This hit close to home because her household income is VERY close to ours, and we have 5 more kids. But we aren't struggling the way she is. Maybe because we have more kids, and it's all from "his" income, the wife doesn't work?

She proudly states she doesn't use daycare because she's not stupid, but there are a lot of other expenses she probably isn't even considering (gas, fast food,  clothing, more beauty supplies for going "out" every day, etc.) 

Plus if she wasn't working, the family might qualify for food stamps.

Imagine being better off with one less job -- but in today's crazy world, that is actually quite possible. You have to look at the big picture.

Maybe watch some online videos about the Depression and how people survived.  I grew up in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but my parents never spent the equivalent of $100 per child at Christmas!  Not even close!  Did we get gifts?  Yes, but simple, durable toys that could be passed down or used by the whole family, ie. classic board games, outdoor toys like bat and ball, jump ropes, refurbished bikes and sleds.  Sometimes gifts were immaterial. Homemade coupons for outings or breakfast in bed for Mom.  If it’s cheap plastic or made in China, forget it!  One can waste a lot of money in Dollar Tree!  
With food and clothing, keep it classic, basic, simple.  Nobody needs 12 pairs of shoes or a sweater in every color.  Go to thrift stores for clothing, swap with other families, wear hand-me-downs.  Nobody should require two closets and two dresser’s full of attire.  With food, buy basics in bulk if possible.  Stay away from processed and unhealthful foods.  
With cars, buy used, never new.  Follow a regular maintenance schedule, wash them at home, forgo the car wash. If possible, change the oil at home.  If not, see if there is a discount, like a vocational school that’ll do oil changes and simple repairs for less money than on the open market.  
Do the same for haircuts.  A school of cosmetology charges half the price of a salon.  Or learn to diy.  Stick to simple, classic styles.  Ladies, keep the nails, make-up, jewelry down to minimum.  Better a few elegant items than money wasted on costume jewelry.  If you get tattoos and piercings, just stop!  They’re expensive, look cheap, and don’t age well.  If the females want simple, pierced earlobes, do it at home.  Alternate between a few pairs of tasteful, high quality earrings.  Tattoos are unladylike, imo, and earrings on guys sets off my gαydar, again, just my opinion.  If you’re a lady from India, a small side nose piercing is tasteful, but that’s as far as it should go.  
Keep medical bills down by a healthy diet and lifestyle. Learn some home treatments.  If legal in your state, join a health cooperative rather than purchase commercial insurance.  Become knowledgeable about common medical conditions and their treatments.  Eliminate unnecessary drugs.  Sure, your child may need a round of antibiotics for bronchitis, but home remedies for nasal congestion work just as well as prescriptions.  Try the chiropractor before signing on for physical therapy twice a week, indefinitely.  If you’re in your 80’s and lose a tooth, think before they sell you an implant! A false tooth on a bridge is much cheaper and may work just fine.  Unless you’re a model, you probably do not need to get a full set of porcelains.  Beware of dentists who want to do root canals on children’s teeth that they’re going to lose anyway.  If there’s a medical reason, fine, but if not, why put the child through an unnecessary procedure and empty your wallet?  Be sure your family practices good oral hygiene.  
Learn skills like cooking, sewing, woodworking, auto maintenance and repair.  Does everyone actually need a smartphone?  They still make basic cellphones to keep in contact and for safety.  Cable TV?  As Fr. Fox once said, “Set it up in your backyard and get out a 12 gauge….”
Forget keeping up with the Joneses.  Can you live with one vehicle?  Then sell the other.  Keep home furnishing and decor simple, durable.  If you can do your own maintenance, then don’t pay someone else to do it.  Kids can mow lawns, plant flowers, a garden, weed, hoe, etc.  If your kids can’t do these chores yet, then hire a neighborhood teen.  Consider the area where you live.  If it’s just too high priced, a move may be wise or even necessary.  Check out other income sources.  Can you purchase a house to renovate and flip or to rent out?  What about an Airbnb?  If your children are old enough, are they contributing to the family income?  If not, why not?  In years gone by, children’s income was not for them to spend on junk food, movies, clothing, etc. It was to help maintain the family!  No, taking the money from a child’s after school or weekend job is NOT child abuse.  It teaches responsibility and the value of money. 
Pray the family Rosary every day without fail. Get to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day.  Go to Confession and Communion.  See to it the children under your roof do the same.  Trust in Jesus and Mary, pray to St. Joseph.  God will provide for your family. 

My greatest expenses of the past 6 months have been: 1) groceries  2) propane  3) car repairs

It was cheap long before inflation. I think the whole state cost $7mil.

Maybe watch some online videos about the Depression and how people survived.  I grew up in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but my parents never spent the equivalent of $100 per child at Christmas!  Not even close!  Did we get gifts?  Yes, but simple, durable toys that could be passed down or used by the whole family, ie. classic board games, outdoor toys like bat and ball, jump ropes, refurbished bikes and sleds.  Sometimes gifts were immaterial. Homemade coupons for outings or breakfast in bed for Mom.  If it’s cheap plastic or made in China, forget it!  One can waste a lot of money in Dollar Tree! 
With food and clothing, keep it classic, basic, simple.  Nobody needs 12 pairs of shoes or a sweater in every color.  Go to thrift stores for clothing, swap with other families, wear hand-me-downs.  Nobody should require two closets and two dresser’s full of attire.  With food, buy basics in bulk if possible.  Stay away from processed and unhealthful foods. 
With cars, buy used, never new.  Follow a regular maintenance schedule, wash them at home, forgo the car wash. If possible, change the oil at home.  If not, see if there is a discount, like a vocational school that’ll do oil changes and simple repairs for less money than on the open market. 
Do the same for haircuts.  A school of cosmetology charges half the price of a salon.  Or learn to diy.  Stick to simple, classic styles.  Ladies, keep the nails, make-up, Jєωelry down to minimum.  Better a few elegant items than money wasted on costume Jєωelry.  If you get tattoos and piercings, just stop!  They’re expensive, look cheap, and don’t age well.  If the females want simple, pierced earlobes, do it at home.  Alternate between a few pairs of tasteful, high quality earrings.  Tattoos are unladylike, imo, and earrings on guys sets off my gαydar, again, just my opinion.  If you’re a lady from India, a small side nose piercing is tasteful, but that’s as far as it should go. 
Keep medical bills down by a healthy diet and lifestyle. Learn some home treatments.  If legal in your state, join a health cooperative rather than purchase commercial insurance.  Become knowledgeable about common medical conditions and their treatments.  Eliminate unnecessary drugs.  Sure, your child may need a round of antibiotics for bronchitis, but home remedies for nasal congestion work just as well as prescriptions.  Try the chiropractor before signing on for physical therapy twice a week, indefinitely.  If you’re in your 80’s and lose a tooth, think before they sell you an implant! A false tooth on a bridge is much cheaper and may work just fine.  Unless you’re a model, you probably do not need to get a full set of porcelains.  Beware of dentists who want to do root canals on children’s teeth that they’re going to lose anyway.  If there’s a medical reason, fine, but if not, why put the child through an unnecessary procedure and empty your wallet?  Be sure your family practices good oral hygiene. 
Learn skills like cooking, sewing, woodworking, auto maintenance and repair.  Does everyone actually need a smartphone?  They still make basic cellphones to keep in contact and for safety.  Cable TV?  As Fr. Fox once said, “Set it up in your backyard and get out a 12 gauge….”
Forget keeping up with the Joneses.  Can you live with one vehicle?  Then sell the other.  Keep home furnishing and decor simple, durable.  If you can do your own maintenance, then don’t pay someone else to do it.  Kids can mow lawns, plant flowers, a garden, weed, hoe, etc.  If your kids can’t do these chores yet, then hire a neighborhood teen.  Consider the area where you live.  If it’s just too high priced, a move may be wise or even necessary.  Check out other income sources.  Can you purchase a house to renovate and flip or to rent out?  What about an Airbnb?  If your children are old enough, are they contributing to the family income?  If not, why not?  In years gone by, children’s income was not for them to spend on junk food, movies, clothing, etc. It was to help maintain the family!  No, taking the money from a child’s after school or weekend job is NOT child abuse.  It teaches responsibility and the value of money.
Pray the family Rosary every day without fail. Get to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day.  Go to Confession and Communion.  See to it the children under your roof do the same.  Trust in Jesus and Mary, pray to St. Joseph.  God will provide for your family.

This is great post.