pay one's way

Of course, like any other function it can be abused; just as hunger may become gluttony, sleeping may become sluggishness, getting the money to pay one's way through life may become ferocious avarice.

“One just gets enough to live upon and pay one’s way; and one could do that anywhere, without leading such a life as this.”

Rent has to be paid, butchers demand payment for their meat … I'm speaking figuratively, of course, for I'm a vegetarian myself … and one must pay one's way.