How to Survive Being Homeless

This is not how to live at a friends or how to do a lot of driving, this is about being homeless when you don't have anyone to depend on or ask for help.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Determination
• Creativity
• Presents of mind as much as possible
• Resourcefulness
• Ability to swollow your Pride

1. Accept the fact that you ARE homeless:
   Nothing you can do at this point will change the facts; it doesn't matter if it was your fault or if it was done to you, in the eyes of the world it's your problem. You will suffer and be miserable, there are very few options.

2. Determine the absolute bare necessities for summer and winter:
   If you still have a running vehicle you have a little storage space, utilize it wisely. At this point don't plan on showering or changing your clothing daily; avoid things that will easily rip. A duffle bag will be a good asset to store hygene products, change of clothes, and wet wipes. Get used to the ideal that public rest rooms will be the type of place you will be using to clean up and change your clothes, unless you have a car.

3. Money:
   This will be in very short supply, don't waste it! If you are lucky enough to have a vehicle avoid driving it at all costs... You will want to save your gas for cold weather. Walk to where ever you have to go and don't be to proud to pick up a bottle or can for the money. You will end up needing what ever you can scrounge up for food or gas.

4. Assets:
   What ever "assets" you have that you can live without you will have to sell on ebay, craigslist, or if you can't find a library or other internet access a pawn shop. The economy is bad, very bad, so don't expect to get very much for what you have to sell. Again, SAVE any money you can get, YOU WILL NEED IT.

5. Is there truely No One you can turn to:
   Being homeless is not a joke, it is not fun, it is not something to be taken lightly. The shelters are turning people away, State Aid is almost non existent unless you have your children with you. Being forced into being Cold, Alone, Hungry, and dirty is no joke and the worse your appearance is the more unlikely it is you will be able to get any kind of job.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid going through this, it is not fun, it is not easy, it is no way to live
• If you do have a job, Do Not Lose it at any cost
• Try to maintain an acceptable appearance and do not stop trying to find a job as soon as you can.
• This is not something you want to deal with it is life altering
• If you are in a Bad area you could easily lose your life
• Trusting the wrong person(s) will cost you your possetions if your lucky
• Depression is literally a KILLER
• Water Freezes at 32 F, you are 98% water

[maggiemontevalo]

on 12/11/2009 Been there, done that, and have the t-shirt to prove it! Its horrible but can happen to anyone. The shame of it is..no one cares. Others love to kick a person when they are down. One of your tips should say...Stay strong & preserver!

[cmsgtmeyers]

on 9/24/2009 Thanks for this article. I am currently living in a hotel that is paid for until the 15th and will be homeless after that. Good tips.

[ciz4cat]

on 8/11/2009 I think everyone should experience what it feels like to be homeless. Perhaps there were be more humble souls and unity, rather than finger pointers and snub noses. No one wants to help a homeless person. They are the true survivors of the earth. How can we learn more on how to help homelessness?