Recently I've gotten many requests for information on One Income Living. Much of our marraige we lived on one income as my husband was in the military and we traveled frequently. We were not always a one income family. Early in our marraige we divided child care by working separate shifts. Then when my husband got stationed way out in the desert, I worked part time teaching at the local college. We never questioned that it added income until tax time. I made just enough to put us into a higher bracket --- thus nullifying all my pay except for $500 dollars. All those papers graded for so little return. Less than a dollar an hour.

Recently I saw a news show on TV which reported a that people in the USA could not live on one income, particularly if it is at minimum wage. Now luckily my husband makes more than that and I work part-time at home in the summer to make that bit extra. But I had designed our household budget to work --- even if we were down to one income at minimum wage of $900 a month. So I took great issue with that study.

Luckily we own our home and have a low mortgage, but unless you live right in the heart of a major city, most people can rent a place between $300 and $500 dollars a month; spend $200 a month for food, and have $500 to $300 dollars left for utilities and transportation. If you walk to work, and get a roommate, your bills are even lower.

Now I realize that many people have gotten deeply into debt during the "cash rich" nineties -- so debt will keep a minimum wage income from working if someone just got laid off a high paying job. However, two miminum wages will cover the bills UNTIL the credit cards are consolidated and paid off.

If you need to bill consolidate check out these sites.

Lower My Bills:
http://www.qksrv.net/click-1087427-6274609

Loan Quotes:
http://www.qksrv.net/click-1087427-598876

To get more ideas check out these sites:

You Can Afford to Stay Home:
http://financialplan.about.com/library/weekly/aa120299a.htm?once=true&

Can You Afford to Work?
http://workathomesuccess.com/Workexpense.htm

Adjusting to One Income
http://www.stretcher.com/menu/1income.htm

However, If your income is in the low end of the working class range, you may LOOSE money by working part-time, or a second job. Unless you need immeadiate cash -- it might be better for you financially to check your possible taxes BEFORE you apply for a second job, or second income in a married family. The extra time may be better spent on closer finanacial management, and family time as opposed to conspicuous consumption spending. You may actually LOSE money by working that second job and thus entering a new tax bracket! So Check first!!

I hope this gives you much to think about. For more ideas, check out these GREAT frugal living books!

Complete Tightwad Gazzette
The Complete Tightwad Gazzette

Declare Your Finanacial Independence
Declare Your Financial Independence

Complete Cheapskate
Mary Hunt's Complete Cheapskate

Miserly Moms
Miserly Moms

You Can Afford to Stay Home With your Kids
You can Afford to stay Home WIth your Kids