How to Survive The Recession

Learn different ways to avoid spending money unneccessarily during this period of recession and have fun while you do it!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An open mind and smile!

1. Couch Surfing
   The idea of free hospitality is an ever growing idea. Websites such as hospitalityclub.org, couchsurfing.com and bewelcome.com provide a forum for travellers to stay on peoples couches for free worldwide. In Dublin alone there are over 1000 hosts allowing others to surf their couch.

2. Hitch Hiking and Ride sharing
   Don’t be fooled by thinking this is a thing of the past. HitchHiking is coming back with a vengeance as fuel prices rise and people can’t afford their own transport. Websites such as digihitch.org provide a platform for people to discuss trips, find hitchhiking partners and exchange ideas.
   Carshare.com is an old idea with a new twist. People can now pre plan their hitching journeys online and find lifts to their chosen destination by searching the online database.

3. Free goods
   Many websites have been set up to encourage recycling and reusing of waste. Preloved.com for example is one where you can place ads for free about second hand goods you wish to give away for little or no money in exchange. Goods range from unwanted flights, old vintage cars to computer accessories and old music collections.
   
   Another excellent website is Freecycle.org where you can find all sorts of goods been given away for free on a first come first served basis. The Dublin group alone has over 5000 active members, with goods been exchanged daily. You can post either ‘goods wanted’ or ‘goods offered’ messages describing what you are looking for/giving away. Items range from electrical goods, transport, toys, books and kitchen appliances.

4. Dumpster Diving
   More and more people have taken to “Dumpster Diving”, which involves rooting though commercial waste to find left over food and goods. The lifestyle involves salvaging discarded, unspoiled food from supermarket dumpsters that have passed, or in some cases haven't even passed, their sell by date, but are still edible and nutritious. They salvage the food not because they are poor or homeless, but as a political statement.

5. Wwoofing
   Lost your job? Need a place to stay and be fed? Then Wwoofing may be just for you. Wwoof.org (Worldwide opportunities on Organic farms) lets people volunteer on organic farms around the world in exchange for free board and lodging. Most lodgers must help out around 5 hours.