California is great if you have money. Whether you go to Idaho or not (and it would be lots cheaper - and colder - there), please consider finding the cheapest house in a fairly safe neighborhood that you can afford. Maybe it's the one you're living in if you didn't refi, but low housing costs are key. Then, one of you get a job outside of the home to keep things afloat and SAVE! Believe me growing your own food and meat is great but it's hard work and VERY difficult to start without some working capital. Good luck to you and, yes, things will probably get way worse before they get better. And one more suggestion, if you absolutely limit the amount of prepared food and snacks you buy and start cutting down your beef purchases, you should be able to cut your food budget and still eat healthy stuff. Cooking from scratch is cheaper once you build up your supply of whole wheat flour and other staple ingredients.