Many of you follow what is called “The Bible”. In this Bible there are many references to a man called “Jesus”. This Jesus guy once said “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” I’m going to go ahead and agree with him.

Although I don’t agree with being submissive, I do like the idea of being patient and showing humility. When you can separate yourself from competition, you may find yourself living easier and more free.

As you might know, money is the most nagging form of competition. Money allows you to up your imaginary status with Lamborghini’s and shoes made out of Italian alligators. Money also has the power to claim that if you control more of it, you are superior (to what I am not sure). Balderdash, all of it.

I discovered a few years ago that in being poor you can live like a sultan. Here’s how to do it:

Housing

If you are single, this is much easier. There is always a free place to live. Ask around. With so many people buying and “flipping” houses for profit, there are tons of buildings just sitting around and waiting for a warm body to fix them up and raise the value. If you are handy with tools and don’t mind getting a little sweaty, you might be able to lend a hand in exchange for a free room or maybe some reduced rent.

For couples or families, don’t rent. Buy a nice sized house and rent out some rooms. This will take a huge chunk out of your mortgage payment or perhaps pay the whole thing.

Either way, it’s always good to surround yourself with roommates. If you have enough friends, you’ll never have to pay over $100 rent. And it’s nice to have them around.

Transportation

Get a bicycle. Simple.

Cars are way too expensive and I don’t believe that I have to tell you why. People do argue that sometimes it is not optimal to be riding a bicycle, it’s too far, the weather sucks, I’m tired … these people are lazy. If you have a complaint, utilize some sort of public transportation (bus, airplane, swamp boat, rickshaw, etc..). Bikes are more fun and they keep you healthy, what more could you want?

Food

Acquire a taste for rice. It’s cheap as heck and you can do a million things with it. If you live in a metropolitan area, there is most likely an Asian food market nearby. At the Asian market you can load up on rice and noodles for far less than you think.

Dumpsters are also an excellent food source. Don’t get grossed out yet, I’m not talking about half-eaten sandwiches and cheese from the pizza box.

Check the dumpsters behind bakeries and bagel shops. They usually throw out the unsold bread at the end of the day, usually in plastic and clean. Grocery stores are another good source of dumpster food. They sometimes have overstocked vegetables and meats.

Also at grocery stores, look around inside the store for food past the expiration date. They have to give it to you for free and it is most likely still good. If you look hard enough, you can find most anything in dumpsters. Even beer.

Entertainment

Go outside. Take a walk, climb a tree. It’s a lot more rewarding than an episode of CSI.

Books are good too, and you can get them on loan for free from your local library. If you must have visual stimulation, most libraries have movies and internet for free. They even have records and CD’s. Libraries are the best.

Travel. For the cost of cable TV for the year, you can buy a plane ticket to France.

More random bits

Cut your own hair. There is absolutely no reason to pay for a haircut.

Don’t be a douche bag, shop at thrift stores. Fifteen dollars is way too much money for a T-shirt.

Learn to sew. You can make your clothes last a lot longer if you do.

Visit your grandmother. She’ll make you dinner.

Keep you eye out for good garbage. You can get furniture, food, tools, anything really. People are throwing away good stuff all the time.

Stay positive. That should do it.