How do I get from homeless to prospering in five years?

Question

First, I am not seeking poltical opinions or snarky answers. I am looking for ideas that can help.

I am struggling with being without shelter and have for quite some time. I am working in a professional job, but it is only paying less than 9.00 an hour. Average rents are $1500.

I do not utitilize the various homeless shelters in the city because they are too far away and their requirements do not fit where I am in my life. They assume I have either a mental illness or I am addicted to some substance. I am as sane as most people and I have never consumed alcohol or a controlled substance.

Yes, I want shelter, but beyond that, I want to prosper. I want to have that finacial independence that will allow me never to have to face this again.

Do you have any concrete suggestions, steps, or pointers I can use.

Only serious answers please.

Answer 1

First of all, move to a place with a lower cost of living. The rest will follow.

$9.00 an hour is not a lot, but $1500 average rent is huge. Are you in Seattle or something?

If you find an apartment for $600 or less, you could have shelter. That's lower than a mortgage so you could save money more easily.

Answer 2

Your in a professional job that pays $9.00 an hour. You obviously have some skills but just haven't found the right place to get everything you can from them. Look for another job thats similar to the one you have but uses your skills to their full potential. You will most likely earn more, and this is the safest way to work to the top.

Alternately, being homeless may get you some contacts on the street. Although the illegal option may not appeal to you, drug dealing and all that can be profitable. If you do choose this option, make sure you do not stay as a mere dealer for long. You will be picked up by the Police easily. Get contacts and work up the ladder, but make sure they know you are discontented with working small time and try to move up to a more profitable and most likely safer position.

However, $1500 for a shelter is a huge cost. If you find a better line of work, there must be cheaper shelter somewhere. I know places where you can get $500 shelter.

Answer 3

let me tell you a short story. i was homeless, over 10 years ago. completely without, no income, nothing. i held a sign, the whole bit. now i am with no problems and want for nothing. what you need to do, being rents are so high, is to try to either rent with friends or look for a room for rent close to your work. you might find someone that will trade odd jobs, for rent. you have to be diligent in your search. also, you might check into better jobs. work is out there if you want to work. you must be at minimum wage, like $8.00. check into your local edd office, see if they have any openings that pay more than you make. in order for you to achieve, you have to do a lot of footwork. when you get paid, every paycheck, put some into a savings. even if its 5 bucks. pennys make dollars, right? take advantage of public programs, that are available to you with a job. you pay taxes and those programs are paid by you, utilize them when you need to. everything takes time. it took me 2 years before i had a place to live - now i have a great house three cars, good job, all is well. you must be determined. no feeling sorry for yourself. it doesn't matter what a shelter thinks of you - you use it for what it is - SHELTER!  let that false pride go and do what you must to get yourself out of this situation. you are the only one that can do this. and i bet you can do it quicker than you realize.

Answer 4

Just ask for a promotion or quit that job and move on to a higher paying job. I think you should go to college cause obviously you didn't go if your a bum now. Save up you're money and live with friends and family put some of it in stock. Play the lotto. Heck you might need to go into a whole new career like how that guy did in the pursuit of happyness.