Survival Tip for a Month without Money and No Food

Hello Mates,

I just want to get some suggestions regarding my situation.
So the thing is i want to survive for a month without money and no food (only 2ltr milk and 3 small biscuit packs). Please give me genuine tips to spend a month without money.

PS: I understand some people might make joke of my situation by commenting rubbish.

Update: Thankyou people, i appreciate that some people gave really polite and good advice. Thank you again. In conclusion i have decided to buy rice & potatoes and probably some carrots to somehow survive a month. To be honest i do not have much friends here (asked for some money from 2 friends, got rejected already), so thought asking advice here regarding what to eat and buy, thanks people i love you.

Update 2 (7/4/19): Buyed 1 kg rice + frozen vegetable mix (peas/carrot/sweetcorn), let's see how many days it last. Again there were many helping hands today as well which touched my heart, but i rejected taking help.

Update 3 (9/4/19): Everything is going ok, following each person's advice per day. Till now followed some great advice and can able to afford 1 good meal per day. Not taking help (money/gc) from anyone yet because i am still able to satisfy my hunger. If my will power breaks then only i will take help. The motto for this post was not to steal other peoples money by creating false/fake situation, i just created this post because i felt i can divert my mind from negative thoughts to something meaningful. Hope people will understand me.

Update xx: Probably.

Thanks.

Comments

  • Look for cash in hand work.

  • -1

    hears one for you , when i was a child id often take things like peaches hanging over the fence,,, all you have to do is walk around you area and find some fruit hanging over the fence and your good! plumbs, apples, peaches, ect…

  • -2

    donate blood, ull get a cookie, and they ALSO pay you, in the form of TRANSPORT costs, so you can get like $40 or so! your set mate!!!!!!!!!

    • I've never got paid for blood - only milkshakes, juice, snacks…

      Where in AU do they pay?

      • +2

        They don't.

        • -1

          they do everywhere, its allowed because they cover it as "travel expense" but its still cash.

          i cant find the exact link it was a while ago..

          but basicly if you donate blood you have to right to be paid as getting home might be risky since you lose a pint of blood, thats the premise.

          also
          this

          "In some cases, you may be paid a small amount (such as $10.00) for your time."

          https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtrea…

          OP, go nuts mate!

  • wondering why cant you borrow some money from friends to get by the month until payment comes in

    You mentioned you are an international student, is your parents supporting you still?

    Why cant you ask for some support from the family?

    If your family is struggling, another thing you can consider is to get a night job as a restaurant waiter or kitchen hand.. even if they pay lessor (or cash under table) they often offer a meal after your shift and there you have dinner sorted

    • -1

      nice "friends" prob dont have money either

  • A loaf of bread = $1
    A vegetable you like (e.g. tomato) = roughly $1 each
    Butter = roughly $3
    5 x 2 min noodles = $2-$3 on special most of the time

    I know I've just spent $8 of your $20, but this allows you to do breakfast = toast, Lunch = Sandwich, Dinner = Noodles

    I used to do $20 a fortnight regularly whilst at uni but $20 for a month is stretching it even for me.

    Do you have something of value that you could sell on ebay (don't sell anything too expensive) to get through next fortnight?

    • also try the markets you can get like a whole tray of banans for like $2 if your lucky!

        1. He's not a monkey.

        2. How long does a tray of bananas last (unspoiled I mean)?

        • ermm you clearly haven't seen the 20 banana day diet!

          i dono put them in the fridge or freeze them! ive seen polar bears eat them frozen on hot days, unsure about monkeys perhaps you can advise?

  • +1

    dont shop from coles and woolies.

    consider buying rice, noodles from asian grocers as its cheaper for larger quantity.

    carrot, onions and potatoes are relatively cheap. consider making curries or large one pot meals that can be frozen.

  • +1

    I'm surprised this is not a more common suggestion, but you should find some work. I think your question is wrong - it should not be how you can survive on $20 for a month, it should be how you can make more money.

    There are many jobs that pay cash in hand on the day. Try becoming waiter at a restaurant. Look on Gumtree for odd jobs you can do. There are many easy jobs like lawn mowing or cleaning that anybody can do. The pay will not be very good but for a little bit of work (less than one day) you will have over $50 cash in hand.

    If you have any goods that you don't need (old computers, phones, tablets…etc.) list them on eBay or Gumtree too.

    • +1

      My kids both have waitressing jobs at a cafe / function centre. The 17yo gets $16/hr and the 21yo gets $19/hr (both cash). Their shift is usually 8-16 hrs. It's good money - not award pay or the right penalties but it suits them both, it's more than their friends at McDonalds and they get tips as well. They got the job by asking among their friends if they knew anyone with work.

      I earn beer money by collecting Return & Earn bottles when I'm walking around my suburb trying to get fit. Without really trying I can get $5 (50 bottles). If I tried hard I could do that daily.

      I also collect scrap metal and take it to the recyclers. It's pretty easy to pull in $50 if you keep your eyes open for clean copper, brass, bronze and aluminium. (which usually means dismantling stuff)

      Better than sitting around trying to conserve energy.

    • +2

      Read the OP's posts - they do work, they were just late submittiing a timesheet and they'd spent all their savings paying for their education.

  • Download Beem it application and you get instant 5 bucks into your bank acct if you use referal code. Use your code to get ur friends to sign up and you get 5 bucks and they get 5…. i think… Ozbargain has a link somewhere with random referral codes. Coles, foodland, woollies have section in each store selling close to expiry date foods. Don't forget some of it can be frozen.

    • ING bank also used to give 25 to 75 bucks if you open bank account and I don't think you had to deposit much if anything. Google referal code / voucher code.. They change all the time.

  • https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/449451

    How has nobody suggested this yet?

    • It was mentioned earlier.

  • +4

    AAAAIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR TASKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • +1

    Free instant coffee /tea & milk at office works

  • +1

    You can head over to any of Gurudwaras in Sydney. They server free food all the time. Please check the timings. Good luck !

    https://singh.com.au/gurdwaras-in-sydney-new-south-wales-nsw…

    • I would recommend the same. Doors are open for everyone 7 days a week. It will help you get pass this difficult phase.

  • 5 packs of Noodles at Woolies $1

    https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/521258/cho…

    Assuming a 30 day month that’s 3.33 packs of noodles per day. Can even mix up flavours.

    Cut back to 3 packs a day then grab 2 loaves of $1 bread (should be at least 30 slices) and you get a piece of bread each day to soak up the broth.

    For the lazy man use the above method.

    Otherwise get some cheap carbs (rice, pasta, potato) cheapest frozen

    veg or cheapest fresh veg you can find, some stock cubes or whatever for flavour and your all set.

    Not exactly living the life but you will survive.

    Double your budget and you could even get some protein into the mix.

  • 10 loaves of $1 bread will provide a good amount of calories. Perhaps spend another $2 on a block of butter. It's certainly not lavish, but fresh white bread with butter is not bad.

  • +1

    Give Ozbargain community your cashrewards login details and everyone can buy stuff ofc it and u get cashbacks to use;)

  • Also, for food you can get to a sikh temple where food is served to anyone for free every day.

    It's a great voluntary service.

  • -1

    Lol u guys fall for this crap. He has device and internet to put this on ozbargain. Also he has bank account means he is legal. Get bike sign up ubereat till find job. What a bullshit ,some noob is making waste other time.

    • -3

      (asked for some money from 2 friends,

      So he doesnt want to spend his money, but ok spending others..

      Reading it over made me realised is this is some delusional conceited thread

    • +1

      Umm, his a Uni Student, could be posting from the library etc, they probably wouldn't approve of him selling their stuff.

      • -1

        Lol u live in Australia not poor country. he is telling particular for month, that make me think is it genuine comment? I understand if he said he got injured without work cover or insurance something like that and can not work for month but not that bullshit
        Even homeless makes easy$ to feed himself.
        If you ausee u get centre link,
        If you international student then he must know tramples have free food. And he can always go back.

        • +1

          He has a job already he has already mentioned, he is waiting for his pay.

  • +7

    As many have already commented. Many Sikh & Hindu temples offer free food every day.

    I am not sure about your location, but here are some links for Melbourne Sikh and Hindu temples to get you started.

    I have been to couple of different Sikh/Hindu temples, food is very delicious.

    • +4

      List of Sikh gurdwaras in Melbourne for completion:

      344 Hume Hwy, Craigieburn
      127 Whitehorse Rd, Blackburn
      417 Sayers Rd, Hoppers Crossing
      198-206 Perry Rd, Keysborough
      1288-1364 Melton Hwy, Plumpton
      430 Evans Rd, Lynbrook
      560 Davis Rd, Tarneit
      33 Officer Rd, Officer (new)
      21 James St, Pakenham
      24 Malcolm Pl, Campbellfield
      240 Doyles Rd, Shepparton

  • +1

    Probably the best advice. Steel lunches from the work place fridge or any left overs.

    Note. Ur not limited to just ur floor :-)

    • +2

      Actually that was only half my plan. The big reveal like in the 6th sense is that will get you a few days in jail with. Yep… that’s right FREEEe FOOODDD!!!!!!

      /I’m like the master mind from glass but smarter :-)

      Ahh not sure what’s wrong with me tonight ? Full moon. Op hang In There!

    • I think OP does not work, no workplace.

      Here is a good way to eat leftovers for free. Visit the food court and search for leftovers on the bench. Many people leave a lot on the bench after dine, sometimes even intact. I bet you can find one day food amount for an adult within 20 mins (if not less) during peak hours.

  • +7

    hey mate, if you get stuck and are in Melbourne CBD hit me up will grab you lunch.

  • +3

    I am not sure which part of Australia you are from? Wherever you are just find a nearest Sikh Temple (Gurudwara) they serve meals at absolutely no cost. All you have to do is abide by the dress code, i.e. cover your head, no shorts and be clean.

  • -2

    I don’t believe addressing people as hello mates is the correct use of mate. It seems like something from a Simpson’s episode.

    Thoughts?

    • +2

      ermm it would have been G'day mates if it was a Simpsons episode

  • +2
  • +1

    you can pretty much eat for free anywhere there are hare krishnas… if you are in Melb they have a temple and a place in the CBD that serves free food. Lentil as anything as someone else here has already pointed out as well and I mean if you ever get really desperate just try and suss out where the salvos food support people are near you.

  • +2

    but i rejected taking help.

    WTF

    • Logged in to post the exact same.

      This must be a quality shitpost. People are offering help and assistance and OP is rejecting it? SMH

    • +2

      Reading everything OP has written, I sincerely doubt that is what OP meant - he did ask 2 friends and got rejected, so it is not like he is too proud to ask for help.

      I think what he meant is, he declined taking help for now. (It is easy to use the wrong words, which convey unintended wrong meaning - perhaps give OP benefit of the doubt.)

      OP might have meant: for now, since he has found an interim solution (bought food, and he also has to work) - taking help, such as going to free food places, etc, may require more expense of energy and time, which OP cannot afford or are more hassles.

  • +1

    Phone your local salvo, vinnies, general charity, etc. They will have food for you.

    BTW, I hope this is a legit thread, if not then GTFO you POS.

  • +4

    has there been an update from the OP or has he passed out from lack of food?!?!?!

    id like to see how he went…

  • +1

    Hi OP,

    I got an info from my friend regarding free food nearby St Kilda.
    Here you are:

    Hare Krishna Temple
    197 Danks street

    This is just to give an idea if you are by chance coming by tram from the City:

    Take tram 1 in Swanston St. Disembark on Victoria Ave, Albert Park at Stop 31, just before Danks St. (approx 20 mins).
    Take tram 12 on Collins St. Disembark at Stop 136, at the corner of Mills & Danks St. (approx. 25 mins).

    When you reach to the temple, you can simply ask the people there to head to Dining room.

  • +1

    Go to McDonald's:

    • Approach self-serve kiosk.

    • Add 10 x $1 Cheesburgers (+$10.00 added to order)

    • Customise Cheesburgers to remove meat patty from these ten (deducts -$1.10 each, -$11.00 deducted in total)

    • Add 1 x $1 Frozen Fanta / Coke (+$1.00 added)

    • Order total = $0.00

    • Confirm Order. Take Away. Obtain Printed Receipt.

    • Pick-up your 10 meatless Cheesburgers and drink, enjoy :)

    • In OPs case extreme McHacks like this are justified..

  • Ozharvest - you get fresh food and pay what you can.

  • I don’t know if you haven’t t heard this yet, but theres a soup shop (The Soup Place) on Centre Pl, accessed through Flinders Lane, near Degraves Street, (in Melbourne city)that provides free soup for homeless people. Wishing you all the best.

  • +1

    follow mcdonalds hacks here.

  • You also can have 1 free $11.50 burger at 8bit via the Liven app with promo code EAT8BIT for new users

  • +2

    How are you going to study if you’re hungry?

  • +2

    Hi,

    I'm not sure where you live, but you can search for ISKCON Temple near by. There organise a free feast on every Sunday evening. You can even pack in your boxes for next few days. You get Indian vegetarian food. If you request the people (we call devotees) there, I'm sure they are happy to serve food (we call prasadam) everyday.

    May Lord Krsna bless you.

  • +1

    No idea where you live. In Brisbane around the Logan area there are lots of foodbanks. Some are free, some are pay. My friend was just telling me on monday that a friend of hers got a heap of free food from one last week as he didn't get paid that week.

    No idea where you live, but google where foodbanks are in your area. Still you need a car to get there though.

  • I've fasted for two weeks without a problem. Many go for 60 day fasts as well without a hitch. Google it… Reddit also has some great subs on this topic.

  • OP reading between the line of what you have said, It sounds like your employer might be having some money issues, just about every business thinks things are going to be OK until they are not (sometimes if they don't get paid they can't pay you). It might be a good idea to have a plan B in case you get to when you are supposed to get your money but it doesn't happen. You would likely need another way to earn some money quickly so I would think of how you would best do that so I would keep an eye out for other jobs etc now so if the situation arises, you are prepared with a plan of what you will do and you can just run with it.

  • really depends on your body weight, if you're slightly over you can easily fast for a month no problems, eat some butter/animal fat for nutrition

    if you're underweight you'd want more most calories/$, rice and potatoes aren't very high on the list, pretty sure flour is king there.

    this guy fasted for over a year:

    https://www.diabetes.co.uk/blog/2018/02/story-angus-barbieri…

  • Most VIP lounges serve free finger foods, if you stay long enough you’ll get fed. No play, no stay.

  • Coles have crumpets for.50c. Gets a small tub of butter and have that for breakfast. I'd be looking at my stuff and selling something. Anything and list it on Gumtree or Facebook Market place. Surely you can get some extra dollars. Hopefully you can budget a bit better when you get your next pay.

  • op doesnt reply much

    • +1

      Conserving energy.

  • Where are you located champ?

    I'm a freegan. Haven't bought anything to eat in about a year.
    Trading and dumpster diving. Eating more and better than I ever have…and have so much I've started preserving.

    Hit me up if you are in Melbourne.

  • There are still some soup kitchens that run here and there.

    Check your local neighbourhood community centre if you have one or look at the Salvation Army and Red Cross Soup Kitchen Dates.

    I know there is one in the city I think on weekends near or in Hyde Park.

    There was a post about it here and that could easily feed you for maybe a few days.

    As for cheapest thing to eat?

    • Rice and veggies or rice and salt or soy sauce
    • Boiled veggies
    • Frozen veggies
    • honestly milk is such a luxury but milk and cereal or milk and oats is pretty staple and probably the healthiest option oats that is not cereal that is packed with sugar
    • lots of water and practice fasting aka not eating (I do this quite a bit sometimes I mean everybody does or those with unusual schedules and randomised routines)
    • common detox food is lemon salt and water just mix a bit in a huge jug and drink that through the day it is a bit nicer tasting than water and still ok
    • biscuits are good but they are also unhealthy
    • honestly two minute noodles will probably the cheapest option for a tasty meal or if you have a freezer that is turned on then the cheapest meats and just fry or oven cook them as necessary but electricity bills will cost more than the food itself at this stage
    • $1 microwave popcorn will give you some morale if you watch tv or youtube or free trial month netflix but honestly is quite expensive
    • potato is good when on sale (aim for below $1/kg my local coles was selling a 5kg bag for $2 recently which is $0.40/kg very cost effective and can fry them, roast em, boil em or even add them to your rice cooker when making rice to kill 2 birds with 1 stone)
    • if you need a sugar fix to get you through the night or day the cheapest soft drinks are not bad once you get used to them

    that is all I can think for now but honestly my mind is racing through a bunch of stuff and ideas so I will try update if I think of anything new if I can

    also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPQ8n1N_xQA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1biotRPepsw (gonna give this a go next time I run out of stuff to eat)

    when you get money in your bank account again maybe try this last one to give you some strength back and faith in humanity lol

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPPcNPdq_j4

  • do you live by the sea? with a simple pole or even a line you could try fish something. also pay a visit to savos/rotary/Vinnie's/ozharvest/ etc and tell your situation. they usually do some cooking day in the month/week for people in need. you local church could also have the same or you can ask the priest for some help - he can organise some donation for you. you could check the bins of large supermarkets after they close. they put a lot of good stuff away, just a day or so after the best date, sealed food ( roast chicken for example), fruits, cheese, etc. Finally, if you are desperate, just wait some leftovers in some mcdonalds,KFC,hungry jacks. people leave a lot of food behind.

  • +4

    Final Update: Sorry not replied much lately here because I was trying to stay away from electronics for time being. Now my condition is improved, I was able to get some money. Buyed food finally.
    26 days challenge was hard for me, but I survived by following some amazing suggestions people gave here.
    Some of the important things I learned from this situation:
    1. There are some people still exist who are willing to help no matter who you are.
    2. A person should take help at the right time rather thinking about how others will see him.
    3. Never apply for loans with interest.
    4. The MOST important lesson I learned in these 26 days: the ($)Australian Dollar sign is always at the front!!

    I would like to thank: Miss B, mwalks, jh89, ozbjunkie, EPICSALETIME, awilliams, Pinchie, TightBum, andy957, gearhead, Trubargain, simone101, Yoman55555, austin1, yourpalcliffy, IMadeYouReadThis, Scope, ladybug1, and all the other people who took time to especially reply here for giving me helping advice.

    I wish that someday I will be the same as someone from the above list.

    Thank you.
    Respect and regards.

  • Sorry a bit too late, but if anyone ever come across this, below might be a reference

    Description Weight (g) Price Where Cook per day (g) Serve Day Serving per day Remark
    Essentials White Rice Long Grain 5kg 5000 6.7 Wollies 185 27 2 Fried rice with frozen vege, lunch and dinner
    Coles Frozen Mixed Vegetables 1kg bag 4000 6.4 Coles 142 28 2 Fried rice with frozen vege, lunch and dinner
    Coles Full Cream Milk (longlife) 1L 4000 4 Coles 250 16 1 breakfast drink alternate day
    Coles White Sandwich Bread (650g) 1300 2.6 Coles 56.5 23 1 2 slices per day
    Total = 19.7
    Money on hand = 20.4
    Balance = 0.7

    You get about 27 days of lunch+dinner and alternate day for milk+bread for breakfast without asking for help. The balance 3 days, look up shake and win apps like Hungry Jacks, McD and etc, or just plan for 3 days in between those days for fasting.

    Keeping this thread for myself just in case I need this in the future.

  • +1

    You can research bush tucker on the web. My favorite us beach sand-dune pigface. You boil the fat watery leaves, actually it's the fruit, and it tastes like string beans. It's on many coastline locations and has been a survival source of drinkable water for shipwrecked survivors.
    There's lots more bush tucker that's easy to recognize including the starch from the base of the long green needles on grass trees, again they're common.
    So why not make an adventure of the month without money?

    EDIT: Whoops post was from April. OP may have starved by now.

    • I would love to be able to do this, picking out bush tucker etc. But at the back of my mind, stories about poison mushrooms always give me pause. I am afraid there exist varieties that look the same as the edible bush tucker varieties but may be poisonous. Not sure if this is a genuine concern :-)

      • +1

        I read recently that if you go outside and randomly pick any plant to eat. The chances are it will make you sick or even kill you. So I think your concern is justified.
        They should have magic mushies holiday tours, so we can learn the art safely.

        • They should have magic mushies holiday tours, so we can learn the art safely.

          Highly agree :-) And also bush tucker tours.

  • Buddhist temples provide free lunch when you attend service.

    • this thread is 5 months old fyi hahah

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