Is this true story possible, repeatable, realistic and achievable?

Question

A man graduated from college and left it all behind to be homeless for a year. He started off with 25 dollars in his pocket and a gym bag. He went to a homeless shelter and starting working at work today/pay today places. His goal was simple: an apartment, a car, and $2,500.00 in the bank after 1 year.

Can you guess where he ended up 10 months later?

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0211/p13s02-wmgn.html

Answer 1

he is a white male over 6ft tall,,, right?

it is still statistically probable

not impressive to me

Answer 2

Yes, possible, yes, repeatable, maybe not realistic and achievable for the great mass of homeless people out there.

Answer 3

Anything is possible.

However, this fellow claimed to have a drug addicted mother and an alcoholic father, though in reality he had a stable home life.

Real people raised by alcoholic and/or drug addicted parents would not have the same clear cut way of solving problems that this young man had.

He said all he had to do was manage his money properly - something the majority of Americans are unable to do successfully - even those who are college educated.

Answer 4

I think any normal "educated" person will be able to do that or much better with a little more drive & passion for survival.

It's the bums who choose to be homeless.

Answer 5

Hmm, that seems like something I would do.

Answer 6

very much possible.

Answer 7

Of course it's possible. The thing you have to realize, is that most homeless people are homeless for a reason. Mental disease, drug addiction, low intelligence, etc. This guy obviously had the smarts to get a bachelor's degree, is mentally stable and had his old life to fall back on. Homeless people don't have those luxuries and often think of themselves in a hopeless situation, they either won't make an attempt at a better life because they don't believe it's possible, or they lack the faculties to do so.

He didn't really prove anything other than a driven, white male with an above average intelligence can overcome a dire economic situation.

Answer 8

Great story! :)

I believe one of the reasons for his success is that he willingly set off on that journey. You know, he did have a plan B after all and didn't really worry much about whether he'll succeed or not. He was not in pain, not under stress, he was not forced to live that way, he had other choices and that's what kept him going, knowing that he has an alternative. But imagine a man who really ran away from parents who are drug users or abusive. He would feel lost, scared, he would have a hard time adjusting, no plan B, no alternative ... that stress would contribute to possible failure of the mission. I believe that was the key factor of his success, but it's nice to read stories like this. Makes you believe you can reach the stars if you set it as a goal :)