My Homeless Story

Denial: Don't do it. If you are close to becoming homeless you will be riding an emotional rollercoaster. The worst thing you can do is go into denial about what's coming. The best thing you can do is start to plan. Here are some considerations for those facing the awful step into homelessness. The suggestions here are for those without a car but many are viable for both situations.

1. Shelter: Buy a tent, an air mattress, a foot pump, ground cloth and a large backpack. It's best to buy a camouflage tent that blends in with woods.

2. Begin looking for a patch of woods near a bus stop to pitch your tent. Be at least 50 yards off the road. Don't share your campsite with others. Your stuff might not be there some day when you return. Pay attention to getting located near a water point, a business where you can fill jugs with drinking water. Look for a faucet on the side of convenience stores. You will probably have to look toward the outskirts of town but being close to a bus stop is important. check nearby businesses to see if their bathrooms have electrical outlets where you can plug in a set of clippers. A sheet is a good idea. On hot summer nights you can soak it in water to cool you down and help you get to sleep. (This is from someone I knew who was homeless for a while).

3. Set aside 2 changes of clothes and a jacket and raincoat, buy some sunscreen, a hat, nail clippers, fist aid ointment, band aids and bandages, pens, paper, LED flashlight, gallon plastic bags for keeping things waterproof, scissors, pocket knife, table knife, fork and spoon, plastic plate and electric clippers for cutting your own hair. You will need a pot and pan for cooking.

4. Get a library card if you don't have one. You can job hunt on the computers there and check out books as well. And they have air conditioning which is nice in the summer months.

5. Get a Post Office box if you don't have one. You need somewhere you can get mail. You can use general delivery if you want but it's better to have a box.

6. If you haven't already apply for food stamps and unemployment. Use your Post Office box to receive mail. Check the yellow pages for charities and get their phone number and address.

7. You won't be able to move all that you need to your campsite in 1 move but with 2 or 3 trips you should have enough to be at least semi-comfortable.

Alaskan stove http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=196148

Compact cookers http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=288270 http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=407535

Parabolic Solar Cooker http://home.att.net/~cleardomesolar/parabolic.html

Jet Boil Cooker System http://www.army-surplus.co.uk/militarygear/product/jet-boil-cooker.html

Pocket Cooker review http://www.daveburroughs.com/Products.html