How to Survive (and Thrive!) on a Single Income

We all know that it is difficult in this day and time, but I am living proof that it is possible: a modern American family can survive on a single income. My husband is no college graduate and earns $8.50 per hour, 40 hours per week. No overtime allowed. I stay home with our three children (under age 5), we paid cash for all the births, and we receive absolutely no government assistance whatsoever. How do we do it? I will let you in on my secrets for surviving on a single income:

1. I must first direct all of the glory to the Lord. We are saved, separated, Bible-believing Christians; and I must say that God provides for our every need just as He promises. I believe that it is the Lord's will for us to live on a single income so that I can stay home and rear my children and keep my home, and I must confess that our faith has been tested a time or two (or several!). But I gladly confess that the Lord has always seen us through, and we have never paid a bill late in seven years of marriage and living on a single income.

2. We keep our financial priorities in view. Our #1 financial responsibility is to give back to the Lord what belongs to Him. Whether folks are millionaires or single income households, He requires a tithe (10% of gross income) and an offering. We make sure that we never neglect to pay Him His due. Secondly, we pay all of our bills and debts.

We have no right to spend that which belongs to another who has lent to us. We have a budget that we stick to like clockwork. The tithe/offering is written down first; then the bills are listed. We also put a little into a money market savings account each month, just to have a stash for emergencies. It is important to be financially responsible when supporting a family on a single income.

In our particular situation, once the above-mentioned things are on paper... there is little money left for anything else! Beyond that we depend on those "odd" jobs, and we continue to depend on the Lord. I have a regular babysitting job which pays for our groceries; and we get other tidbits of income from time to time to cover expenses such as diapers, contact lenses, and other items which don't seem to fit into the single income budget.

3. I actively work to learn frugality. I own books such as The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn (I have all three volumes!) and peruse websites such as Prairie Homemaker on a daily basis. I constantly make an effort to lower the bills and save more money, even in a time of rising costs. I feel that this would not be possible if we did not live on a single income because I would never have time to pursue frugal activities if I were tied up with a career 40+ hours per week.

4. We embrace opportunities to earn extra money... only when it does not interfere with our main goals. I will accept a babysitting job or mystery shopping assignment, as long as doing so does not take away from my domestic duties or ministries. My husband does "side jobs" as well such as painting and assembling furniture in his free time. These opportunities are usually not things that we seek out; they are things that we would also have to credit the Lord with providing.

I know what my critics (those who think it is not possible to live on a single income) are probably mumbling at this time... "Oh, right, you probably live in a house so small that your children are piled on top of each other. You probably don't have any insurance or savings for emergencies. You probably deprive your family of needed nutrition." Go ahead, I've heard it all.

You wouldn't believe it if I told you, but the Lord has provided for us in incredible ways throughout our years of living on a single income. We live in a large, comfortable, four bedroom home; our vehicles are paid for; and we have all that we need and more. God miraculously sends little blessings (and big ones!) our way on almost a daily basis.

Just in case you are a mom who is considering going out on a limb and getting back home... I am living proof that it is possible to live in America on a single income. If you trust and serve the Lord and use wisdom in your finances, I guarantee... it can be done!