Currently I am pipefitting with the union to just keep food on the table.

Nicer pillows and throws can add the wow.I've done this same thing on 2 properties, and it seems to have worked each time.I also debated putting food in the fridge and some shoes/clothes in the closets (etc) in case someone cased it out during a showing.

I will be paying around $400 month total for living costs (minus food & care), and $350 a month for daycare (YIKES).

@Carlos Casanueva  I wouldn't do the deal either but let me offer this food for thought. 

Food for thought!  

My wife and I both come from lower middle class families where we always had food on the table and clothes on our back but for the things we wanted in life we worked.

This same school gives them prison quality food, with less time outside than a convict receives.

Transferrable skills (nursing, waiting as in food service, carpentry, and all kinds of other skills) can also be a ticket into the cruising world either full or part time. 

If they lose their job or get reduced hours and have little or no savings, they will buy food, keep the heat on and car going before they pay your rent. 

They want me to discount the rent since they lost their food and its chilly in the house .