not a shopper and need to stay out of the grocery store.

Also, I’m a rotten cook. So, improvement necessary. You are not living alone.

Help necessary.

[Barbie]

I support 4 kids, off 1/2 that! Widow xs 2, and 5 boys. I make next to nothing at work and don’t make but 10k a year in child survivor benefits.

[Christina]

We did it with two people at around 50k in Colorado, but we ate from food banks and our extra savings were depleted after about 18 months. Definitely don’t recommend it.

It was pretty rough and we’re glad there are places that help you.

I basically need to make some income for us to get ahead.

[Lori]

I make less than $60,000 a year and have 4 children. Living in SC the cost of living is lower than other places.

My biggest money saver is shopping at Aldi and menu planning.

[Sandra]

Family of 2 here. We both work and make right at 50k together. We don’t have cable. We have wifi and use free streaming services. We work on keeping utilities low as we can.

I utilize a couple of food banks for food and buy what we need that isn’t provided there.

I try to plan errands to run together so I save gas.

I cook meals that usually have leftovers. We eat multiple meals from them and sometimes freeze leftovers for later meals.

[Natalia]

My family of four live on a small income. It varies year to year from $30,000-$50,000. I have some medical issues so can only work part time and my husband is paid hourly but hours get cut often.

We both have occasional side jobs which I didn’t include in our income total.

If you can find a side hustle that you enjoy that is a real plus. We have lived with this range of income for at least 10 years.

We live in Florida and have a house which will be paid off this year. We have older well maintained cars.

Honestly, it can be hard sometimes but generally I am happy and enjoy our lives. We have found lots of small ways to save money and still have a good quality of life.

My husband was raised in a 3rd world country so he tells me all of the time that we have so much more than many other people. Look at each area of your life to see where you can cut back.

Some examples: no food waste & try meatless meals, look into free or cheap entertainment (there are lots to choose from), use less of everything (shampoo, laundry detergent etc), reduce electricity use when possible, bundle errands together to use less gas, grow a small garden.

Spending quality time with friends and family is essential to happiness and doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or any money at all.

If you are very strict with everyday small unnecessary expenses you can even save enough to enjoy a getaway. I hope this has given you some encouragement. Good luck.

[Ervine]

I’m 70 years old living on just my social security & raising my 14 year old granddaughter on $21,000 year!!!!!Im single!!!!

[Melinda]

Look into AmeriCorps! They provide a living stipend, educational award and can sometimes help with childcare.

The stipend is never considered income when looking at things like food stamps.

Also, you get a TON of hands on training and they have workshops on getting back into the workforce (resumes, job search strategies, etc)
And it looks great on a resume!

[Cindy]

I’ve had to do it and thankfully I don’t have to anymore. I sucked up my pride and worked at a fast food place during my off hours. For 3 years, I pretty much worked 7 days a week.

Good luck and I pray that things will change for you as they did for me.

[Maureen]

I recommend looking to see what state programs you qualify for. You may qualify for subsidized housing or food stamps.

That may help you get through this period and then focus on how to earn more.

[Robin]

The only way to make it on that income is if you have the ability to grow a lot of your food and you give up a lot of things. Usually, that means subscriptions, entertainment, etc.

I know people who have done it, but they give up health insurance, which is terribly risky.

[Sandra]

Is there a way to rent a room out in your home for a reasonable rate…to a senior who perhaps is also struggling to keep a roof over their head?

If there is, buy locking door knobs for all the bedrooms so everyone’s privacy is maintained, including the kids.

Also buy a keypad for the entry door, and program a code for them. That way if it doesn’t work out, you just change the code and there is no key floating about for them to re-enter when you aren’t home. Then make a list of rules first…ie: no sleepovers of friends or family without prior approval, help with the chores, ie: dishes, cleaning, babysitting, shopping, groceries, cupboards, shelves, give them a laundry day etc.

You want to have this hard conversation before they move in, and before you become friends, so expectations are clear from the onset. Ie: If you need to go somewhere for an evening, and the person is home, your expectation might be that they babysit the kids, as you shouldn’t hire a babysitter if they are home. (*I did this when I took in billets for the local hockey team._

This is the trade off for reasonable rent in this skyrocketing economy. Think about what you want…if you live in a home in constant need of repairs, you might want to rent to a ‘handyman’ senior, or if you have little ones, perhaps exchange reasonable rent for after school babysitting…

Once you made your list you will know what you are looking for in letting someone share your home. Then make a informal rental contract, outlining the agreed on rental amount, due on the first of every month.

Also list the expectations…specific chores required as part of the ‘reasonable’ rent, laundry days, parking etc.

Once you have advertised *at a senior centre perhaps, ask for references, from previous land lords, or the seniors centre if they are known to use them, and check them.

Perhaps even do a criminal records check if there are young kids in the home.

[Author]

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