Extreme frugality for surviving Los Angeles. Reusing Ziplock's and floss? (find a job, buying)

[eureka1]

If you can't afford to live in LA, you should leave. There are other places.

[mysticaltyger]

If you're into extreme frugality, the place you really save money is housing. That probably means having a roommate, or multiple roommates to keep the cost down. Reusing ziplock bags isn't going to do much.

The next area for big savings is setting up your life up so you can live without a car, either because you can bike or because you take public transportation everywhere.

Also, if you're into extreme frugality, then you never, or almost never, eat out.

[slowlane3]

THOUSANDS OF FRUGALITY TIPS ARE HERE, IN THIS OTHER FORUM

http://www.city-data.com//forum/frugal-living

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

You can only cut so much. Some have already cut all they can. When I was growing up we had broadcast TV and my parents never paid for cable. As long as they lived in California they never paid for cable. They moved to Arizona in 2003 after living in California since 1959 and Ventura County from 1964 until they moved. (Same house for 38 years.)

My parents also only had one car when I was a kid. My mom has never driven a car. We grew food in a garden and raised chickens. If we wanted it we made it. My dad taught us that two things you need in life are tools and an education. We always had books in the house, two walls in my dad's office were books he had collected over the years. Always had a shop full of tools in the garage. My dad still has all his tools in a beautiful shop in there home in Arizona.

Since you can only cut so much the thing is to find things to make more money. A second job or side hustle. I read about a guy that wanted to open a jewelry store. To pay the bills he became an Uber driver. Then he realized he had a captive audience. He put a book together that showed the jewelry that he was selling. He made money two ways at the same time.

[Cloudwalker]

USC School of Dentistry offers reduced rate urgent and routine dental care. Urgent care is $59-350, depending on the service. Routine (but very thorough) evaluation with xrays is $95. They tell you the cost before they do anything else beyond that You will be treated by a senior student but with very close supervision by faculty. They can refer you on to other clinics within the school if necessary (endodontics, maxillo-facial etc). It’s a longer appointment than a regular dentist, because they’re training, but the care is excellent. I have a friend who had a couple of fillings and a crown replacement done there, on the main SC campus.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

You can only cut so much. Some have already cut all they can. When I was growing up we had broadcast TV and my parents never paid for cable. As long as they lived in California they never paid for cable. They moved to Arizona in 2003 after living in California since 1959 and Ventura County from 1964 until they moved. (Same house for 38 years.)

My parents also only had one car when I was a kid. My mom has never driven a car. We grew food in a garden and raised chickens. If we wanted it we made it. My dad taught us that two things you need in life are tools and an education. We always had books in the house, two walls in my dad's office were books he had collected over the years. Always had a shop full of tools in the garage. My dad still has all his tools in a beautiful shop in there home in Arizona.

Since you can only cut so much the thing is to find things to make more money. A second job or side hustle. I read about a guy that wanted to open a jewelry store. To pay the bills he became an Uber driver. Then he realized he had a captive audience. He put a book together that showed the jewelry that he was selling. He made money two ways at the same time.

Sounds like you have some great parents . I think I read of the same Uber driver , that was a really interesting story .

[lostsoul359]

Coffee filters can be substituted for TP

[jm1982]

Utilize LAPL for books, magazines , videos . They have a ton of ebooks , e audiobooks and online magazines you can download to your computer , phone and other devices for free .
They also have access to free online classes like Lynda .

Find out about free programs through DWP etc . Example they have an energy saving program they’ll come and do some fixes around your house , to make it more energy efficient.
If you make under $45k they’ll replace your old fridge free etc

Thrift stores - Goodwill is actually not too cheap usually but look for the ones that are more independent, run by churches or missions etc .

As someone else mentioned housing and transportation are the biggest expenses for most people . Also think it is smart to look for ways to increase income . Being frugal can be smart .. but there is only so much you can cut while increasing income is potentially unlimited .

Find out about trends early and jumping on them before they get saturated can be lucrative.
What is something you are good at that you could create into a side business?

[OyCrumbler]

Reusing ziplock bags has never been an example of extreme frugality. There are certain situations where it makes sense especially when there is virtually no oily bits involved.

[(901)]

I'm volunteering at the long beach grand prix. In return I get free admission to the race, free parking, breakfast, lunch & drinks. You can do this at just about every venue