What is another word for hand to mouth existences?
Pronunciation: [hˈand tə mˈa͡ʊθ ɛɡzˈɪstənsɪz] (IPA) 
Hand to mouth existences refer to situations where people barely scrape by to make ends meet in terms of the minimum necessities for survival. Synonyms for this phrase include living from paycheck to paycheck, subsisting, struggling, just getting by, and eking out a living. Other common phrases that convey a similar meaning include living hand to mouth, being on the breadline, and living in poverty. These phrases all describe persons who may be forced to rely on charities or social welfare programs to survive. Hand to mouth existences can be stressful as bills pile up, debts accumulate, and there is no financial cushion to fall back on in case of emergencies.
