Galley Gossip: How do flight attendants survive on such a small salary? {Gadling}

Nov 18th 2011 5:49PM What makes FA's so set apart from the average worker, is our unlimited amount of resourcefulness. If you want to work in this field you'll have to learn...and quickly how to use all your resources to their absolute maximum. The first few years are tough, and certainly not meant for the "faint of heart", but here are a few of my tricks.

1. Stock up on dry goods such as rice, beans, cereal etc when you shop, by very limited amounts of meats and vegetables no more than you'd use on your days off.

2. Be realistic about what you can afford, avoid making spontaneous purchase..you don't need another Prada bag, and do you really need an iPad or any other expensive gadget.

3. Purchase a cooler bag, and PACK YOUR FOOD. Always pack at least some snack and light meal items, so that you are eating some of your meals in your room on layovers, avoiding spending too much in hotels and restaurants.

4. As Heather said, crash pad for your duty days. If you're living in a nice inexpensive town and you love it there...don't up root, just get a crash pad. They generally run about 190-250 per week depending on what city, but they allow you the piece of mind of being available for short call outs, and having a place to sleep when you're at base.

5. Budget, budget, budget. Know you're earnings, and where every penny goes. for the first couple of years everyone of them will count.

It seems hard in the beginning, but over time it gets easier. Also as time goes by and you become for familiar with this lifestyle (yes, it is more of a lifestyle than a job) you'll wonder how you could ever go back to the "9 to 5" life. This is a very easy life to fall in love with, and once you do....it's hard, no I take that back..it's impossible to shake the addiction; and nothing short of an exorcism and an intervention might help at that point.

:-)