I’m going to end up broke in a few months. Give me some tips on reducing the impact. What things can I do in advance? What are things I should know? Give me some financial advice too, if you can
I’m going to end up broke in a few months. Give me some tips on reducing the impact. What things can I do in advance? What are things I should know? Give me some financial advice too, if you can
First, know that the majority of people who are poor or homeless are only in that situation temporarily. Unless you have debilitating addictions or mental health issues that prevent you from functioning within society, you WILL get through this.
Buy a small notebook and make a list of local poverty resources: homeless shelters, food banks, hospitals, public restrooms, churches mosques and temples, libraries, employment offices, etc. If you don’t have these things where you live, you make have to migrate to somewhere that does.
Make a list of friends and family, and their phone numbers too. Swallow your pride and call as many of these people as you can and explain your situation to them. Be prepared to gracefully ask them for help, and be prepared to be denied. But if even 1 person can give you a short lifeline it might be enough to help you prevent the situation.
Remember and prioritize what is essential to survival–food, water, shelter, clothing and medicine. Those are first and foremost. After those have been figured out, then you need to focus on finding some kind of employment and income.
In a worst case scenario, you will be on your feet with only the possessions you can carry. You will need your personal identifying documents, medications, your phone (and a charger or two), and anything truly sentimental to you. You will need warm and cool weather clothing, as well as a blanket. A water bottle can also be useful. Any other possessions can be sold for cash and replaced later, if absolutely necessary.
Consider what lead you to this point and do your best to address it in the future. You will make it through this, but you still need to change how you’ve been living to avoid falling back down to rock bottom again. Seek help for mental health issues and addictions. Always remember that you are a human being who is entitled to life and worthy of love. Good luck!
As someone who was homeless, living on the streets for years, this is the comment I think is the most valuable. You need to find out where to get shelter and food, and you need to know people’s contact info - it all needs to be written down and kept safe.
This is temporary. Everything is temporary. Don’t give up.
@SystemDisc @mrmaplebar that’s you ? Lived in the streets for years ?
I’m not sure what you’re asking. I was saying @[email protected] ’s comment is the most valuable reply I’ve read here, and that I have first hand experience living on the streets with no place to stay, and no money to speak of most of the time for years.
@SystemDisc you’ve spent a portion of your life in this manner ? And how are you doing now ?
Now I’m a software engineer making six figures. I went from nothing to what I consider very successful, albeit with tons and tons of really intense trauma.
@SystemDisc l do nothing. And so my figures are absolutely 0. You said you make in 6 figures.
I make $155,000 USD per year. When I was homeless, obviously I had essentially no money most of the time.
@SystemDisc l don’t make anything because l don’t do any work.
My philosophy is different from the others. If l work for money, l become a donkey.
Work should become a source of entertainment for me. Does that make any sense to you ??
@SystemDisc the wheel of karma turned around !!
Yes, but it took decades and lots of very hard work. I nearly gave up several times. In fact, I attempted suicide more than once, so I guess I did give up multiple times. But, I survived and I’m glad. Overall, I survived a lot of abuse and violence. It’s been a very difficult life, but it’s finally peaceful and I have a lot of happiness today.
@SystemDisc violence and abuse are challenges of life… Unless you’ve grown the perspective of taking it as entertainment…
But why suicide ??
Ask a family member if you can leave a box of belongings with them- important paperwork, copy of ID, anything you’ll need but don’t want to risk losing.
Just wanted to confirm the first bullet point: There and then, poverty might seem like it’s a self-perpetuating condition, but it is indeed temporary. It takes effort to get through it, but I’m sure OP will.
Source: Ended up both unemployed and heavily in debt once upon a time (a combination of bad luck and poor choices), but I got through it and managed to pay down everything after five years. Important life lesson learned.