Think you could live off $5 a day?

[dbsaus1]

If I had to, I could live off $5.00 a day. It would be very tough and take many sacrifices.

[sliebshner]

I think it would be extremely difficult if not impossible--especially to get any kind of healthy food.  In our area, I see many who are severely underemployed--they work, but I don't know how they ever meet basic expenses.

[Screwedupclick4life337]

Oh no that would be hard in today's society

[sdenimandlace1]

I have not tried to leave on 5 dollars a day.  I will have to look into this.

[melissaotto1982]

It would be neat to try but I dont know if I could do it.

[sak4kat]

I think $5.00 a day is possible under extreme conditions.  There are people that survive with nothing...not that I would choose this way of life but I imagine it is possible.  That's $35 per week.  In the right climate with a tent one could make it as a work camper.  Spend maybe $15 or so a month on hyigene stuff....put $5-10 way into savings and there is still a good $40 to use on groceries.  Shop at stores like Aldi.  Donate ones time to charity and I'm sure many potlucks will emerge to keep a belly full.  Just gotta hope you never get sick cause the medication and hospital bills will bury you.

[EDW39A]

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?

Of course I could and did when I was younger, it is easy when you have a support system. Five times seven or thirty-five dollars, is not very much in this day and time even with a support system. But several years ago I lived on much less than five dollars per day again because I had a support system of my own doing.

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

On five dollars I could you eat more than one meal a day if it was homemade. If it was from a fast food place or take out food, then it might cost more than five dollars. I don't drink sodas but I could get a can from the Shoprite for $0.21. My focus would be on vegetables, beans, oatmeal, yogurt and fruit.

[ghunter]

I don't think so, but I guess if I had to I could. With Food stamps I am sure I could, but I am bless to have a job so I need more than that just to get to work (gas for my car) and food I just eat at home and take my lunch.  We do what we have to do in this life.

[ethomas10]

  In this day and age, I believe it to be an impossibility without some other type of support system.  Especially if you had a family.    Perish the thought!!!

[moonangel]

5 dollars a day
day one
1 can of soup 1.25
1 box of crackers with a can of chix salad in the box 1.25
mcdonalds hamburger 1 dollar
fries 1dollar
4.50 dollars

day two
6 pack instant oatmeal 3 dollars
mcdonalds hamburger and fries 2 dollars
5 dollars

day 3
half gallon milk 2.50
one box of crackers and chix salad1.25
1 can of soup1.25
eat one pack of my oatmeal with some milk
5 dollars

day 4
loaf of bread2.50
eat one pack of oatmeal with milk
1 can of tomatoes soup1.25
1 carton of eggs1.50
5.25

day 5
two cans of veggies 2.00
2 packages of hot dogs 2.00
4 packages of ramen noodles1.00

day 6
box of saltines 2.50
2 cans of chicken and star soup 2.00

day 7
1 box of cereal 3.00
2 lbs of bananas 1.25

 week 1 leftovers
1 cup of milk
8 eggs
8 slices of bread
14 hotdogs
1 can of soup

of course though this is just the prices in my area i know in other towns that a can of veggies are selling for 1.50 to 2.00 and im sure other costs are higher than mine

[EDW39A]

5 dollars a day
day one
1 can of soup 1.25
1 box of crackers with a can of chix salad in the box 1.25
mcdonalds hamburger 1 dollar
fries 1dollar
4.50 dollars

day two
6 pack instant oatmeal 3 dollars
mcdonalds hamburger and fries 2 dollars
5 dollars

day 3
half gallon milk 2.50
one box of crackers and chix salad1.25
1 can of soup1.25
eat one pack of my oatmeal with some milk
5 dollars

day 4
loaf of bread2.50
eat one pack of oatmeal with milk
1 can of tomatoes soup1.25
1 carton of eggs1.50
5.25

day 5
two cans of veggies 2.00
2 packages of hot dogs 2.00
4 packages of ramen noodles1.00

day 6
box of saltines 2.50
2 cans of chicken and star soup 2.00

day 7
1 box of cereal 3.00
2 lbs of bananas 1.25

 week 1 leftovers
1 cup of milk
8 eggs
8 slices of bread
14 hotdogs
1 can of soup

of course though this is just the prices in my area i know in other towns that a can of veggies are selling for 1.50 to 2.00 and im sure other costs are higher than mine

I would not eat some much fast food, especially hamburgers. But on Tuesdays and Wednesday, we can get hamburgers for $0.59 each. If I wanted hamburgers, larger than quarter pounders can be made for less than $0.45 lb.  Chicken legs can be purchased for $0.49 per pound. And no instant oatmeal. Homemade soups, add vegetables and fruit would be a better diet. Since I live in the NYC area these prices may be high.

[wccohn]

There's no way. In order to live a healthy and happy lifestyle I would need more money than that. Also I workout a lot so I need to eat a lot of food to help my body recover from all the calories I lose.

[drandall]

It is my belief that any one could do it if they had to.

[candyterrius]

If I have to live on a tight budget, yes I can live on a $5/day which I have done before when I first moved out on my own. However, I have never lived on food stamps.

[FontFanatic]

You would be surprised how far you can stretch it when you have to.  A loaf of bread and a package of cheese can make grilled cheese sandwiches that can last most all week.  I know that is not the most desirable thing, but it is sufficient to live.  Ramen goes a long way also.  A case of Ramen noodles is only $3.00 and you can add it to almost anything to stretch it.  We put a little hamburger meet, a can of corn, some water chestnuts and a scrambled egg and have a casserole that the whole family loves.  Also the frozen salsbury steak chopped up on ramen is really good.