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However, at least here, the idea is that if you are cash-strapped (and thus you have to rent a tiny place), you need to save money in all possible ways. This m

However, at least here, the idea is that if you are cash-strapped (and thus you have to rent a tiny place), you need to save money in all possible ways. This means that you need to cook your own food. I cook, and I tell you that i couldn't make it if i had only one hot plate. I would need at least a 3-burner kitchen with a stove. And a microwave. And you shouldn't put things on top of the microwave. Plus a reasonably sized fridge, because you save money by buying in bulk. In the same way i definitely must have my own washing machine and -if drying space isn't available- a drying machine, > so many services are normally available covering anything > lacking for space. otherwise spending on a cleaning service gets very expensive here, basically in two or three months the service costs you as much as a washing machine. Of course, not cooking your food can make a big impact on your finances here. And mind you, this (Peru) is a country with cheap meals. But cooking your own is still cheaper. As for clothes, i can't see how 3-4 outfits is enough. I work in business suit and I need at least 3 business suits, then add the regular/casual outfits and the sport outfits and you are counting about 9-12 outfits. Business suits shouldn't be folded.

Jemmeh 9y ago
There's a lot of foods you can eat without having to cook them, or that you can cook with just a single electric burner. You can buy a mini dorm fridge + small microwave if you really need one, but simply buying whatever is on sale like meat that is about to expire or very ripe fruit is a good way to still save money without needing a lot of space. Washer and dryer uses a lot of electricity and water, so while it is more expensive to go to the laundrymat it's not as much as you might think, especially vs the savings of living in a very small space. Wearing your clothes more than once helps a lot, and even in a small space you can usually find somewhere to hang suits. Usually the back of a door is good. There's a lot of people out there that make it work. :)
ctdonath 9y ago
I cook 3x daily for four, typically on just 1 cast iron skillet. My microwave is still in a box after buying it 6 months ago. Washing clothes in a sink is no big deal. Neither is hanging them to dry. Need more clothes? Fine. Learn to hang them compactly. We're talking about living in 80 sq ft. Lifestyle WILL have to change, or move to where cost vs size vs lifestyle works.

Jemmeh 9y ago

There's a lot of foods you can eat without having to cook them, or that you can cook with just a single electric burner. You can buy a mini dorm fridge + small microwave if you really need one, but simply buying whatever is on sale like meat that is about to expire or very ripe fruit is a good way to still save money without needing a lot of space. Washer and dryer uses a lot of electricity and water, so while it is more expensive to go to the laundrymat it's not as much as you might think, especially vs the savings of living in a very small space. Wearing your clothes more than once helps a lot, and even in a small space you can usually find somewhere to hang suits. Usually the back of a door is good. There's a lot of people out there that make it work. :)

ctdonath 9y ago

I cook 3x daily for four, typically on just 1 cast iron skillet. My microwave is still in a box after buying it 6 months ago. Washing clothes in a sink is no big deal. Neither is hanging them to dry. Need more clothes? Fine. Learn to hang them compactly. We're talking about living in 80 sq ft. Lifestyle WILL have to change, or move to where cost vs size vs lifestyle works.