One-Income Survival Budget

How to Keep Life Afloat (and Even Thrive) on a Single Paycheck 🫶

Purpose: Give newly single earners a clear, step-by-step plan to cover essentials, trim fat, and protect their future—without spreadsheets that require a finance degree.

Time Commitment • 20–30 minutes to read and plug in your own numbers.

Last two months of bank or credit-card statements, a pen, and a calculator app.

Friendly Ground Rules

1. Agenda-Free Zone—Before, During, After
   Whether you’re weighing the idea of divorce, deep in the paperwork, or rebuilding life on the other side, we’re here to support your chosen path. No judgment, no hidden agenda.

2. Educational, Not Advice
   Everything you’ll read is for general education. It is not legal, financial, mental-health, or medical advice. Laws and circumstances differ by state, county, and family—always verify details with qualified professionals who know your facts.

3. Safety & Well-Being First
   If you feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or in crisis, please pause and reach out:
   • National DV Hotline (US) 1-800-799-7233
   • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) 988
   • 911 (or local emergency) for immediate danger

4. Every Journey Is Unique
   Divorce and healing are deeply personal. While we strive for accuracy and empathy, not every tip fits every situation. Keep what helps, adapt what might, and leave the rest.

5. Quick Calm Cue
   Feeling anxious as you read? Try the 5-5-5 Grounding Breath—inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5, exhale for 5. Repeat three times, then continue when you’re ready.

Why Money Fear Spikes After Divorce

• Two incomes suddenly became one.

• Housing costs jump—no one to split rent or mortgage.

• Childcare, health insurance, and debt now sit solely on your shoulders.

• Anxiety fog makes numbers feel bigger than they are.

Mini-Win ➜ You’re reading this instead of doom-scrolling, which is progress already.

The 50 / 30 / 20 Baseline in Plain English

• 50 % Needs – rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, minimum debt payments.

• 30 % Wants – dinner out, streaming, hobbies, vacations.

• 20 % Future You – emergency fund, retirement, extra debt pay-down.

Good-Enough Rule: If you can land anywhere near 50 / 30 / 20 on one income, you’re doing better than many Americans.

Seven-Step Quick Calculation

1. Find your monthly net pay (after taxes & withholdings).

2. Multiply net pay × 0.50 → Needs “allowance.”

3. List actual Needs (housing, food, transport, childcare, insurance, minimum debts).

4. Compare Needs total to allowance.

   • Over? Circle highest three costs—those are trim targets.

5. Multiply net pay × 0.20 → Future-You goal.

   • Start by saving a $1,000 emergency cushion per household member. Next, pay off debts, and once lowered save or invest the remainder.

6. Whatever remains (≈30 %) is Wants.

   • If Needs ate more than 50 %, take away from Wants first, then from Future-You only as last resort.

7. Write your new numbers (your “Needs”, “Future-You”, and “Wants” targets) on a sticky note; post on fridge or phone lock-screen.

Mini-Win ➜ You now have a survival number—fog turns into a target.

Fast Expense-Cut Ideas

Housing

• Renegotiate your lease – Ask for a 6- or 12-month renewal at the same rate; many landlords take a sure tenant over a vacancy (save 5–8 % of rent).

• House-share a spare room – Short-term roommate or Airbnb long-weekends (save ≈ $700).

• Refinance or loss-mitigate your mortgage – Call lender’s retention team; a 1-point rate drop can cut $150–$300.

Food

• Dump meal kits – Replace with a 7-day repeat grocery list; bulk-cook proteins once a week (save ≈ $250).

• Meatless Monday – One vegetarian dinner reduces grocery bill ≈ $40.

• Price-match apps – Scan receipt with Fetch or Upside for $20-$30 back.

Transportation

• Re-shop auto insurance after marital-status change – Declare lower mileage if you now work from home (save $30-$60).

• Sell the extra car – Ditch payment, insurance, and maintenance (save $350-$600).

• Transit pass or bike-to-work two days – Gas + parking drops $50-$80.

Utilities & Subscriptions

• Call the internet “retention” line – Script: “I’m comparing plans—any loyalty discounts?” Most knock $20.

• Rotate streaming services – Keep one, pause the rest; average household saves $40.

• Negotiate cell-phone loyalty credit – 10-minute call often grants $10-$15.

Debt & Insurance

• Request a hardship APR – Many credit-card issuers cut interest to 0 % for 6-12 months (saves $50-$200 on interest).

• Raise health-insurance deductible – Pair with an HSA; monthly premium drops $60-$120.

• Refinance high-rate auto loan – A 2-point rate cut trims $40-$70.

Rule of Thumb: If a change saves less than $20 but eats more than 10 minutes every month, skip it. Focus on the big rocks first.

Quick Income-Boost Levers

• Temporary 1099 work – Instacart, TaskRabbit, or user-testing; aim $200–$400/mo.

• Child-support enforcement – Late payments? File enforcement motion; interest may accrue.

• Tax adjustments – Update W-4 to correct withholding for single/head-of-household status.

• Government credits – Check eligibility for Earned Income Tax Credit or ACA subsidies.

Emergency Fund Reality Check

• Starter target – $1,000 per household member.

• Ideal – 3–6 months of Needs spending (not income).

• Automate $25–$50 per paycheck into high-yield savings; momentum matters more than amount.

Your One-Page Survival Budget (fill this in)

• Net monthly pay __________

• Needs target (× 0.50) __________

• Actual Needs total __________

• Trim candidates _________________________

• Wants max (× 0.30) __________

• Future-You goal (× 0.20) __________

• First action by Friday ___________________

Mini-Win ➜ Written numbers are 2× more likely to stick than mental math.

Final Words

Surviving on one income isn’t about perfection; it’s about clarity and momentum. Every dollar you cut or earn inches you from fear toward freedom. Start with one trim and one boost—today.

Stay resourceful • Track small wins • Forward is forward

— The navigateDivo Team