Think you could live off $5 a day?

[camellia0]

I've read a couple of articles where officials have took the $5 a day challenge. This is the allotted amount for people who receive food stamps (a family of 4). Wow, that's nothing. Yeah, there are people who don't want to work and want "to live off the system" but there are people who losttheir job and honestly need to receive help until they get back on their feet. Has anyone tried this?

[ro901]

I recently had to go onto the food stamp program. I am a widow and lost my job due to having to take care of my husband when he was dying with cancer. I have not been able to go back to work since his death. My life has been on an incredible downhill spiral since his death and I now live on just his social security income. I still have the same bills to pay as before his death and he was not heavily insured and most of that went to pay for his funeral expenses. I am over 60 y/o and have worked over 40 years. Without the food stamps, I was forced to go to a food bank for food and only then did I finally become eligible for food stamps. Most of the food at the food bank is out of date or is sugary treats or canned food that others have thrown out, no bread, mostly cereals, no milk. I know that there are some people who perhaps abuse the program, but I think for the most part they are truly needy and unable to keep up with feeding a family with the increasing price of food and gas and everything else. Many people I know of who lost their long-time job including their homes and retirement when Hostess went under. I know of one personally who was 6 months away from retirement and lost his home and his savings and retirement benefits. I get really disgusted when I hear people put down the food stamp program. Most of the time it is someone who has never had to go without for a day in their life.     

[bonzie]

I don`t we can live $5 a day here, maybe in  Philippines in the mountain province.

[bjohnson16]

I have read articles about living off that much a day but I have not tried it.  I think you would not be eating the things that you should be eating and I would figure that you would have to be growing a lot of your own food. 

[SherylsShado]

This is the allotted amount for people who receive food stamps (a family of 4).

Food Stamp allotment must greatly vary from state-to-state then because I know people in my area, when the kids no longer qualify for WIC and they are low income they are getting $200 per month, per head.  (So a family of four gets $800 a month, I've heard them brag and yes...one family did show me their confimation paper when I doubted them for that amount).
 
 If the low income/or living-off-the-system (and yes, MANY do brag here about living off the system and how they make their cash on the side) don't have to live on $5 a day, why would anyone else want to??

[nickylanena]

You'd also have to take in mind the cost of food for each particular area; milk could be $3.29 in one place & $3.99 in another. I think I'd be able to, though.

[rusgiftsaolcom]

That's basically one meal a day without a drink, (unless it's free water). I know I can't do it!

[lovekat]

The only way that I see myself living off $5 per day is staying in the house and if I have to go out it would be very relevant and preparing my stomach for not being hungry.  But it is a way to accomplish anything if we put our minds to it and stay focus.

[debidoo]

I have been on food stamps before and it is extremely hard and no I didn't just use the food stamps I had to supplement them with what money we could come up with to supplement them because no one can exist on that amount.

[carmen4]

haha I have had to do that for a couple months when I stupidly decided to move out of my parent's house too early. I was living with a family friend so rent wasnt too bad but gas prices skyrocketed and milk costs went up. I was taking classes 30 and 45 minutes away. I was only working at one job and its only open twice a week. some days i would only have $2 to spend :/ no food stamps or support. just had to wait it out. needless to say i moved back in with my parents for a little while to get back on my feet. when i got paid though it was relieved a bit. i dont think $5 every day would be enough though. However Im sure there are efficient ways of living, even without any money at all..still not sure how they do it!!

[timvolley]

i am not sure if i could live on 5 dollars a day. I try and have a cheap lunch by bringing lunch for work each day. I buy lean pockets when on sale for 2.00 and pop when on sale adn bring them in.

[InfuseMe1]

that would be very difficult without a garden!  possible, but not something I want to do right now...   

[davidh121]

I once in awhile skip a meal here and there, but this is primarily as I'm very busy and work through a meal. As to living off $5 I definitely cannot especially the area where I live, which is expensive. I saw a segment talking about trying to live on a similar amount and saw the difficulty.

[crazib]

I BET IF I HAD TO I COULD LIVE OFF $5 A DAY

[msmoneybags48]

I don't think I can survive on $5 a day. I may be able to buy some Ramen noodles and ground beef, but nothing else.  I could last on more than $5 a day.
I see the food banks here and are thankful for them.  I am just careful to watch the expiration date.