Living on minimal wages isn't as hard as you would think, but it does take more planning if you have less money to spend, versus if you had more to spend. Now, minimum wage in this country is $7.55 an hour, but I'll consider anyone making less than ten dollars an hour living on minimal wages, regardless of what kind of financial burden you are under.
If you are living under ten dollars an hour, you have to prioritize, and only buy things you need. Make sure you budget first for food, shelter, and a car, with the related costs to a car included in that budgeted amount. Keep in mind you will need insurance, gas, some money for maintenance costs, etc. when you go out and get a car.
Remember, don't spend 250 bucks a month just on a car payment, make sure that if you can only spend 250 a month on a car, that your car payment is around 200 bucks a month or less.
Living on minimal wages means that you won't necessarily be living an upper class lifestyle, but if you are good at saving, you can lead a very comfortable life. Basically you just have to make sure that you spend less than you make, and then accumulate whatever money you will need to do what it is that you want to do.
If you want to take a vacation in the upcoming year, make sure that if you want to go to Florida for Christmas, that you start saving in January, that way you have enough time to save up the money to really enjoy that vacation.
I ran into trouble with that a few months ago, I wanted to go to Florida, but couldn't because I wasn't sure I would have the money to go, and I only had a couple months to plan the trip. Not knowing my situation potential put others who were going in a spot where they may not have been able to go, so make sure you can go if you are planning on going on vacation.
Some people say that it is stressful living on minimal wages, and while I do agree that it is hard to live on such a limited income, there are ways to reduce this stress. First off, don't spend more than you make, and if you feel the need to splurge, make sure you have a plan to pay off this extra debt. Get a second job for a little while if you need too, or if you make a big ticket purchase try to find a way where you don't have to make payments for a few months, so that you have time to make those first payments. That way you won't miss payments, and your credit will stay high.
A high credit rating really helps out if you are tight on cash. It allows you to make a purchase every so often, and not feel as though you work all week for nothing. Credit also helps you when you have an emergency, and need to go to the hospital, repair your car, or have to stay at a hotel if you get stuck on the road real late, or in bad weather and can't get home.
These are just a few strategies for living with a limited income, and hopefully this will help keep your head above water! Remember, this is only temporary, and one day, your wages and earnings are bound to improve if you stay positive.