Living (Almost) Large on $1,500 a Month: Part 3 in a 3-part series

Kraig Bohot

 

 

Penny pinching getting on your nerves? This third in a series continues creative ways to stretch a $1500 monthly budget. So far, we’ve discussed bending the budget, shelter, saving on shopping and cooking, and more. If you missed part 1 and/or 2, you can find it at www.50plusmagazine.net.

 

Diving back in. . .

 

Rev Up Recycling

Nothing gets you into the spirit of conservation like saving and redeeming beverage cans and bottles. At 10 cents per container in Oregon, it can really add up over time. And if you’re ever running low on cash it doesn’t hurt to have access to funds, whatever the amount. Oregon, the first state in the nation to enact a law for a recycling-driven return on beverage containers, uses the statewide BottleDrop. Once registered, you can drop off bags of containers 24/7. No waiting in line!

 

Give of Yourself

Make constructive (and enjoyable) use of your time in ways that don’t involve that much money or are free. I like to hike, which is cheap except for transportation (or if you need new hiking boots). Also, I recently started walking dogs as a volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society (OHS). Activities on the cheap can be really fulfilling. I look forward to leading the rescues I meet every week at OHS. They’re all different, and it’s a great way to help prepare them to transition to forever homes.

 

Check It Out

If you still can’t afford a streaming service for music and videos after all your free trials run out, your local library likely has something to help fill the void. Mine has a modicum of music compact discs but stays pretty current on videos, both series and movies, so it’s worth exploring. And library membership is usually free. Plus, most have a no late fee policy.

Oh yeah, and there are lots of books!

 

Brew the Budget

Fueling all my cost saving is an espresso maker I picked up on sale at a big box store for just under $50, but it’s also worth checking gifting groups like the Buy Nothing Project online. Now,

rather than spending $5-plus each day to get my caffeine fix and enjoy the slightly burnt aroma

of brewing espresso at a retailer, I can enjoy a homemade latte every morning. The rise to self-sufficiency starts with my morning coffee!

 

Get a Gig

If you’re not happy with the level of spending your income level provides, I suggest getting a job (in my case must be part-time), a gig, or perhaps that small business you always imagined creating. In my case, that’s personal organizing. Any of these options might allow you to recast your budget to include things like a nice television or a spontaneous getaway just when you need one.

 

In short, it takes effort to see results no matter which strategies you choose. But try to have fun and enjoy the process. Don’t let your budget limit the meaning and joy you get out of life. That’s a lesson that’s more than (almost) large.

Kraig Allen Bohot is a freelance writer born in Salem and will no doubt live out his retirement years there.