Let's say you guys live in a small village where food is extremely expensive. You live with your wife and two small children. ( Your wife is unemployed) You work 12 hour shifts but you and your wife can barely make ends meet. One day your 3 year old tells you that mom fainted. You go to her. You later discover that she's been starving herself because she wanted you to have more food while you're at work.
There's only one alternative to make enough money to be able to afford everything. Doing magic shows. Unfortunately using magic is illegal and if caught you could spend up to 20 years in prison or be killed..