9th Jun 09
How to Live on 99p for a Day
by Adam Dunning
So it seems insane to me that anyone would actually want to live on 99p a day given that spending is one of the greatest pleasures that life has to offer. Now, believe me, I am not affluent by anyone’s standards but I am a bit of a shopaholic. However, I must confess that I am starting to feel guilty about whimsically purchasing items of clothing that I don’t wear or, even worse than that, buying food that I don’t eat. In these troubled economic times, I understand that we all have a responsibility to shop smarter and to live within our means. But is it really possible to live on 99p for a day? I have looked at this challenge more as having £6.93 to live on for a week as it seems easier to manage somehow. This would take into account all expenses after rent/mortgage and utilities (as there is no way that they could be accounted for in this limited budget). This means that food, travel, entertainment and any other expenses must come into this budget. How on earth do people do it?
Can’t afford that Penthouse on 99p per day, aye?
Well one person that managed to live on one pound a day for a whole year after accepting a bet from friends was teacher Kath Kelly, who has become an expert in living frugally. Some of her tips, like visiting the supermarket as it is nearing closing time to pick up reduced produce, such as bread for 10p, are great ideas but she also hitchhiked to France to visit her brother. Luckily she did not come to any harm but hitchhiking is so risky these days and I don’t believe that any situation warrants putting yourself in danger unnecessarily.
Get rid of the car. Hitch-hike Hairy tum is optional
Anyway, back to the penny pinching. Let’s look at travel first of all. Petrol is extraordinarily expensive, as are bus and train fares, so the free option is to walk or cycle everywhere. That is unless you have very caring friends and family members who are willing to drive you about everywhere. Perhaps, if you drastically need a lift, you could offer to wash a loved one’s car in return for the journey. That way you are not just taking from people, but giving something back in return. After all, if you choose to curb your spending, why should others have to spend instead? This would seem to defeat the entire purpose of the idea – not to mention running the risk of losing friends left and right!
Lance Armstrong is rich though, isn’t he?
With regards to food there are many options. Some are very attractive and some are not attractive at all. Look at the free events happening in your local area. Many will be desperate for attendees and most will have a buffet, if not tea and cakes, provided. Go along and listen to what people want to tell you and then fill your boots (not literally, though I guess you could if no-one is watching!). For day to day food supplies, it is best to rely on the supermarket’s basic value brands and purchasing food due to go out of date for bargain basement prices. Fruit and veg vendors may also be willing to give bruised or wilting produce to you for free if you have the gift of the gab. After all, who is going to pay them money for it? You could also go fruit picking; in fact that teacher Kath Kelly met her future husband while volunteering during her frugal year.
Fruit picking – get something for yourself
The best tip of all, though, is to not waste anything. Leftovers can almost always be used to make something else. You can’t afford to be choosy.
However, if you are looking for food for nothing, why not try ‘dumpster diving’ – but be warned, you will have to check your dignity at the door (well, bin!). This is exactly as it sounds. Now I am not advocating raking through your neighbour’s bins but apparently there is quite a haul to be found in supermarket bins as by law they cannot sell food that has passed its date. So once that shop closes at 7pm, all food with that date on it will have to be thrown out. Some of the supermarkets apparently lock their bins really securely but others can be home to food that would be really expensive to buy fresh … but we are not talking about buying it fresh, are we? We are talking about jumping into a bin and raking about to see if we can find something to eat. This, I am afraid, is not for me, but I do admire anyone with the gall to do so.
Don’t be fussy
Clothes can be bought cheaply from charity shops. To stay within budget and remain hygienic, I would recommend travel sizes of basic toiletry
brands. The library is also a great source of free entertainment, offering internet access and books, CDs and DVDs. Also, remember to look down when you are out and about and pocket any loose change you come across. Finders’ keepers! Freeganism is a movement against consumerism and it is becoming more and more popular. Food, clothing and furniture is scavenged or donated. Sites such as Freecycle or the ‘stuff wanted’ section on Gumtree is proof that people are looking to recycle their goods and there are plenty of people looking for pre-owned items, especially in these credit crunch times.
But how would you afford a broadband connection?
So, if you decide to cut out all of your luxuries (I am shuddering at the thought even as I write this) and live on 99p a day to save some money or to pay off some debts then I wish you lots of luck as it takes a lot of determination and plenty of courage. I hope you have found these tips useful. I will go back to the spending that I cannot afford but then you will be the one laughing all the way to the bank at the end of the year while I will be sobbing into my credit card bill.
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