the.com/subsistence
The economics of just barely, where the budget is breathing and nothing more.
means The minimum food, shelter, and resources needed to stay alive, with no surplus to spare.
from From Latin subsistere, to stand firm or hold position — literally standing still just enough to survive, never advancing.
Farming styleSubsistence farmers grow to eat, not to sell.
Wage theoryClassical economists feared wages would settle at bare survival.
Above zeroIt means alive, not comfortable — a crucial gap.