Cheap Living

goatie · 22nd August 2007, 01:26 PM

Hi,

I was looking at prices and loans to buy a house, and am once again a little depressed by the shocking things I've read

I would like your ideas on cheap living. Gearslutz must be some of the most creative beings when it comes to finding ways to spend money where they want it

What are cheap ways of living?
- travel most of the time and avoid buying or renting at high prices
- rent cheap and spent all of your time working at your hobby (for example in a studio)
- ...

Where to get the money to live (the job), that's another thing, just wondering about the living expenses for now

Thanks for your ideas

Bryan Talbot · 22nd August 2007, 03:08 PM

It might sound silly, but as I have lived too many years on the edge of total failure, I can say that one good way is to frequently eat wholesome foods that you have to prepare yourself.

This will mean more frequent trips to the store, and some time spent cooking. You can determine four or five different things you like and can heat in a microwave.

After three or four months of buying as little pre-packaged food as possible, and eating actual healthy food - grains, veggies, good stuff that fills you up and keeps you going - you'll start thinking you got a pay raise from somewhere.

It ain't all that difficult. It's one way of "living low to the ground" that has tangible benefit, and is not an outright sacrifice.

vixapphire · 23rd August 2007, 02:09 AM

for various periods, i pursued the hollywood rocker lifestyle. well, the one without the stripper girlfriend to sponge off of (i'm not that lucky, i suppose). you rent your studio space and set it up. you either live in there, sleeping on the floor/couch, or you live in your car. in either case, you get a gym membership and use it for keeping yourself clean. amazing how, when you've gotta be there every morning to get your shower, it's pretty easy to convince yourself to get a decent workout in. you'll impress all your girlfriends with your new bod, and then you'll have one or more beds to sleep in!

that system worked for years, and then i got worried about the future and went to law school. now i have a mortgage.

olivia_nb · 23rd August 2007, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vixapphire

that system worked for years, and then i got worried about the future and went to law school. now i have a mortgage.

Nothing makes you The Man quicker than being a poor musician and resisting The Man huh?

me too...

Tibbon · 23rd August 2007, 05:10 AM

I don't know anything about cheap living... I'm in Boston

In all seriousness, it's hard to live cheap. Not eating out helps a TON.

Thinking about what you need vs what you want helps as well.

PoorGlory · 23rd August 2007, 10:41 AM

1. Eat at home.

2. Don't leave lights on and put on an extra sweater in the winter instead of cranking the thermostat. God, I sound like my parents.

3. Either rent a dumpy-ass, 1 room, piece of shit apartment, or buy a house. Do not rent a nice 2-3 bedroom place, because for the same price you could own a home and not be throwing away $1200-$1500 every month. They're giving out mortgages to anybody nowadays (hell, I got one), so just do it.

4. Make more money. There are more than a few ways to do this, so get creative. Look for a new job, retool your business, get more clients, etc etc. How else do you think people can afford that much (see above) each month?

superburtm · 23rd August 2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vixapphire

for various periods, i pursued the hollywood rocker lifestyle. well, the one without the stripper girlfriend to sponge off of (i'm not that lucky, i suppose). you rent your studio space and set it up. you either live in there, sleeping on the floor/couch, or you live in your car. in either case, you get a gym membership and use it for keeping yourself clean. amazing how, when you've gotta be there every morning to get your shower, it's pretty easy to convince yourself to get a decent workout in. you'll impress all your girlfriends with your new bod, and then you'll have one or more beds to sleep in!

that system worked for years, and then i got worried about the future and went to law school. now i have a mortgage.

Oh man that sounds WAY to familiar!

Tibbon · 23rd August 2007, 05:31 PM

Poorglory- Here spending $1200-1500 IS getting a dumpy one bed. I found a "steal" at $975 and it's a dumpy 200sq/ft studio.

Anyways. Everyone's pointed out some good ideas. The idea of just making more money isn't a bad one either. If you're working for someone else, keep pushing to the top. If there's something you don't know how to do that would qualify you for the better/next job, then learn it on your own. No one's going to show you and if they do it will take 10 years.

If you work for yourself, then there's a ton of ways you can make more money. Being more tax savvy helps. Being more cuttroat helps too. I am so happy now be back out of the 'industry' again, so i can make some real money.

PoorGlory · 23rd August 2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tibbon

Poorglory- Here spending $1200-1500 IS getting a dumpy one bed. I found a "steal" at $975 and it's a dumpy 200sq/ft studio.

You didn't look hard enough. Philadelphia is just as expensive, and I scored a $460 a month closet with a toilet in what amounted to a crack/halfway/***** house where people were regularly murdered/arrested/beaten up. This was only a few years ago too.

Tibbon · 23rd August 2007, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorGlory

You didn't look hard enough. Philadelphia is just as expensive, and I scored a $460 a month closet with a toilet in what amounted to a crack/halfway/***** house where people were regularly murdered/arrested/beaten up. This was only a few years ago too.

Massachusetts has the most expensive rent of any state (over NY and Cali, and certainly over PA) in the US. Boston is also very very small, and concentrated. Truth be told I'm living in the South End (which a few years ago was where it was a crackhole), but is now relatively safe. At the same time, I have no car. If I lived in Quincy, I might be able to find something cheaper, but i'd have to drive (and pay mass car insurance which is nearly $2000/year). I have yet to hear of anyone living by themselves around here, no matter how bad of a place, for less than $750/month (Dorchester included). That being said, I do have over $15,000 of gear now, and wouldn't leave my stuff in Dorchester no matter how good my insurance was.

BouncyJones · 4th September 2007, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olivia_nb

Nothing makes you The Man quicker than being a poor musician and resisting The Man huh?

me too...

This thought should be its own thread. It's so true.

heyman · 4th September 2007, 04:11 AM

Tear up your credit cards..

Fact is, Credit Card companies target you as soon as you come of age..especially if you are in college.

18% interest, minimum payments, late fees.. Your are screwed.

I payed off my last credit card in 2000 and and only use a debit card direct from my checking account now. Never going back.

LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS....

slaves666 · 4th September 2007, 07:14 AM

Pay cash, never use credit.
Cut your monthly expenses, TV, Internet, Phone.....get the minimum, or consolidate with 1 provider.
Eat at home...and make you own COFFEE!!!!!!!!
Heating 5 degrees less in winter, use blankets in the house....FYI I don;t heat my studio, the gear warms it up after 30 minutes.
Rent your car to friends when they need it.
I do live sound on occasion for extra $$$
sell your old gear you never use

Kyle S · 4th September 2007, 08:43 AM

lol

i went 2 months without water, a winter without heat (i dont care if its al, when its 28F in your bathroom at 6:30am IT SUCKS), i wear the same jeans for nearly 2 weeks, i even removed the other seats, carpet, various accessories from my car to save gas.

PinkHumpy · 6th September 2007, 02:50 PM

don't get married, or if you do make sure she's rich

Ibvee · 6th September 2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkHumpy

don't get married, or if you do make sure she's rich

Last thing

Methlab · 6th September 2007, 05:25 PM

This is a great thread. Definitley sell gear you are not using. Even gear that you like to say you own and think you WILL use, if it is not a studio go to, sell it immediately.

Make your own coffee...Key.

Buy your food at the grocery store..key.

Maintain your car...get routine oil changes and get an extended warranty on it.

Keep your credit debt low...Don't have more then 2 cards. Once you get your first
and interest kicks in (usually 6 months to a year) then get your second, pay off your first with the new one to save interest. Keep the second one open by charging 50 dollars or so a month to it and paying it off quickly, this will keep your credit rating going upwards. If your debt is around 2k or under, this is a good idea, if your debt is really really high, do not get another card..you can't handle it.

Get a gym membership...work out and take care of yourself. This will cut down on sickness and medical bills. You can also shower at the gym and hammer their water bill and not yours.

Be picky about who you date. Girls cost money..only spend it on the ones that you HAVE to have.

Keep one of your credit cards with a balance under 100 dollars...use this card for emergency bailout (car damage...etc).

Do not be that guy with sentimental attachments to guitars you do not ever play (it was my first show guitar...etc)...waaaah. Sell that shit or use it.

Kai Anders · 18th February 2008, 07:43 PM

Dude, all you gotta do is go down town and look for all the hot spots like Penera Bread and all the corporate places that throw out food if its a day old. i know lost of people who have found tons of food and good produce by being sneaky and resourceful.

Jayro_Rockola · 19th February 2008, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kai Anders

Dude, all you gotta do is go down town and look for all the hot spots like Penera Bread and all the corporate places that throw out food if its a day old. i know lost of people who have found tons of food and good produce by being sneaky and resourceful.

I've always been reluctant to mention dumpster diving on online forums as most of the folx around here are probably pretty straight and would get grossed out. I picture myself in public schools getting a round of "ewwws!" cause I wore second hand clothes. That being said alot of bagel shops/bakeries actually double bag day olds and some even set them next to the trash for easy access. I can't help but this is for us scavenger's benifit. What you can't eat soon you can freeze or make bagel chips out of.

Now that you mention it, do your clothes shopping at thrift stores! It's just like a treasure hunt, except you can wear the booty!

wear the booty

heehee...

xmostynx · 19th February 2008, 08:14 AM

i can't complain about my current situation.

i work in a casino 3-4 nights a week mixing lounge bands, to big dance bands...not a glory gig, but those 3-4 nights a week i make a little more than 500 a week.

i knew this guy that had a bunch of property in pittsburgh, so i rented a top flat off him with a view of the city that was nothing but busted up walls, nothing worked except the electricity. he let me rent it out for 400 a month. i can be as loud as i want, whenever i want, and if i want to sit and think i can stare at the city.

needless to say, i turned it into a studio- and now i make an extra on average 500 a week working in it.

some quick plaster, alot of cleaning, some cheap tile, i turned it into a place where you walk into the building like...where the **** am i, then you open a door and its like WOW.

if i could do it again, i'd move to a city where there is alot more work, and i'd find the same kind of deal.

this place would easily rent out for 700 a month.

nobody below me, 2 tenants on the 1st floor. i have my own parking lot, and did i mention...i can be as loud as i want...

also eat decent, it is like someone giving you a pay raise.
cook your own food, and try and buy non steroid items.

you feel less depressed, more concentrated, and it ****ing tastes so much better.

xmostynx · 19th February 2008, 08:17 AM

don't drink whiskey!

henryrobinett · 19th February 2008, 08:21 AM

My wife cured me of the notion of cheap living. I used the "I'm a musician" excuse too much. She said, well be a musician, just don't be a poor musician! LOL. And thus we had an agreement.

I didn't realize how I had equated one with the other. I TRIED not to make a lot of money, because then I'd have to struggle to maintain a lifestyle I couldn't maintain, because I was a jazz musician. How absolutely stupid. So I changed my mind.

My aunt use to talk about her husband who was raised poor -- "Poor people have poor ways," she'd say.

Sorry. This isn't too much help.

richardswag · 19th February 2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmostynx

don't drink whiskey!

I think cutting back on the essentials is a bit extreme...

Ibvee · 19th February 2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardswag

I think cutting back on the essentials is a bit extreme...

+ 1

heyman · 19th February 2008, 04:17 PM

Here's an idea...

For all you smokers out there...

Quit smoking..

5-6 dollars a pack ?!?

Dont give me this shit about .... I need my cigarettes...

"I'm broke.... I dont have any money" ...really ..? You seem to have enough for cigarettes though, dont you...?

We were meant to breath in air.. not tar and smoke ... So when you need a lung transplant, dont come crying to me..

Duardo · 20th February 2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

I picture myself in public schools getting a round of "ewwws!" cause I wore second hand clothes.

My parents shopped in secondhand stores occasionally...the only traumatic experience was when my sister wore a sweater to school and her friend said "hey, I used to have that sweater" and they looked at the initials on the tag and sure enough...I think she's still scarred...

Jayro_Rockola · 20th February 2008, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyman

Here's an idea...

For all you smokers out there...

Quit smoking..

5-6 dollars a pack ?!?

Dont give me this shit about .... I need my cigarettes...

"I'm broke.... I dont have any money" ...really ..? You seem to have enough for cigarettes though, dont you...?

We were meant to breath in air.. not tar and smoke ... So when you need a lung transplant, dont come crying to me..

Less than thrree bucks around these parts, yet still no excuse...

aeonsound · 20th February 2008, 10:05 AM

one seriously interesting way of saving heaps of money is to look for industrial housesitting companies. i don't know if they have these Stateside yet, but if not i imagine they will soon. basically, you are employed to live in an unoccupied building. it might be an empty factory, a waterworks tower, an office tower... anything which too commercially valuable to be left unattended. there are downsides - you usually live on one month's notice, and waiting lists can be long - but the benefits can be incredible. i read about one guy who's being paid £250 a month to live in an enormous art college in central london... it's like tens of thousands of square feet, and he's being paid to live in it.

definitely agree on the cooking at home with whole foods. dried pulses etc. are ridiculously good value.

we're moving to london on saturday, and rent is about $2200 for a 2-bed place. buying is *not* an option since the average house price in greater london is $800,000. average.

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22nd August 2007, 01:26 PM	#1
goatie Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 245	Cheap Living Hi, I was looking at prices and loans to buy a house, and am once again a little depressed by the shocking things I've read I would like your ideas on cheap living. Gearslutz must be some of the most creative beings when it comes to finding ways to spend money where they want it What are cheap ways of living? - travel most of the time and avoid buying or renting at high prices - rent cheap and spent all of your time working at your hobby (for example in a studio) - ... Where to get the money to live (the job), that's another thing, just wondering about the living expenses for now Thanks for your ideas

22nd August 2007, 03:08 PM	#2
Bryan Talbot Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: cloud nine Posts: 2,292	It might sound silly, but as I have lived too many years on the edge of total failure, I can say that one good way is to frequently eat wholesome foods that you have to prepare yourself. This will mean more frequent trips to the store, and some time spent cooking. You can determine four or five different things you like and can heat in a microwave. After three or four months of buying as little pre-packaged food as possible, and eating actual healthy food - grains, veggies, good stuff that fills you up and keeps you going - you'll start thinking you got a pay raise from somewhere. It ain't all that difficult. It's one way of "living low to the ground" that has tangible benefit, and is not an outright sacrifice. __________________ "and a turbine fire truck with no brakes it would teach people to get the fuk out of the way" - big country

23rd August 2007, 02:09 AM	#3
vixapphire Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,102	for various periods, i pursued the hollywood rocker lifestyle. well, the one without the stripper girlfriend to sponge off of (i'm not that lucky, i suppose). you rent your studio space and set it up. you either live in there, sleeping on the floor/couch, or you live in your car. in either case, you get a gym membership and use it for keeping yourself clean. amazing how, when you've gotta be there every morning to get your shower, it's pretty easy to convince yourself to get a decent workout in. you'll impress all your girlfriends with your new bod, and then you'll have one or more beds to sleep in! that system worked for years, and then i got worried about the future and went to law school. now i have a mortgage. __________________ ___________________________________ "Revolution is the opiate of intellectuals." - Anon.

23rd August 2007, 05:10 AM	#5
Tibbon Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boston/MA Posts: 4,109	I don't know anything about cheap living... I'm in Boston In all seriousness, it's hard to live cheap. Not eating out helps a TON. Thinking about what you need vs what you want helps as well. __________________ David Fisher (aka tibbon) What is Noise, Blog (DIY, gear, tech, etc) Follow me on Twitter

23rd August 2007, 10:41 AM	#6
PoorGlory Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,268	1. Eat at home. 2. Don't leave lights on and put on an extra sweater in the winter instead of cranking the thermostat. God, I sound like my parents. 3. Either rent a dumpy-ass, 1 room, piece of shit apartment, or buy a house. Do not rent a nice 2-3 bedroom place, because for the same price you could own a home and not be throwing away $1200-$1500 every month. They're giving out mortgages to anybody nowadays (hell, I got one), so just do it. 4. Make more money. There are more than a few ways to do this, so get creative. Look for a new job, retool your business, get more clients, etc etc. How else do you think people can afford that much (see above) each month?

23rd August 2007, 05:31 PM	#8
Tibbon Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boston/MA Posts: 4,109	Poorglory- Here spending $1200-1500 IS getting a dumpy one bed. I found a "steal" at $975 and it's a dumpy 200sq/ft studio. Anyways. Everyone's pointed out some good ideas. The idea of just making more money isn't a bad one either. If you're working for someone else, keep pushing to the top. If there's something you don't know how to do that would qualify you for the better/next job, then learn it on your own. No one's going to show you and if they do it will take 10 years. If you work for yourself, then there's a ton of ways you can make more money. Being more tax savvy helps. Being more cuttroat helps too. I am so happy now be back out of the 'industry' again, so i can make some real money. __________________ David Fisher (aka tibbon) What is Noise, Blog (DIY, gear, tech, etc) Follow me on Twitter

4th September 2007, 04:11 AM	#12
heyman Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Waterbury CT, then Providence, RI Posts: 1,935	Tear up your credit cards.. Fact is, Credit Card companies target you as soon as you come of age..especially if you are in college. 18% interest, minimum payments, late fees.. Your are screwed. I payed off my last credit card in 2000 and and only use a debit card direct from my checking account now. Never going back. LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS.... __________________ Teee hee ha ha .... I wanna play wit chew. Butter's Does Samwell! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4y...-in-the-bu_fun

4th September 2007, 07:14 AM	#13
slaves666 Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,438	Pay cash, never use credit. Cut your monthly expenses, TV, Internet, Phone.....get the minimum, or consolidate with 1 provider. Eat at home...and make you own COFFEE!!!!!!!! Heating 5 degrees less in winter, use blankets in the house....FYI I don;t heat my studio, the gear warms it up after 30 minutes. Rent your car to friends when they need it. I do live sound on occasion for extra $$$ sell your old gear you never use __________________ www.upliftproductions.com www.myspace.com/themonarchymusic

4th September 2007, 08:43 AM	#14
Kyle S Lives for gear Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tusc/Bham AL Posts: 644	lol i went 2 months without water, a winter without heat (i dont care if its al, when its 28F in your bathroom at 6:30am IT SUCKS), i wear the same jeans for nearly 2 weeks, i even removed the other seats, carpet, various accessories from my car to save gas.

6th September 2007, 02:50 PM	#15
PinkHumpy Gear Head Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Philly Posts: 58	don't get married, or if you do make sure she's rich __________________ Brendan www.pinkhumpy.com myspace.com/pinkhumpy cdbaby.com/cd/pinkhumpy

6th September 2007, 05:25 PM	#17
Methlab Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 2,420	This is a great thread. Definitley sell gear you are not using. Even gear that you like to say you own and think you WILL use, if it is not a studio go to, sell it immediately. Make your own coffee...Key. Buy your food at the grocery store..key. Maintain your car...get routine oil changes and get an extended warranty on it. Keep your credit debt low...Don't have more then 2 cards. Once you get your first and interest kicks in (usually 6 months to a year) then get your second, pay off your first with the new one to save interest. Keep the second one open by charging 50 dollars or so a month to it and paying it off quickly, this will keep your credit rating going upwards. If your debt is around 2k or under, this is a good idea, if your debt is really really high, do not get another card..you can't handle it. Get a gym membership...work out and take care of yourself. This will cut down on sickness and medical bills. You can also shower at the gym and hammer their water bill and not yours. Be picky about who you date. Girls cost money..only spend it on the ones that you HAVE to have. Keep one of your credit cards with a balance under 100 dollars...use this card for emergency bailout (car damage...etc). Do not be that guy with sentimental attachments to guitars you do not ever play (it was my first show guitar...etc)...waaaah. Sell that shit or use it.

18th February 2008, 07:43 PM	#18
Kai Anders Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2	Dumpster Dive! Dude, all you gotta do is go down town and look for all the hot spots like Penera Bread and all the corporate places that throw out food if its a day old. i know lost of people who have found tons of food and good produce by being sneaky and resourceful.

19th February 2008, 08:14 AM	#20
xmostynx Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,642	i can't complain about my current situation. i work in a casino 3-4 nights a week mixing lounge bands, to big dance bands...not a glory gig, but those 3-4 nights a week i make a little more than 500 a week. i knew this guy that had a bunch of property in pittsburgh, so i rented a top flat off him with a view of the city that was nothing but busted up walls, nothing worked except the electricity. he let me rent it out for 400 a month. i can be as loud as i want, whenever i want, and if i want to sit and think i can stare at the city. needless to say, i turned it into a studio- and now i make an extra on average 500 a week working in it. some quick plaster, alot of cleaning, some cheap tile, i turned it into a place where you walk into the building like...where the ** am i, then you open a door and its like WOW. if i could do it again, i'd move to a city where there is alot more work, and i'd find the same kind of deal. this place would easily rent out for 700 a month. nobody below me, 2 tenants on the 1st floor. i have my own parking lot, and did i mention...i can be as loud as i want... also eat decent, it is like someone giving you a pay raise. cook your own food, and try and buy non steroid items. you feel less depressed, more concentrated, and it **ing tastes so much better. __________________ -Make no mistakes I am what you make me http://www.myspace.com/xmostynx

19th February 2008, 08:17 AM	#21
xmostynx Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,642	don't drink whiskey! __________________ -Make no mistakes I am what you make me http://www.myspace.com/xmostynx

19th February 2008, 08:21 AM	#22
henryrobinett Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 5,908	My wife cured me of the notion of cheap living. I used the "I'm a musician" excuse too much. She said, well be a musician, just don't be a poor musician! LOL. And thus we had an agreement. I didn't realize how I had equated one with the other. I TRIED not to make a lot of money, because then I'd have to struggle to maintain a lifestyle I couldn't maintain, because I was a jazz musician. How absolutely stupid. So I changed my mind. My aunt use to talk about her husband who was raised poor -- "Poor people have poor ways," she'd say. Sorry. This isn't too much help. __________________ All the best, Henry Robinett

19th February 2008, 04:17 PM	#25
heyman Lives for gear Join Date: May 2005 Location: Waterbury CT, then Providence, RI Posts: 1,935	Here's an idea... For all you smokers out there... Quit smoking.. 5-6 dollars a pack ?!? Dont give me this shit about .... I need my cigarettes... "I'm broke.... I dont have any money" ...really ..? You seem to have enough for cigarettes though, dont you...? We were meant to breath in air.. not tar and smoke ... So when you need a lung transplant, dont come crying to me.. __________________ Teee hee ha ha .... I wanna play wit chew. Butter's Does Samwell! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4y...-in-the-bu_fun

20th February 2008, 10:05 AM	#28
aeonsound Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 264	one seriously interesting way of saving heaps of money is to look for industrial housesitting companies. i don't know if they have these Stateside yet, but if not i imagine they will soon. basically, you are employed to live in an unoccupied building. it might be an empty factory, a waterworks tower, an office tower... anything which too commercially valuable to be left unattended. there are downsides - you usually live on one month's notice, and waiting lists can be long - but the benefits can be incredible. i read about one guy who's being paid £250 a month to live in an enormous art college in central london... it's like tens of thousands of square feet, and he's being paid to live in it. definitely agree on the cooking at home with whole foods. dried pulses etc. are ridiculously good value. we're moving to london on saturday, and rent is about $2200 for a 2-bed place. buying is not an option since the average house price in greater london is $800,000. average.