On the Road (part2)

So... here are some final (hopefully) helpful tips.

 

Clean clothes are really important when you are homeless. I would suggest at least 3 shirts, 3 pairs of pants, and 3 -t-shirts. You will also want at least 3 pairs of underwear and buy yourself a 6-pack of socks. Your feet take a beating when you are homeless and you will go through a lot of socks.

 

Another thing you will want to have is a tarp or plastic drop cloth. There are going to be nights when it rains and you'll be glad you have it. You can use it to shelter yourself from the wind and rain or lay it down on the ground. The ground can be very cold and damp. I also recommend buying a cheap sleeping pad or egg crate foam. Buy something you can roll up and easily carrying around.

 

Lastly, as absurd as it may seem you will need a cellphone to survive. A cellphone is animportant tool for anyone living in places not meant for habitation. An important function of a cellphone is its ability to double as an alarm clock to wake you up in the morning.Cellphones are also good to have in case of an emergency. Even if you have run of minutes you can still use your cellphone to call 911. You can also give out your number to family members or friends who may need to reach you or leave a message. If you arelooking for a job a cellphone is a must-have.

 

Cellphones are really cheap nowadays. Even without credit you can pick up a prepaid one for less than $20. Just watch your minutes and it shouldn't cost you much to maintain. You can charge your phone at the local library while you're using the computer or find a working outlet someplace else.

 

I would not encourage anyone to chose a life of homelessness but I also know there arepeople reading this who are homeless. I hope these tips are helpful, but never forget there are resources that can help with most issues that are precursors to homelessness. Family members and friends are often able and willing to lend assistance but they can't help if they are unaware there is a problem. Communication is a key component to avoiding homelessness, so let people know how they can help!