Surviving today with a less than sufficient income in this worlds current economic status is a talent. I wish to write more about the average American working person and how to survive with a small income, no medical insurance and bad credit. I believe that I have just described about 75% of the general population, rather than the other 25% of those with good jobs, medical insurance and good credit. Saving is not an option for some and if it is allowable, the amount is very little being saved per month. Below are a few tips to help get the most out your pay, your gas tank and your food.

Tip #1: IF YOU MAKE TEN DOLLARS OR LESS PER HOUR, THEN YOU SHOULD NOT WORK LESS THAN 40 HOURS PER WEEK AND NO MORE THEN TWO OR THREE HOURS OVERTIME PER WEEK BECAUSE WHEN I HAVE DONE THIS MORE TAXES HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND I BRING HOME LESS MONEY.

TIP#2: WORK FULL TIME TO RECEIVE MEDICAL BENEFITS. IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN THAT NEED MEDICAL THEN FIND A PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR A FAMILY PLAN, AS YOUR EMPLOYER WILL CHARGE YOU WAY TO MUCH TO ADD YOUR FAMILY TO YOUR PLAN COMPARED TO MOST PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

TIP#3: TO SAVE ON GASOLINE,LEAVE EARLIER TO ALLOW FOR TIME TO DRIVE 60 MPH, NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED LIMIT, IN THE SLOW LANE, ON THE HIGHWAY; I KNOW THAT IT WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DO THIS, BUT I DID THIS AND STILL DO THIS AND IN A WEEK I GAINED A HALF OF A TANK OF GAS AND THREE EXTRA DAYS.

TIP#4: DO NOT DRIVE BUT TO WORK AND BACK; FOR ALL OTHER THINGS TAKE A BUS, WALK, ORDER IN OR ASK FOR A RIDE WITH SOMEONE GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, AS IN A FAMILY MEMBER OR A FRIEND.

TIP#5: WHEN SHOPPING FOR FOOD, BUY POTATOES, RICE AND NOODLES IN BULK (STOCK UP), THEN BUY MEAT STRIPS , BEEF AND CHICKEN IN BULK AND FREEZE, THEN BUY FROZEN VEGGIES BY THE MONTH AND WHEN EVER YOU RUN OUT OF THEM, EAT PEANUT BUTTER AND BEANS PERIODICALLY FOR EXTRA PROTEIN, INCORPERATE YOGURT AND FROZEN FRUIT TO MIX FOR FIBER AND OTHER NUTRIENTS. sTICK WITH THE BASIC FOOD GROUPS AND GROW A GARDEN IF POSSIBLE. tHERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE WHO WILL COME AND CREATE A GARDEN FOR YOU, IF YOU HAVEN'T THE MONEY TO DO IT YOURSELF.

Learn more about this author, Teresa Mettler.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Surviving the economic crunch: What can you do??
We want to hear your view. Write now!