5 Objections To Living on $2.50/Day & Why They Shouldn’t Hold You Back

You truly want to gain a deeper understanding of the realities of poverty -- and help combat it. It’s a lazy Tuesday evening and you stumble across the challenge of living on less online. The movement helps participants understand what living on a limited food budget ($2.50 US per day) is like, and to use their experience to fundraise, making it so that fewer people have similar experiences. 

But wait, live on $2.50 a day for food? Is that even realistic, possible, or an effective method? Don’t worry, you’re not alone in wondering. 

Here are 5 common objections to living on $2.50 a day that people face & why they shouldn’t stop you:

1) I can’t do those days.
Great! You can choose your own dates. The challenge is completely flexible. We only suggested April 22-24 to get a group of us involved at the same time. If you need to stagger dates, go for it.

The spirit of the movement is to gain a brief window into what it’s like to live on so little. As long as you act in that spirit, you can do your thing.

This also means you can extend your dates for a more thorough experience.

2) There’s no way I would survive.
This is the importance of the whole movement. You can survive, it’s just very challenging! And that’s exactly why you should take part. Experience firsthand just how hard life can be at the median income level, but also learn that it is possible.

Plus, you have the power of the internet! Our staff have shared recipes, written a guide, and the power of search can lead you to even more ideas. Who knows, maybe it’ll boost your culinary creativity in the process?

3) This is pointless -- it doesn’t even provide a sliver of what it’s like to be chronically poor.
Ouch. We know, but I don’t think there would be many volunteers if we insisted they got a preventable disease and couldn’t seek treatment. This campaign seeks to give participants a small taste of what it’s like to live at the world median income level. 

Also, the more volunteers, the more understanding and interest, and the more donations. Win, win , win.

4) No one will sponsor me!
Fundraising may make you nervous, but fear not! You’ll be surprised by how many of your friends and family support you in this unique challenge. In fact, I hear time and again when people do these fundraisers that they’re surprised at how supportive their friends and family were. Really it shouldn’t be so surprising; they’re your friends after all! Most of the time they’re proud of you for doing something to help others. It’s a lot like when you see a friend running a marathon for charity. It’s heartwarming.

Sometimes people won’t be able to or won’t want to give and that’s alright. Most of the time they simply won’t respond to your email, and no harm done. Just give it a try! You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

5) I don’t even know where to begin.
Right here! Set up your own donation page and get complete details on the challenge and how to participate. We’ve even created a complete guide with recipes and fundraising ideas.