Now, that I've found a cheap place to live, it is time to start concentrating my efforts on minimizing other expenses in my life. The goal is to barely survive and to put the rest of my money into the Ferrari Fund.
See, there are two ways to get a lot of money.
One) is to increase your income: work a second job, do well at your first job so your boss gives you a raise, invest your money and get some returns, sell stuff on ebay... etc...
The Other) is to decrease your spending: Cut back on going to the movies, cut your own hair, don't eat out so much, stop buying new clothes, don't use as much electricity... etc...
I feel like I am already doing well with conserving my money because I don't go shopping anymore or go to bars too often. But, I have itemized my monthly expenses and am shocked how much money is being spent by gas and food!
Regarding Gas) I have convinced an intern at the company, Paul, to pick me up on the way to work, and in exchange, I will pay for half of the gas costs associated with driving to/from work.
Okay, just cut a major monthly expense in half!
Also, this way, I do not have to worry about maintenance costs for my car (which is due to break any moment).
I am such a good mentor, right? What? At least I don't make him get me coffee. I would never do that. Partly because I am too nice, but mostly because coffee is an expense I choose to forgo in order to put that potentially wasted money into Ferrari Fund.
Regarding Food) I thought I was doing well by eating fast food a lot. In the US, fast food is the absolute cheapest food you can buy. For some reason in China, fast food is really expensive. I'm not sure why. But for the price of one Big Mac Meal in Shanghai, you can have a big bottle of beer, rice, and maybe 2 dishes of food.
Anyway, I aim to cut my food expenses much further. The only possible way to go cheaper than fast food is to cook myself. In deciding what to cook, I have come up with a spreadsheet matrix:
So now it's quite obvious that especially when you calculate the fuel costs associated with fast food, or the tip associated with delivery, that those are no longer an option. I will be surviving on a diet of Oatmeal, Ramen, and occasionally canned tuna for protein. Of course vitamins will be essential for my health.
I would very much like to start eating rice an beans, but my warehouse doesn't have the cooking capabilities. I will try bringing these materials to work to cook in the company kitchen. Then I can just bring them home, however I have to eat them immediately, because the warehouse lacks refrigeration capabilities as well.
Also, another source of nutrition is company lunches. Occasionally a vendor comes in and want to do a presentation at lunch time, so they provide lunch. Or maybe I have an all day training class, so lunch is provided. If there is extra, I take one home too. haha.
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