How to prepare and plan for being homeless.
This post is about how to make plans if your about to be homeless and how to deal with it if you think it will happen.
If your about to become homeless they first thing to do is plan for it even though you will think it will not happen. The more you plan for it the less likely it will happen at least that's what I think.
The first think to to make sure you have a bank account even two if its possible with at least some money in it. The second thing to consider is to make sure it is set up with a PayPal account. The reason for this is because you can get paid and or pay other people with the account. Most government assistance requires a bank account nowadays, the days of getting a check are less and less. Its even the same with day labour type temp jobs. So make sure you have at least one or two bank accounts with ATM cards set up so you can get money either through family friends or a job you do or any online you may do at the library.
I would also buy a secret pocket you can sew into your pants something like this or this. You will need a secret place to hide cash, all links are affiliates.
The next thing is a backpack. I suggest a small one and don't put to much stuff in it. Have something that can accommodate a small laptop or tablet, you will need these for your online accounts to send and receive money and to get your benefits.
I suggest only one change of clothes and toiletries. You will want to travel light. I am in the desert area (Phoenix) Some will suggest a tent, I don't but if you have the sash a bivy sack or sleeping bag. Something cheap will work but the more expensive ones are light weight and work better and can help you keep a low profile from people who might do you harm.
You will need a all purpose tool and small cooking stove and the gas canisters that go with it. Small gas canisters go for 2 for 6.00 bucks or less at Walmart. You will need a small cooking container to cook stuff and I suggest you keep it small lightweight and low profile. I prefer to cook and sleep in the desert than say a shelter but you may need to go their from time to time to get food.
A good recourse for help is your local library. You can use to to get free online internet, free recourses for any benefits you may qualify for and help in general. You can use the bathrooms get water ask the librarian for help in ideas on what government programs you can apply for to get any kind of aid that's available.
The biggest thing you will need to survive homelessness is mindset. You will need a positive mindset to survive the depression your about to encounter. You will need a positive mindset to find safe places to sleep and to avoid predator's out their who will harm you.
If your a woman you can get shelter in a homeless shelter. Many shelter's are open to only women. Many churches provide shelter for showers and or food so look up those places, you can find that data from your local librarian or by going online and searching for it.
I would avoid homeless encampments. There are many criminals and police who will harass you and steal and hurt from you, avoid those areas.
I would sell off whatever I had for cash before I became homeless you will need all the cash you can get, also try to get set up at a blood bank before your homeless to sell your blood platelets, you can earn enough from that to provide for all your food needs without working directly.
If you can have a website or social media set up before you become homeless. I hate to say it but you need to lose all shame and advertise your situation and ask for help, its easy for people to send you donations with PayPal. I even see people with YouTube channels making videos about their homeless lifestyles and getting either add revenue or donations or both, you can get it paid right into your bank account. So have those options set up before the poop hits the fan.
The first night will be the hardest. Try to find a place where you can hide and not be disturbed. Try to find a place where you can cook or heat up a can of food from the dollar store. Make sure you have water to stay hydrated and a cup to pour water into to take a sponge bath and have baby wipes to keep clean and rubbings alcohol to keep clean to. Keeping clean and clean shaven will increase the odds of getting day labour type jobs for either cash or paid through the ATM at day labour type places in big cities.
During your day you will need to keep busy by either working online or asking for work or you will go crazy.
There are so many things I'm forgetting but these are the basics to help you prepare for homelessness.
The most important things are having an idea where you will camp before this happens, having cash in a safe area and in your bank account tied to an ATM card and PayPal. The other thing is to get some kind of monthly income through government assistance or some online gig even if its only a few hundred bucks. There are so many ways to make fifty to a hundred bucks nowadays online the world is your oyster.
One more thing, make sure to have multiple IDs hidden away, for example a drivers license and or passport card so you have ID to get on a bus or airplane or even passport to avoid harassments from police and or to dip down to Mexico for a lower cost of living once you get you income up to a decent level like 500 to 1k.
Its tough to exist in America without ID but at least in Mexico you don't really need it much.
I mention Mexico because I see so many people down their homeless who are North Americans somehow they survive.
Good Luck
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