Day Two Live Below The Line Diary: Eating On A $1.50 A Day

Living with limited funds is indeed challenging. Many individuals grapple with tough decisions about their meals and employment on a daily basis. I tried to understand their predicament a bit better when I participated in the “Live Below The Line” challenge, attempting to subsist on just $1.50 a day.

Soon I learned that my regular coffee shop work spaces were unaffordable, even a small coffee overshot my allocated budget. Consequently, I shifted to the library, despite its delayed opening time, and strongly felt the effects of constrained finances on day-to-day activities.

It was a deeply revealing snapshot of managing basic needs with scarce resources.

Let’s continue hearing about meal planning and workspaces while being economical.

Challenges Faced During the $1. 50 a Day Challenge

Trying to live on $1.50 a day brought up some hard problems. I couldn’t hang out in cafes without buying something, which made it tough to find places to get my work done outside the house.

Also, it was hard to use bathrooms in stores or restaurants because they expected me to buy something first. This situation really hit my ability to stay productive and added stress about where I could go during the day.

Limited access to work-friendly spaces

I usually work at a coffee shop. I buy $2 coffee and use their Wi-Fi all day. But with only $1.50 to spend, that wasn’t possible. So, I went to the library instead. The library doesn’t open until 10 am.

This meant I lost an hour of work time each day.

The change in location really affected my daily routine. At the coffee shop, I could start work early and stay as long as needed. But at the library, my hours were limited by their schedule.

Plus, there were no snacks or drinks allowed near the computers which made long hours tougher without breaks for quick bites like ramen or peanut butter snacks that keep me going.

Impact on productivity

My productivity took a big hit during this challenge. The library, usually a quiet place for work, was noisy because of toddler story time and other visitors. This chaos made it hard to concentrate.

Plus, I couldn’t start working until 10 am since that’s when the library opened. I lost an hour of productive work time waiting for the doors to open.

I decided to use that waiting time for a four-mile run, thinking it would be a good use of my morning. But running on an empty stomach just made me hungrier and even less focused on work later due to extra hunger pangs.

Finding focus was tougher than usual – between the delayed start at the library and battling hunger after my run, every task felt uphill.

Finding restrooms without making a purchase

I learned something tough today. Public spaces like cafes and stores often want you to buy something before using their restrooms. This hit me hard. It made me think about those living in extreme poverty.

What do they do? Where do they go if they can’t afford a coffee or a snack? This challenge wasn’t just about food insecurity for me anymore. It opened my eyes to the wider issues people face every day.

Getting through the day was harder because of this restroom issue. I had to plan my routes, thinking about where I could find a bathroom without needing to spend money. It showed me how simple things we take for granted are big hurdles for others.

The Author’s Day Two Food Intake

On day two, I had to be creative with my meals. I started with a cup of coffee, not the fanciest but it did the trick. For breakfast, I blended together spinach leaves, one ripe fruit similar to banana, a spoonful of peanut paste, some cow’s juice, and frozen water cubes into a smoothie.

It was surprisingly filling and gave me enough energy for the morning.

Lunch was simple yet satisfying; just peanut paste spread over slices of cheese. This odd combo came from what I could afford and find in my kitchen within budget. Each meal made me think hard about food choices and costs.

Coffee

I usually spend $2 on coffee at a local shop each day. But with the Live Below The Line challenge, I had to skip it. My budget was just $1.50 for the whole day’s food. Instead of going to the coffee shop, I went to the library for Wi-Fi.

This change was tough for me in the morning.

Missing my coffee showed how this challenge affects small parts of my daily life. It made mornings hard without that warm cup that wakes me up and gets me ready for the day. I learned to adjust, but it wasn’t easy giving up something so simple yet significant to my routine.

Smoothie made of spinach, banana, peanut butter, milk, and ice cubes

I made a smoothie with spinach, banana, peanut butter, milk, and ice cubes. It sounded simple but tasted great. This drink gave me energy for my day. I used fresh spinach from the market and a ripe banana.

The peanut butter added protein. Milk made it creamy.

This smoothie helped me keep my food costs low. It fit well into my $1.50 a day challenge. Making this at home saved money compared to buying drinks at cafes or supermarkets. Plus, it was healthy because it didn’t have processed foods in it.

Peanut butter and cheese

For my lunch on the second day, I had peanut butter and cheese. This might sound like a strange mix to some, but it was all I could afford with my tight budget. Peanut butter is cheap and full of protein.

Cheese adds taste and some fat which keeps me fuller longer. Both fit into the grocery shopping list for this challenge.

Making the meal was simple. First, I spread peanut butter on two slices of white bread from a loaf that cost less than a dollar at the local grocery store. Then, I added a slice of cheese.

This sandwich did not need any fancy ingredients or cooking tools. It was quick, easy, and filled me up until dinner time. Eating like this makes me think about how people manage food in different parts of the world where choices are limited by money.

Call to Action for Donations to Support the Cause

Please click through to help and give what you can. Your support means the world.

Provided link for contributions

I shared a link for folks to help out. This challenge opened my eyes. Seeing how tough it is to live on $1.50 a day pushed me to act. That’s why I posted the link everywhere I could think of: my blog, social media, even emails.

Clicking through might seem small, but every bit helps those in need.

I told everyone about it – friends, family, readers of my money blog. It felt good knowing that with just one click, someone could make a real difference. This wasn’t just about donating cash; it was about joining together as global citizens to fight against global poverty.

Conclusion

Living on $1.50 a day taught me lots. I had to be creative with my food, like making a smoothie and eating peanut butter with cheese. It was tough not having enough money for my usual coffee shop work spot.

Instead, I used the library but lost work time because of its late opening and noise. Finding places to use the restroom without buying something was also hard. This challenge showed me how hard life is with very little money.

Please think about giving to help others facing this every day.

FAQs

1. What does a typical menu look like when living on $1.50 a day?

Living on $1.50 a day often involves relying heavily on staples grains such as white rice and pasta, along with inexpensive ingredients like white flour and garlic. An example meal could be banana pancakes made from mashed bananas mixed with white flour.

2. How did the experience of eating on a $1.50 a day affect your daily routine?

Eating on such a limited budget required careful planning and preparation for each meal, which took time away from other activities like doing my homework or participating in the Global Poverty Project.

3. Can you explain what is meant by the term ‘food desert’ in relation to this challenge?

A food desert refers to an area where access to affordable, healthy food options is limited or nonexistent due to lack of grocery stores within convenient traveling distance – making it even more challenging for individuals trying to eat healthily while adhering strictly to their tight budget.

4. Did this experience offer any insights into global poverty issues?

Indeed! This exercise gave me firsthand insight into how difficult it can be for people living in poverty who must make do with very little resources every single day – highlighting just how essential initiatives like the Global Poverty Project are.