How does anyone afford to live anymore?

I'm looking at buying a place or renting a place for my little family of 3. I'm currently staying with my mother but the house is getting too cramped with a toddler running around. I'm looking for places that I can afford, but when I calculate how much we would need monthly for lights, electricity, food, rent/ bond and eventually school, I can't afford it. I'm at a loss now.