What do you do to support yourself?

[Turino]

This is a thread to discuss what you do to take care of your basic needs..food, clothing, shelter and maybe a few extras

This is not just for those who work at a regular job or own a business with cash as the incentive, but it is also for those who survive on bartering services, government assistance, familial or friend assistance or any number of means of support.

Let's put it out there .

Currently, I am an underearning real estate broker and an unemployed merchant seaman. I have been banging on doors for three years now and am still hitting brick walls. I have applied to so many jobs that are beneath my skill set and not called on any of them. I am trying to keep my real estate brokerage afloat....the advertising, web and other costs are very high. I have cut it to the bare minimum. I am barely scraping by and look forward to the day that this recession is in my rear view mirror.

I believe the thing that will get me out is a good job on a ship...or back to the old world standby..a government job with benefits. Luckily I have healthcare insurance...

I trade services for chiropractic/acupuncture care. I do any number of tasks to get extra things that I need. I sell on craigslist and beginning to use ebay.

It has changed my outlook on life....that will be for another thread.

How is everyone else doing it?

[Apocalipstic]

I work as an Executive Assistant for a Production Company. We do cruise ship shows, conventions, parties and events. Business is way slow, so I have paid up all our bills except for the house just in case I were to lose my job. All the other companies in Nashville who do what we do have had major lay offs or have closed entirely.

Cynthia took a buy out from General Motors in August after being laid off for quite a while and is back in school to finish up her requirements for going to law school. Her classes are on line which has saved in gas and clothes.

We are selling stuff of Ebay and Craig's List and have eliminated all bills except for school, house and utilities. Last January I had the house insulated which has really helped with electric bill.

We mostly eat at home and if we have to there is an apartment in the attic we can rent out.

Times are tough and I am trying to stay ahead of things. We are very lucky in that Nashville has not been hit as hard as many places and home values in our neighborhood have actually gone up.

Best to everyone trying to make it in this tough time.

[Turino]

I wish both of you success.

Bringing up eliminating bills is a good point. I bought a cellphone with unlimited internet that can plug in or go wireless to my computer. I now use as my only internet connection at home. I can make calls while I am online. It is just as fast as broadband. I watch all my tv online, too. So I cut out about $100 in home bills.

I use my bike in the neighborhood, walk and take public transportation...the car mostly just sits outside. I realize that is a NY luxury.

I eat at home....I allow only 25 per month for entertainment...believe it or not. I do a lot of free activities. The rest goes to my business and home expenses.

I used to spend tons of money per year...now, I spend very, very little over basic needs. I am proudly the king of thrifty. It is beyond a challenge..it is a necessity.

new york has retraining services through the workforce program. if anyone needs more info contact me.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by Turino

I wish both of you success.

Bringing up eliminating bills is a good point. I bought a cellphone with unlimited internet that can plug in or go wireless to my computer. I now use as my only internet connection at home. I can make calls while I am online. It is just as fast as broadband. I watch all my tv online, too. So I cut out about $100 in home bills.

I use my bike in the neighborhood, walk and take public transportation...the car mostly just sits outside. I realize that is a NY luxury.

I eat at home....I allow only 25 per month for entertainment...believe it or not. I do a lot of free activities. The rest goes to my business and home expenses.

I used to spend tons of money per year...now, I spend very, very little over basic needs. I am proudly the king of thrifty. It is beyond a challenge..it is a necessity.

new york has retraining services through the workforce program. if anyone needs more info contact me.

It is very scary for people who expected to retire from a job like General Motors to go back into the workforce and start over. It's great that they have retraining services!

Good for you for eliminating bills too, its amazing how much we spend just on junk.

[Bit]

Originally Posted by Turino

I use my bike in the neighborhood, walk and take public transportation...the car mostly just sits outside. I realize that is a NY luxury.

No, it's not! Or at least, not exclusively! One of the reasons I find Wichita so charming is that neither Gryph nor I have a car--not even a driver's license--and yet we can walk to everything necessary except Gryph's work, and he takes a city bus for that.

I can also take a city bus for shopping and the library.

Lately, we've had a little extra, and so instead of taking the bus, I pay a friend gas money for rides... she's been unemployed for well over a year and her husband has been unemployed for months, so I'm as generous as I can manage. But if she weren't around? I'd be on the bus, and although it isn't comfortable, exactly, it would be okay.

Originally Posted by Turino

I eat at home....

We do this too. One of the things that helps a lot is that Gryph is willing to take his lunch to work, and he likes casserole-y type things. I make a lot of rice-with-veggies-n-cheese, yanno?

When Arwen posted her recipe for Pulled Pork, I tried it, and since she mentioned it makes good broth I put in extra water at the beginning.

Oh.
My.
WORD.

That broth used in the rice? I am actually JEALOUS of Gryph's lunches this week! I had to save some out for me!

One can eat at home the work-intensive way, or the cheap-n-easy way. I find that in the long run, spending the time on cooking from scratch is actually cheaper. Having a week's worth of healthy meals in the fridge and freezer so that one need only reheat is priceless!

I've also discovered that one can up the ante with seasonings... part of that rice-n-veggies I made with the pork broth last week? It got re-seasoned with more garlic and some cumin and chili powder, served with refried beans, Greek yogurt (rather than sour cream) and an avocado as tostadas. Is the pun unbearable if I say we were in hog heaven? lol!

[Apocalipstic]

The library, yes!

We have switched from Barnes and Noble to the library to save money too.
They have books on tape and CD, books, magazines, music, movies.

[Bit]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

..... and if we have to there is an apartment in the attic we can rent out.

Hey, having an ace in the hole is ALWAYS a wonderful thing! Okay, I won't worry so much for you two knowing you have that potential source of income if you really need it.

Getting yourself in a stronger financial position by paying things off is truly wise, imo.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by Bit

Hey, having an ace in the hole is ALWAYS a wonderful thing! Okay, I won't worry so much for you two knowing you have that potential source of income if you really need it.

Getting yourself in a stronger financial position by paying things off is truly wise, imo.

I can't agree more. I recomend it to everyone.

Don't worry about us, we are making it work and I think of Cynthia's school as an investment in my retirement.

[Bit]

LOL! That's one way to look at it, Jen!

[Turino]

Great stuff Bit. I try to cook one big thing a week that I can use in all different meals. Last week I threw meat in the crock pot and lots of frozen veggies , water, seasoning..cooked it..stored the meat separate and with the veggies I made ground turkey chili ...this week I am going to put sausages in it.

I am a boring cook..I cook for function not form.... everything gets minced garlic, onions and hot peppers...

I don't buy too many fresh veggies cause they go bad. I found it was a big waste. however, I do buy fresh spinach and freeze it.

The library is awesome..For those who don't have online access at home they can go there for service.

I really thought about my only spending 25 p/mo on entertainment and realized that also includes any meals out. boy..times have changed.