Off topic posts split from "How do u live on $700/month, truly?"

[SLB_SA]

I was once between jobs trying to decide between cutting down on the drugs and alcohol to feed 3 children & a codependent wife.

I'm a bit confused.

I don't have a mortgage, wife or kids,

 

[MortimerEbinesr]

I can't say much for living under a bridge, but back in the early '70's I spent a week under a loading dock near the railroad tracks in Odessa Tx. Much cheaper than a van or RV is riding in a empty freight car. Either option requires a massive amount of wipes to (try ) keep clean. But hey, the adventure isn't the destination, it's in getting there.

 

[RonDean]

It's difficult to stay "on-topic." Can anyone live on $700 a month is one question, The state of income inequality and the need for public assistance is another. To address the latter, my grandmother told me about her struggles raising a family through the Great Depression. If she could have had the credit to drive a better car, I'm sure she would have. It was a different time and different financial/social construct back then. I will not make a judgment if someone looks "poor enough" for help. I do believe all of us could probably find ways to stretch our finances, which I think was the question of the OP. I also think our financial system needs serious reform. This might be the richest country in the world, but it sure doesn't feel like it to me. But, that is really a question for another thread. And it would probably get too political and be quickly canceled. Too bad, because I would enjoy such a discussion.

 

[bullfrog]

$700 is a moving target nowadays with inflation. People on fixed incomes in this day and time are able to increase their income in many ways especially with all the convenient aspects of the internet you just have to learn the skills. The job market offers many opportunities and seasonal/part time jobs. If you have a heartbeat you can probably get a job in this job market. Even with Covid still affecting countries around the world we are still begging for J1 employees. I understand many need medical paid for but seasonal federal jobs now come with the opportunity to get health insurance during the time you work (you are welcome! Lol!!!). For some health insurance/costs would take the whole $700 in a month, maybe consider moving to a country with cheaper or free health care, we just choose to work and stay here and try to change the system.

 

[bullfrog]

Hope all forced to live on $700 by circumstances stay well and healthy.

 

[rruff]

I understand many need medical paid for but seasonal federal jobs now come with the opportunity to get health insurance during the time you work (you are welcome! Lol!!!). For some health insurance/costs would take the whole $700 in a month, maybe consider moving to a country with cheaper or free health care, we just choose to work and stay here and try to change the system.

Most states have Medicaid for people below the poverty line, which is ~$14k/yr income. It's completely free, no co-pays, no deductible... and dental too! This happened with Obamacare and is a great boon for people with low income. You will also qualify for food stamps. Take advantage of it!

IMO if you can make $14k/yr ($1,167/mo) income and get free medical and foodstamps, then you can live very well as a vagabond. I lived on <$500/mo in today's money for 13 years, and got no subsidies, and thought I lived well.

Some info here: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-...medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/ Notably, the states that are most popular for domicile (FL, TX, SD) have not expanded Medicaid, but most states have.

 

[eDJ_]

As for the cars and their value in the photo's I posted......many of the churches & volunteer groups here offer rides to those needing conveyance to the Fair Grounds to get needed food. (as they don't even have a car) It may be why you see shiny new cars in those lines. And no doubt there will be some very well off "greedy" types in that line to get free food too.....in their own expensive cars.

 

[maki2]

Send my $700 a month and I will let you know how it works out.

 

[SLB_SA]

Send my $700 a month and I will let you know how it works out.

I will send you 700 dollars (GYD) in a few days.

 

[Vegan Vanner]

Send my $700 a month and I will let you know how it works out.

Aren't you the smart one, maki2. And funny, too....

 

[JDub]

Send my $700 a month and I will let you know how it works out.

"I will gladly send you $700 tomorrow for a hamburger today"

Wimpy

 

[Roadtrekgranny]

Are you buying organic vegetables for $10 a week? If so, where?

I just purchased these items yesterday and its not a lot of veggies for $13. Certainly not enough for a week.

5 organic bananas $2.36
3 organic zucchini squash $3.52
4 organic tomatoes $3.35
1organic small broccoli head .74
1 organic head of lettuce $3.19
Total $13.16

I bought a organic head of lettuce yesterday and the insides was brown. Replaced it with a regular head and was very happy with the price, taste and freshness!

 

[Calaverasgrande]

That is one of the downsides of organics.
Since they arent soaked in chemicals or genetically engineered to last forever, they will decay quickly.
Lettuce is something I rarely buy for this reason. It spoils so fast!
I get kale, collards or some similar robust green leafy veg instead. It's not going to taste like a McDonalds burger or a Taco Bell taco since it isn't iceberg. But kale, collards etc last a lot longer in a fridge.
Some things like tomatos and carrots will be okay for a few days not refrigerated.
When I am in a big city I try to find Asian markets with a good produce section. These are often super cheap. And you can buy smaller quantity, so you arent working hard to eat all those green beans or whatever. Some even sell tofu by the piece. So you can get just two small blocks for 50 cents.

 

[eDJ_]

With the economy as it is and headed deeper into dispare, articles in the newspaper and news features on TV are more frequently covering "Off Grid" living. I've believed for a long time that a rig could be set up as an off grid home and provide a reasonable shelter. In the past I've posted photos of Vans which had hay bales stacked up around them and over the roof and covered with plastic tarps for the winter. Now I ponder having a utility trailer also shrouded with hay bales. (accessible from the Van). Like a small straw bale home. Mobility may become more and more limited owing to fuel cost. Of course one would have to find an old car for running supplies. Plastic barrels could catch water, but you would still need potable water & food. But if you only had $700 bucks a month
you may have to hold up for a while off grid.

This article appeared this weekend in my local paper and it deals with off grid homes but a Van could be set up as a home in a colder area if one had to due to $5 dollar+ gasoline.

Off-Grid living beckons more than just hardy pioneer types

 

[eDJ_]

Here's the link to the straw bale Van Home. Even if you don't have a trailer, you could lay up a spare utility room for more space. Solar or a generator and a couple 55 gallon plastic barrels for rain water that would be kept in the utility room to capture rain water. You could build an elevated platform to set up a food storage hutch which would help keep animals out of it (build a simple ladder to access it) and take advantage of low temperature weather for refrigeration.

Off Grid hay bale Van home

 

[RoamerRV428]

its over with costs being so out of control
come on, we all see it....your buck is not being stretched far at all and many are gonna be in a real bind with gas price and food issues....we need air (still free kinda LOL) and food and shelter so if those 3 are being right now inflated beyond control, ugh.....we got alot of rethinking on this 'can I survive' on low $$
yikes

 

[bullfrog]

I guess I was “fortunate” to grow up in poverty pretty much. I learned early how to be happy with what I could make or do without money and not let what others had determine what I “needed” to be happy. I didn’t realize it then, but it doesn’t matter how much things cost if you can make them from free materials, get them by working out a trade or taking a low paying job with your housing, food and clothing needs furnished while allowing you to have some extra money to enjoy or save. I can probably count on one hand the number of “new” costly major things I have had that I paid full retail price for. Having a few dollars left in your wallet from your last payday on your next payday is a wonderful feeling compared to having a bunch of “stuff” and being completely broke a few days before. Life is actually getting easier for me as after many years of practice I’m getting good at living! Lol!!!

 

[RonDean]

I will not minimize the problems of the rising cost of living. It's real and it impacts real people. That said, I have visited enough other countries to know most people in the US are far from destitute. I see "poor" people doing things every day that many people in the world can't hope to afford.

For the RV community, the cost of fuel has a major impact and we may need to reduce our travel. I know that fuel costs depend more on the cost of crude AND more on the profit motives of oil companies than whoever sits in the oval office. Nor can we decide to grow a garden to save money. So, I shop carefully and avoid buying food I will have to throw away. More "dry goods", for example.

$700? Damn, that's hard. And not doable without major lifestyle changes. But, I think I could do it if I had to.

 

[RoamerRV428]

$700? Damn, that's hard. And not doable without major lifestyle changes. But, I think I could do it if I had to.

and some are going to have to try! ain't gonna be fun or pretty or even easy in any manner.

so all, that is exactly what is restructuring the economy right now. All those on low are gonna suffer way more point blank. A new world is being formed, there is 'no going back' to the way it was.

your garden to grow those veg will triple in price to buy those seeds and grow that food.............there is no avoidance but many have said.......truth is those who understand what it takes for daily survival will use those smart tactics to keep on goin' but again, mentioned in a comment, do not ever minimalize what this new world economy and change of our society is going to be. It is gonna be massive tough for many years for all, well, not all, ugh

Life is resetting for a new normal and it ain't gonna be pretty getting there. We feel it now, just wait. this isn't guessing, this is a firm reality!

so that 700 per month has to be jacked to how in the hell do I make it on 'at least' 1200 a month for being on the road, car repairs, gas, food, any insurances and other services and products you buy and and and......up up and away we go...

 

[Catalyst1]

Careful with that. Apparently the germs that grow in improperly stored cooked rice can't easily be destroyed by cooking.

There's lots online about this, including here:
You can get food poisoning from leftover rice

And yeah, I know it's a pita to make cold leftover rice taste good (except as fried rice). I searched high and low for a single-serving-friendly rice cooker (Macy's has them, or used to) for this reason. But if anybody has good food-safe recipes for reviving cold cooked rice, I'd sure be interested.

It isn't the "germs" in the food that give you food poisoning. It is the toxins they produce, which cannot be destroyed by cooking.