The 5 euro experiment- living on 5 euros for 10 days

I like reading and writing about frugality, but this situation was unexpected.
Having been overly zealous with conserving money, and having transferred a reasonable amount of my earnings, including a bonus, I was left with enough. Then things popped up.

My landlord wanted the rent in advance, take away 250euros. It became ridicously hot here in Portugal (where I am currently) so a decent fan was needed, minus 35 euros. My friend's presents for her birthday, along with a meal- which was overpriced and the collective obligatory 'we are paying for her', minus 25 euros. All in all, plus other minor expenses that went unforeseen and unchecked, I was down 400e. Now I am left with 1 euro in the bank, or actually, being precise 58 cents.

Plan of action? I have borrowed 5 euros and I have rooted around in my room, collecting the cents that have been misguided, and mismanaged. My mismanagement of the cents, ie them not being in my wallet, is what is saving me here. Now, with this blog being all about how to develop financial control you are probably thinking- what the hell?

Well, I am not really scraping around, there are many ways to get out. I could re-transfer the money I'd previously sent over to the UK. I could borrow more money from friends or get a credit card. Nope. That's too easy. It's harder, more of a challenge and ie. more fun for me, to try to live on this meagre amount of hard cash.

The biggies have been paid. The rent. And I have some food in stock already, though not a king's amount. So how do I get around? I am borrowing friends travelcards (similar to the London one, equivalent to an oyster card), no one can tell as its just a swipe system.

For fruit and veg I go to the local shop. Local shops often have cheaper prices, though you'll need to find the right local shop. I had found one months ago, used it, tended to spend 3 euros a go and then leave smiling, fit with the knowledge that I had bought something of true value, great healthy food, for cheaper than any supermarket. So what's the difference now? 50 cent shopping trips. 3 oranges, a kiwi, an apple and a carrot(to go with plain rice and bits of potato)- all healthy and nothing too luxurious, so nothing to break my limit. In fact, I only do these trips maybe once every 2 or 3 days, thus bringing the total to 4 x 0.50= 2 euros. 3 euros left.

So far it has been two days and I've been enjoying it. Tomorrow's goal is to not spend anything! Follow for more tomorrow.