| HN Mirror

I wouldn't call it comfortable. It suits me, it wouldn't suit everyone. I live in a large, very run down house with three roommates. The rent is 1400 a month - I get away with paying 300 because my room has no door, only a curtain. I spend under 50 bucks a week on food, that's not difficult at all if you can develop a taste for beans and rice, and know what to do with chilies and lemon juice.

I ride a small motorcycle for transportation. That's 200 dollars for 6 months of insurance, and about 50 per month in gas. In the winter I take the bus, which is 70/month. My phone bill is 40. Hydro and internet are split amongst 7 people (me and three others upstairs, 3 downstairs). 15 every two months for internet, 70 every two months for hydro.

300 rent 200 food 40 phone 70 transport 7 internet 35 hydro 652 total, leaving a couple hundred for emergencies and fun. Actually, neither of those, since I'm in school right now and don't make any money. I pretty much break even each month with my part time job that makes 150 a week.

I realize that many of the opportunities I have are not available to everyone. I'm particularly lucky with my roommates and the house - as run down as it is, no one bothers you about anything, ever, and everyone contributes to keeping it tidy.

I don't find it difficult, but I can certainly see that some people might. In fact, even I might have a tough time dealing with it once school is done. I'd like to dress nicer than I do and my own cooking is getting pretty tiresome. I also like to do road trips, and haven't been able to do one in quite a while.

PS, I live in Victoria.