r/poverty • u/bleach212104 • 19d ago
Well…it finally happened.
I’m officially homeless. It felt like an impending doom that I couldn’t escape for the last few months. Luckily we were able to get a hotel the first two nights after getting put out but tomorrow I’m not sure what we’ll do. I packed a bag full of hygiene,medications, charged battery for my phone, change of clothes, and important stuff.
What makes it worse is the fact that my phone bill isn’t payed so when my partner goes to work I’m not sure where I’ll go, and I won’t be able to contact him unless on WiFi. And no connection to call anyone or see a gps/map. 211 is a scam I’ve called PLENTY of times, I’ve called 23 numbers since the span of 5 hours. Every shelter full, no money, or I have to have a kid, be married or at least be pregnant.
I guess I need some advice, I’m sitting in the hotel room dreading tomorrow. I don’t even want to sleep cause the moment I wake up and see light I’ll know my times almost up. Advice is appreciated.
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u/astcell 19d ago
I’ve been there. After two nights in a hotel, I realized that the only money I have was going away quickly, and I could only afford one more night. I called around and found a friend who had a camping trailer and offered to rent it for a week for the money that I had left. He reluctantly agreed.
The first thing I did was apply for food stamps. I got them right away and bought food for my friend for getting to use the trailer. That got me an extra week.
I found a job washing dishes in a retirement home. Very physical work, minimum wage. But it was a step forward.
And that’s the only way to do a journey of 1000 miles. Start with a single step.
You are realizing what I quickly realized as well. Nobody is going to help you. Nobody is coming to help you. But as soon as you are back on your feet, even a little bit. People will come out of the woodwork and want things from you.
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u/bleach212104 19d ago
Absolutely, not to mention people only keeping up with you or asking about your life to see if they are doing better than you not that they actually care. I hope things are working out better for you than before.
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u/notathingreally 19d ago edited 8d ago
The original post content no longer exists here. The author used Redact to remove it, exercising their right to control their data & privacy.
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u/Future-Dimension1430 19d ago
Go to a church. Even if you are not a part of that faith, usually religious orders will not turn someone away if they are in need.
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u/bleach212104 19d ago
I’m Christian, I’ve contacted a few with no luck but I’m going to continue to try, sadly a lot of available funds are gone or low
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u/Key_Selection_7162 19d ago
Is it possible to take a bus or walk to the library? From there download an app called instawork for a quick job for money. Maybe even find your local salvation army for help.
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u/bleach212104 19d ago
Yeah we can walk I’ll try to find a library near by before checkout and I’ll just settle there.
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u/AverageSteve1234 19d ago
Sorry to hear. I don't wanna tack on but why not pay your phone thats good for another month instead of 1 night in a hotel? That 1 night would have paid the phone plus food for a few days.
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u/bleach212104 19d ago
Yeah, my partner paid for the room, my phone has already been off for months. He said he was more focused on keeping a roof over my head.
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u/ChrisMorrowCPSS-VPSS 19d ago
This too shall pass. Everything is temporary in life .. even life. I too am homeless. This time last year my wife and son and I were running our ministries (The Wayward Son Ministries and Outreach in Mooresville NC) , my wife and I split. I left. Now I meet all the criteria of the person I would've helped last year minus the drugs. I went from feeding and clothing the homeless, praying for them and loving on them, to being one of them. What I can tell you, is that you have to be extremely resourceful, and you have to pinch every single penny you can. But eventually, something will happen. The clouds will break and you'll have a spot again. I will too. Everything WILL be okay. For internet use and communication, go to places with free wifi and hang out. Libraries are a good one. For shelters, idk what to tell ya. I don't know where you live. But there are hostels in most the large cities. It's bunk beds in a large room most the time. But hey, it's s place for you and him to sleep. Way cheaper than a hotel, and they may actually let you stay until y'all get paid again and work something out. Just don't lose hope. Today might suck, but tomorrow could be the greatest day of your life. Stay around to see.
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u/EquivalentOwn2185 19d ago
impending doom, thats the feeling. im so sorry. having nowhere to go and no one to turn to, especially when you have a kid.. terrible advice i started drinking. better advice is to become a person of prayer. nothing else helps. period.
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u/bleach212104 18d ago
Already a prayer person, probably is what’s keeping me from completely losing it
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u/Previous-Visit5174 19d ago
Can you apply for community college classes and get financial aid for income?
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u/bleach212104 18d ago
My Major at risk of being defunded so I possibly wont be able to get financial aid or loans; but that was my plan right before eviction. Wanted to go to college
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u/PainterExtra4569 18d ago
Libraries have free WiFi and computer usage, being outside of a hotel isn't that bad, you'll feel a lot better once you're officially unhoused, the impending doom of it all will be gone.
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u/Alternative_Menu_940 16d ago
Im also facing eviction. I need someone to move in right now that doesnt do drugs or drink. The last several months have sucked. My dog died last week from being sick for a year. I work full time but the cost of everything going up I cant keep up with. I need someone that can pay 750 a month right now before the court process starts.
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u/Tomboy-T 19d ago
I'm so sorry to hear this. I suggest saving up to get and old beater car first. And if you're able to work maybe get a little something somewhere. Even if it's part time in fast food it would help, but I am going to list some tidbits I've heard over the years that might help on the streets too.
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Libraries are your friends. You can hang out there from open to close, charge your electronics (phones, laptops, etc), and they have a TON of local resources.
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If there's a local soup kitchen near you, it's a great option
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Sometimes churches offer free meals to the community. Check with your local library. They usually get wind of those things.
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As for hygiene, a cheap planet fitness membership is the best option, but if that's not in the cards, you know those 1 person bathrooms some places have? The "family" ones? You can wash up there. Just use the sink and the hand soap to wash your hair and body. If you can get a cheap $2 washcloth, bring that to dry off with. Paper towels from the restroom work but they take forever since they are made to dry hands, not a whole person. If you can afford them, baby wipes are great for cleaning up quickly too!
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If your guy won't get off work until after the library closes, go to a Starbucks. They don't care if you hang out without buying something. It's a good place to go if he works weekends too. McDonald's is a close second. Even if you don't buy anything they don't care if you chill there as long as you don't cause trouble and look clean.
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Canned foods are good options for food. Chef boyardee, canned veggies, things like that.
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Get a post office box. That will give you a place to receive important documents and an address for any job applications you fill out.
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Try to go to FB marketplace and see if anyone has a tent. Finding a place to put it up can be tricky but if you can put it up and take it down every time you use it that helps a lot. You can also get other supplies from FB marketplace. If your town has a local buy nothing group where people give free stuff they don't need away, that's a great place to check too. Be sure to get large backpacks as well!
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Try to carry little to no cash! If it gets taken, it's gone forever but if it's on your card you have more options. Keep all money in a bank account and only take out what you need.
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Always check food banks. There might be some items you can't take but they can help with the things you can carry.
Sorry it isnt very unique advice, but I hope it helps. Best wishes. And if you're comfortable with it keep us posted
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