Living off the interest generated by a $300,000 principal balance depends heavily on your lifestyle, annual living expenses, and prevailing interest rate environments. If invested conservatively in fixed-income instruments yielding roughly 4% to 5% annually, the portfolio would generate approximately $12,000 to $15,000 per year in pre-tax income. For most individuals, this amount is insufficient to cover full living expenses independently, meaning it typically requires supplementing with other income sources, part-time work, or social security benefits.