scrape along, rub along, scratch along, squeak by, squeeze by, scrape, scrape through, scratch by, scrounge, scuffle, more...

get by, make do, eke out, skimp on, more...

to make ends meet,   fend for themselves,   fend for yourself,   eke out a living,   barely make,   to get by,   barely get by,   barely manage to,   barely afford,   barely succeed