I probably don't get the part about being sarcastic, but there is only so much that can be done by cutting expenses. As your income shrinks you can only cut your expenses so far and then the effect of further cuts is limited. For example, saving money by buying bread at a discount is a good idea, but if you only buy $14.00 in bread a month, getting it at 50% off only generates $7.00 in cash.
Trying to find a new income source can be difficult, but even infrequent and fairly small amounts of new income help overall. For example, even a couple of $300 interior painting jobs per year will make more of a difference than $35 a month in savings. One small painting job a month adds $3600 a year to the top line, and one every two weeks adds over $7,500.
Efficiently spending money is important, but focusing on more income usually is more effective.
I agree that the outflow is only part of the picture. Income is perhaps more important. But its also been my observation that people in economic distress rarely have a written budget or even an idea of what they can and cannot cut out in the way of expenses.