Interesting Article

**pollypurebred39** · 05-28-2011, 03:02 PM

Hmmm....I think I need to start being more creative about fun around here. Very boring lately.

**frugalwarrior2** · 05-28-2011, 08:39 PM

Thanks Donna and Amen to that!
Gonna look that up asap. Just rocked 2 closing church sales today. .25 xmas stuff just can't not love that.

And FYI we just went thru 6 years after that after a huge accident my DH had. $100,000 in debt down to $6000.

**DonnaFreedman** · 05-28-2011, 09:40 PM

@Becky: Have you ever considered trying to live on less for a month or two, just to see what you could save? Then you could add one or two things back at a time until you reached a point where you were frugal but still comfortable. Put the money aside for a special project or just to see how it adds up.
Of course, if you do this you have to post the results. :-)

**Wendy99** · 05-29-2011, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by DonnaFreedman

@Becky: Have you ever considered trying to live on less for a month or two, just to see what you could save? Then you could add one or two things back at a time until you reached a point where you were frugal but still comfortable. Put the money aside for a special project or just to see how it adds up.
Of course, if you do this you have to post the results. :-)

We are just shy of making ends meet right now, but I really think this is a good idea for a lot of people to try - just to see. Would make a great experiment!!

**KimZ** · 05-29-2011, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by DonnaFreedman

Thank you for the link and the kind words.
@Frugalwarrior2: Actually, the grant was factored in to the $12k a year. It wasn't extra. I stopped going to the food bank when things got a little better; can't remember exactly when but I know it was by autumn of that year.
I finished my degree in December 2009 (B.A., magna cum laude) and since that time have continued to write for a living vs. look for a full-time job. I write a personal finance column for MSN Money, am a staff writer at Get Rich Slowly and have my own site, Surviving and Thriving.
Still living much the same way, except that now I'm debt-free and traveling (frugally) a lot more.

Welcome to the Forum I am sure you have MUCH to share! Esp for Newbies Like me

A thought I would mention............I am an Ex-Diet Soda Junkie also! It's amazing the amount of $$ we spend on that junk even with a coupon!
3 Weeks and still diet soda FREE

**miss_cas** · 06-06-2011, 01:15 AM

I follow this writer.
I guess you should know the following things from a couple of her latests posts.
1. She spent a couple of months in Alaska house sitting recently.
2. She updated her blog from the United Kingdom recently.
3. She finished her Bachelor's degree.

I guess living on $12k a year without relying on govt entitlements can still be possible.

**Anna43** · 06-09-2011, 08:58 PM

A lot of single Social Security recipients live on less than $10,000 a year...some a lot less. Most are either disabled or elderly so have very few options. Yet some manage much better than you'd think.

I had a client last year who didn't have enough money to buy food the last week of each month so did volunteer work to get a free meal. I really insisted he apply for food stamps but he kept saying he wouldn't get very much. Finally, I pointed out he only needed enough to cover that one week. He came to see me in tears because he got much more than he'd thought he would which freed up $'s for other things he needed.

I often meet widows living on $650 or so per month. They've never applied for any benefits because they were unaware of what was available or thought benefits should go to people who need them more.

**alotofgooddeals** · 06-09-2011, 09:36 PM

seriously people live off so little and i have a hard time making ends meet and i make more than the $12,000, i really need to start looking at things more carefully....and that is why i am here....

**NikoSan999** · 06-09-2011, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by alotofgooddeals

seriously people live off so little and i have a hard time making ends meet and i make more than the $12,000, i really need to start looking at things more carefully....and that is why i am here....

Glad you're back.

**mauimagic** · 06-09-2011, 10:37 PM

Great thread!! When we are having financial challenges we tighten our belts and are able to make do. When finances are easier, we tend to get somewhat lax. We need to take the same due diligence no matterr where our finances are so we can create an even more solid base. Think that DH and I have become more aware of this situation and are acting smarter. Need to keep it up for sure!!

**Persimmon Lace** · 06-09-2011, 11:12 PM

Thank you! Loved this thread!

**schellie69** · 06-10-2011, 10:06 AM

Great infomation. I think it would be a cool challenge to see how little you could spend. I need to get out my book and start seeing how to cut my bills and see how little I can spend.

**rudypoo98** · 06-13-2011, 08:04 PM

I live on less than $7,000 a year. I actually get $7,200 a year but by the time I help out my daughter all the time it makes me live on alot less than $7,000.I know I give her at least $50 a month and usually more.The only help I get is heat assistance once in the winter which is usually around $235.I own my house and car ,both paid for ,have house and car insurance plus taxes to pay on them.I still pay taxes also on my car that is broke down in hopes of someday getting it fixed.I do go to the food pantry once in awhile but not every month.

**Anna43** · 06-13-2011, 11:14 PM

Rudy - why do you help out your dd when you are so low income? Not a criticism just curious. As I've mentioned before I do bankruptcies and so often the reason for bankruptcy is helping out children or grandchildren or other relative or even a friend. I understand the desire to help but not the reasoning in bankrupting self in order to do so.