Living on $12,000/year
By sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
Cupertino, California
February 2, 2007 6:04pm CST
I found an article about thhis woman who at 47 decided to go back to school. Her only definate income income is $12,000 and she voluntarily is living on this for a year to go to school full time and better herself. (http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/LearnToBudget/SurvivingAndThrivingOn12000AYear.aspx)
She can easily live off of $12,000 in the US. After paying her major bills, she a bit less than $400 per month to buy food, gas, pay bills, etc. with. Would you be able to do this? I am not sure I could!
7 responses
@dirtpoorboy (156)
• United States
3 Feb 07
i could do that easily. i make maybe 15,000 a year tattooing. i am a non popular tattoo artist and i think i could do that. it would suck yes but i could do it. i have almost all my bills paid off now and im goin to throw a party when they are paid for. i threw my credit cards in the fire the other night and smiled! i hate being in debt
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
3 Feb 07
Congrats on getting out of debt! We will be out of debt soon as well (2 months from now) and I cannot wait! I really admire you living on 15K a year. I may be able to do it by myself with no debt, but not with anyone else living with me.
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I make less than that after taxes, but fortunately my boyfriend makes a lot more. I think that if I was single, I could probably live off 12000 a year. I would probably room with maybe 3 other college students. I would move close to the school, get rid of my car and use public transportation. I would clip coupons and borrow my reading books from the library instead of buying from the bookstore. At 12000 a year, at least in FLorida you can get financial aid (I do). I think that I could do it.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
13 Feb 07
It is pretty easy to get financial aid to go to college though. As long as you make under 35K (may be more now) you qualify. I just did the form for my husband and myself for 2007-2008 school year and we both qualify with not too much out of pocket.
1 person likes this
@Geminigirl (1909)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I could do this. I'm very frugal and watch my pennies and I could make this work.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
3 Feb 07
There is no way I could. I didnt even think it was possible any more. If I added up my utilities alone the 400$ would be gone. This is very interesting. I would like to go back to school but didnt think I could afford it. I guess we should all be re-evaluating our budgeting skills.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
3 Feb 07
I bet with your utilites you added in non-necessities like cable. In the article she mentions how she doesn't have extras and the little things she does to egt by. Personally, if living off of $12,000 a year ment that I would be shopping at the food bank, I would go live with my family and give them money every month to help pay my way.
@bcrowe2006 (3)
• United States
3 Feb 07
I dont know that I could live on that much a year and go to school as well. Its alot easier if you have someone to share the expenses with. I admire her for trying to accomplish this as well.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
3 Feb 07
I admire her for going back to school at 47 as well. It cannot be easier being surrounded by college age kids all day. I would feel intimidated and I am only 28!
