In order to try and help as much as possible I decided to start a mini series covering all the ways I’ve learned how to survive being broke and how to make any income you have stretch a little bit further.

It’s been 9 years since I’ve been homeless but I’ve retained a lot of that information and I figure this can be a jumping off point for updating resource options.

3 Meal options that are healthy and cost effective

1. Tuna fish. Cans of it are pretty cheap, you can get single packets of mayo from restaurants (most times people have those lying around if you don’t have a jar). Check out your cabinets and fridge for what you can add into it. I always add tomato, occasionally croutons if I have gluten free ones. *keep in mind I can’t consume gluten, it’s cheaper to eat gluten but it’s not an option so I’m sharing options that can apply to everyone. In regard to crotons you can cut costs by making your own with stale bread.
2. Rice dishes. Rice can be a great option for beefing up a wimpy dish. Adding in veggies/making a stir fry with soy sauce, as well adding in potatoes or a meat.
3. Sandwiches (literally at one point I don’t think we even had a frying pan and I ate cheese sandwiches on stolen bread back in 2010😂)

3 ways to save money

1. The most important thing is to make an entire list of every single bill that is due per month. You need to include subscriptions, groceries, gas/car expenses, the works. If your total monthly expenses exceed your monthly income- you need to start with cutting options. First to go would be excess streaming services. We are being robbed blind by these apps with their pricing and how they force us to buy apps so we pay more than we did for cable back in the day.
2. Grocery shopping- make a damn list before going. Meal prepping is ideal but I know many people just don’t have that kind of ability so even just a general list of necessities is better than nothing. COMPARE PRICING. Do not purchase everything at one store, check 2-3 other options to see if you can cut costs (for example, juice at the dollar store is only $1.25 compared to $2.50 being the cheapest at our local market basket. That extra $1.25 a bottle adds up)
3. Look at your vices. If you’re spending $50+ a week on nicotine vapes or booze that’s one you may want to address. Alcohol is the best way to keep the general public under control (it makes you too stupid to realize what’s going on, its population control killing people off, and it feeds the prison system with the arrests that spring from alcohol fueled crimes (cough cough our DV crisis cough). If you are a daily drinker please be aware you need a medical detox to come off and that you are not able to just quit on your own without risking death.

I’ll continue to work on this series but here’s a least a start and I hope it can at least start getting peoples wheels turning about options on how to combat the disaster we are facing.