How To Make Living on $500 A Month Surprisingly Easy | Wildchildretire

Wallet bone dry, finances driving you insane, want to know how to make a living on $500 per month achievable?

Well, you’re in luck!

Here we’ll show you 14 proven ways to help you save money, spend less, and help you achieve that $500 a month goal, starting today!

These tips below have helped my wife, and I save THOUSANDS of dollars over our lifetime.

So if you’re interested in finding out the best budgeting app for your situation, what cell phone plan costs less than $20 a month, or even how to get free gift cards, check out the helpful read below.

Let’s jump right in.

14 Useful Tips To Make Living On $500 A Month Easily Achievable

1. Budget

If you want to make a living off $500 per month achievable, you must budget.

I know, I know.

No one likes to budget.

But if you want to get your finances under control and start saving money, you have to be willing to track your spending.

There are many great financial management apps out there that can make the process easier.

Personal Capital, for example. It’s a FREE app that allows you to track your spending, create tailored budgets for your unique situation, and talk to professionals if you need help.

If you’re looking for an effortless way to positively change the rest of your life, I highly recommend Personal Capital.

(I forgot to add, one of the greatest benefits of having a well-executed budget is that it helps you achieve financial independence A LOT faster.)

2. Use A Cheaper Cell Phone Plan

In 2021 the average monthly cell phone bill was around $127.

And that’s per person!

But you don’t have to fork over your entire budget to stay connected.

Many great cell phone providers offer less than $20 a month.

Mint Mobile, for example, is one of the most popular providers and offers nationwide cell phone service for just $15 a month.

If you’re looking to save even more, consider a prepaid cell phone plan like Tracfone for as little as $7 a month.

Prepaid plans allow you to pay for your cell phone service in advance.

This means that you’re not tied into a long-term contract and can cancel at any time.

3. Piggy Back Internet

The average cost of the internet alone in 2021 was $65.

Not bad, but if you’re looking to spend less than $500 or less a month, you need to spend less than $65 on your internet bill.

One way to do this is by piggybacking off your neighbor’s internet connection.

If they have an unsecured wireless router, you can connect to their network and use the internet for free.

Of course, this isn’t the most ethical solution, but it is a way to some extra funds.

If you don’t want to take advantage of your neighbor’s kindness, you can always go to the library.

Most libraries offer free internet access, and some even have computers you can use.

4. Take Cold Showers

If you want to lower that $70 monthly water bill by $10, you should consider taking cold showers during the week.

It will save you some cash, but there are some other benefits of taking cold showers as well.

They can help wake you up in the morning, increase circulation, reduce muscle soreness post-workout, and boost weight loss.

And if that’s not enough to convince you, cold showers can also give you glowing skin and hair.

So if you’re looking to save some cash and improve your health, start showering in cold water.

5. Get On Government Assistance

There’s nothing wrong with getting some help when you need it.

Many government assistance programs can help you get by if you’re struggling to make ends meet.

One of the most popular programs is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

This program provides food assistance to low-income households.

Another popular program is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

This program assists low-income households with their energy bills.

There are many other government assistance programs available, so be sure to research what’s available in your area.

6. Get Free Stuff From Churches

If you qualify, churches can be a great resource to help you reach that frugal monthly spending goal.

Many churches offer food assistance programs that can help you stretch your budget.

Some even offer free meals.

So if you’re struggling to make ends meet, don’t be afraid to reach out to your local church.

7. Live With A Friend Or Family Member

In 2021 the average monthly rent in the U.S. was $784.

If you’re looking to save, one of the best ways to do it is by living with a friend or family member.

This will allow you to split the cost of rent and other living expenses.

Not to mention, it can be a great way to build relationships and make some lasting memories.

So if you have the opportunity to live with someone you know, take it.

8. Use Public Transportation

Using public transportation can be a great way to save more of your hard-earned funds if you have the option.

In 2019, the average monthly public transportation pass cost was $58.

This is much cheaper than the average monthly cost of car ownership, which was $819 in 2021.

So if you’re looking for a way to save money on transportation whenever you’re going to grocery stores or other places, consider using public transportation.

9. Carpool

If you have to drive, try carpooling with friends or family members.

This will allow you to split the cost of gas and potentially save a lot on parking fees.

And if you can’t find anyone to carpool with, consider using a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.

Ride-sharing can be a great way to save money on transportation, especially if you use it sparingly.

10. Ride A Bike

Another great way to save money on transportation is by riding a bike.

If you live in a city, chances are you can get around just fine without a car.

And if you live in a rural area, riding a bike can still be a great way to get some exercise and save money on gas.

So if you’re looking for a cheap and environmentally-friendly way to get around and maybe go to a shop or two, consider riding a bike.

(Oh, if you don’t have a bike, try one of your local thrift stores to see if you could get a deal.)

11. Buy In Bulk

Buy yourself some beans, rice, and tuna from Costco, and call it a day.

We’re talking about getting a month’s worth of food for less than $50.

It’s hard to beat that.

So if you’re looking for a way to save money on food, buying in bulk is a great idea.

12. Don’t Eat Out

Eating out is expensive!

The average person in the U.S. in 2021 spent $300 on dining out.

That’s a lot of money.

If you’re looking to save money, one of the best ways to do it is by cooking at home.

You’ll save money, and you’ll be able to control the quality of your food.

So if you’re looking to save money on food, eating out is one of the first things you should cut out of your budget.

13. Use A Cash Back Digital App

Using a cashback digital app is one of THE BEST WAYS to save money.

“What? Is that even a thing!?”

Yes…

“But how does one do such awesomeness!? “

Insert Ibotta.

Ibotta is a popular cashback app that gives you money back for shopping at your favorite stores.

Since its inception in 2012, Ibotta has paid out over $1 Billion in cash rewards to loyal customers.

And it’s super simple to sign up!

All you have to do is download the app and start shopping.

It’s that easy.

So if you’re looking for an easy way to save extra money, YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT IBOTTA!

14. Get Free Gift Cards

And since we’re on the free money tip…

WE HAVE TO MENTION SWAGBUCKS!

Swagbucks is a free online platform that allows you to take surveys, watch videos, and do other simple tasks in exchange for Swagbucks.

With the Swagbucks you earn, you can purchase gift cards at your favorite stores like Amazon or Target.

Swagbucks is one of the best ways to get free gift cards, it’s a great way to save some funds, and you can sign up in less than 1 minute!

(Oh, I forgot to mention, you can save a butt-ton of money during the holidays. Just a few surveys can secure all of your nieces and nephews with a $20 gift card at their favorite store. 😁)

FAQ

Is 500 A Month Good Money?

It depends on your situation. For example, if you live in a city with a high cost of living, then it might not be enough to cover your basic expenses. However, if you live in a less expensive area, $500 or a month could cover your costs.

How Much Should I Be Getting Paid Monthly?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as everyone’s situation is different. However, a good rule of thumb is that you should earn enough to cover your basic expenses, with some funds left over for savings and other discretionary spending.

How Do I Get Paid At Least $1,000 A Month?

However, an excellent place to start is looking for a job locally that pays at least $1,000 a month. You can also look into supplementing your income by taking on freelance work or earning money through side hustles.

Can I Get Out Of Debt With Just $600 A Month?

It is possible to pay off all of your debt with just $600 per month, but it will depend on factors such as the amount of debt you have and the interest rate on your debt. For example, if you have a large amount of credit card debt with a high-interest rate, it may take longer to pay off your debt. However, suppose you have a smaller amount of debt with a lower interest rate. In that case, you could pay it off relatively quickly.

How Much Money Does It Take To Live A Nice Life?

There is no answer to this question, as everyone’s definition of a “nice life” will differ. However, suppose you are looking for a general guideline. In that case, you could aim to have enough income to cover your basic expenses and then some, with plenty of money left over for savings, investing, and other discretionary spending.

Summary

If you’re feeling motivated to make a change in your life and start living on $500 or less a month, we applaud you!

Just remember, it takes time and effort to shift your spending habits, but it is definitely doable. We hope that our tips have given you some ideas of ways that you can easily cut costs without making too many sacrifices.

Good luck – and happy budgeting!

(Oh, if you need to know about any frugal living tips with big impact, click here, we got you covered. 😊)

What tip will you be using today?

Will you use Personal Capital to get your finances squared away?

Or will you get some free gift cards with Swagbucks so you can buy your nephew that water gun he wants? 😊