The Groupon Challenge

By Sean Stillmaker in News on Nov 21, 2010 6:20PM

Josh Stevens led a normal life. He grew up in suburban Buffalo Grove, graduated from ISU and had an accounting job in Schaumburg. But for the last six months the 28-year-old has been homeless traveling the country with only Groupons in his pocket. He’s currently surviving the Groupon contest and if he lasts for another six months he’ll receive $100,000.

The parameters of the contest are that Stevens is not allowed to use money or credit cards for a year. He can only live off his unlimited Groupons as he travels across the country. He can barter and trade Groupons for rides, goods and services, but no money. Also only five people are allowed to visit Stevens once during the year, putting a strain on his relationship with his girlfriend.

Stevens started his journey May 10, 2010. He was provided with a paper suit when he left the Groupon office in Chicago. He first used his Groupons for a horse and carriage ride to find a clothing store. Today is day 197 and he’s currently in Tampa, Florida.

Stevens has been helped with friends and friends of friends when he needed rides or a place to crash. He’s always on Twitter and Facebook updating the world of life on Groupons. “There are days you have to come up with so many contingencies,” Stevens told the Daily Herald. “You have to get everything to come together all at once.”