i haven't read the whole thread but if the VA is paying you 500$ a month move to a country where that is alot of money... for instance Argentina their economy sucks, but american $$$ are great there. 500 u$ = 1500 peso which buys alot... you can get a place for like 250$ a month all to your self... 500$ a month + what ever you can do in that country could (teach english) = pretty nice living status