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For those who live on a budget, Austin's growth can be a source of stress. It's hard to imagine living on $1,000 a month, but if I can do it, then anyone can.
While in college at Texas State University in San Marcos, I held a few jobs, ranging from unpaid intern to retail cashier to newspaper editor, none of which paid more than peanuts. From 2017-2019, I had a $9 an hour retail job, and I raked in a little less than $1,000 per month.
With a little bit of creativity and budgeting talent, here's how I would make $1,000 per month work in Austin:
(Laura Figi/Austonia)
Housing
When you're only working with $1,000 per month, most likely you will end up spending close to 70% of your income on rent and the rest on other necessities, with little leftover.
While I lived in San Marcos, I was able to split a two-bedroom apartment with just one other person, slashing the $850/month rent and roughly $100 utilities in half. Rent at $850 for a two-bedroom might be hard to find in Austin, so consider moving outside the Austin metro area if you have reliable transportation to the city (I'll address transportation further down). Otherwise, a breakdown of cheaper neighborhoods to apartment shop at in Austin can be found here.
Tips for low-cost living:
- Find a roommate—or two or three—to cut the cost of rent.
- Avoid rent-by-the-room leases as they tend to favor the landlord. Instead, you'll want to sign a joint-lease agreement, so rent is split 50/50.
- Try not to sign a lease during the summer—that's the busiest moving season and you're more likely to get a better deal in fall or winter.
- Don't use electricity if you're not in the room and try to keep your water usage down.
If you conserve, you preserve valuable cash. A breakdown of essential costs: water at an average of $35 per month, electricity averaging at $65-100 depending on the season, internet can be found for as cheap as $30 per month and cell phone service as cheap as $15. If you can find a living situation that will pay one or more of your utilities, like I did, it will put that much more money back in your pocket.
Transportation
(Roger W/CC)
A car payment is simply not doable under this budget. So you'll need to make do with the car that was gifted to you or you paid off in full, especially if you're planning on living just outside the city. If you're a biker, that's also a cost-efficent way to get around—especially with Austin being a bike-friendly city. Otherwise, there's always public transportation to get you around.
I paid off my 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt when I bought it and tried to drive as little as possible to avoid having to pay for yet another tank of gas. If you choose to drive, insurance can be as low as $65 per month and a single tank of gas costs around $25.
Austin's Capital Metro offers bus and rail services from Downtown to Leander with various routes and stops. A 31-day bus pass will cost $41.25 at the most reduced rate, which equates to how much one might spend on car fuel.
Food
(Laura Figi/Austonia)
With only between $35-105 left for food, you will need to maximize how you shop. Buy what is on sale and try to limit your perishables to what you can consume before they spoil. It seems self-explanatory but 30-40% of food is wasted in the U.S., which equates to about a pound per person, per day.
I buy foods I know I like so that money doesn't go to waste. I'm a firm believer in eating breakfast every day, so my mornings usually started with some tea and something light. I'm not much of a cook so quick and easy food is my go-to. I buy food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways so I never have to get tired of them—if you keep anything in stock, make sure it is spices and sauces.
Rice is incredibly cheap, versatile, can be eaten for every meal and it isn't uncommon for me to do so. And for protein, a bag of frozen chicken thighs can be found at your local grocery store for less than $5, and it'll last you days with various ways to cook it.
Unfortunately, eating out isn't something that can be done often so when I do, I enjoy it!
Buying other essentials: clothes, furniture and more
Don't buy anything new. And that means anything. From clothes to furniture to cars to moving boxes, you can get nearly everything pre-loved. However, just because it is used doesn't mean it has to look cheap or junky; the goal is to appear as if your items are brand new without having to spend huge sums of cash.
Consignment stores, Facebook Marketplace and Goodwill are excellent locations to find discounted or sometimes even free goods. Amazon Warehouse has a section on its website that sells open-box items, though most often they are still brand new. There is simply no reason to pay full price for anything, plus it's better for the planet!
Play money
The hard reality is that when you're working with a tight budget, spending money is usually the first to go. Set up a rainy day fund for a splurge and enjoy all the free (or close to free) activities Austin has to offer. Become a Zilker Park explorer extraordinaire or tour some of the many museums around the city like The Blanton, which is free on the first Thursday of every month, or the Mexic-Arte museum, which is free on Sundays. The Umlauf Sculpture Garden is only $5 per person and never ceases to delight with its uniquely structured art. Don't neglect your wants but don't let them be the source of your monetary stress.
Now go get that coin!
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Popular
(Tesla)
Tesla is covering travel costs for employees going out of state for abortions.
On Friday, the company released its impact report, which stated that since 2021, it has provided “an expanded Safety Net program and health insurance offering that includes travel and lodging support for those who may need to seek healthcare services that are unavailable in their home state," for employees.
According to the report, nearly a quarter, or 22%, of the company’s workers in the calendar year 2020 were female.
This report comes just after Politico published a leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion on Monday indicating the high court intends to overturn Roe v. Wade. In Texas, a trigger law making abortion illegal would go into effect 30 days after its repeal. Nationwide protests have followed, including in Austin.
Just months before Tesla moved its headquarters from California to Austin late last year, Texas had enacted Senate Bill 8, which banned abortions after six weeks, before many know that they are pregnant.
With this offering, Tesla joins other Central Texas companies that have responded to abortion restrictions.
Dating app Bumble launched a fund in September to support access to abortion services and released a statement earlier this week saying they are “dismayed” by the Supreme Court’s draft decision. Amazon recently announced it will cover abortion-related travel costs for employees, though the benefit doesn’t extend to all workers, including those on “flex schedule” at the company’s warehouses or contract workers like delivery drivers and gig workers.
Citigroup also covers expenses for employees seeking out-of-state abortions. In March, Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, sent a letter to the company saying he would introduce legislation to bar local governments in Texas from doing business with companies that give travel benefits for employees seeking an abortion.
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(Wonder World Park/Instagram)
Once again, Texas’ famously warm weather is upon us which means it is time to get outside and enjoy it.
Nature in Central Texas is one of the biggest contributors to the magic and in the Lone Star State, there is a lot to see and do. From the only earthquake cave, to the oldest swimming pool, to the second-largest submerged cave in Texas, it can all be found in Austin or a few miles beyond.
Both near and (sort of) far, here are just a few of the outdoor marvels to enjoy nearby.
Deep Eddy Pool | 401 Deep Eddy Ave., Austin
Built in 1915, Deep Eddy Pool is the oldest swimming pool in Texas. The pool gets its name from an eddy formed by a large boulder in the center and the concrete pool was built around it. The shallow end is currently closed until further notice but the pool is still open for lap swimming. Tickets are $5 for residents.
Enchanted Rock | 16710 RR 965, Fredericksburg
Whether you like to camp, backpack, hike, rock climb, geocache or stargaze, Enchanted Rock is an Austinite’s rite of passage. There are more than 11 miles to traverse, which you can explore with an interactive trails map, plus rock climbing instruction. Entrance fees are $8 for adults and no swimming or biking is allowed.
Jacob’s Well | 1699 Mt Sharp Rd., Wimberly
If you’re willing to make a day trip out of it, Jacob’s Well is an unforgettable natural pool experience. The second-largest submerged cave in Texas, you can gaze over the deep blue spot that stretches more than 140 feet deep and is fed by the Trinity Aquifer. Visitors brave enough might even try cliff diving into the abyss. Reservations are required for swimmers and tickets start at $5.
Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures | 13987 FM2769, Leander
Opening May 14, Waterloo Adventures offers over two football field’s worth of floating waterpark activities, floating obstacles, beach games, lakeside lounges and lakeside views as far as the eye can see. Reservations are required and tickets are $63 per person.
Mount Bonnell | 3800 Mount Bonnell Rd., Austin
Some of the most incredible panoramic views of the city are found at Mount Bonnell. Despite being one of the most scenic spots in the city, climbing to the peak is a very short hike and has plenty of seating at the top. Stay for awhile for a picnic or make the short trip west to the Pennybacker Bridge Trail to see it from the other side.
Sculpture Falls | 3755 S Capital of Texas Hwy B, Austin
A hidden gem inside the nearly 8-mile Barton Creek Trail, Sculpture Falls is one of many sights to enjoy along your hike. Several small waterfalls will guide you to the much larger falls, where you can spread out on a beach towel and enjoy the cool of the pool that stays 70 degrees year-round.
Wonder Cave | 1000 Prospect St., San Marcos
Inside the famous Wonder World Park in San Marcos, a visit will take you inside the Balcones Fault Line Cave, which is reportedly the only real earthquake cave open to the public. Along the one-mile tour, visitors will see strata formations, fossilized prehistoric life and gigantic boulders suspended in time. Tickets start at $21.95 and include access to all Wonder World attractions.