There are a lot of families living on a lot less than that. Go to the poor area of your town sometime. Where the blacks, hispanic, and immigrants live (sadly the stereotype has a lot of truth behind it). Notice that there are a lot of kids living in the small houses with bad paint. Notice someone fixing a 15 year old car outside with just hand tools. Hope that the violence problems in those areas don't get you. In general I find such people making the best of their lot, nice people who want the best for their family. They don't have much to live on but there is enough for food (except when drugs are involved which is all too common)