Living On A Very Low Income - Low Income Living Tips On $300 A Month 

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You brought back a memory of our early years of marriage. We were so broke! Our "date night" was walking 10 blocks to the Circle K gas station, buying a 50 cent soda and splitting it on the way home. We could only afford to do it about every other week. It actually was very nice. This was in 1986. My husband was going to college on the GI bill. We got $450 a month and our rent was $250. It was really tight! Oh, and we were expecting our first child!

When I was in nursing school, I lived on $300 a month as well, I boarded at a friends grandmothers house. You do what you have to do, I can remember when my now husbands mother gave me a bag of squash one time and I ate squash for a week. Now our life is good, really good, we have no bills, however I still live the same way and we are able to help our boys, because we remember how hard it was starting out. We have been married for 33 years and appreciate everything we have.

"You do the hard things that have to be done." I love that. Diane in NC

Depression or not, inflation or not. Being frugal is our responsibility. Thank you for your inspiration!

A big part of the problem is that so many of us are lazy (including me). We want tips for ways to make it easy to save money. Saving money almost always requires more work. Convenience is expensive. Good video.

Tawra, dear heart, there’s no reason to continuously justify your style of delivery. Your channel is, clearly, all about “how you can”, and not about “how you cannot”. Just delete the “Negative Nancy” naysayers and save your effort and emotional energy for the people who look forward to your tips, tricks, and advice. I recommend that you not even try to justify yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you.

We had 7 kids. I grew up with a mom who lived through the depression and WWII rationing. As a kid we didn't have a lot, but mom did many frugal things that stuck with me too. We raised our kids on hubby's salary. Cloth diapers, canning, sewing, thrift stores, Aldi, food co-op were just some of the things we did to stretch his income.

I also lived in poverty when I was first on my own for many years. You do what you have to do. Now I’m a nurse and I live well below my means.

to avoid turning on heat I did aerobics in my apartment every day which increased my internal body temp. I also used baths to stay warm....heated up my body in hot bath and then left water in tub till evening, topped it off with more hot water to warm my body up again. I forget why I did that so i’ll assume water was included with rent or much less than heat. Treated myself to a $1 taco at Taco Bell (next door)after church every sunday . I joined hiking club for free. Funny, I was never in better physical shape than when I had no money!

The way the economy is going, people need to sharpen their skills, and get creative to barter for things. I love hearing about your life, striving to survive but smelling the roses on the way.

Hello from Greece. I binge watched Penny Pinching Mama. Great series, wonderful testimony, inspirational. In the series you mentioned Tightwad Press!! That influenced me too. 57 years old, no debt, paid house. Great job Tarwa, keep up the good work.

I saved $142 just with your inspiration of sucking it up. I took paper clip & a couple tools & rebuilt my broken frames for my glasses. Love the right to repair. Thank you for the reminder anything is possible with what limited resources we have as individuals.

Amazing how you relish small things when you have almost nothing!!

Love your stories about being frugal. I grew up in the same way in the 80s.. and my mom bought a house to. It was small and cozy and we lived on 600 a month . It was hard but she did what she had to do to take care of my brother and me. She never complained. She worked 2 jobs and I helped at age 12 babysitting. Thank you for what you do. Your give the best financial advice.

I would go through this process of crying about it then I’d get mad and then I’d figure it out. Took some time (a couple of hours) then I was ready to conquer the world.

I do all you "did nots" now! I live on $1500 a month. No tv, no beauty appointments, no new anything (thrift & second hand only), I don't eat out, I combine trips for necessary shopping because I live an hour from shopping (I shop twice a month). I have never had A/C or a dishwasher. I walk, if possible (I live rural). I cook all my meals at home from scratch and take a lunch & snacks for the day. I don't drink alcohol or pop. I don't have subscriptions for anything. I don't wear makeup..... If I can live without it, I do. $1500 covers my housing costs, insurances, fuel, heat, power, phone/internet, groceries, hygiene & necessities, dog food. I have lived below the poverty line my entire life.... My furniture, clothing, appliances, car, etc are all thrifted & second hand.

I got really excited when i saved up enough for my first mop n bucket so i didnt have to get on my knees to clean my floors everyone else couldnt understand it lol

Great video!!! I started working at 13 babysitting & I would always give my mom 1/2 or all of my earrings to help out, I tell my kids all the time take out is not an option it’s a treat or a luxury. I learned to grocery shop for the month from my mom, she had to be on food stamps due to being disabled in her late 30’s. She bought 1 pkg of sandwich cookies that was the only junk food we ever had. We stood in food lines as you see today to get government food & food pantries. I learned to cook at 13. Your not judging your honest!

I agree with all your tips except the air conditioner. Not smart to go without it in 110 degree weather. You can't get through it if you're dead from heat stroke. At least see if you can stay with a friend who has an air conditioner on those really bad days.

You where a smart girl , that make you appreciate things in life more . I feel that I've was a single parent for years . You learn and watch what you do . It can be done working hard but my children never went without . Your lessons can inspire people !!!

I am amazed at how wasteful people can be. I am 49 now. I have always been frugal. I have a hard time not trying to repurpose everything.

Adorable doggie. Oh, how we all looked in the 80's, Lol.🙂

I exchanged yard work for learning how to make gravy as a young adult. I totally understand why we're kindred spirit, it's because I have been in your shoes and had some of the same experiences. Keep up the good work and may God continue to Bless you Tawra and family!!

You can’t always get away with doing without some things like Air Conditioning. In the few days it was taking to get an AC man out to repair our Air Conditioner, my little girl was stricken with a serious episode of heat exhaustion and had to be rushed to the doctor. They had to ice her down and I didn’t think she would ever stop throwing up. The doctor said we couldn’t take her back into that environment. We had to go to my mother’s and stay there until the AC was repaired. We live in Mobile, Al and the heat combined with the humidity in summer here can be deadly as is the case in many areas of our country. Heat-related deaths are numerous, especially among the older population. I’m all for cutting your coat to fit your cloth (an old saying about managing your money) but some things must be considered and the health & well-being of your family should be your top priority. I've been following you guys for years and you give a lot of good tips and tricks and they can be found on your FREE wedsite. Thanks for all you do.

I’m thankful that I was able to get a car this year, but now I realize how hard it is to add more payments to my low-income job. I’m glad I found your video! Thank you for sharing 🌸

I just want to thank you for all of your valuable info and tips. Life has become hard for so many. Thank you for sharing, you are appreciated so much! God bless you!

My heating is on low. I open windows in the summer for air. I try to buy as much as I can in sales and second hand.

Awww the good old days of HGTV!!

Good Advice Tawra! I am SSI and rarely go out to eat, unless a friend invites me, or I get a coupon, which is rare. I do get SNAP and due to the fact that I recently had Cancer I buy Organic Meats and Some veg. I am very picky about what I do eat and of course can't buy everything organic. I buy a package of organic thighs that may have 5 or 6 thighs that's a whole weeks worth of meals for me. I eat breakfast and dinner. I think people just don't like to be out of their comfort zones, but like you said "You do the hard things that have to be done." Thank you for sharing. By the way my Sister gifted me your Gluten Free Cookbook and I really Like it!🤗💗

Setting priorities, being responsible, and delayed gratification. Great job!

Getting supplies from estate sales - GENIUS!!!

I’m accumulating your good advice about frugality. My life situation has changed, and I will need to be implementing these cost savers. Thanks!!

Great tips! We spent years doing most of those things when our children were little, as it was just how it was! I'm thankful for those years now, as it makes me see the many blessings we had then & now.🥰Blessings from South Australia💕🐨

I like that you put the video clip of you when you were young. Great videos and helpful tips.

God bless you so much for your pep talk is going to get me through cuz I'm only making $600 per month to live on but your little pep talk about not whining and carrying on and doing what I could do thank you so much

I love you.... I have often follow your advise and will forever be grateful to you and yours.

Very imaginative…in the Bay Area I live well on 1600$ a month, including once a week cafes. Minimal driving in an older Corolla as well as two simple meals a day. Much fun.

I understand. Over 40 years ago, I worked 2-3 jobs so I could pay my way through college, and I still use some of those strategies from those days. There are many things a person can do to save money with just a little creativity.

Fibromyalgia is evil I’ve decided. I get up and do something so I’m not just “laying and hurting”, so I do something, then I’m in so much pain I have to lay back down. So I feel you. Right now I’m barely making it off $432 a month, and that’s only because the landlord got the COVID forbearance. So once my disability gets approved I have to back pay. But I keep my bills so low ( $239 a month not counting rent) that I’m able to do it and still had left over money. I don’t know if I had a ton of debt I would’ve made it the last 3 months. These are amazing tips! I should note I am still supporting my 21 year old and 13 year old with not child support. It can be done.

Great Job! Makes me motivated to cut down on my expenses.

Yup. I did all of that ( not by choice) . The library was my second home. Food stamps, no car, thrift stores, and lots of loyal friends that were very supportive and generous with their hand me downs. ** in good condition. I was lucky enough to get section eight.

I am all for frugal living but I think it can be taken to far that life becomes unenjoyable

I have been a fan of I u and ur family since u wrote the not just beans cookbook (which I still have) i too have lived living in a low income and yes it's hard. But it can be done. The best advice I got growing up is work in a restaurant you will never go hungry. And that is true. I was a single parent. And I worked not only as a waitress. But I took in ironing and I cleaned houses and delivered newspapers too. Like you. I did what I had to do in order to survive. And raise my child. Ur advice and books. Have helped me and my family so much we r so grateful to all u have helped us thru. I pray daily corny and ur family. I truly r a blessing from GOD

I can stand higher heat, and cold when I am alone, but when you have a pet(s), you need to keep them comfortable. So, not having a pet in such hard times can really save you money. But, you have to decide between physical comfort and emotional comfort. Pets address the emotional needs when you need comfort the most. So I have the AC on for my lovely cat for an extra 2 - 3 hours during the hottest part of a Summer day, and call it a medical need, not an indulgence. Otherwise, I bought a gigantic (2 foot wide) fan made for warehouses/garages. It is loud, and blows up a storm, but it helps me to not have to use my AC until those 2 - 3 hottest hours. Sometimes I will spray a little water on myself and wet down the cat with a wet rag (don't use a sprayer - it scares them). The evaporation is cooling. Then, my kitty and I are both OK throughout the day.

When my parents divorced, we lived with my dad. Both of my parents fought for this because they knew if we lived with my mom we would've ended up on Welfare. Then my grandparents moved in to help out. We were very lucky. Mom picked us up on.the weekends (not overnight usually because she had to work). Our town is on the shoreline and has a good drive or a great place to walk. We would buy a huge soda for 59 cents and drive by the beach and share the sode. Or we would take our allowance we earned by doing chores and treat mom to lunch at Friendly's, and walk the mall if the weather was bad. Hanging out with mom was usually a fun, silly time. We never spent much money if we spent any at all.

Keep them coming girl

You are an angel ma'am! This video brings back memories of a time I lived in a country home (central illinois) and winter hit. With just enough money to pay the electric bill there was no heat and no water. I imported water from the nearest town and wore multiple layers of cloths plus Carharts to bed. An electric blanket was my lifesaver. At any rate thank you for sharing your tips and tricks, there are many of us that will benefir from your knowledge. God bless you =)

Same kind of thing happened to me. I started working as soon as I turned 16. I worked enough to pay into the system to get SSI and I got SSDI because of my mental illness. I was 20 when I was diagnosed.

Love this video. Wow! You are a strong woman. I sure do admire you.

Thanks for speaking the hard truths and encouraging others! I have referred so many of my friends and family to your channel and books! I have always said that you have made Titus 2:4 come to life for me. I started watching your channel when I first got married 5 years ago and have been a big fan ever since! Thank you for allowing God to use you as a vessel for encouragement and truth! We love you guys!

I love checking out Wal-Mart's clearance food section. Got 4 big boxes of Name-brand cereal for $.75 each. Will last for a while. I work gig jobs despite chronic illnesses: genetically glitch heart, cancer survivor (aggressive stage 3 oral squamous cell carcinoma), radiation induced hypothyroidism, chemo has messed with my kidneys, chronic anemia, hypertension, chronic exhaustion, peri-menopause. Cleared to work full-time as if I was completely healthy 😒.

I'm enjoying this series Twara.....I love to year hear people stories. It inspires me.

Thanks Tara for all your tips and information.. I love all your videos.

Thanks for sharing that show us it can be done!!! For some reason God let you go the route you did and you still made it!!🤗

I watched HGTV for hours when I had cable, so I know what it was like to watch those over and over, 😂, but cable got too expensive, so I dropped it. My brother heats with pallets. My heat is 65, no a/c, unless it’s so hot I can’t sleep.Cool antiques! The antique market is low, so now’s the time to buy.

I'd love to hear what some of your grocery buys and meals were on this budget. I have your 2nd cookbook and GF cookbook - love them both!

Hi fellow CF sufferer! I've personally found a very counter intuitive treatment that's helped me greatly. Anger management. My therapist told me that if were bottle emotions up for a long time, or don't speak out about hurt done to us, to the point where we numb it out, we can carry rage within our bodies and that's deeply exausting. I know, there is ofc a viral reason, but it can make symptoms a lot worse. Since I've been doing some techniques my energy levels have increased dramatically. I'd never want to assume about your story, but I'm eager to help you if I can. Hope this helps, Love from the UK x

Love your stories of the past

This was very insightful & inspiring. ♡♡ thank you. You gave me some ideas!

So, you got $300 from SSD and part time job. Not just $300. It still was hard to get by. Bartering is great way to get what you need. Little trick to save money on eye glasses. Go to thrift store find a pair of glasses frame you like. Take your prescription and glasses frame to ask them to use your frames.

i remember living in a place that was 110f I used to wet and freeze my linen so i could sleep at night and by morning the sheets were dry and hot again

I do that whenever possible, get a bunch of cleaning supplies from estate sales, usually a .25 cents or less!

I love shopping at thrift stores, garage sales and free items on nature strips or friends furniture give-aways. Can you give some tips on do it yourself haircuts and bangs.

I appreciate and respect you for your style of living !

Exactly! You do for yourself or do without.

That you for this reminder of how to just live within your means, whatever that is. I'm sorry you have an illness that makes this your story, I wish we took better care of folks like yourself. We are all just a few paychecks from poverty.

Thank you for your videos

I’ve used a good amount of advice from your website and it can be done. Life wasn’t meant to be easy.

Great video! You are such an inspiration! ❤

It is great, that u model, for those, who think , it is impossible. God bless and He Did, for all ur effort. 🙏❤️🌟👍👏🤟⭐️

I really enjoyed this video. You are amazing. Love your channel ✌🏽

I think that is the kicker... having to do without is how it’s done... but we hate to do without... heat and air seem like essentials but if we could just have the bare basic of the essentials and not have the heat running so you can wear shorts in the winter 🥶 you will be good lol

U are so amazing thank u sharing everything u done amd do ! 🥂🇨🇦🙏

I thought money was tight for me, but hearing your story put things into perspective. Subscribing!

Its disgusting HOW people react to what needs to be done to stay off welfare..to be uncomfortable..they dont want to improve their situation. They want people to feel sorry for them because they are lovers of self. Yes..SELFISH...thanks Jill and Tawra..

I have these conditions and I’ve been struggling for year with my health. I think it’s rare for people to get disability foe these conditions. I have to work two part time jobs and a resell side hustle to make it work. I have times where I feel good and times I crash hard if I over do it.

I like the idea of combining trips to save gas

How do you find ways to bater for things like the washer and I notice one thing your house is very simple no cluttered with stuff.I like that.

Some of my best memories are being newly married and saving for a deposit on a house. Luckily we live in Australia, in a mild climate, so heating wasn't an issue. Cooling, was a wet towel in front of the fan. Looking back, these were good times.

I house sat for a couple and took care of their puppies!

I hear you about glasses. Nobody has my prescription. I'm farsighted. But I'm 41 and it doesn't really change anymore.

My mom moved away and I’m living in a van rn, trying to save as much money as a I can to put myself through film school so I can win the Oscar for best director one day :) thanks for your tips

can only do this if you already own your home or have no rent ?

My dad is really against cable. When I was married I couldn't get my ex to cut the whole (we had satellite) thing off. And yet he was complaining about finances. He never showed me the budget, I should have asked him too. I could have really used your cook book back then. I didn't know how to read a recipe. I was in school, had to drop out as soon as I was diagnosed with a mental illness. I was under way too much stress at the time.

Dang humbled

mmmh, beans & rice sounds super good actually 😋 its all about how you cook & season it tbh!! But I'm also disabled 😕 my husband and I will be living in a stationary rv to offset crazy housing bills. I will have a large 110 lb service dog along for the ride! 🦮

Love your videos thanks 😊😘❤💕

Hanging on!!!

Good ideas thank you. 😊

You can buy a pair of eyeglasses at thrift stores. Then get your lenses put into the frames. I bought some Jlo eyeglasses for 1.99.

Totally agree.

It's sad we have to live this way to survive

Your mother taught you well! I've had to do with very little at times, too, and learned to stretch a dollar till it screamed for mercy... But a lot of people simply haven't had that experience, so can't imagine it. They need to be shown how. That's one reason your channel is so good for people. But if you lose patience with people because they don't know what you know, that would be like a doctor losing patience with you because you don't know what he or she knows. Well, you didn't go to medical school! How on earth could you already know what all the doctor knows! You couldn't and you shouldn't be expected to. If you expect people to know what you know, without going through what you've gone through, you'll be pretty frustrated and annoyed when they don't know it. But that's the beauty of your channel...that you're willing and able to take the time to teach people better! I've struggled with various things....not knowing how to get this or that done. I felt like an idiot because I could see that other people could do those things. I didn't want to ask for help because that would just show others what an idiot I was! (I was young....what can I say!) It was a great difficulty for me to find a way to learn what I was supposed to do. I feel like a lot of people might be like that about frugal living, or living within their means. You had your mother to teach you, and that's a wonderful thing, but not everyone has someone to teach them. When I was trying to figure things out, I'd have asked my mother if she'd been alive. She wasn't, so that was that. I had to figure things out on my own...and some took years, because I needed more life experience to learn them. I know you're trying to help people, but if it sounds impatient, it might make it hard for them to listen and learn. People will learn, especially those who have been trying to learn or figure something out....and it is truly WONDERFUL that you and your mom dedicate so much of your time and knowledge to help people learn what you know. You both deserve so much kudos for that! I love your channel! ❤

This assumes you live in a rural area, or anywhere with very low rent costs. I live in the Northeast near a large city, and around there, someone with this little money could never find anything for $250 or anything like that. It also assumes that those who are poor 1) all drive, and 2) all live in rural areas where they can grow veggies, as I gather from this that your garden helped to sustain you for the summer.

Very good

Good morning!

We used to look for empty beer bottles for money to put gas in the car. Like $5.00 LOL WOULDNT even get the needle to move now!!

You must be from WA state because you pronounce “wash” with a strong R sound: “waRsh” (I’m the same! LOL)

That is my whole lifestyle for ever