Saving

More In Saving

How Do You Get Your Child Support Money?

Your June Financial To-Dos

I Want to Leave the Nest

10 Things You Need to Do When You Get Divorced

Your March Financial To-Dos

Latest On LearnVest

Career-Boosting Summer Networking Tips

4 Crafty Ways to Scope Out a Potential Employer

Need to Split the Check? There Are 5 Apps for That

3 Ways to Make More Money Using Your Existing Skills

The 2014 Health Care Cost Forecast

7 Things I’ve Given Up for My Dream Job

Dana Sitar for Brazen Life
Posted on May 11, 2012

Check out a great post from our friends at Brazen Life: 

Seven months ago, I quit my job, left Wisconsin, and moved to California with no work and no house waiting for me. Now, I am making my living as a writer, and I continue to hear from friends in Wisconsin: I wish I could do what you did.

For some reason, they don’t think they can. They’re afraid to take the leap because of what they’ll have to give up, not even aware of how insignificant it is. What they’re really wishing is that they could work as an artist and still keep their 9-to-5 standard of living. They probably can’t. At least not at first.

Most artists I know don’t live extravagantly, but there are a lot of little things that they could give up in order to save a ton of money—and, more importantly, to live on a smaller paycheck.

Here are some of the major things I live without in order to survive on my writer’s income:

1. Eating Out

This is the hardest thing for me to give up. I love trying new foods and enjoy a good dining experience. Instead, I live mainly on rice, beans, pasta and potatoes. But if you learn a few basics about cooking, you can make any of these interesting. Play around with presentation and plating, even if you’re eating at your desk, and you’ll be even more satisfied with your creations.

2. Drinking in Bars

I’m from Wisconsin, so this is not an easy sacrifice. Since I write about comedy, I spend a lot of time in clubs and bars, but I can’t afford to drink in California like I used to in Wisconsin. I usually just grab one drink from the night’s specials, and keep a bottle of wine at home instead of going out on my nights off.

3. Entertainment

Ticket prices for live entertainment can be prohibitively expensive. In most cities, though, you can find decent open mics and showcases that are either free or relatively cheap. Plus, follow venues on Facebook or Twitter, sign up for their mailing list and get to know people in the scene, and you can find free tickets to shows pretty easily.

4. Privacy

Living with roommates, especially when you work from home, can be a drag. But if you take the time to set up your personal space so that you can work comfortably, you can enjoy a nice space for far cheaper than if you lived alone. And you can always escape to a cafe when you need to.

5. A Car

Most of the time in the San Francisco Bay Area, I can get around fine without a car. But it would be nice to not have to haul my groceries on the city bus. However, I’ve come to love public transit for the time it gives me to read, listen to podcasts or even just people-watch.

6. Fashion and Vanity

I begrudgingly admit that I do love getting new clothes, and I am sick of cutting my own hair most of the time. But, those things cost a ton of money. Instead, I put in the time to find great stuff at thrift stores, and I welcome hand-me-downs from my sisters and friends.

7. TV and Video Games

These are not major sacrifices for me, but I know that they would be for a lot of people. Instead of a nice television, a gaming system, a DVD player and a monthly cable bill, I enjoy a few TV shows when they’re available on Hulu or Netflix. Plus, those things that people watch live on TV–sports games, news programs, awards shows—can usually be watched for free online in some form.

It’s also worth noting that I do splurge on some things! You don’t have to pinch every penny. For those of you who want to work for yourself and do what you love, just figure out what things you can live without and make smart decisions about where you’ll spend a little extra. For me, travel and my iPhone are non-negotiables. Both benefit my work greatly but aren’t necessary. Cutting these from my budget could save me a lot of money, but splurging on them keeps me comfortable enough to not give up and go running back to a day job.

Can you name a few things you could give up to do what you love and live on less?

What's New

  • Jenn

    This is a great list of things most of us could live without if we chose
    to. Aside from giving these things up in a scenario like yours, these things can be given up
    for a short period of time to save for an emergency fund. Thanks for sharing.

  • terrilynnmerritts

    The problem is not what to give up but how to afford the essentials. If you live in one state and decide to become an artist, a writer, or whatever, it costs money to move yourself and your things not to mention a spouse, kids, and pets to another state. That includes moving all of the things you own,. Movers don’t work for free.

    And where will it all go once you get there? You will have to have money to stay somewhere while you look for a place to live and for eating while looking. You must pay to apply to live in different places. When you narrow it down to one, there is rent and deposit to pay. Then you must pay to get utilities hooked up. You need a job reference and personal references to even get approved to rent. If you are unemployed, where does this come from. Most places want for you to earn at a current job three times what the rent will be. 

    You then need rent, utility, food, and transportation money as well as insurance, etc in order to live as you get established as a writer and most people take years to get established. It is not about giving up frivolous things but of being able to pay for the essentials. 

    I am surprised that Learnvest would not warn readers that they need to be prepared with a LOT of money and preparation before heading off. I am all for following dreams. Visit http://www.wishcraft.com to read Barbara Sher’s very practical step-by-step planning book for free on how to decide what your dreams are and plan to get it. 

  • Laurencowman

    It is very important to plan ahead when you make a big move. BUT you can sell your belongings and just take your car full of personal items with you. I always suggest moving someone where you have a friend who will let you live with them for a month or two while you look for a job. THEN you can get the apartment, etc. A lot of places don’t need the references if you are moving in with a bunch of people or subletting. I created a budget (without a car) and you can save so much money living in a public-transit city. Easily cuts $500 out of your budget. Tv/cable can cut at least $45 out of budget. not eating out can cut easily $300 out of budget. That is already lessening your bills by roughly $800 a month. Enjoy your life, not your things.