It's not that cheap, though. I just live very frugally and don't really spend money unless it's absolutely necessary, so my expenses are very low. In part, that's to be able to do stuff like this.

It's only that cheap if you live like a student. I suppose it must be possible to live that cheap in almost any western country, how else would students survive on <1000$ per month income?

Anyway, I think Joepie is forgetting that he will have to pay 30% income tax over that $17.000, and possibly 21% VAT also (depends on whether this would be seen as payment for service I think, he should contact an accountant).