{"id":668,"date":"2025-08-23T16:24:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T16:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/?p=668"},"modified":"2025-08-30T14:25:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T14:25:11","slug":"living-on-one-income","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/","title":{"rendered":"Living Mainly on One Income While Raising Young Children"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Jump to a Section<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Living_Mainly_on_One_Income_While_Raising_Young_Children\" >Living Mainly on One Income While Raising Young Children<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Why_Managing_Fixed_Costs_Is_Key_for_One-Income_Families\" >Why Managing Fixed Costs Is Key for One-Income Families<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Lifestyle_Choices_That_Help_Families_Live_on_One_Income\" >Lifestyle Choices That Help Families Live on One Income<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Personal_Care_at_Home\" >Personal Care at Home<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Clothing\" >Clothing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Cooking_at_Home\" >Cooking at Home<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Eyewear_Splurges_Reconsidered\" >Eyewear Splurges Reconsidered<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Poshmark_Secondhand_Finds\" >Poshmark &amp; Secondhand Finds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Furniture_on_Facebook_Marketplace\" >Furniture on Facebook Marketplace<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Home_Pet_Care\" >Home &amp; Pet Care<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Intentional_Planning\" >Intentional Planning<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#How_Avoiding_Daycare_Costs_Supports_a_One-Income_Household\" >How Avoiding Daycare Costs Supports a One-Income Household<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Affordable_Extras_and_Special_Experiences_on_One_Income\" >Affordable Extras and Special Experiences on One Income<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Vacations_Family_Getaways\" >Vacations &amp; Family Getaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Special_Experiences\" >Special Experiences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Supplemental_Income_Opportunities\" >Supplemental Income Opportunities<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/living-on-one-income\/#Final_Thoughts_on_Raising_Kids_on_One_Income\" >Final Thoughts on Raising Kids on One Income<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Living_Mainly_on_One_Income_While_Raising_Young_Children\"><\/span>Living Mainly on One Income While Raising Young Children<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>Living mainly on one income while raising young children has been both a deliberate choice and, in some ways, a circumstance that shaped us early on. When I was pregnant with our oldest, my husband was unexpectedly laid off.<\/p>\n<p>As her due date approached, we had to decide: would we send her to daycare once I returned to the office part-time, or save that cost by having him stay home? That decision set the foundation for how we continue to manage our lifestyle today\u2014proving that with careful planning and intentional choices, a one-income family can thrive.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, life isn\u2019t entirely limited to one income.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the year, my husband occasionally picks up extra work\u2014offering lawn services to neighbors or doing small handyman jobs thanks to his electrical background. These are supplementary, but the foundation of our household budget and lifestyle revolves around one primary income.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Managing_Fixed_Costs_Is_Key_for_One-Income_Families\"><\/span>Why Managing Fixed Costs Is Key for One-Income Families<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One of the biggest factors that allows us to live mainly on one income is keeping our fixed costs manageable. Back when we purchased our home\u2014before the housing market skyrocketed\u2014we intentionally bought below our budget. That decision gave us breathing room, and thank goodness we did, because it\u2019s worked in our favor.<\/p>\n<p>While today\u2019s housing market looks very different and affordable mortgages are out of reach for many, the principle still applies: keeping big, recurring costs (like housing, cars, or insurance) as reasonable as possible creates stability and reduces financial pressure. For us, it just so happens that timing was on our side with our home purchase, and that honesty is part of our story.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lifestyle_Choices_That_Help_Families_Live_on_One_Income\"><\/span>Lifestyle Choices That Help Families Live on One Income<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-680\" src=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/tips-for-living-on-one-income-300x200.webp\" alt=\"A shopping cart with a stack of cash inside of it, representing money management for one income families\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/tips-for-living-on-one-income-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/tips-for-living-on-one-income-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/tips-for-living-on-one-income-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/tips-for-living-on-one-income-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/tips-for-living-on-one-income-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Over the years, we\u2019ve made conscious decisions to align our lifestyle with our budget. Here are some of the ways we do that:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Personal_Care_at_Home\"><\/span><strong>Personal Care at Home<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I usually do my own nails, and my husband takes care of most of his grooming needs himself. An occasional pedicure is nice, but 95% of the time, we skip the salon and save both time and money.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Clothing\"><\/span><strong>Clothing<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Homeschooling eliminates the back-to-school frenzy. We typically buy only two outfits at a time for each child. Most days, T-shirts and shorts in summer or cozy fleece joggers in winter are perfectly fine.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cooking_at_Home\"><\/span><strong>Cooking at Home<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>While we\u2019ll occasionally order meals through DoorDash, the majority of our meals are cooked at home. Both my husband and I enjoy recreating restaurant-style dishes ourselves, which keeps dining costs down and makes meals feel special.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eyewear_Splurges_Reconsidered\"><\/span><strong>Eyewear Splurges Reconsidered<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>My one \u201csplurge\u201d used to be designer eyeglasses. I never went for handbags or shoes, but I loved nice frames. Over time\u2014between growing our family, working from home, and discovering all the stylish and affordable options online\u2014I\u2019ve shifted. Honestly, I think some of the cutest glasses I own now are the non-brand pairs that cost a fraction of what I used to spend.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Poshmark_Secondhand_Finds\"><\/span><strong>Poshmark &amp; Secondhand Finds<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I\u2019ve also started shopping more on Poshmark. While their shipping fees can feel a little steep, I\u2019ve found that if you buy multiple items from the same seller\u2014especially someone whose style matches yours\u2014it really stretches your dollar. It can take some hunting, but there are definitely opportunities to score great deals and build a more affordable wardrobe this way.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Furniture_on_Facebook_Marketplace\"><\/span><strong>Furniture on Facebook Marketplace<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Over time, I\u2019ve found myself leaning more toward secondhand options for furniture. Facebook Marketplace has become a go-to for us\u2014sometimes you can find nearly new pieces at a fraction of the cost. It\u2019s not only budget-friendly, but I also like knowing we\u2019re giving something a second life instead of always buying brand new.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Home_Pet_Care\"><\/span><strong>Home &amp; Pet Care<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We handle household chores ourselves. I\u2019d be lying if I said I\u2019ve never thought about hiring a cleaner\u2014especially with a Bernese Mountain Dog who keeps our baseboards dusty\u2014but this is just the season we\u2019re in. My husband also handles all the dog grooming, which saves us quite a bit.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Intentional_Planning\"><\/span><strong>Intentional Planning<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We\u2019re planners and homebodies by nature. Trips are booked several months in advance, we take advantage of matinee movies, and we often opt for group or at-home activities instead of pricier outings.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Avoiding_Daycare_Costs_Supports_a_One-Income_Household\"><\/span>How Avoiding Daycare Costs Supports a One-Income Household<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-678\" src=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/money-saving-tips-300x200.webp\" alt=\"Various cash dollar bills, a notepad and a calculator on a table representing a budget for homeschool costs\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/money-saving-tips-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/money-saving-tips-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/money-saving-tips-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/money-saving-tips-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/money-saving-tips-2048x1365.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Another major factor in living mainly on one income is avoiding daycare entirely.<\/p>\n<p>My husband being a stay-at-home parent eliminates this cost, which can be staggering. According to Child Care Aware of America (2024), <strong>the national average cost of center-based daycare for one child is $11,582 per year, or about $966 per month<\/strong>. For families with two or three children, those costs could easily exceed the cost of a mortgage.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, avoiding daycare wasn\u2019t our <em>only<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/why-we-chose-to-homeschool-family-story\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">motivation for homeschooling<\/a>\u2014it was about wanting one parent at home\u2014but the savings can\u2019t be ignored. Having thousands freed up each year has allowed us to put money toward savings, family activities, or intentional splurges.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Affordable_Extras_and_Special_Experiences_on_One_Income\"><\/span>Affordable Extras and Special Experiences on One Income<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Even on one income, it\u2019s possible to enjoy some extras:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vacations_Family_Getaways\"><\/span><strong>Vacations &amp; Family Getaways<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Careful planning allows us to splurge occasionally without straining the budget.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Special_Experiences\"><\/span><strong>Special Experiences<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We take advantage of local opportunities like museum homeschooling days, which are often free or discounted. (I\u2019ve also written about <a href=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/affordable-homeschooling-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">making homeschooling more affordable here<\/a> because homeschool extracurriculars <em>can<\/em> quickly add up since you&#8217;re not tied down to traditional school hours.)<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supplemental_Income_Opportunities\"><\/span><strong>Supplemental Income Opportunities<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Occasionally, my husband does small side projects. While not essential, these extra dollars give us flexibility without making them necessary for daily life.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-676\" src=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/practical-tips-to-save-money-300x169.webp\" alt=\"A woman holding her credit card and looking at her laptop representing the expenses associated with homeschooling\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/practical-tips-to-save-money-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/practical-tips-to-save-money-1024x577.webp 1024w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/practical-tips-to-save-money-768x433.webp 768w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/practical-tips-to-save-money-1536x865.webp 1536w, https:\/\/streamofblue.com\/staging\/6733\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/practical-tips-to-save-money-2048x1154.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts_on_Raising_Kids_on_One_Income\"><\/span>Final Thoughts on Raising Kids on One Income<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Living mainly on one income requires intentionality, creativity, and a focus on what truly matters to your family. It\u2019s about making choices that align with your values: prioritizing time with children, managing expenses, planning ahead, and being thoughtful about what you spend on.<\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s not without challenges, we\u2019ve found that this lifestyle gives us financial stability, meaningful family time, and the ability to pursue homeschooling and enrichment activities without financial stress.<\/p>\n<p>For families considering a similar approach, remember: it\u2019s possible, especially when you focus on what matters most and make intentional choices about spending and lifestyle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Living Mainly on One Income While Raising Young Children Living mainly on&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":674,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"0","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-668","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homeschooling","category-success-wealth"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Living Mainly on One Income While Raising Young Children - Stream of Blue<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover practical tips for living on one income with kids. 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