My story: part 1

I moved back to L.A. 10 days ago, from a few months away in the UK and the Bay area. My budget is very very tight, since I do not have a paid job and my savings (such as they are) are dwindling rapidly. I am living a hand-to-mouth existence, prevailing on the kindness of friends for a roof over my head each night, and searching for Environmental Science related employment.

$10 a day is to cover food, transport and other daily necessities. My cell phone plan, which is awesome and one of the best deals around (from t-mobile) costs me an extra $1.50 a day on top of this, but $11.50 a day just doesn't have the same ring to it. Forgive me.

I have a tiny notebook I carry with me everywhere, in which I write down everything I have spent, or that I plan/need to spend (e.g. on public transit or entry fees to networking events).

In this book I also write down what food I have in the refrigerator/cupboard, and try to use up what I have instead of succumbing to whimsical temptations. This makes for a lot of creative meal combinations!

Key ways to stick within a very tight budget:

(1) Prepare your own food. I am comfortable in the kitchen and love to experiment with recipes, and often don't actually use a recipe, but for some people this can be very daunting! I'll be posting some recipes and pointing out some fantastic resources.

(2) Shop around for the best prices. For example, most produce is way cheaper at farmers markets than in grocery stores, is better quality and lasts longer. Buy grains/rice/granola/flour/nuts/dried fruit/baking ingredients from the bulk bins at "health food" stores: you can buy just the amount you need if you are trying an ingredient for the first time or don't have anywhere to store it. Look out for the special offers at pharmacies and larger stores: name brands are often just as good, and if a label says "2 for $5", you are often able to buy just one at $2.50.

(3) write everything down. You may be able to fool yourself, but the numbers on the page will not. Or, you can withdraw a few days' worth of cash from the ATM and keep it in your wallet with a sticky note or scrap of used paper reminding you that this is to last you until Thursday, for example. But it is really helpful to be aware of exactly where your money trickles away to.

(4) use up old stuff before buying new stuff! I am terrible at hoarding things. I have a ton of half-empty sunscreen/moisturizer bottles, pens and pencils, tins of chickpeas/tomatoes

(5) earn your treats. For example, if I sell a pair of earrings I've made or a shirt I just don't wear any more, that money goes towards fun stuff. eBay, Craigslist and Etsy are great for this sort of thing. Check out my Etsy store (it's called jewelsbyfrankie) for some of the things I do. If there is enough money left in my budget for the day, I treat myself to a nice coffee from Peets.

(6) keep at it. Each day is a new day. $2 over budget one day is fine, write it down and adjust your plans accordingly: tomorrow is now an $8 day!