She's just trying to 'earn a living'. [=to earn the money needed for food, clothing, etc.]
He will do anything to 'earn his keep'. [=to earn what is needed to support himself]
He 'earned/won his spurs' by doubling the company's profits in the past year.
(..) is... is Mr. Fallon. So... - We can't afford to pay him. - The money will come with the audience. But what about until then? What I earn, it's barely enough for us. Don't worry about it. I'll share half my food with him or something. You're going to be doing that with someone else. No. You're... (..)2006 The Prestige