Living on $500/month is difficult but possible. When your budget is this small, every dollar counts much more so you will have to spend wisely on every expense.
There are many options on $500/month but you will have to think outside the box to implement them. The following list will give you options for living this lifestyle, it will be up to you to choose the idea that works for your situation.
1. Shelter – This is always the budget buster so this should be where you focus your most energy on reducing the expense and getting creative.
a Living in an old car, truck, bus, or r.v. are all options – It does not matter if they run or not as long as you can buy them for a few hundred dollars and have it towed to your shelter location. Then you can tear out the inside and decorate it any way you want.
b. Living on an old boat – Many old boats can be bought for a few hundred dollars and lived in. At this price range they will probably not run but that is ok since you just want to live in it anyway. This can be a very nice private location for your shelter and very adventurous.
c. Build a Treehouse – Finding scrap lumber or cutting down trees for it will allow you to build a treehouse and live in it. The benefits are that it will be private and in an out of the way location.
d. Shed - Many homeowners throw out old sheds and will give them to you if you offer to haul it away. Although small in size they are usually well built and will keep a roof over your head.
e. Mobile Home – Many older mobile homes sell for around $500 and can be fixed up to live in. The moving is a pain but if you have a friend with a four wheel drive truck maybe he could move it for you. Here is a good website to buy vacant land for no money down and no credit or income verification.
f. Travel Trailers – Trailers that hook up to a truck for vacations sell for a few hundred dollars and can be quite nice inside. If you find a permanent spot for it you will be in business.
g. Government Housing – If you do not mind filling out a lot of paperwork and dealing with the bureaucrats you could apply for HUD housing which will be free.
h. Living with Family – When times are slim it helps if you can move in with family until you improve your finances
i. Roomates – Renting a small apartment with several roomates can actually get you a place free if the roomates combined rent is the actual rent and you find the roomates for your apartment.
j. Ghost Towns – Many areas especially in the south and west of the U.S. have abandoned towns that have house that are still standing and can be made into liveable housing using squatters rights.
k. Mining Claim – Most people do not know that any U.S. citizen can claim 20 acres of public land as a mining claim. The stipulations are that the land be open to mining, have an intent to use for mining, and $100 worth of work a year. If you follow these loose rules you have a claim and a place to live rent free indefinitely.
l. Disappearing Islands – Many land masses in rivers appear and disappear with the seasons, there are people that live on these islands when they reappear until they disappear again, rent free.
2. Transportation – Cars are out of the budget at this income level so you will have to look at alternatives:
a. Bikes - Riding a bike is not bad if you can include some kind of storage for groceries and items. No insurance, inspections, registrations, etc. to worry about either.
b. Walk – There is nothing wrong with walking to places if you live in town or within a few miles of your destination.
c. Bus/Train – In the city these are always a cheap option but a little inconvienent.
d. Carpool – Look for someone that can give you rides when you need it in exchange for skills that you have.
e. Moped/Scooter – Many people forget that these cheap but mobile means of transporatation are available, sometime without requiring insurance.
f. Motorcycle – Insurance on a motorcycle is so cheap its almost laughable. If you can a used one for a couple hundred dollars it would be a good investment.
g. Rideshare – Ask your friends or co-workers to take you some places on a regular basis.
h. Walkscore.com – Shows a map of nearby places from your current location.
i. Roller Skates/Skateboards – Although not commonly looked at as transportation, they can do a good job of getting you where you need to go fast and cheap.
3. Food -
a. Growing your own food – You don’t even need your own land since there are many areas on vacant land.
b. Dumpster diving – Look in dumpsters outside of food and bakery businesses.
c. Buying expired food – Expired food at local supermarkets bakeries is often reduced to almost free.
d. Getting a job – Getting a job at a restaurant will allow you to eat for free and keep any left-overs.
e. Mystery Shopper – You can sign up for free as a mystery shopper, free meals for a review.
f. Food Stamps – Although the hasstle of dealing with federal agencies is a hassle, it may be an option.
g. Foraging – Learn how to identify wild foods like mushrooms, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Buy a book on identifying these wild foods.
h. Coupons – With double coupons and buy one, get one free promotions, it is not hard to get free or almost free food.
i. Freebie Web-Sites – There are many sites that offer free food samples for the asking. Simply sign-up and the free samples will be sent to you.
j. Barter – Use any talents and skills you have to trade for food.
k. Free Meals – Churches, seminars, meetings, grand openings, and festivals usually provide free meals’ to attract attendees.
l. Surveys Sites – Many free online survey sites send trial and test food items for free if you give them feedback on the food they send you.
m. Fish – Learn to fish for free fish at any local pond or lake and you will have the freshest meal of all.
4. Hygiene - Using public bathrooms at stores or gas stations are options. At the gym you can shower, store things in your gym locker, and get in good shape why keeping a roof over your head in bad weather.
5. Phone - Buy an old cell phone that is not active, with a charger for a fewdollars or less. This phone can still dial 911 for emergencies if you ever need to since it is a government law that all phones with or without service be able to access 911 for emergencies. The only requirement is that the phone is charged so you can use it.
6. Internet – The internet is almost a necessity anymore. There are many ways to get free internet use.
a. Burger King – Free use of computer with internet in store.
b. Buffalo Wild Wings – Free use of computer with internet in store.
c. Library – All libraries have free computers with internet use.
7. Medical - Always a very costly problem for many people however there are cheap options.
a. Government Insurance – Medicare/Medicade are free if you qualify for low income status.
b. Foreign Hospitals – Many hospitals in Mexico have doctors that have been trained in the U.S. but charge much less that prices in the U.S.
c. Military Veteran – Any honorably discharged prior military personel whom have served at least 2 years of service are able to get hospital care for $20 a visit. Whether your are just sick or getting brain surgery the cost is $20.
d. www.healthinsurance2u.info – This site will give you cheap insurance options.
8. Entertainment – There are many types of free entertainment including:
a. Board Games – Many games can be bought used for under a $1.00 at a thrift store.
b. Harmonica – Playing this hand sized instrument is both fun and entertaining.
c. Radio – Few people listen to the radio as entertainment anymore but there are some good am talk stations.
d. Books – Reading books at the library or buying used ones at thrift stores is a great way to get a self education.
9. Money - Few people know that you can make up to $1,000 a month with just the use of a computer and internet connection.
a. www.cashsurveys4u.info – This site shows several surveys sites that together can earn you about $500/month. They are free to sign up for and you get paid to fill the surveys out when they arrive in your e-mail.
b. www.writing4cash.info – This sites gives you a list of writing sites that can get you another $500/month through writing 300-500 word articles online. c. www.howtomakefastcashmoney.com – This site list 20 ways to make cash in 24 hours. Living on $500/month is both possible and not as difficult as many are led to believe however it will take outside the box ideas like the ones above to live on $500/month. With a postive attitude, some knowledge and a little persistence, living on $500/month should be a legitmate plan.
