I live a very comfortable life, I freelance threw Upwork and Fiverr and use anything that gives me gift cards and free stuff online. I also junk scrap metal and gather can for Redemption I'm in a Redemption state thankfully, but before that, I worked hard and saved every dime and was and still am a minimalist in every way. I saved what I needed to live comfortably. I fill my pantry with canned goods and non-perishables I don't drive I ride a bike or walk everywhere and my cell doesn't have service I use an app to call people and receive calls when I'm by wifi, that said the best way to get through a job is to work to not have to work to save a needed amount to live free.