Free Survival Tips Without Money
Two skills become paramount if you hit rock bottom financially: ingenuity and the ability to access the system of governmental and charitable aid in your community. Acquiring the basics of food, shelter and clothing will have to take precedence over entertainment for a while, but even the latter does not always carry a price tag.
If the phrase "flat broke" has become not hyperbole but cold, harsh personal reality, try these tips.
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Food
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Of the essentials for living, food is the most readily available for free. When money becomes tight, look into regulations regarding food stamps or other aid for groceries in your area. Also research food pantries, to find out if they have eligibility requirements, and what hours they keep. Food pantry offerings tend toward the basics rather than gourmet offerings. You can still supplement food pantry staples with an occasional luxury taste by visiting upscale grocery stores that promote new products with free tastings. Depending on the store, you may get the equivalent of an entire meal in small samples of cheese, produce and specialty items. You can also learn to forage in the woods as well as at the supermarket: many plants often disdained as "weeds" such as dandelions both taste good and offer nutritional value.
Shelter
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Don't hide your head in the sand if eviction or foreclosure looms on the horizon. Begin investigating options for sheltering the homeless in your community as early as possible. Depending on your location, some shelters offer a free roof over your head for anywhere from two weeks to two months. Shelter living comes with restrictions such as curfews, but also often includes free toiletries and donated food items. The barter economy offers another option for housing without money: building maintenance skills or experience in child or elder care can aid you in finding a job that pays in the form of a roof over your head.
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Clothing
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The same charities that run food pantries often also operate thrift shops. In some cases, thrift store managers will make a limited portion of clothing available for free to someone they know is homeless and seeking employment. Also, ask friends and relatives if they can give you old clothing they no longer wear.
Roses
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"Yes, it is bread we fight for—but we fight for roses, too" wrote poet and labor supporter James Oppenheim. The concept of the poor deserving pleasure as well as the fundamentals for survival first gained recognition with labor strikes at the beginning of the twentieth century. Although some "roses" such as spa treatments and luxury vacations require money, most communities offer some form of free entertainment. Libraries usually charge no fee for checking out books and DVDs, or for Internet usage. Many museums and botanic gardens have at least one day a week where they waive admission fees. Some playhouses offer the opportunity to see theater for free in exchange for volunteer usher services.
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References
- Photo Credit homeless image by Radu Razvan from Fotolia.com
