Are you struggling to make ends meet and are wondering how you can live on a budget without a job or a lot of money. There are many ways to save money and make money if you’re in financial trouble. These are some ways to get back on track financially.
You should reduce your spending and increase income. You’ll be more successful if you do both simultaneously. There are tons of ways to increase your income, including delivering for Postmates or DoorDashproofreadingselling photos, and more. What about cutting down on your spending?
It is possible to cut costs and reduce expenses on a daily basis, such as groceries or entertainment. If you are looking for a challenge, however, you may be able to live on a small amount of money. You can survive and thrive without a job by taking a few steps to assess the changes that you are willing to make.
Steps for evaluation
Step 1: Assess your goals
Before you rush to act, take a moment to evaluate your goals.
What do you want to do in a month? One year? Do you see yourself working for two years? What are you planning to do? What do you desire to be? How do you envision your daily life? What are you looking for? Consider the important things in your life, such as family, career, and home, before you consider the small stuff (entertainment).
Step 2: Assess your current situation
Your current situation should be matched with your goals. Are you a dreamer of living on the beach with your partner and having a job, but you are stuck in the Midwest with no family and no friends? These two things don’t match up so you will need to make some changes.
Step 3: Assess what came first
Always start with the important stuff. The little details will all come together. If you are looking to move to another country, don’t waste time buying a house in the US simply because it is cheaper. Instead, think about what you can do in order to reach that country. This could mean that you have to work multiple jobs over a period of time while searching for jobs in the country and learning about the rules to get there.
Opportunities
After you have assessed where you are now, where you want it to be, and what you plan to do to get there you can start to make sacrifices. Sacrifices can be positive if you have a goal. If you change your mind, sacrifices can be made into opportunities.
Opportunity 1: Housing
Housing is a fundamental need in our lives. No matter your goals, you will always need somewhere to live.
Housing is available in many forms, including free or relatively cheap options. Housing is free if you are looking for shelter or a place to live with others. You can check your local area to find out if there are any shelters available. While some shelters are free, others might charge a fee. Many YMCAs offer rooms you can rent at a very low price. They have shared bathrooms and kitchens, as well as a complimentary fitness membership.
You may be able rent a room rather than an entire house or apartment if you have a limited budget. You can have a place to rest and shower without spending a lot.
Couchsurfing is also an option. It’s a great way to travel and also allows you to meet new people. Also, you can look into co-op housing options or work on a rental property.
Many apartment buildings, trailer parks, and storage units will let you trade space in exchange for your services (watching over or maintaining a property). You may be able to find someone who will let your house stay while you work on it. This option will likely require you to bring your own tools and equipment.
Are you in immediate need of shelter? While it might not be the best option, temporarily living in a tent may be possible. Find out how to save money by living in a tent.
Opportunity 2: Food
Are you hungry and in need of food? There are many options for assistance! You may be eligible for food assistance if you have a low income. There are programs available for seniors and students, as well as monthly food assistance and special programs for children and women. You can learn more about applying for food assistance at www.usa.gov/food-help Many communities and churches have food pantries where you can “shop” for items. You may be asked for personal information, such as proof of income, by some pantries. Some allow people to pick up the items for free. Mini food pantries may be similar to small book libraries, where you can pick-up a few items. Although food pantries may not be open all the time, it is worth knowing when they are open so you can use their services.
Hot meals are often provided by local churches, the Salvation Army, or Rescue Mission. You can also work in a local restaurant. You will usually be able to eat a meal at no cost or for free. (Bonus: You can often find work in any restaurant in the country if you are a good cook or waitress.
However, my favorite food path is getting to know people. You can often go to someone’s home at least once per week if you are good friends with enough people. If they are willing to buy the food, you could offer to cook it.
Opportunity 3: Showers/hygiene
It is important to take a shower and care for your hygiene. However, there are many ways to do it for free or very cheap. You can also use the local stream, pond or creek as a free option. You must ensure that you are not on private land. Then, hop over to a nearby watering source and take a quick shower. You can also visit your local gym, or stop at a truck stop.
Although a gym membership can cost $25-50 per month, if it means that you have a daily shower, it may be worth it. Most truck stops have a shower you can use for a fee. Flying J and Loves have excellent showers. They cost between $10 and $15. You get your own shampoo, conditioner, and soap.
Opportunity 4: Transportation
Vehicles can be expensive. A vehicle can cost thousands of dollars each year, from gas to maintenance and insurance. Consider other options for getting from one place to the next. Bicycles and walking are both free and cheap. Both can lead to a healthier lifestyle. However, if you need to travel long distances or in cold or rainy conditions, you may want to consider another option.
Buses and trolleys are relatively inexpensive in large cities. A year of unlimited rides is often available for one price. Although hitchhiking isn’t the most safe option, my brother and I hitchhiked across the US. We made it safely back. You have another option: Ride-sharing, but you will need to search for programs or individuals willing to transport you. These will come at a cost.
Opportunity 5: Entertainment
Many people don’t think they could live without their phones. Many areas have Wi-Fi, which makes YouTube, Facebook and other free programs easily accessible.
If you are looking for live entertainment you can visit your local library and parks. One of the most popular forms of entertainment is books. You can also find classes and programs for free at libraries.
Many parks offer free events and concerts that will keep you busy for many months. People are my favorite entertainment. Meeting and talking with random people is my favorite way to get to know them.
Resources
It is not easy to know what opportunities are available. There are many resources that can help you beyond a Google search.
Resource 1 on Facebook
Facebook is a rich (and sometimes chaotic) resource. There are many thousands of groups. There are likely to be a group in every city that has the resources. Nearly every city has a group that is associated with it. These groups include garage sale/rummage sales groups, pay-it-forward groups and free stuff groups. These groups are full people who are eager to share or help.
Resource 2: Local libraries
Libraries offer a wealth of information and resources that can be used to assist individuals. It is possible to walk into a library and get information, or you can go online to find the same information.
Resource 3: Visitor’s Bureau
Most likely, your city or town has a visitor’s office that provides information and resources. Visitor’s bureaus are often found in small towns and have many people available to assist you. Online resources are becoming more popular.
Resource 4: Friends and strangers
Talk. To. People. Your best resource is going to be people in your locality or the area you are interested in. Talk to people at the gas station, the library, the park and at the grocery store. Everywhere you go, talk to people. Always be polite and ask questions. People are a treasure trove of information.
It’s difficult to live without a lot of money, especially if there are others who depend on your income. It’s possible, but not impossible. You can achieve a low-cost lifestyle with a solid evaluation and a few opportunities.
How to Live Without a Job or a Lot Of Money.
