I may have touched on this before, I certainly have described tips for mental health and even folk magick, but here I go with some pointers that have kept me well and out of debt while being in a low income living situation. These might not be possible for every reader of this article, some might have challenges or obligations that make things that much harder for them than for me, but here's my advice coming out of my own set of problems, which were, in their own way, a special level of hell:
- Hunt for subsidy. If you are not already on a waiting list for a subsidized apartment, get on one immediately, because these lists are only getting longer while the economy gets shittier. If/when your name comes up, try to get a building that takes on mixed tenancy, meaning both subsidized and market rent tenants share the same building. I find that buildings I have lived in with subsidized only units tend not to be maintained as well, so it's just my recommendation. If you are in Toronto and are eligible, look into getting a subsidized Presto card for transit, and subsidized internet with services like Rogers Connected for Success. If you want a landline phone, try something like a Magic Jack (Voice over Internet Protocol = VoIP). My Magic Jack landline has a renewal fee once a year of about the cost of one month of a cheap phone plan (maybe $35)... other than that, there are no fees. You would just have to purchase the device that works with your landline when you sign up for it.
- Get into thrifting! You can have a lot of fun with this, many do, but the trick is to do it all the time. Only buy what you really want or what you really need, know when to draw the line for both your wallet and to avoid hoarding. Know when to trade in old goods so that you don't take on too much stuff. Hunt for sales racks in other stores, learn to admire what you encounter in the store when you see it without necessarily buying it, unless it's within your budget and you simply "have" to own it. Try to curb overconsumption by looking into buying mostly practical or consumable goods, buy mainly for need, not want. Sell used items through social media (I don't tend to do this, but I do sell used clothing in consignment stores sometimes).
- Keep your dwelling clean... I am getting better with this! A clean unit keeps the pests away, but it's also necessary for overall hygiene and good mental health. Purchase cleaning supplies at dollar stores, along with things like spices and condiments. Cook as much as you can, don't rely too heavily on takeout... again, I am trying to hone my cooking skills only now. Be on top of all problems in your unit as soon as they happen to avoid a mountain of trouble later. Unfortunately for me, my unit has been like a game of Whack-a-mole as of late for problems, but this shit still needs to get tackled if I want any stability in the home at all.
- Take on cheap / free hobbies. I often do karaoke at bars, there is no cover, you might just get a drink or two, even if it's a mineral water. I do go clubbing a couple of times a month, which often means paying cover, but I budget what I can afford and make sure to set limits as to how much I will spend in an evening. Taking long strolls throughout the city or in nature is good exercise and allows you to take in the sights around you, helping you to appreciate things more than say, just sitting around and watching television. Speaking of which, try not to have too many bills you need to pay by the end of the month. My treat, as an audiophile, is subscribing to Spotify, I don't get Netflix or any other streaming service or cable because I am not a big cinema person. I use Tubi (it's free, it just has ads) or watch an old DVD when I want to see a film, but I am not much of a screen gazer.
- If you are the spiritual sort, during your spare time, try to knuckle down and obsess about your spirituality, focus on personal refinement as a goal. Collect little things, make shrines, devote as much time as is available to whatever discipline you wish to take on. Spirituality can be very inexpensive, you don't need to buy a bunch of fancy altar supplies. Do this well, make sense to the world around you, and Heaven might respond to your needs.
- To the Canadians: if you haven't already, start a TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account). If you can, try making sure that you have an automatic lump sum that goes into it by the end of the month, or incrementally week by week, to build a nest egg. Start small, see if that works out, then tighten the belt a notch every so often until you feel things through and get the sense of what you can manage. Me, I started with $50 a month, I now find that I am fine putting away $200 monthly. I also began investing with GICs (Guaranteed Investment Certificates). Make it a goal to always pay off your credit card bill by payday every month, and put away any extra money from your checking and savings into the TFSA and GICs whenever it lands in your lap. If you are on ODSP, you should consider starting an RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan) and investing in that once your TFSA gets close to $40,000, because beyond that, it's considered an asset, while an RDSP is not, because it's meant for retirement. This allows you to build more money without being scolded.
- If you are artistic, try to admire the bohemian approach to life, focusing on aesthetics and creativity to make your dwelling a more endearing place to rest your head. Get into the local independent art scene, zine making groups, poetry slams. Again, I recommend thrifting for aesthetics, so keep your eyes peeled. Develop a sense of style with your appearance - style is not only fun, it presents an interesting aesthetic to the world around you. When I dress up every day, I am not only empowering myself as an artist, I am adding to the aesthetic of the city, and am often greeted with smiles and compliments from others who like the fun I put into my wardrobe. Thrifting and sales racks are your friends... again, try to buy only what you really want.
- Learn to DIY (Do-It-Yourself) more, especially for fixing things, and certain levels of personal grooming / pampering. I have mentioned I cover my hair to reduce the number of trips to the salon, I pluck my own eyebrows, and unless offered as a gift, I don't do manicures or pedicures, I simply moisturize and exfoliate at home, keep my nails trim, and sometimes paint them. Though I like the look of acrylic nails, I find them too fussy to deal with, and the minute I go to do chores like changing the bedding, they tend to pop off, so unless I want them for a special occasion, I usually just get out the polish and paint my trimmed nails from time to time. Not to say you should never spoil yourself, but in my case, I am trying to watch expenses, so corners must be cut somehow... just my choice.
- A philosophy I took on for living in my demographic is to admire what being a Canadian provides compared to other parts of the world, as much as we Canucks still love to complain about things (hey, times are tough). Be not like the grasshopper, who is irresponsible and doesn't commit to what is needed to face the winter season. If you are disabled, it may not be possible to be like the diligent, hard working ant either. I recommend being like the bee, who obsesses about every task they must perform, and ultimately makes sense to the community.
It is possible to live well in Toronto in a low income situation as long as certain needs are met, number one is having access to subsidized housing. It does mean being extremely frugal and constantly checking your banking to be on top of how well your money is doing, you might want to consider food banks for a few extra items (I'm doing this myself), and you might not be able to take as many trips as you would want. My spirituality and my friendships are the true wealth in my life, I'm not even in love with money anymore, I just know to be wise with it, appreciating what it provides.
I must confess that deep down, the Taurus in me would still prefer living the lifestyle of someone with much more than this, but those are some of my tips for how to make the best of things, at least as a working ODSP recipient.
-Saraƒin
