Possible Clues:

• Anagram for "seek"
• Just makes out
• Squeaks by, with 'out'
• Squeezes (out), as a living
• ___ out a living (barely makes it)
• Marginally makes (with "out")
• Achieves with difficulty (With "out")
• Scrapes by (with "out")
• Barely scrapes together, with "out"
• Barely gets by, with 'out'