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How to live on $432 a month in America

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Re: How to live on $432 a month in America

#681

Post by insane_dreamer »

keiferski wrote: post #22

Existing on the living standards of say, 1945, or even 1960, is very possible and allows you to make less money and presumably work on what you truly care about. But that means you don’t get the latest iPhone, cook basic foods at home and rarely eat out, repair your own appliances, and so on. The hardest part, I think, would be dealing with the social expectations of society at large. 1960 living standards were unive…

The point is that you don’t need many of those things to have good quality of life. Not having a TV or being on social media would help a lot with resisting the relentless consumerist pressure.

Re: How to live on $432 a month in America

#682

Post by troupo »

pastage wrote: post #514
troupo wrote: post #453

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> if you have a social "thing" like tennis or climbing Then you wouldn't be able to cut down expenses to "nothing"/month. Social thing assumes expenses. Hobbies assume expenses.

Social things are free! You just have to understand that being social is what you pay with.

Even hosting friends at your house incurs a cost, however small: for extra food and drinks.

Literally every human activity incurs a cost. Well, you can become a Hikikomori, so your only expenses will be electircity and internet.

Re: How to live on $432 a month in America

#683

Post by troupo »

bpicolo wrote: post #519
AStonesThrow wrote: post #472

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Social thing assumes expenses. Hobbies assume expenses. Entertainment is a line item in the budget: Library + Fishing = “Free” Libraries can be amazingly social, for eggheads. Lots of groups and events meet there in my town. It’s a full-fledged Third Space. [Neither the library access nor fishing gear is without cost, but at least they already account for taxes.] By the way, anyone who benefits from free stuff, for…

Fishing licenses aren't actually free but at least they're cheap

Fishing equipment isn't free, and you will have recurring (though small) costs in hooks and line, at least.

Re: How to live on $432 a month in America

#684

Post by insane_dreamer »

returningfory2 wrote: post #129
K0balt wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Out of pocket health insurance 1400 a month? Really? It that’s true, that is criminally ridiculous. Why do people accept that, when even in developing nations basic health care is free, and there are plenty of private choices. Decent health insurance costs about 150-300 a month the world over, except in the USA where it is ten times that for no reason whatsoever besides greed and the fact that healthcare is a basic n…

The main reason is that the government isn't funding it, like in other countries. I do agree the healthcare system in the US should be reformed. But the cost isn't going to go all away - it's just going to be shifted to higher taxes. Which is fine.

The actual cost of health care in the US is considerably higher than any other developed country.

Re: How to live on $432 a month in America

#685

Post by dangus »

wanderingbit wrote: post #354
fullStackOasis wrote: post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think most of your points are fair ones. I also feel that it's rather cynical to drop out of the "rat race" by relying on the participation of lots of other people to pay for your Medicaid expense and so on. However, on average, there are just so few people doing this type of thing that I don't think we have to worry about free riders damaging the system. Most people who complain about the rat race aren't willing t…

The author mentions putting 20% down and getting a mortgage. Even with insurance, for a 10 year mortgage 29k is 430 per month. Or you live with your parents and save on $1500 rent for 2 years, bam you can buy it with cash.

Then the author proceeded to not include that cost in the example budget. They even had the gall to mention having a 700 credit score to buy such a house.

Not a lot of people with this kind of low budget have a 700 credit score.

Re: How to live on $432 a month in America

#686

Post by dangus »

ars wrote: post #206
dangus wrote: post #190

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I will say, at this income level you're on Medicaid. It would be more than nothing but very basic, and if you're using government assistance than you aren't really "escaping" modernity, you're actually living off of the economic surplus of all the people working hard in the rat race. (Don't misinterpret me as saying that social safety nets are bad, I am all for them, but I'm just saying - if the author of this articl…

> But it is extremely important to point out that the American "rat race" cities 100% subsidize areas like this. It's even more important to point out that places like this grow the food and do the manufacturing that those "cities" you like would collapse without.

Don’t mistake my comment as being pro-city at the expense of rural areas.

The author isn’t growing any food, they’re just living adjacent to those people.

Most manufacturing happens in close proximity to major cities.

Re: How to live on $432 a month in America

#687

Post by dangus »

testing22321 wrote: post #572
owenversteeg wrote: post #305

Like other people here, I have my quibbles with the exact math. But the general premise is true: yes, you can live in rural poverty for cheap. The problem is the vibes. A hundred years ago, you would have a community, a place in society, and all of your family and friends nearby. In 2025, the only actual local job the author of the piece can come up with is at a gas station. Top ten occupations, 1920: Farmers, farm l…

> a young man working at a Walmart or a gas station will struggle to attract a stable partner or the respect of the world around him. From personal experience I can tell you confidently you are wrong. The part you are missing is you only need to work 10-20 hours a week MAX. That means you have an enormous Amount of leisure time to do what you want with your life. Trust me when I say plenty of young women love the ide…

Wilderness adventures will be the only option within your budget.

Re: How to live on $432 a month in America

#688

Post by returningfory2 »

K0balt wrote: post #667
returningfory2 wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The main reason is that the government isn't funding it, like in other countries. I do agree the healthcare system in the US should be reformed. But the cost isn't going to go all away - it's just going to be shifted to higher taxes. Which is fine.

Sure, but I’m having a hard time understanding how developing nations the world over can afford to do this, but the USA cannot lol. I’ve used the healthcare systems in many developing nations, and while it’s not really fun, it is adequate and free for 80 percent of the issues that a person encounters. For the other 20 percent, it’s best to go to a private clinic, where the care is as good if not better than many US c…

I think there's a bunch of different things going on in the US healthcare system. I think for sure part of it is inefficiency.

But I don't really buy the argument that healthcare quality is the same elsewhere. Like, do you really think you're going to get the same care for, say, long term multiple sclerosis in the United States versus Guatemala? I feel a lot of the "the care is the same" comes from younger people who have had relatively easy interactions with the healthcare system. When you're over 70 it's a totally different ball game.

Re: How to live on $432 a month in America

#689

Post by [deleted] »

AstroBen wrote: post #403
owenversteeg wrote: post #305

Like other people here, I have my quibbles with the exact math. But the general premise is true: yes, you can live in rural poverty for cheap. The problem is the vibes. A hundred years ago, you would have a community, a place in society, and all of your family and friends nearby. In 2025, the only actual local job the author of the piece can come up with is at a gas station. Top ten occupations, 1920: Farmers, farm l…

Not saying I agree with the premise of the article at all but making life decisions based on how much others will respect it is a terrible way to live

[deleted]

Re: How to live on $432 a month in America

#690

Post by hiatus »

amluto wrote: post #588
m0llusk wrote: post #564

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This has turned out to be a really interesting failure. To point out just one aspect, back in the 1970s there were hints that New Hampshire was leaning toward legalization of cannabis. Libertarian party meetups often focused on legalization of cannabis. This trend seemed to be solid and strongly linked to Libertarian influence in the state. Then the Free State Project happened and the intense liberty seeking of the L…

Forget cannabis. I always found it hilarious that NH is supposedly libertarian but bans privately run businesses from selling bottles of alcohol.

I found it surprising that they allow at least one private sale license. https://web.archive.org/web/20171028042531/http://info.nhpr....
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