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Living on $5,000 a year, on purpose: Meet America's 'intentional poor'

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Re: Living on $5,000 a year, on purpose: Meet America's 'intentional poor'

#51

Post by prawn »

dlsx wrote: post #5
bsullivan01 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, what's fishy is the $135/week rent, even a small room can cost more than that--unless it's a really, really bad area. But you can live on $540, for a while. Food can be very cheap in the bodegas and the rest can largely be controlled by only getting what's really needed. Of course a hospital visit will set you back 1-5 years of living expenses but that's different.

I agree you could live on the $540 a month for food. But, how does one go about the room, obviously a cell phone bill with tethering (or leeching wifi?) Because she makes 100% of her income blogging from a macbook that costs more than 3 months of her food budget. I like the concept, but it's just so obvious there is more behind their income. The other guy vacations to hawaii to surf, but doesn't mention what he does…

Why is the cost of the MacBook relevant at all? She could've had this previously, been given it, or received it second hand.

Re: Living on $5,000 a year, on purpose: Meet America's 'intentional poor'

#52

Post by bsullivan01 »

weeksie wrote: post #36
bsullivan01 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, what's fishy is the $135/week rent, even a small room can cost more than that--unless it's a really, really bad area. But you can live on $540, for a while. Food can be very cheap in the bodegas and the rest can largely be controlled by only getting what's really needed. Of course a hospital visit will set you back 1-5 years of living expenses but that's different.

Bullshit. I have friends that lived in Surreal Estate (a Bushwick artists' loft) five years go for 150/_month_. You don't know what you're talking about.

You don't know what you're talking about.

All I know comes from trying to help via the internet a cousin find a place to live around that area.

Bullshit. I have friends that lived in Surreal Estate (a Bushwick artists' loft) five years go for 150/_month_.

Apparently Surreal Estate is some sort of experimental commune so I don't see how this makes my argument invalid. Oh, and it's in Brooklyn, not Manhattan. And apparently it was five years ago.

Re: Living on $5,000 a year, on purpose: Meet America's 'intentional poor'

#53

Post by Dewie »

judk wrote: post #41
Dewie wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not too expensive for Mr. Money Moustache: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/12/15/high-cost-of-livin...

MMM is postmodern art. He goes to huge contortions to pretend that he doesn't work for his living as a blogger and handyman.

He does? I don't have that impression.

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/11/18/mustache-on-the-mo...

Re: Living on $5,000 a year, on purpose: Meet America's 'intentional poor'

#54

Post by [deleted] »

judk wrote: post #41
Dewie wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not too expensive for Mr. Money Moustache: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/12/15/high-cost-of-livin...

MMM is postmodern art. He goes to huge contortions to pretend that he doesn't work for his living as a blogger and handyman.

[deleted]

Re: Living on $5,000 a year, on purpose: Meet America's 'intentional poor'

#55

Post by phaemon »

judk wrote: post #41
Dewie wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not too expensive for Mr. Money Moustache: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/12/15/high-cost-of-livin...

MMM is postmodern art. He goes to huge contortions to pretend that he doesn't work for his living as a blogger and handyman.

Really? Is he lying about his spending or is he lying about his income from savings & investments?

Re: Living on $5,000 a year, on purpose: Meet America's 'intentional poor'

#56

Post by ahomescu1 »

jzwinck wrote: post #31
spurgu wrote: post #3

I would definitely do something like this if I didn't happen to live in latitudes where it's cold and snowy in the winter.

You can move. But the most important part is to not be stopped by trivialities such as being "stuck" at the wrong latitude. Most people could move toward the equator for $500 or less if they put their mind to it.

Easy to do in the US, harder in Europe because of language and legal barriers (not impossible though).

Re: Living on $5,000 a year, on purpose: Meet America's 'intentional poor'

#57

Post by ctdonath »

frozenport wrote: post #19
ctdonath wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A strong accusation with little to base it on. MacBook Air? Bottom end refurbished model costs $900. That's a dollar a day for 2.5 years; in NY you can recycle soda cans for $0.05/each, so 20 found cans a day keeps her tolerably up to date. There's enough free wifi around to manage connectivity. Extreme frugality is viable if you put your mind to it. Our advertising-driven culture is guilty of making most think it is…

Yes, but why is it good? I wouldn't call these people success stories.

You underestimate the number of people who view such living as a laudable goal. Frugal living is quite satisfying. Read Walden for starters, then something like Five Acres and Independence, or Foxfire. It's a major paradigm shift.
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