Facing homelessness is one of the most difficult challenges a person can face; however, it is possible to survive this situation and get back on your feet. I myself have been homeless on five separate occasions throughout my life. Yet, I survived and rebuilt my life each time. Since then, I have helped hundreds of people do the same.
Having a home allows you to save money, as it provides access to a refrigerator, a stove, a pantry, space to store food, and a secure, lockable place to keep your belongings. These benefits reduce your cost of living—even if the rent you have to pay is high.
Among the most effective strategies are finding shelter through 211.org, securing essential documentation, accessing food assistance programs, and connecting with local support networks that help people regain their stability. We have spoken with experts in homelessness and survival techniques to determine exactly what steps one should take to survive this situation.
My Survival Guide for Homeless People
Get a Waterproof and Doggie Bags
Get a waterproof backpack and fill it with dog waste bags, as you will need to keep your feet dry. You can find these dog bags in parks; they are the bags used to pick up dog feces. You put them over your feet and then pull your socks on over them so your feet don’t get wet.
Protect Your Important Documents
You need large plastic bags to store all your electronic devices and important documents. Remember that your ID is essential.
Stay Warm
Waterproof boots and warm clothing. Always carry spare pairs of socks and gloves so you can help your friends. Your sleeping bag should be rated for temperatures down to 20 degrees below zero. You should carry an extra hat. I also used to drink vodka to keep warm and numb the pain of being homeless; additionally, I used alcohol to disinfect cuts and for hygiene purposes. Later on, I learned a better way to stay warm: adding hot peppers (such as cayenne pepper) to my instant noodles or tea.
Live Within Your Budget
You must learn to live on a budget of $3.50 a day (which is the amount you would receive in food stamps); the only way to achieve this and stay healthy is to become a vegetarian. I used to buy chicken-flavored instant noodles, an onion, and some garlic. Garlic and onions help protect your immune system. I carried a portable electric pot in my backpack and used public power outlets to cook my noodles.
Find a Place to Sleep
For the homeless, the most important thing is finding a place to sleep. Use your backpack as a pillow to prevent your belongings from being stolen. Try to take naps during the day so you don’t fall into a deep sleep while you are at the shelter, allowing you to keep an eye on your things.
Maintain Hygiene
Use tea tree oil as an antiviral agent, since everyone gets sick in shelters, especially during the winter. Use bleach (Clorox) to clean the hostel mattresses and pillows before going to bed; they are made of vinyl.
Tips from My Experience
Although having a home allows you to save money, it is possible to survive without one. I have used what I learned about homelessness to help hundreds of other people rebuild their lives—even when they felt the world had left them alone and defenseless.
- If you are reading this today while experiencing homelessness, I want you to know that you can keep a cool head and keep your life stable. You will get through this. These money-saving tips will help you get back on your feet. However, anyone can benefit from learning how to keep more of their money in their pocket.
2. Apply for TANF (a financial assistance program for needy families in Arizona; other states have similar programs) and SNAP. These benefits will get you more than halfway toward stabilizing your situation until you are able to find housing. In my case, these two programs covered nearly $276 of my monthly expenses.
3. Purchase a monthly pass for your local public transportation system. When you add up gas, mileage, insurance, and car payments, owning a car turns out to be more expensive than buying a public transit pass. However, getting around by public transport can take up to four times longer. (Remember: you have a goal, and the effort will be worth it.)
4. Rent a storage unit for your belongings near a public transit route. It is not a pleasant experience—nor is it remotely easy—but it is preferable to losing the items you need to survive and rebuild your life. A small storage unit will cost you between $25 and $60 per month. You can store practically everything you need in a 3-by-5-foot space (approx. 0.9 x 1.5 meters) if you stack your belongings. Storage bins at stores like Target cost about $7 apiece for the most budget-friendly options. A clothing rack will cost you up to $20. You can get a cooler (portable ice chest) for about $10 if you look for the cheapest options available. Ice for your cooler will cost you around $10 a week.
5. Look for a shelter or find an authorized parking spot where you can spend the night.
6. Buy a barbecue grill; a new one will cost you around $150—or much less if you purchase it at a second-hand store. Using it will cost you about $50 a month, but it will allow you to save hundreds of dollars on food expenses. Use it outdoors, and afterwards, store it in your storage unit.
7. Get an affordable gym membership that includes access to showers and restrooms. You can also use free mobile showers offered by several non-profits and charities. Being able to properly clean yourself is essential. No one realized I was homeless unless I mentioned it; being well-groomed opened doors to job opportunities and personal relationships that I otherwise wouldn’t have secured. National chains like Planet Fitness currently offer monthly memberships for as little as $10—with no long-term contracts—and even give away free pizza and snacks from time to time.
8. If you have a cell phone, take advantage of the “gig economy,” which allows you to work on your own schedule as an independent contractor. Verizon offers unlimited prepaid plans for just $45 a month, and you can get a phone for a negligible sum—or almost for free—simply by asking around. Many companies, such as UberEats, allow you to earn income without needing to maintain a flawless appearance. You might only need a bicycle and a phone to make food deliveries. It’s not a huge amount of money, but it’s better than nothing. Plus, having any kind of job is preferable to having a gap in your résumé.
9. If you don’t have a phone, create a Google account to generate your own phone number. You’ll be able to send and receive voicemails and text messages, as well as make and receive phone calls from a computer while connected to a Wi-Fi network. The best part? It’s completely free to use for local calls. (Public libraries, community centers, and some charitable organizations have computer labs available for free use. Many of them even offer classes if you need to learn how to use a computer.)
10. Build your resume—with an eye toward landing a better-paying job—using platforms like Canva.com and LinkedIn. Both offer free resources and templates to help you create a professional profile that looks attractive and competitive for your next job interview.
11. Avoid applying for housing assistance programs that have excessively long waiting lists. Most cities prioritize housing rehabilitation programs over homelessness prevention, which often results in wait times that frequently exceed two years. If you are forced to wait more than two years to secure stable housing, it is highly likely that you will develop health issues—both physical and mental—which will make your subsequent reintegration into society much more costly and complex.
In conclusion:
Survival begins with safety and human connection. Use 211.org to locate shelters, safeguard your documents, and contact local non-profit organizations for food, medical care, and job training. Every step toward stability begins with asking for help, and help is available nationwide.
