Spend Less
Spending less is a great idea however it is no fun when you are forced to. I agree that modesty in lifestyle is key to happiness, but I wouldn't use this mantra to talk yourself into a low paying job without a future.
Spend less but always work to earn more. The full price of a lower middle class lifestyle on the west coast is around 100K per year for a family of four. Don't use minimalist ideals in order to talk yourself into a miserable career at a regional airline.
You owe it to yourself and to your family to constantly strive to provide better for them. There is no shame in working to better ones standards of living. In fact the opposite is true.
Skyhigh