pedaling on the cheap

[juno]

how do you stretch your dollars when it's time to go the distance?
let's say theoretically you have no musical talent, so busking is out the window.
how long could you pedal on 3-4 grand?
if you make sure you run into a lot of grocery outlets, work exchange gigs, and bicycle kitchens, i imagine you could cruise for quite the while.
thoughts?

 

[KittyCosmos]

With 3-4 grand squirreled away, I would assume one could travel for quite some time, especially if you're the frugal type. Generally, I live off less than that each year, and I've been travelling half on/half off for the last few years (so I could spend more time with my son). Do everything on a budget like you don't have much to work with and, I imagine, being able to stretch that for at least a year.

 

[juno]

With 3-4 grand squirreled away, I would assume one could travel for quite some time, especially if your the frugal type. Generally, I love off less than that each year, and I've been travelling half on/half off for the last few years (so I could spend more time with my son). Do everything on a budget like you don't have much to work with and, I imagine, being able to stretch that for at least a year.

DANG! now i'm wondering what i was even fretting about.
wowie... that's encouraging.

 

[KittyCosmos]

I'm a fairly frugal person, working on a budget is like a game for me. Whether at home base or on the road, I feel that I live pretty comfortably. Nothing to extravagant, but I stay fed, hydrated, entertained, and enjoy my time here on this rock. You can do it! I'm just patiently waiting for the right rocker rambling through my way to catch my next lift, and I'll only be leaving with a hundo or so.

 

[train in vain]

DANG! now i'm wondering what i was even fretting about.
wowie... that's encouraging.

Cosign what he said. 3-4k at your disposal is a hell of a lot by my standard. I could travel for a year and be having a blast the whole time haha.

 

[juno]

I'm a fairly frugal person, working on a budget is like a game for me. Whether at home base or on the road, I feel that I live pretty comfortably. Nothing to extravagant, but I stay fed, hydrated, entertained, and enjoy my time here on this rock. You can do it! I'm just patiently waiting for the right rocker rambling through my way to catch my next lift, and I'll only be leaving with a hundo or so.

frugality olympics over here. thank you for the inspiration and words of encouragement

 

[KittyCosmos]

Wish you safe and adventurous travels!!

 

[roguetrader]

just don't spend any money unless you absolutely goddam have to ! for me this usually translates to drink and drugs - everything else can generally be got for free one way or another....

 

[Crazy Hobo Johnny]

And to save what you have, don't forget the free meals at soup kitchens along the way. That way, you don't have to spend much at mom & pop grocery stores. And avoid hotel/motel fees, just camp free on public land and don't forget the website: warmshowers.org there's plenty of help. I am in the planning stages to ride my bike across the USA in the near future. Good luck!

 

[ResistMuchObeyLittle]

Alastair Humphreys pedaled for 4 years on $7,000. You definitely can make that money stretch a looooong way! I'd try to find odd jobs here and there. I'm not one for sponging off of people or stealing, I'd rather work for the money I have, OR, dumpster dive if you can- a ton of good food gets thrown away.

 

[Matt Derrick]

much like @bandit my average income was around 3-4k a year just hitchhiking, so other than some equipment, you'll be able to make that stretch pretty far, especially if you get on food stamps, go to free kitchens, etc.

 

[THE REAL SCAVENGER]

Aye fool do you know about the dumpsters??????

 

[Gabriel Pullman]

One and 1/2 year no work.
If ya work and do this. Who knows.
If you dumpsters dive, work. And get on food stamps. You shouldn't touch 3 grand at all.

And don't carry cash unless you look super bummy.and smell