$40 a week budget? How do I make this work?

[bexleycorona]

Your comment was a little off-putting.

When I was a premed I certainly didn't tell medical students what they should be able to do.

[user 18]

Your comment was a little off-putting.

When I was a premed I certainly didn't tell medical students what they should be able to do.

I was speaking from experience working in medicine - the biggest advice I've gotten from doctors/veterinarians is you need to be able to focus on and comprehend more than one thing at once. From the years I've spent working in clinics and observing, it seems sound.

Sorry if I offended you, no offense was meant.

[baldgye]

Rice is the only thing I can suggest. When I was at uni and things got really tight I would just eat rice with beans and anything else I could find

[Lanx]

first of all if you're spending 2 hours cooking on a budget, something is WRONG.

i'm not saying boil you're chicken and hope salt and pepper gives enough flavor, but there is no way you will spend 2 straight hours cooking on a budget of 40$, there are only 2 reasons for this.

1. you don't know how to cook.

2. you don't know how to cook.

now i'm not saying be a chef at some fruity french restaurant, no, just you're basic home chef that doesn't spin the wheel to see if you have food poisoning this week and doesn't cook a steak to beyond done b/c they don't know.

lets take my oven roasted whole chicken.

i buy a whole chicken for 1.79 a lb, sometimes i'll find the organic for 1.99lb, you pay 6 to 8bucks in the end.

turn oven on to 350

mix a rub, i do a basic salt/pepper/cumin/garlic

take the chicken out, cut with kitchen sears from the tail up the spine all the way to the neck.

at this point, you DO NOT, need knife skills, you learned how to use a scissor when you were 2.

take the rub and put it UNDER the skin, not on top of it, cuz the seaonings will burn in the oven, but put it under the skin and it'll be find. you can do this for the 2 breasts and the two thights. then rub the skin with canola oil (canola oil has a high smoke point). this way you have crisp skin.

this takes 5 minutes. 10 if you're slow, 15 if you're an idiot.

i use a 12in stainless steal pan, i put 2tsp of oil and a slice of butter, i melt to combine and hot (throw a dash of water on it, if it sizzles it's ready) i put the bird skin side down (so that you see the spine and inside ribs face up) for about 2 to 3 minutes, get a nice char.

then flip it around (so ribs face the pan and just throw it in the oven.

now you can either try 1 to 2 hours in the oven or use a probe thermometer, stick it in the breast and program it for 165 (usually under 2 hours).

then once it's done the leg quarters (this means thigh and drumstick) basically falls right off the chicken. (trust me if you're holding it by the drumstick, the chicken will fall)

so while you think you're cooking for 2hours, you're not, the magical oven is doing all the cooking.

[bexleycorona]

Anyone know good crockpot recipes?

Those might be beneficial for OP.

[iri]

i've been living on $0.60 a day for a while. ate pasta, buckwheat and crackers. but i'm on the other side of the planet...

also, when living alone, i used to cook me a daily portion while eating breakfast. put some buckwheat in boiling water, fill meat with spices and put it in the oven. buckwheat will be ready in 10 minutes and meat in half an hour, right when i'll finish the breakfast.

[roaduck]

I`ve been skint, brassic, penniless a lot of my life and have learned to be resourceful and frugal.

You need time, patience and imagination more than money.

When I had no money I bartered my time, skills/experience for food from farmers and growers.

I`ve lived in the Middle East (Tunisia-Sudan-Egypt) and Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Poland) and I know how to survive in the wild so to speak...At least you`re near civilisation lol.

I`ve eaten snakes, Cockroaches, scorpions, rats, wild goat, roots, berries, cacti, flowers, roadkill...game..you name it.

If you know what mushrooms to gather wild...they are excellent protein sources and there are lots of great food in woods and forests to eat...but you need a good guidebook with clear illustrations or find someone with local knowledge.

I go to markets at the end of the working day to haggle and get bargains.

I go to farm shops directly and also buy/swap from friend`s allotments and garden plots.

I can make my own pancakes and chapatis http://www.aussiemuslims.com/forums/showthread.php?30008-Indian-bread-how-to-make-JAPATI.

Pea, ham and lentil soup made from Pork shanks is amazing and cheap.

Buy a big pot and bulk cook; then portion and freeze in plastic bags or plastic containers.

Buy cheap cuts of meat, trim to death then cook long and low for tender melt in your mouth texture or get a second-hand slow cooker.

You can also cook a stew by bringing it to the boil for 20-30 minutes then wrap the hot pot in a well-insulated tea-cosy like covering and it will cook itself slowly in a few hours.You can make the jacket from thick material filled with polystyrene pieces. newspaper etc.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Onabudget/Pages/Savemoneyfood.aspx

There are amazing videos on youtube for basic cooking skills; I didn`t have any books or PC to help me when I was growing up; I asked for advice from friends and family; I also lent cookery books from the library when I was a poor student.

http://www.guidingtech.com/13245/youtube-channels-learn-basic-cooking-skills/

Get to know a friendly grocer socially with a costco account etc  and he can get you a big bag of rice or potatoes at least; you can breath on the basics with herbs and spices and stocks etc.I eat very little processed food...too much salt, fat, sugar, additives and chemicals for me.

[tp4tissue]

what's up with all this cooking....   that's time and resources....

if you're strung out on $40...  it seems more beneficial to simplify the intake process to shoprite bread + eggs + discount fruits...

Almost zero prep...   the saving in time and fuel cost can be applied to improving your situation...   Read a book, learn a skill, time to browse the classified..


All this insane talk about recipes and how to make things taste like what...

no amount of prep is going to make $40 a week meals not taste like the poverty boarder..


At that point... the ONLY true resource you have, since there's little to no income is Personal time wealth....


And you idiots have the audacity to spend what little value you possess on trivial acts of burning crummy food in hopes that it'd taste better..

Is it really time to improve such a non-constructive area of one's life?

[SpAmRaY]

TP maybe if he learns to cook he could open up a traveling taco stand?

[Findecanor]

Also things like beans and lentils are relatively cheap.

Beans and lentils can be super-cheap if you buy them dried, and in the right store of course.
Then they need to soak for hours (doubling in size) and then cooked. Some beans such as soy beans need to cook for quite a long time though. Canned/cartoned beans are often pre-cooked and a few times more expensive.

Unless you are a professional athlete or a body-builder you won't need to bother too much about protein. Focus on getting a balanced diet with vitamins and minerals. Beans and lentils contain all three.

[roaduck]

what's up with all this cooking....   that's time and resources....

if you're strung out on $40...  it seems more beneficial to simplify the intake process to shoprite bread + eggs + discount fruits...

Almost zero prep...   the saving in time and fuel cost can be applied to improving your situation...   Read a book, learn a skill, time to browse the classified..


All this insane talk about recipes and how to make things taste like what...

no amount of prep is going to make $40 a week meals not taste like the poverty boarder..


At that point... the ONLY true resource you have, since there's little to no income is Personal time wealth....


And you idiots have the audacity to spend what little value you possess on trivial acts of burning crummy food in hopes that it'd taste better..

Is it really time to improve such a non-constructive area of one's life?

Show Image

You are basically what you eat - you need a lot of glycogen to run your brain...if you make the sacrifice to bother to learn how to cook and source/prepare food then that fuel will get you to job opportunities and improve your neurotransmitters/hormone balance which will get you out of the **** by addressing your moods with food and curbing depression etc.Cheap food does not have to mean bland...how do Third World Countries manage with large families...it`s all common sense.

[tp4tissue]

TP maybe if he learns to cook he could open up a traveling taco stand?

you win... i give up...   

[meiosis]

I've been making Japanese Curry, quite cheap ~$8 and lasts two meals. Rice is always pretty cheap. Tastes good too

[IPT]

time to live off ramen for a while.

[tp4tissue]

I've been making Japanese Curry, quite cheap ~$8 and lasts two meals. Rice is always pretty cheap. Tastes good too

rice is not cheap if you add in cooking time..


shoprite bread.. ftw...

[user 18]

It is near-impossible to spend all day every day looking for work without going crazy. In anything, I've always found it worthwhile to do something other than my main task for the day - in this case, cooking would be a good choice. Taking a half-hour or so out of your day to make a nutritious meal from cheap ingredients is good for you mentally, and just as good physically if not better than just eating raw ingredients.

It's also definitely better financially than looking for the ready to eat meals, where you pay for convenience. Pretty sure OP has already stated that bread isn't a viable option as it's too much money where he is.

[dante]

Here is an idea for cheap, filling, and healthy Vegan meals: http://www.drmcdougall.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10519

^ priced out to around $5.75 a day.

Really though, this "NEED MOAR PROTEIN" gets tired quickly.  $40 worth of vegetables, fruits, and grains will get you more protein than you need.

[hoggy]

For the longer term, you could grow vegetables from seed...

[jdcarpe]

For the longer term, you could grow vegetables from seed...

... And hunting/trapping game or fowl. Fishing if there is water nearby.

[IvanIvanovich]

Cooking like some have pointed out does not have to be time consuming. Most dishes take 5-15 minutes of prep time, then anywhere between 5min to several hours of cook time... of which the longer the cook time the less you have to be actively involved. Just need to set timer to go check on it periodically while you're doing something else. In any case, for someone who isn't working full time they probably have more free time than money. It's a good time to improve your cooking skills or even just learn period. Hell, if you can prove you know what you are doing you may be able to land a job as a cook even if it wouldn't be your usual line of work. Paying work is paying work.
Also it is much more cost effective to know how to cook things instead of buying them premade, and it can be much healthier for you. When you eat healthier you feel better generally.

As far as that tomato sauce I mentioned, since you asked about it. Basically I fine dice some onion and garlic about 1-2 tablespoon or more to taste if you like and place it in a saucepan with a little olive oil, just enough so it doesn't stick and saute just until it starts to brown. Add can of tomato sauce (or can of crushed tomato if you want it more 'robust'), add can of tomato paste (should be 1:3 ratio of sauce to paste), add chicken stock but not too much as to make the sauce very thin. If using dried herbs (basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, crushed red pepper, rosemary, sage in various ratios to taste) add them now. Bring to almost boiling then turn down to simmer on very low. At this point you can start your pasta and the sauce will be ready when the pasta is. If using fresh herbs I wait to add them into the last few minutes of cooking so they are only just slightly wilted.

[user 18]

Saved, thanks for that.

[esoomenona]

So this is a pretend precursor to you trying to sell the OG Tri cc gave you for an exorbitant amount, huh?

[tp4tissue]

For the longer term, you could grow vegetables from seed...

... And hunting/trapping game or fowl. Fishing if there is water nearby.

grow beard, watch all episodes of mountain men..  buy ax, shotgun, salt..  escape to the the arboreous cliffs

[IPT]

I've been making Japanese Curry, quite cheap ~$8 and lasts two meals. Rice is always pretty cheap. Tastes good too

rice is not cheap if you add in cooking time..


shoprite bread.. ftw...

Rice is cheap even counting cook time
Cook 6 cups of rice at once, takes an hour with the right tools (rice cooker duh)
Can spend a week eating that rice.

[CPTBadAss]

Cook 6 cups of rice at once, takes an hour with the right tools (rice cooker duh)

Such truth. Rice cooker is essential to existence.

[paicrai]

hey
eat soup
i ****ing love soup
maybe beans
idk how expensive it is where you live but if you're smurrrt you can get soup r33l ch33p here

[Dyslexic]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

[esoomenona]

That's the plan, Dyslexic. He's laying down the groundwork story to get that underway, because it's only okay with geekhack to sell them for high prices if this story exists. Great plan.

[HoffmanMyster]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

While I completely agree with you in principle, I can definitely understand not wanting to sell things, particularly when they're essentially irreplaceable.  Basically, he has two options.  Either live very frugal and on a super tight budget for a few months, or sell items that cannot be replaced and when he's back on the upswing he will likely miss.  I know it probably seems like rampant consumerism or being addicted to items rather than living a comfortable, healthy life, but I do understand.

[Dyslexic]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

While I completely agree with you in principle, I can definitely understand not wanting to sell things, particularly when they're essentially irreplaceable.  Basically, he has two options.  Either live very frugal and on a super tight budget for a few months, or sell items that cannot be replaced and when he's back on the upswing he will likely miss.  I know it probably seems like rampant consumerism or being addicted to items rather than living a comfortable, healthy life, but I do understand.

It's why I tried to phrase it delicately. I know selling prized possessions to fund temporary shortfalls is a tough decision to make and I don't want to sit in judgment. But the solution to his problem is literally right in front of him.

[HoffmanMyster]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

While I completely agree with you in principle, I can definitely understand not wanting to sell things, particularly when they're essentially irreplaceable.  Basically, he has two options.  Either live very frugal and on a super tight budget for a few months, or sell items that cannot be replaced and when he's back on the upswing he will likely miss.  I know it probably seems like rampant consumerism or being addicted to items rather than living a comfortable, healthy life, but I do understand.

It's why I tried to phrase it delicately. I know selling prized possessions to fund temporary shortfalls is a tough decision to make and don't want to sit in judgment. But the solution to his problem is literally right in front of him.

I totally understand what you're saying.    And I agree.  But I've been in a similar position and resisted selling a lot of things that could have helped a lot, so I just thought I'd play devil's advocate.  That said, I do 100% agree with you.

[Dyslexic]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

While I completely agree with you in principle, I can definitely understand not wanting to sell things, particularly when they're essentially irreplaceable.  Basically, he has two options.  Either live very frugal and on a super tight budget for a few months, or sell items that cannot be replaced and when he's back on the upswing he will likely miss.  I know it probably seems like rampant consumerism or being addicted to items rather than living a comfortable, healthy life, but I do understand.

It's why I tried to phrase it delicately. I know selling prized possessions to fund temporary shortfalls is a tough decision to make and don't want to sit in judgment. But the solution to his problem is literally right in front of him.

I totally understand what you're saying.    And I agree.  But I've been in a similar position and resisted selling a lot of things that could have helped a lot, so I just thought I'd play devil's advocate.  That said, I do 100% agree with you.

I've been there a few times myself while I was going through school... That said, I never crowd-sourced suggestions on how to live frugally while sitting on a pile of plastic that is worth more than what I would need to live comfortably for said period of difficulty. Even selling part of the collection would double or triple his monthly budget for essentials.

[HoffmanMyster]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

While I completely agree with you in principle, I can definitely understand not wanting to sell things, particularly when they're essentially irreplaceable.  Basically, he has two options.  Either live very frugal and on a super tight budget for a few months, or sell items that cannot be replaced and when he's back on the upswing he will likely miss.  I know it probably seems like rampant consumerism or being addicted to items rather than living a comfortable, healthy life, but I do understand.

It's why I tried to phrase it delicately. I know selling prized possessions to fund temporary shortfalls is a tough decision to make and don't want to sit in judgment. But the solution to his problem is literally right in front of him.

I totally understand what you're saying.    And I agree.  But I've been in a similar position and resisted selling a lot of things that could have helped a lot, so I just thought I'd play devil's advocate.  That said, I do 100% agree with you.

I've been there a few times myself while I was going through school... That said, I never crowd-sourced suggestions on how to live frugally while sitting on a pile of plastic that is worth more than what I would need to live comfortably for said period of difficulty. Even selling part of the collection would double or triple his monthly budget for essentials.

This is true, I've never asked for advice when in that position.      But oh well, it started a nice conversation about home cooking and cheap meals so that's good.  I myself am kind of inspired to cut my cost of eating after reading this thread.

[Dyslexic]

This is true, I've never asked for advice when in that position.      But oh well, it started a nice conversation about home cooking and cheap meals so that's good.  I myself am kind of inspired to cut my cost of eating after reading this thread.

I am craving some Kraft Dinner after all this talk of living on the cheap. Anyone from Canada will know what's up. It's like Ramen for North of The Wall, as it were. haha

[Lanx]

if you're not willing to sell novelty items like click clacks, then you're not in trouble.

[Pacifist]

Don't you get around $150 a week from food stamps? So around $35 a week, which can pretty much double your budget.

Buy in bulk, but space it out.

If you eat ramen with bok choi and eggs, that'll get you all the nutrients you need

[tp4tissue]

Don't you get around $150 a week from food stamps? So around $35 a week, which can pretty much double your budget.

Buy in bulk, but space it out.

If you eat ramen with bok choi and eggs, that'll get you all the nutrients you need

Shoprite Bread.... SHOPRITE BREAD........ 22 calories per cents... no cooking.. BEAT THAT

[sleepy916]

Don't you get around $150 a week from food stamps? So around $35 a week, which can pretty much double your budget.

Buy in bulk, but space it out.

If you eat ramen with bok choi and eggs, that'll get you all the nutrients you need

Shoprite Bread.... SHOPRITE BREAD........ 22 calories per cents... no cooking.. BEAT THAT

I've never heard of Shoprite Bread, I thought it was a brand of bread. Seems to be a store mainly in the East Coast.

[tp4tissue]

Don't you get around $150 a week from food stamps? So around $35 a week, which can pretty much double your budget.

Buy in bulk, but space it out.

If you eat ramen with bok choi and eggs, that'll get you all the nutrients you need

Shoprite Bread.... SHOPRITE BREAD........ 22 calories per cents... no cooking.. BEAT THAT

I've never heard of Shoprite Bread, I thought it was a brand of bread. Seems to be a store mainly in the East Coast.

shoprite is just the big grocer round here..

you guys probably have similar native brands @ the same price..

just do quick division,  if you're gettin anywhere form 18 to 22 calories per cents.. That's what you want to buy...


it's actually possible to get even better ratio with Potatoes on sale.. so you'd cook them once and freeze them..

HOWEVER... eating boiled, then frozen potatos for 2 weeks made me really sick.. so, i wouldn't recommend it.

[jdcarpe]

Don't you get around $150 a week from food stamps? So around $35 a week, which can pretty much double your budget.

Buy in bulk, but space it out.

If you eat ramen with bok choi and eggs, that'll get you all the nutrients you need

Shoprite Bread.... SHOPRITE BREAD........ 22 calories per cents... no cooking.. BEAT THAT

I've never heard of Shoprite Bread, I thought it was a brand of bread. Seems to be a store mainly in the East Coast.

shoprite is just the big grocer round here..

you guys probably have similar native brands @ the same price..

just do quick division,  if you're gettin anywhere form 18 to 22 calories per cents.. That's what you want to buy...


it's actually possible to get even better ratio with Potatoes on sale.. so you'd cook them once and freeze them..

HOWEVER... eating boiled, then frozen potatos for 2 weeks made me really sick.. so, i wouldn't recommend it.

But fats are more calorically dense. 9 kcal/g versus 4 kcal/g for carbohydrates and proteins. That has to fit into your formula somewhere.

[tp4tissue]

Don't you get around $150 a week from food stamps? So around $35 a week, which can pretty much double your budget.

Buy in bulk, but space it out.

If you eat ramen with bok choi and eggs, that'll get you all the nutrients you need

Shoprite Bread.... SHOPRITE BREAD........ 22 calories per cents... no cooking.. BEAT THAT

I've never heard of Shoprite Bread, I thought it was a brand of bread. Seems to be a store mainly in the East Coast.

shoprite is just the big grocer round here..

you guys probably have similar native brands @ the same price..

just do quick division,  if you're gettin anywhere form 18 to 22 calories per cents.. That's what you want to buy...


it's actually possible to get even better ratio with Potatoes on sale.. so you'd cook them once and freeze them..

HOWEVER... eating boiled, then frozen potatos for 2 weeks made me really sick.. so, i wouldn't recommend it.

But fats are more calorically dense. 9 kcal/g versus 4 kcal/g for carbohydrates and proteins. That has to fit into your formula somewhere.

I don't think any fats come at 22calories/ dollar

I'm not saying don't eat fat.. just saying if you had $40 and the rough life... How to optimize.

[noisyturtle]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

That's not what I asked for. Not planning on selling any clacks ever, don't know why I even am bothering to type this. Just graduated and have been looking for a job with zero success, and my support and savings are gone. I'll survive, but I won't be able to replace my clacks.

All theses tips are great though. Trying to think creativity about food instead of just going with the same 3 foods for the next few months

[Dyslexic]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

That's not what I asked for. Not planning on selling any clacks ever, don't know why I even am bothering to type this. Just graduated and have been looking for a job with zero success, and my support and savings are gone. I'll survive, but I won't be able to replace my clacks.

All theses tips are great though. Trying to think creativity about food instead of just going with the same 3 foods for the next few months

Dem priorities.

[noisyturtle]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

That's not what I asked for. Not planning on selling any clacks ever, don't know why I even am bothering to type this. Just graduated and have been looking for a job with zero success, and my support and savings are gone. I'll survive, but I won't be able to replace my clacks.

All theses tips are great though. Trying to think creativity about food instead of just going with the same 3 foods for the next few months

Dem priorities.

It's not about priorities, it's about pragmatism. I can survive through rough times, but may never see another OG Tri at cost. It be something to just regret a few months from now, ya know?

[Dyslexic]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

That's not what I asked for. Not planning on selling any clacks ever, don't know why I even am bothering to type this. Just graduated and have been looking for a job with zero success, and my support and savings are gone. I'll survive, but I won't be able to replace my clacks.

All theses tips are great though. Trying to think creativity about food instead of just going with the same 3 foods for the next few months

Dem priorities.

It's not about priorities, it's about pragmatism. I can survive through rough times, but may never see another OG Tri at cost. It be something to just regret a few months from now, ya know?

Oh man, I definitely get it. I would never sell that spumoni, not a chance in hell. I guess all I'm gettin at is that you have a large collection and you could make your life a bit easier, but I understand not wanting to part ways with those lovely caps. Just don't starve yourself for your clack collection bro.

[jdcarpe]

While it may not be my place to comment, if your finances are that tight your priorities seem pretty out of whack. It seems asinine that you're consulting us for advice on how to survive on a weekly budget of $40 while sitting on easily $1000 of novelty keycaps on your function row if the pic you posted 5 days ago is any indication. An auction with the goal of funding your period of financial turmoil may allow you to live a bit more comfortably while you look for work. I understand that some of those caps are irreplaceable (particularly the spumoni) but you shouldn't be funding your hobby at the expense of your well-being.

That's not what I asked for. Not planning on selling any clacks ever, don't know why I even am bothering to type this. Just graduated and have been looking for a job with zero success, and my support and savings are gone. I'll survive, but I won't be able to replace my clacks.

All theses tips are great though. Trying to think creativity about food instead of just going with the same 3 foods for the next few months

Dem priorities.

It's not about priorities, it's about pragmatism. I can survive through rough times, but may never see another OG Tri at cost. It be something to just regret a few months from now, ya know?

I've learned that caps come and caps go. Keyboards as well. You'll never see an OG Tricolor at cost again, but then you wouldn't be selling it at cost, either. If you are in dire straits, you sell what you can, and try and replace it later when you are flush.

[IvanIvanovich]

Certainly selling some things makes sense when you are in dire straights... but I don't think you should jump to that as option 1. It's more of a last resort thing, at least concerning rare hard to acquire items. There is always a lot of other things you may be able to do if you are not 'above it' anything from selling your blood plasma to raiding the dumpsters for sealed food that expired in the last week at Trader Joes at 2am.

[HoffmanMyster]

selling your blood plasma

This is actually a really good option.  You could easily double your weekly food budget doing this.  And some places will offer incentives to first time sellers that can net you about $200 in a couple weeks.  Not bad for sitting in a chair (with a needle blah blah...).

EDIT:  On the subject of food, I saw someone else mention rotisserie chickens.  I once bought one of those $6 rotisserie chickens that's already cooked for you at the store (yes, you're paying for that, but the point is...) and it lasted me easily for the entire week.  Seriously, it was an insane amount of food for $6.

[IPT]

sell sperm

[noisyturtle]

lol this threads getting weird and off-topic

I'm gonna lock it up, but I really appreciate the food tips. Thanks.