Mission: Very Difficult.

First of all - I know this has been done before. Everything's been done before. I don't pretend to be original - whatever that means. Get over it. I'm trying to prove a point here - quite a broad one. Basically, I think we're headed for disaster if a great percentage of our modern society, in what we consider a "developed" nation, has to worry about where their next meal is coming from. The fact that I have to budget in order to feed myself, and put my grocery items onto my credit card rather than paying for them up front - seems crazy. Think about it.

I hate to think that anything is impossible...but when it comes to living in one of the most expensive cities in the world....on only $5 a day - well...I'm going to think positively here and say, this is going to be tough.

There are a few reasons I'm doing this - one of them is that every single time I come back to Vancouver - I find my money disappearing faster than I can even keep track, let alone make. Proportionately speaking, I make shit money compared with what it costs to keep myself alive (and in somewhat good health). I can't describe how it makes me feel - just observe my rants after I've spent $5 on a crap loaf of bread....yes $5!!!! In some countries (such as European ones), good food can be reasonably priced - and it's good quality!!! Here in North America, we eat terribly, and we pay out the....well....we pay a lot for it.

I want to make it clear here that I do not believe food should be cheaper. It's just not that simple. I know that many farmers don't even make a living wage. I honestly would be happy to pay more for good quality, local food, if I could honestly afford it, it was easily accessible, and I knew that the money was making it back to those who labour to produce that food. I think the amount of money that North Americans' make (I'm talking about the people that keep the societies functioning - especially in the service industry) in comparison with what it costs a lot of us to live is so out of whack...it blows my mind.

I have asked myself, repeatedly over the last few years - how do people here do it!? There are people working in all sorts of jobs that are at "minimum wage"- coffee shops, grocery stores, and retail, just to name a few - and most of them make pretty crap money. A lot of them have families to support, vehicles to maintain, health care requirements (even something as simple as prescription glasses and regular dental check-ups), mortgage payments, insurance payments - the list goes on. That doesn't even include any fun times - which I believe are absolutely necessary in life. What's the point in living if you're not even able to enjoy at least a significant part of your life? I've heard it said a million times and I repeat here: 2 weeks vacation does not a life make.  I really don't know how these people do it.

Another reason is that I'm planning a trip. I'm spending the summer in Europe - 4 months. As a travel and adventure photographer and writer, it's a necessary part of my life. The other day I decided that I would only spend $20 (approx $4 a day) until I got my next paycheque - in just over one week. I need to save money for plane tickets, food, transportation and accomodation while I'm away. When I went to the grocery store tonight to pick up a couple staples - bread, soy milk, spaghetti and half a dozen eggs - my bill came to $14.29. When I applied my discount for being a Club Card Member (a BC thing at some of the grocery stores, I know some of the U.S. supermarkets do this too), I received a discount of $1.49, making my grand total - $12.80. Now how the hell am I suppose to live off $7.20 for the next week?

So come March 1st - it begins. Excluding rent ($550) and my stupid cell phone bill (approx. $70), I will try to live on $5 a day. That's $25 a week. I'm starting out in good health - no prescriptions, no medications, and no special care needs (though really, I should be getting monthly massages to deal with 2 car accidents I've had). I have no vehicle - no car payments, no repair costs, no insurance and no fuel costs. Luckily I live within walking distance of the college where I take courses, and also my work. I also have no dependents, people or pets. If I had to take public transportation it would be approximately another $5 a day. I have some credit card bills that must be paid. My utilities are all included in my rent - and if you must know, I live in some family's house - I get my own room, but I share everything with the family - all 4 of them and their pets. If I were to try and live on my own, my rent would be approximately double - totally not an option. Also, I'm starting out with quite a few things already - staples like Olive Oil, rice, pasta, herbs, chocolate. :)

Also, remember that things like Shampoo and Conditioner, toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine products, laundry detergent, hanging out with friends at a coffee shop or a bottle of wine if I feel the urge - are essential and cost money.  I also am going to have to say goodbye to a coffee on the way to work (I'll pack one for the road in my travel mug), meals at a restaurant, or anything else I don't need.


I need more than luck - just remember to tip your local coffee shop server real well this month.