Losing my job was a terrible experience. I went from living a comfortable life to being almost homeless in just a few months. What kept me afloat, despite having no money, were these few life hacks that I’d like to share with you today.

They say you find out who your real friends are when you’re at your lowest, and I bear witness to that. Let me tell you what happened during the last six years of my life.

Fresh out of college, I was an ambitious graduate who landed a well‑paying job at one of the best firms in town. I was doing really well financially.

My friends and I used to go on international trips and do all kinds of crazy things. Money was the least of my priorities back then.

Those were the days, let me tell you. But life had other plans for me.

Soon after graduating, I tied the knot with Mia, my college girlfriend, and we rented a cozy apartment to begin a new chapter of our lives.

I remember how happy I was when we moved into our new home. Everything seemed perfect.

Then, my world turned upside down when I caught Mia cheating on me with one of my friends. Yes, you read that right. I walked in early from work one day and found them together in our bedroom—on the same bed where Mia and I used to sleep.

Thinking about that moment still gives me goosebumps.

Can you guess what happened next? The same old clichés:
“It’s not what you think it is, Ryan.”
“I never wanted to hurt you.”
And my personal favorite, “Please… please forgive me.”

How could she expect me to forgive her for cheating with my friend?

At that point, I wanted to leave the house and part ways with Mia, but something stopped me. Maybe it was the shock. Maybe it was the tiny part of me that still loved her.

We lived together for a few more weeks, but I kept my distance. The silence in our once‑happy home was deafening.

I thought cheating with my friend was the worst thing she could do to me, but I was wrong. Mia had one more ace up her sleeve, and I didn’t see it coming.

One morning, I woke up to my phone buzzing like crazy. Forty messages, all from friends and family.
My hands trembled as I opened them—and that’s when I realized what Mia had done.

She told everyone that I had cheated on her. That I slept with a coworker, and she caught me in our bedroom.

She even sent them fake screenshots of a conversation between me and that coworker.

My phone kept pinging as I scrolled through the messages in disbelief:

“How could you do this to Mia, Ryan?”
“I thought you were better than this.”
“You’re disgusting. I can’t believe we were friends.”

I called, texted, and even showed up at people’s doors, trying to explain.

“Guys, please, you’ve got it all wrong,” I pleaded with my best friend, Jack.

But he just shook his head. “Save it, Ryan. I’ve seen the proof. How could you?”

It was like Mia had cast a spell on everyone I knew. I was the villain in their story now, and nothing could change their minds.

Eventually, I had to move out of our apartment. The divorce papers came soon after.

At that point, my job was the only good thing left in my life. Everyone else had turned their backs on me.

But the hits kept coming.

With each passing day, I found myself spending more and more time at bars and casinos. It was an escape, a way to numb the pain. But it came at a cost. My money evaporated, my focus slipped, and I stopped performing well at work.

Then one day, my boss called me into his office.
“Ryan,” he said gently, “we have to let you go.”

And just like that, I lost the last stable thing in my life. This happened six years ago, and I almost became homeless after that.

But here’s the kicker—even at my lowest, I managed to survive.
Not because of money or miracles, but because of resourcefulness. Here’s what saved me:

Hack #1: Smart Shopping for Survival
I discovered places like Food 4 Less and Grocery Outlet, where food was dirt cheap. The meat cuts looked rough, but they kept me fed.
Chicken for $0.89 a pound? Apples for $0.69? I felt like I’d struck gold every time.

The real hidden gems? Ethnic grocery stores. Walking in felt like a treasure hunt—cheap produce, spices, and ingredients that stretched my dollars further.

Hack #2: Reinventing My Food Habits
I swapped junk food for staples. Dried beans became my best friend—parboil, rinse, cook, and you’ve got a meal that also heats up a small room if you use a crockpot.

Hot dog buns replaced bread—cheaper, smaller portions, no waste.
Water replaced sodas—my skin cleared up, my energy soared, and I even lost weight.

Hack #3: My $10 Lifeline
After losing my apartment, I spent a week on the streets. Then I found Planet Fitness.
For $10 a month, I got access to showers, toilets, a place to shave, wash clothes, even free pizza nights.
It felt like I’d found an oasis.

Hack #4: Cooking with What You’ve Got
SuperCook became my personal chef. Type in random ingredients, and it gives you recipes.
“Tuna, rice, and one suspicious onion—go!”
Somehow, it always delivered. I saved money by using every last ingredient.

Hack #5: The Art of Affordable Healthcare
Swallowing my pride, I asked doctors for cheaper medication options. To my surprise, they understood and helped.
That small act saved my health and my wallet.

Hack #6: Plasma Donation
Up to six times a month, I donated plasma—$30 each time. That extra $180 kept me afloat.

Hack #7: Treasure Hunting in Rich Neighborhoods
Wealthy neighborhoods on garbage day were like free flea markets. Furniture, appliances, clothing—most just needed cleaning or a minor fix. I used or sold them for extra cash.

Hack #8: The Computer Whisperer
One day I found ten discarded computers. I combined parts, revived four, and sold one for $90.
“You’re a wizard, Ryan,” my coworker said when I handed it over.
I smiled, thinking about the 40 minutes it took me to make that $90. Every dollar mattered.

These hacks weren’t glamorous, but they kept me alive when life tried to break me.

And now?
Life has a funny way of coming full circle. I’ve got a steady job again and a better apartment. I’ve rebuilt my life from the ground up.

But here’s the truth: I still use many of these hacks. Because once you’ve been at rock bottom, you never forget the value of every single dollar—or the strength you didn’t know you had.