One of my New Year’s resolutions was to live on a dollar a day for at least a month. It took me over three months to actually start it, but on March 18, I started.
Here’s the finances:
The conversion rate on the day I started was 30 dalasis to one dollar, which was a lucky break for me. Normally, it’s like 28. So, for the month, I got a total of 900 dalasis.
Each month, I pay my family 600 dalasis for housing and feeding me. This is the equivalent of about twenty dollars… not a bad deal.
This leaves me with 300 dalasis for the thirty day experiment or ten dalasis per day.
Just so we’re clear before I claim to actual know what living on a dollar a day is like, I want to make it clear that I cheated.
I stocked up on pounds of oatmeal, lots of phone credit, and peanut butter galore.
I have packages coming from America filled with things I need. I have a pretty reliable bicycle to get around.
My family cooks all meals for me. The Peace Corps med unit provides supplies that Gambians either don’t have access to, or have to buy if they need.
Still… it’s a challenge.
Friday, March 18: Day One
I was confident I could go at least the first day without spending any money. But, while I was away in Kombo, our food situation at school changed, and now teachers buy their own bread for lunch.
Item: Half bread Cost: 2D Remaining: 298D
Disaster. I went to a Nyakoi Sport Committee meeting, and was asked for my membership fee, and also back pay for last month.
Item: Membership in an organization where I can’t understand most of what goes on.
Cost: 50D Remaining: 248D
Saturday, March 19: Day 2
I crossed the river to go to Basse to coach a basketball team that rarely shows up.
Item: Boat crossing Cost: 10D Remaining: 238D
Returned across the river after no one showed up for basketball… again.
Item: Boat crossing Cost: 10D Remaining: 228D
March 20 – March 26:
Spent no money… and it feels so good.
Sunday, March 27: Day 9
Sent a letter to a reader of my blog to thank her for a killer gift. I included a 5D bill.
Item: 5 dalasis Cost: 5D Remaining: 223D
Monday, March 28: Day 10
The power of the sun can’t keep up with my phone battery usage, so I had to pay someone to charge it for me.
Item: Charge Cost: 5D Remaining: 218D
School ran out of food, so I had to contribute for lunch. I could go home and get free lunch, but I have to teach a lesson, and lunch at home will be over.
Item: Lunch contribution Cost: 10D Remaining: 208D
Friday, April 1: Day 15
Party! Today is the party inviting the new URR volunteers to the region. But of course, have to cross the river to get to where everyone is.
Item: River crossing Cost: 10D Remaining: 198D
I was worried about this party, and knew it’d be a big money day, so I thought ahead and planned what I thought was a cheap side dish. Mangos are free for the taking, onions and peppers and limes are everywhere… mango salsa it is. There are no tortilla chips on this side of the country though, so I had to buy loaves of bread to dip. Disaster.
Item: Mango salsa and bread Cost: 44D Remaining: 154D
I had resigned myself to only drink water for the entire month. No 5 dalasi packets of juice, no cokes (normally I drink like two every day when I’m in Basse), and no beer (no big thing – I’m not a big drinker). However, tonight was the night for epic flip cup to happen and I could not NOT play… I love games!
Item: An epic night of flip cup (2 beers) Cost: 50D Remaining: 104D
Halftime Reflections: I’m halfway through and have spent two thirds of my available funds… It’s been ok so far, but crossing the river is really getting to me. I think that I can make it, but if anything crazy comes up (any expenditures over 25D), I’m gonna be cutting it close.
Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of a dollar a day.
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