5 Strategies for Living off of One Income

Living on one income as a family is not as easy as it used to be!

If you are hoping to stay home with your children but scared to go down to one income – here are 7 strategies for how to make it work!

1) Reevaluate Needs vs. Wants

One of the most powerful shifts in learning to live on one income is prayerfully reevaluating the difference between needs and wants. In our culture of convenience and comparison, it’s easy to believe we need the newest gadgets, trendy clothes, or perfectly styled spaces. But when we root our decisions in biblical truth, we remember that “life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).

Living on less becomes easier when we shift our hearts from striving for more to thanking God for what we already have. Our true needs—shelter, food, and clothing- are often far simpler than what the world tells us. This is why I have been leaning more and more towards minimalism (but more on that below!).

Get off social media if you are struggling with this! The biggest urges to purchase come from social media and if you are pinching pennies it is just an absolute must to get rid of it!

As you begin to cut back or say “no” to extra spending, remind yourself that living with less is not a punishment—it’s an opportunity to make space for peace, gratitude, and trust. Choosing contentment is deeply countercultural, but it’s where real freedom is found. Philippians 4:11–12 reminds us that contentment isn’t based on circumstances, but on Christ who strengthens us.

When we let go of the constant need for more, we find that God truly does provide everything we need, and more.

2) Create a Zero Based Budget

A zero-based budget is a method of budgeting where every dollar of your income is assigned a specific purpose—so your income minus expenses equals zero. This doesn’t mean you spend everything you make, but rather that you give each dollar a job, whether it’s going to savings, bills, groceries, or giving.

For stay-at-home moms living on one income, this kind of budgeting brings clarity and peace of mind. It helps you become more intentional with your money, eliminates mindless spending, and ensures that your family’s priorities—like essentials, debt reduction, or long-term savings—are covered.

It’s a simple yet powerful tool that allows you to steward your resources wisely and live with contentment and purpose. I have added the worksheets I created and use for our family below so you can download and start budgeting!

3) Meal Planning

One of the most effective ways to stretch your grocery budget is through intentional meal planning. Full transparency, this has been the hardest for me to get the hang of and the area where I am currently focused on working on!

When you plan meals in advance, you eliminate impulse buys, reduce food waste, and avoid last-minute takeout—those small expenses that add up quickly! Creating a simple weekly meal plan using what you already have in your pantry allows you to shop with purpose and spend wisely. Try using a service like instacart to order groceries for delivery (or if you live out in the country that doesn’t reach like myself you can order it for pick up!). This helps me so much with not overspending and only buying what the budget allows.

Planning doesn’t have to be complicated; even having a list of 10 go-to meals your family loves can help you rotate ingredients efficiently and prevent decision fatigue. I have a list of favorite meals for each meal and keep it nearby to pull from each week.

4) Thrift, Borrow and Buy Used

Thrifting and choosing secondhand over new is one of the most practical and impactful ways to save money while living on one income. While I highly suggest implementing this strategy if you are just barely getting by. However, when it comes to thrifting and borrowing I hesitate to suggest it due to it leading to overconsumption and clutter.

What I am NOT suggesting is just buying/collecting lots of old used things just because they cost less. My philosophy is actually quality over quantity. I like to have very little clothes that are good quality. I like to have just a few kitchen essentials that are good quality.

However, there is only one piece of furniture in our home right now that we paid for new from the store. My dream is to eventually pick out furniture that I like and that match! But is something I have had to give up while in this phase of life. All of our furniture we either were given from family or have bought from facebook marketplace (many things we find for free on there!). This has worked because we don’t just pick up items we see that are cheap we only purchase them if they are a necessity (bed, couch, kitchen table, etc.)

With a little patience and consistency, you can often find well-made, long-lasting pieces that fit your style and needs—without the financial strain of buying brand new. The key here is when yo

5) Look for Ways to Supplement Income

Looking for some at home side hustles you can do as a mom may not be for everyone! It is not always necessary and if you are overwhelmed this shouldn’t be a burden. There are so many opportunities online these days though and it can be a great option to help with income while home with children.

Sometimes the extra income for us has come from my husband taking a side job, flipping old furniture or fixing up machinery to resell, wood stove renovation, etc. Get creative!

6) Live Simply

Living simply and embracing a minimalist lifestyle can be a game changer when it comes to sticking to a budget. When we choose to own less, we naturally spend less—less on impulse buys, home decor, clothing, and even storage. Simplicity helps us focus on what truly matters, freeing us from the pressure to keep up or constantly upgrade.

It teaches contentment and helps eliminate the “want cycle” that can derail financial goals. By prioritizing purpose over possessions, we not only create a more peaceful home but also make room in our budget for the things that really count—like quality family time, generosity, and long-term stability.

I have currently been ruthlessly decluttering and steering towards more of a minimalist lifestyle and the results are dramatic. Home is more peaceful and enjoyable.

Living simply also relates to our schedules. The more we go out usually the more we spend. Embrace home (so much easier after decluttering!) and create a space you love to be. Invite people to you and host. Don’t overthink it or make the excuse you need to have a ton of things to do or eat!

For more on simplified and slow living check out this post on how to practically start slow living!

7) Give More

It may feel counterintuitive, especially when living on one income, but giving is one of the most powerful ways to invite God’s provision into your life. Scripture reminds us that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) and that those who are faithful with little will be entrusted with more.

Generosity shifts our hearts from scarcity to trust, from fear to faith. Whether it’s tithing, blessing a friend in need, or giving your time, giving reminds us that everything we have is God’s anyway—and He is more than able to multiply it.

When we hold our resources with open hands, we make room for His blessings to flow in and through us.