How do families of 4 or more live on $2 000 a month?

I am just curious how many people can afford that stuff. I am single mom on student loans and I am very good with money. I make my student loans and family allowance stretch like nobodies business. But I walk into these stores and I see people in Walmart buying brand new clothes, not from the thrift store, or people buying patio sets from Superstore. I can't wait till I am done university until I can do such things! I have never lived at that level financially, ever! But on the other hand, it confuses me, because with my living expenses and my family allowance, I have $2 600 for 2 kids and myself and I had to save for 3 months to get my daughter a bicycle for spring. Years ago I would have been rich on $2 600, and now it is not much at all. How do these families that live with 5 kids on less do it??? Do they food bank? Do they subsidize? Do they live in cheap areas? How do they do it?

How do families of 4 or more live on $2 000 a month?

I thought other people appeared to have more than what I did and on less money. It's not true. They may appear to have more but they don't. There are other areas of the budget that is suffering that you just don't readily see.

I've seen my sister with her husband and their 5 children trying to survive on a tight budget of $3000 a month and from time to time they don't. They just go out and splash up and suffer for the next 3-4 and sometimes 6 months till they catch up again. It's hard as you know, however they have what money can't buy... love, laughter and they both come from huge families.

So, the things they do to survive when they've blown the budget is - buy less food and go to the food bank if it's really necessary. Visit friends and family (funny, but there always seems to be some big family celebration just after they do it.. so there's more than enough food for the home and freezer... :-).. )

Leave the car home and walk where possible (they tend to stay home more).

I guess the main thing in all of this is family. We help them to survive when they need it and they add to the love and laughter.

How do families of 4 or more live on $2 000 a month?

It all depends on how much your housing cost is and how much credit card debt, car loans etc you have. My ex husband, 2 kids and I lived on $2000+- a month and it was very tight. We had alot of credit card debt and a car payment, if it weren't for that we would have been ok.. My husband now, 3 kids and I live on around $3000 now. We don't have credit card debt or car payments but we do have a mortgage on a first house that is rented out (rent payment goes to that), a second mortgage on our new house that is half paid off and a mortgage on this house which is $1300/month. We do really good, but we have to stick on a budget. I forgot to mention with my first husband at least $400 a month went out for his cigarettes and beer. But anyway, it takes budgeting and keeping debt down.

How do families of 4 or more live on $2 000 a month?

You have 2600 after your bills are paid or that's what you have per month total?

How do families of 4 or more live on $2 000 a month?

VISA, MasterCard.

Americans live well outside their means. I make $1800, I'm a single mom. I live like you. Don't feel like a stranger.

I patch pants for my kids, scratch and save for every thing.

How do families of 4 or more live on $2 000 a month?

you have to swallow your pride and do what you have to. food stamps and medical assistance for your kids.Your the mom. I had too.Veg table garden.2nd hand store is great.My home is nice. sand and paint to make look new. buy knobs at and hooks at 2nd hand store.You will be fine you are on the right track. I am proud of you. Nothing is easy it never will be.I took in ironing for a month.Think like the pioneers.Pray every day and night.

How do families of 4 or more live on $2 000 a month?

well im not sure on the official level, but that type of income with so many people qualifies at poverty level. people at that level typically depend on government aid which helps them spread the money more (given that they have a little more leeway). you should look into the rules for your state because if you qualify then you can get help on the really expensive parts of life like health care and food. with that type of support, life may be a little easier