Surviving and Thriving on a Single Income

Life is expensive. Life with kids is even more expensive. According to Pew Research, 31 percent of families live on a single income. Although many families make the choice, others are forced into the position. So how do some parents who rely on one income not only survive, but still find ways to create a happy, well-rounded life for their families?

Evaluate your biggest expenses

According to Leah Ingram, a money saving expert and author of Suddenly Frugal: How to Live Happier and Healthier for Less, housing, transportation and education are the largest expenses facing today’s families. If you can reduce spending in one of those areas, you’ll live more comfortably on less, she advises.

Consider renting instead of buying

“For most Americans owning a home is the American dream. But for so many people, especially families with children, renting in a good school district makes more sense than buying a home in a lower-quality school district,” Ingram says.

Control the urge to impulse buy

Beth Beseau, whose children are ages 8 and 5, is the primary breadwinner in her family. “We’ve had to be flexible and willing to make adjustments in our lifestyle,” she says.

She says her greatest challenge is controlling the urge to impulse buy.

“When you’re making a purchase, you have to ask yourself if it’s a want or a need. If you can do without it, then don’t buy it,” she advises.

Brown-bag lunches, plan meals, shop sales

Decide how often you can afford to dine out at restaurants as a family. Instead of hitting the drive-thru for coffee every morning, make your own at home. And brown bag your lunches for work and school.

Planning your family’s meals ahead of time can help you save money by curbing the need to pick up unhealthy fast food on the fly. Try planning your weekly meals around whatever specials your favorite grocer is offering that week. Or, head to a bulk store like Costco or Sam’s. Take an afternoon to prepare meals that you can stick in the freezer and pull out on nights when you don’t have time to cook.

Emily Cowden and her husband Jason have five children, ages 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2. Cowden left her job as a registered dietitian to stay home with her children and home school.

As a busy mom who is also committed to eating healthy on a frugal budget, she often skips time-consuming coupon-cutting and instead looks for sales at stores like Aldi and Sprouts that offer healthy organic foods. She found that eliminating processed snacks and cereals was especially helpful.

“This cuts out a lot of unnecessary foods and unnecessary spending, leaving room for more nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables and proteins,” she says.

Enjoy free or low-cost family entertainment

Happy memories are usually borne from ordinary — and free —  family activities. Go on bike rides together, visit area parks, get out the watercolors and have a paint party, play board games, make homemade pizzas together or check out movies or video games at the library.

Also stay tuned for coupons and deals at area attractions for reduced price or free admissions.

Get your priorities in order

“Make a list. Put your values and priorities in order. Budget around that,” Cowden says. “If you find all of your income going towards things that don’t bring you joy, it’s time to reevaluate and get creative.”

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two boys. Christa is the author of Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.