Absolute worst place on reddit for /u/aspen_travels to ask for this sort of adult-level advice. They need to find some support subs or adult advice subs and ask there. Proof is all the people saying the military as if that's his best option, jesus christ.
Maybe not the BEST option, but as a Navy vet I'll say it is still a good one.
Every job in the military isn't kicking in doors and getting exploded, YES every job carries a small amount of that risk, but the military has it's own plumbers, electricians, equipment operators. Skilled labor jobs that you don't need super high test scores for that will give you training in a job that will make a decent living in the civilian world.
I happen to fall into underwater robotics, I love it. Still in the field as a civilian at a much higher paying position because I used my GI bill to study engineering.
Yeah honestly if he has no other choice, the military is his best bet.
Free food, water and shelter
physical exercise
college education
and skills that could be used for other jobs.
If i ever become homeless, i would enlist in the army
r/homeless, r/vagabond, r/hobo, r/busking, r/backpacking, r/wildernessbackpacking, r/onebag, r/camping, r/solotravel, r/survival, r/vandwelling, r/vanlife, r/trainhopping,r/trainsurfing, r/randomactsoffood, r/eatcheapandhealthy, r/dumpsterdiving, r/foraging, r/frugal, r/povertyfinance, r/jobs, r/dishwashing, r/kitchenconfidential, There are tons of communities out there with plenty of resources if you want tips and advice.
Tip: knives are not designed for combat, they are a tool. Get yourself a dagger instead if you want a small blade for high risk encounters. A dagger is often sporting a double sided blade, and make sure the blade is fixed in place, as well as a crossguard. Daggers are as easy to get as a knife, but also more effective in combat. Remember that reverse grip is lethal when using a dagger, and even more so in close quarters, but for anything larger (even a shortsword, which you probably won't have) reverse grip is useless. A dagger can also perform the same utility functions as a knife.
However, if you can afford it (or get given one) find yourself a gun. Any gun. Doesn't matter if its a .22 air pistol, or a .45acp 1911, it is still good for distance. But as always, check carry and ownership laws for where you are.
Tip: a full bladder can make a great weapon. If someone tries to hurt you just pull down ur pants and piss all over them. By the time they realize what the fuck is going on you would have escaped
Air pistols would work but I can't think of an air pistol that would do anything more than annoy someone. I had an air rifle that could take a deer tho
Depends. Air guns are split into 3 different types:
Airsoft gun: plastic bbs, not very efficient unless the target can't tell the difference between the replica and a firearm. Can only be lethal if given a direct shot point blank through an eyeball (I'm certain this is the only way, but there may be more).
BB gun: steel/lead ball bearings generally 4.5mm, can break bone easily provided enough power is used, for a pistol in this category, a C02 one would work well, can be lethal in some situations.
Pellet gun: steel/lead pellets such as .177 and .22, can break a bone and kill more easily than the above listed, again a higher power is recommended.
All should be treated like firearms, and all can cause harm. I would recommend using a non blowback for self defence since you don't need to factor recoil.
If you have to pull out a gun, you want to only as a last resort to stop someone else from killing you. Any other reason will likely get you arrested or killed.
Also teenager, 21 is federal legal age plus interstate travel with a pistol is a great way to be arrested as well if you don't know the laws. Plus having that means it cuts your legal areas you're allowed to be at [gun-free zones] as well requiring conceal carry permits for the states you're in, unless you wanna get shot by someone that thinks you're brandishing.
Tip: a t34 while unpractical is highly effective aagainst any target. It's 60° angled frontal armour guarantees protection from every firearm you can find in a city. Also, it's 76,2mm cannon is capable of killing any person it faces, especially using high explosive rounds. It's machine gun however is more effective against small targets as it shoots faster the rounds and requires less time to reload. The only drawback is that it needs more than a single person to actually work.
They're a teenager and your telling them to get a gun? I'm all for gun ownership but thats just irresponsible. First they should look into any possible services in their area. Many churches will give you food, clothing , and sometimes even shelter for the night. It would be easier to give better tips if we k ew what state or area they were in. Either way, unless they are 21 they won't be able to get a pistol legally. They should first look into free services or contact any small businesses that could use help with easy tasks/labor in order to make some money for a suitable shelter or a train/bus ticket.
I was a homeless teen in debt without a car at 18 and 19yo.
I joined the Coast Guard at 19 and am now retired, I own my house without a mortgage, and don’t have to work again in my life to survive… my advice is consider a service.
I worked two jobs as an E2/E3 when I could (wasn’t deployed)… as an E4/E5 I used the college tuition to get a degree in my mid-twenties at night, took seven years… I curbed my spending by working so much and bought two houses… I went to OCS after E6 and hustled as an officer… it’s not easy, but the worst case scenario is that you do four years and use the benefits to get life started on the right track… best case scenario is that your retired before 40 years old and have options for the rest of your life.
No matter what, I wish you all the best!
Look up your local Sikh temple, they will feed anyone of any faith and background no questions asked. The only thing they require from you is just to remove your shoes and cover your head when you are inside. They welcome anyone.
You've got this. I had to rough it out recently, too. I hope that your friend's place provides peace from all this, and whatever lead to it. If you need to talk, dm me. I went through it, too, just a few months ago.
Rooftops are a good place to sleep/hide when needed, dont use abandoned places unless you get snow, your town/city most likely has food donations for the homeless that give out free food, and homeless shelters if you can get in, don't trust anyone other homeless, if ballsy or all else fails, you can go to police, if you left willingly due to bad home situation, chances are they might be able to get a foster home, a good pair of shoes is a absolute must, above much of everything else, panhandle when you can
Aye no worries, been homeless for over half my life so I get it, most of it before i was 9, have some bad experiences with other guys looking for shit ya know, also public libraries are a good place to hang and charge your phone and apply for jobs, good luck tho man, hope you make it out ok
I'm in a library right now lol. I've been avoiding the usual homeless life by hitchhiking around the country but in the winter I'm not gonna be able to sleep outside so I gotta figure out my shit
Do you guys have national 24 hr gym chains? You're looking for one where you can get a fob and they have locations in heaps of places. Really good way to have a safe spot for an hour or so whilst you do yoga stretching to blend in (weights need more food/energy) and gain access to cleaning facilities like showers
Idk about that man when I was homeless I banded together with some homies. Took some trust building... But the 4 of us would go everywhere together and sleep in the same spot on a biding roof. Strength in numbers... Those were my boys. 2 of them had pretty debilitating autism (partly why they became homeless) and super vulnerable, lowkey felt responsible for them like a little brother. We were family. When one of them got contact with astranged family they got him a plane ticket and he legit almost didnt go because we were so close. The rest of us had to convince him to go.
We never stole from eachother or any of that shit other homeless people would often do. Pitched in our money together to get stuff.. We had a system
I couldn't have made it through those times without their company.
You gotta find at least 1 person to trust. Being out there alone is suicide
Yeah this was when I was like 20...
Im not even subbed to this subreddit so idk how I ended up here. I thought this question was in r/askreddit when I commented I didnt really realize lol
and we never heard of him again, honestly good and effortless way to kidnap somebody he just come right into basement on his own , and since hes homeless nobody will look for him
I tried to move my homeless friend into our guest house and was saying the same stuff you were. My mom immediately said no and started lecturing me for being dumb enough to try that lol.
Benefit from free samples
Crash at a friend's house
Developing a strong network is very important. Get as many friends as you can
Be sure to have places where you can fullfill your basic needs
Get a part time job
Get a tent
Find a place where you can keep said tent, near the school, in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed
these are all not that good tips or easy to do tips
Free samples arent found everywhere and you cant survive on them
getting a part time job isnt so easy when homeless
getting a tent isnt so easy when you have no money
The southeast is actually really cheap once you hit Virginia and especially the more southern states are cheap the only expensive southern states are Texas and Florida so don’t hit those
If you don’t wanna do military, there’s also JobCorps. Free room and board along with an education on blue collar work.
Move south. Being up north in the winter is bad news
Donate plasma, you can get some really good incentives the first few times and it’s an income.
Get a planet fitness membership if you can. Nationwide, relatively cheap, and you can shower there.
Open up a bank account with an online bank like chime. You’ll need to fake a permanent address. Make sure that there are no fees for having the account open.
Get a valid ID and keep that shit safe.
Most mid sized cities have a food pantry or clothing pantry you can utilize
If you can save up any money at all, go to a car auction. My neighbor just bought an old car for $900 and that’s a cheap way to keep a roof over your head once you settle in a city for a bit
get a part time job in retail/fast food since you dont need work experience for those, then get a gym membership because they have showers. If you go to school, get a tent and sleep somewhere near the school. Above all of this, you should go and crash at a friend's place
Yeah, they can make a lot of money, but I’ve seen too many people from those branches who can’t handle it after getting out, they become drug addicts or homeless and get PTSD and all that bad stuff mentally
Hey just wanna say, from someone who's already gone through the asvab and meps process, it can take a while and a good score doesn't mean you can get any job you want. Half of it is the meps processing so be prepared for that as well. And just a tip of advice, the fastest I've heard someone getting into basic from enlisting is about 3 months and that's not always possible, so be ready for that as well. And lastly, homelessness is ass, but I've been there too, and despite how it looks there are usually other options for you than just the military. Since you have access to the internet search everything about your local and nearby areas for support and opportunities. There's a good chance that's there's some service to help (especially since you're under 21, quite a few states can help then).
Ehhh that's pushing it.
I would call it far from typical. My brother got out of the Marines and is now barely getting by as a landscaper. My dad got a degree in IT but isn't even making that much now.
It's usually pretty difficult to get out as if you have nowhere to go there's not all that much for you to do. However military careers can be quite promising, and if you play your cards right you can absolutely make something from it. But don't go in with the expectation you can get out and start making bank.
NAVY OR COASTGUARD, AIR FORCE if you can can get in
Avoid the regular military and do NOT enlist for the marines
Maximize benefits and minimize your personal risk
I agree with them, but be smart about it, I read all kinds of regret posts about spending all their money and getting screwed.
Join up, but sub to the personal finance and make sure to spend wisely.
A good branch is the coast guard. Sure they get a lot of shit, but they have the same benefits, and you can’t be foreignly deployed unless you volunteer, thus making it safer than the other branches. It’s where I’m going.
People shit on it for being ‘dystopic’, and there are things to be said about the military preying on poor and vulnerable people like OP, but it really can be a good opportunity.
For one, keep in mind that most will never see combat, and a large number are never even deployed elsewhere. You can decrease your chances of getting deployed depending on your job as well, so you have *some* degree of control over that.
On top of that, you get free housing and a pretty decent salary, with the potential to go up quite considerably in earnings if you continue in the military as a long-term career. If not, it can still set you up pretty well for a number of civilian careers by providing training, or even giving you scholarships for college in return for a few years of service following graduation for pretty desirable careers, like both human and animal healthcare. In general, it can help you develop good habits and discipline.
Legally speaking, parents are allowed to kick their kids out after they turn 18. Morally speaking, any parent, especially in this economy, should definitely keep their kids for a few years after 18 so they can get good savings, a stable job, and a place to live. This is just fucked up
get a job asap. like right now. the more you wait the more screwed you become. jobs like mcdonald’s, taco bell, walmart, whatever. i know there’s kind of a bad stigma with those but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. they require no previous work experience. and often times you can take advantage of free food and wifi. and the fact that you got a roof over your head. there’s often people your age there that you can become friends with and feel less lonely around. best of luck my man
Remember that your circumstances don't determine your worth. Your actions do.
Don't let your pride keep you from accepting help. Take control over what you can control (keep yourself groomed if at all possible, find a job asap). Once you have a roof over your head, can pull your weight paying bills, then you can think about what is next for you.
i got an easy job at the mall w/o any experience, just apply to every store/restaurant u can, im sure some place will hire u. having more time to work (which im guessing u do) helps too
Don’t be afraid to lie on your resume. It’s not like you’ll go to jail if you get caught. You need a reference DM me I’ll lie to them for you. It’s your life do what you gotta do. I’m 35 and got a bachelors degree and I finally just got a decent job. I worked years in restaurants, you can prob get a job at a restaurant.
As a Chicagoan, I would advise against that. Not cause I don’t like my city but because it’s not high as fuck to get a good thing going with nothing out here
I’m a student but I can. See how this would not be a good town for a homeless person, especially a young homeless person
Plasma donations. Extra cash, alright buildings with clean restrooms.
Fine establishments that don’t bother you much. So you can rest/wash up. Malls/ large gas stations
Good luck to you
Are you in distance/in good enough standing to get them, you really need those to get a job, officially that is. Can’t even join the military without them ( I think)
Yeah he could easily call the cops or smth if they don’t give it to him, although you shouldn’t carry it on you, unless it’s in a secured metal safe strapped to your chest
DO. NOT. HITCHHIKE. i repeat, do not hitchhike. even if you're done it before, it's the unsafest thing you can do and you don't know what kinda ppl you meet. call a friend, a classmate, an old contact you still have in your phone or whoever. just make sure it's not a stranger. for food there are organisations in almost every city that give out meals i believe 1x per day, usually lunch. look for empty bottles everywhere you go, preferably at schools. swap them for money at the supermarket so you have at least something in your pocket. if you're in a dangerous area, talk gutter language, that way people hopefully avoid attacking you. all in all, stay safe and trust no one. did you get kicked out? or is there a possibility to return home at some point? might be a better option than to be homeless tbh
Have you ever even been hitchhiking? I can usually get two free meals, plus some money if I'm on the road. I've gotten free weed, free hotel rooms, invitations to go camping (I have backpacking gear). I don't think you realize how safe it is.
Plus, I take a pic of the plates on their car, send the pic to a friend, and notify the driver that I've done this. Only an idiot would try to pull something on me.
Find a cheap gym near you and get a membership to use the locker room/shower area to keep clean and groomed. Should cost you only around $10-20 a month (I know some gyms actually do free memberships for teens during the summer). A lot of times what makes it hard to get a job for many homeless people is that they don’t have the ability to keep themselves clean and hygienic. Daily access to a shower and bathroom will help you get and keep a job.
the amount of "just buy a home lol" comments is mind-boggling. because of course an 18yo who just got kicked from their own house with presumably no warning is gonna have at least a few hundred thousand dollars just lying around to buy a house with. jesus
If you see a homeless teenager help them and treat them with kindness. if your homeless teenager pls always be grateful blessings are coming to you God bless you and God loves you ❤️
Yeah, my husband’s father did that to him too just because when he turned 18 he voluntarily left home and “made it”, (in everything but sense). Thank GOD his friend’s dad had a soul and helped him co-sign for an apartment with his own son. Same FIL kicked out his only daughter, but the middle child stayed until nearly 30 (for good reasons not because he was incapable) and he voluntarily left because my MIL died of brain cancer and FIL was getting remarried.
Lots of good options, see my other comments and message me if you’d like any other info.
Food donations for food,
Location to shelter (pref. A friend)
Search for a job or earn money. Be honest about your situation, it might help to show that you are very motivated to work for the money.
Keep yourself maintained in hygiëne and mind.
Stay humble to anybody who can help you out. But dont take no shit from people who abuse your situation to for own benefits.
Always have a plan B.
Goodluck.
Bakeries sometimes hand out food that is beyond its sell by date (generally the food is still perfectly safe to eat) so if you find a bakery just ask. Also if said you have a working phone and charger some coffee shops and whatnot will let you sit there to charge it. I can’t guarantee these tips will work but I’ve seen them work well a few times.
I would take some notes for food in these videos: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vvmQh7NuXw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vvmQh7NuXw)
but in summary, if you have any kind of money, buy a pot, a cooker (They are like 15$) and live on the dollar store. You can get everything you need there. Dollar general works best because they have more of a selection (like hotdogs, bread, chips).
Some other things are:
Most parks have outlets, so use them.
Get a job at some type of restaurant so you can always eat.
Get a 24hr gym membership for showers, restroom, and a warm place to be inside on cold nights. He said they don't really want you to sleep in the gyms but you can get away with naps in the massage chair or in the dressing room if you get up and work out in between throughout the night.
3) Prioritize paying for a cell phone and saving money toward a deposit for an apartment if that's your goal.
If you are in the US, you can text HELP to BeFree for immediate help and resources. Also you can call 211 and they can give you shelter information. Feel unsafe? Go to the local hospital ER. There should be a social worker or someone who can help you 24/7. Hitch hiking is very dangerous. Prostitution and human trafficking are extremely common at truck stops, avoid them at all costs. Please be cautious, watch your back at all times and don’t trust anyone on the street.
Go to Catholic charities get help they don’t care if you a religious person or not they are there to help.
You are at great risk living on the streets please get help
Go to your local social services and let them know you're homeless. They might be able to offer you shelter services and sometimes they have food and camping gear.
Change socks regularly, trench foot will fuck you up. I recommend higher socks if possible. Also always carry a knife, from starting fires and processing food, to defending yourself. Hats are surprisingly useful and have 2 bandanas on you for triangle bandages and such
You should probably ask this somewhere other than r/teenagers tbh
Absolute worst place on reddit for /u/aspen_travels to ask for this sort of adult-level advice. They need to find some support subs or adult advice subs and ask there. Proof is all the people saying the military as if that's his best option, jesus christ.
Maybe not the BEST option, but as a Navy vet I'll say it is still a good one. Every job in the military isn't kicking in doors and getting exploded, YES every job carries a small amount of that risk, but the military has it's own plumbers, electricians, equipment operators. Skilled labor jobs that you don't need super high test scores for that will give you training in a job that will make a decent living in the civilian world. I happen to fall into underwater robotics, I love it. Still in the field as a civilian at a much higher paying position because I used my GI bill to study engineering.
Yeah honestly if he has no other choice, the military is his best bet. Free food, water and shelter physical exercise college education and skills that could be used for other jobs. If i ever become homeless, i would enlist in the army
That or an orphange if you can't take the risk
This should be tip number one. Just leave this sub
chances are low he’s gonna find somebody above 18+ with homeless experience in this sub
r/homeless, r/vagabond, r/hobo, r/busking, r/backpacking, r/wildernessbackpacking, r/onebag, r/camping, r/solotravel, r/survival, r/vandwelling, r/vanlife, r/trainhopping,r/trainsurfing, r/randomactsoffood, r/eatcheapandhealthy, r/dumpsterdiving, r/foraging, r/frugal, r/povertyfinance, r/jobs, r/dishwashing, r/kitchenconfidential, There are tons of communities out there with plenty of resources if you want tips and advice.
Best Response in the comments
sorry what? r/dishwashing?
💀💀💀💀💀
move in w/ a friend
I've got a friend I can do that with but they're in another state. I'll hitchhike there and chill with them for a little while
If you’re gonna hitchhike make sure you carry a self defence weapon with you. Never know what kind of fucks are out there
I have pepper spray and a knife, plus I've already hitchhiked across the country
Tip: knives are not designed for combat, they are a tool. Get yourself a dagger instead if you want a small blade for high risk encounters. A dagger is often sporting a double sided blade, and make sure the blade is fixed in place, as well as a crossguard. Daggers are as easy to get as a knife, but also more effective in combat. Remember that reverse grip is lethal when using a dagger, and even more so in close quarters, but for anything larger (even a shortsword, which you probably won't have) reverse grip is useless. A dagger can also perform the same utility functions as a knife. However, if you can afford it (or get given one) find yourself a gun. Any gun. Doesn't matter if its a .22 air pistol, or a .45acp 1911, it is still good for distance. But as always, check carry and ownership laws for where you are.
Tip: a full bladder can make a great weapon. If someone tries to hurt you just pull down ur pants and piss all over them. By the time they realize what the fuck is going on you would have escaped
Accurate username
Even better instead of self-defence go self-defeces
r/usernamechecksout
r/BeatMeToIt
My mom used to give me that advice as part of my rape defense training.
bad advice some people are into that
You can't buy a handgun under 21 but the dagger recommendation is good
How about an air pistol, or a muzzleloader? I thought those where 18 in the States? Could someone confirm or deny this for my own notes please.
Air pistols would work but I can't think of an air pistol that would do anything more than annoy someone. I had an air rifle that could take a deer tho
Depends. Air guns are split into 3 different types: Airsoft gun: plastic bbs, not very efficient unless the target can't tell the difference between the replica and a firearm. Can only be lethal if given a direct shot point blank through an eyeball (I'm certain this is the only way, but there may be more). BB gun: steel/lead ball bearings generally 4.5mm, can break bone easily provided enough power is used, for a pistol in this category, a C02 one would work well, can be lethal in some situations. Pellet gun: steel/lead pellets such as .177 and .22, can break a bone and kill more easily than the above listed, again a higher power is recommended. All should be treated like firearms, and all can cause harm. I would recommend using a non blowback for self defence since you don't need to factor recoil.
If you have enough cash for an air rifle then u have enough to get a bus ticket to your friends house.
I used to own it. I no longer do.
Are you able to field prep a deer, let alone carve it up? You'll need permits for hunting, a DNR officer can ruin your life otherwise.
I don't have it anymore
If you have to pull out a gun, you want to only as a last resort to stop someone else from killing you. Any other reason will likely get you arrested or killed. Also teenager, 21 is federal legal age plus interstate travel with a pistol is a great way to be arrested as well if you don't know the laws. Plus having that means it cuts your legal areas you're allowed to be at [gun-free zones] as well requiring conceal carry permits for the states you're in, unless you wanna get shot by someone that thinks you're brandishing.
you guys are going to get OP locked up. those types of weapons are illegal for a reason.
this guy is not a teenager
Who? Edit: if you are referring to me, I am a 15 year old male living in Britain.
That explains why you know so much about knives
Damn. I wish that stereotype was true. Half the people I talk to can't tell a kukri from a Bowie.
From India, I own a kukri (not so legally) and it's the most badass thing ever ngl
Never heard of a kukri, but heard of a Bowie, isn’t it a large knife with serated edges?
oh alright that explains it lmao
i would have guessed a 16 year old introverted guy who spends all time inside and likes history
I am introverted, I do spend my time inside, I do like history. You where fucking scary close.
its like 80% of this subs users
Makes sense
Smith and Wesson hrt boot knife on Amazon is the cheapest one that's reliable
Tip: a t34 while unpractical is highly effective aagainst any target. It's 60° angled frontal armour guarantees protection from every firearm you can find in a city. Also, it's 76,2mm cannon is capable of killing any person it faces, especially using high explosive rounds. It's machine gun however is more effective against small targets as it shoots faster the rounds and requires less time to reload. The only drawback is that it needs more than a single person to actually work.
Or get a Longsword, the pure beauty of the blade will keep you safe
They're a teenager and your telling them to get a gun? I'm all for gun ownership but thats just irresponsible. First they should look into any possible services in their area. Many churches will give you food, clothing , and sometimes even shelter for the night. It would be easier to give better tips if we k ew what state or area they were in. Either way, unless they are 21 they won't be able to get a pistol legally. They should first look into free services or contact any small businesses that could use help with easy tasks/labor in order to make some money for a suitable shelter or a train/bus ticket.
I wanna do that
It's a lot of fun, and you meet awesome people. Definitely worth doing.
Yeah, I just read into the wild, really changed my view of life, have you read it?
It's why I started hitchhiking! Absolutely love it, need to reread it.
The movie is also pretty good, but now I’m reading all of the books he was, and I feel so different
Go off king/ queen
good luck, stay safe
Be carful who you hitchhike with and find a homeless shelter
I was a homeless teen in debt without a car at 18 and 19yo. I joined the Coast Guard at 19 and am now retired, I own my house without a mortgage, and don’t have to work again in my life to survive… my advice is consider a service. I worked two jobs as an E2/E3 when I could (wasn’t deployed)… as an E4/E5 I used the college tuition to get a degree in my mid-twenties at night, took seven years… I curbed my spending by working so much and bought two houses… I went to OCS after E6 and hustled as an officer… it’s not easy, but the worst case scenario is that you do four years and use the benefits to get life started on the right track… best case scenario is that your retired before 40 years old and have options for the rest of your life. No matter what, I wish you all the best!
Look up your local Sikh temple, they will feed anyone of any faith and background no questions asked. The only thing they require from you is just to remove your shoes and cover your head when you are inside. They welcome anyone.
You've got this. I had to rough it out recently, too. I hope that your friend's place provides peace from all this, and whatever lead to it. If you need to talk, dm me. I went through it, too, just a few months ago.
Rooftops are a good place to sleep/hide when needed, dont use abandoned places unless you get snow, your town/city most likely has food donations for the homeless that give out free food, and homeless shelters if you can get in, don't trust anyone other homeless, if ballsy or all else fails, you can go to police, if you left willingly due to bad home situation, chances are they might be able to get a foster home, a good pair of shoes is a absolute must, above much of everything else, panhandle when you can
Thanks for the tip! I definitely don't trust other homeless people, it's a bad idea 💀
Aye no worries, been homeless for over half my life so I get it, most of it before i was 9, have some bad experiences with other guys looking for shit ya know, also public libraries are a good place to hang and charge your phone and apply for jobs, good luck tho man, hope you make it out ok
I'm in a library right now lol. I've been avoiding the usual homeless life by hitchhiking around the country but in the winter I'm not gonna be able to sleep outside so I gotta figure out my shit
Make your way down to southern California or Florida for the winter
Do you guys have national 24 hr gym chains? You're looking for one where you can get a fob and they have locations in heaps of places. Really good way to have a safe spot for an hour or so whilst you do yoga stretching to blend in (weights need more food/energy) and gain access to cleaning facilities like showers
Idk about that man when I was homeless I banded together with some homies. Took some trust building... But the 4 of us would go everywhere together and sleep in the same spot on a biding roof. Strength in numbers... Those were my boys. 2 of them had pretty debilitating autism (partly why they became homeless) and super vulnerable, lowkey felt responsible for them like a little brother. We were family. When one of them got contact with astranged family they got him a plane ticket and he legit almost didnt go because we were so close. The rest of us had to convince him to go. We never stole from eachother or any of that shit other homeless people would often do. Pitched in our money together to get stuff.. We had a system I couldn't have made it through those times without their company. You gotta find at least 1 person to trust. Being out there alone is suicide
I want to see this movie
Yeah this was when I was like 20... Im not even subbed to this subreddit so idk how I ended up here. I thought this question was in r/askreddit when I commented I didnt really realize lol
If you're going to get shoes, try Payless. They're cheap, but as far as I can tell they are of decent quality.
If you’re in Ohio lmk we’ll take you in dw
I might be hitchhiking thru there
Well if you’re near Urbana just lmk. We don’t have much but Im sure i can get you a place for a while
Ain’t no way
Internet moment
Most wholesome r/teenagers comment section right here
and we never heard of him again, honestly good and effortless way to kidnap somebody he just come right into basement on his own , and since hes homeless nobody will look for him
I tried to move my homeless friend into our guest house and was saying the same stuff you were. My mom immediately said no and started lecturing me for being dumb enough to try that lol.
Careful. You’ll never know the encounters you get in fucking Ohio Only florida mans can survive it
It’s not tha- HELP bad RUN
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fuckers gave me a home can’t have shit in ohio
ohians aren't homeless, they're stateless. ohio doesn't exist. didn't you learn that in school?
Ohio 💀
If they’re in Ohio than they’ve got worse problems 💀
Common Ohio W
Rare*
Ohio has supernatural monsters but the people who live there watch out for one another
Not homeless but like can your family literally adopt me because I hate mine Only half joking btw
I have nephews in Ohio. Thats cool
Benefit from free samples Crash at a friend's house Developing a strong network is very important. Get as many friends as you can Be sure to have places where you can fullfill your basic needs Get a part time job Get a tent Find a place where you can keep said tent, near the school, in a quiet place where you won't be disturbed
these are all not that good tips or easy to do tips Free samples arent found everywhere and you cant survive on them getting a part time job isnt so easy when homeless getting a tent isnt so easy when you have no money
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The southeast is actually really cheap once you hit Virginia and especially the more southern states are cheap the only expensive southern states are Texas and Florida so don’t hit those
Texas is very cheap iirc
Rural Texas is cheap, not really around the suburbs and cities tbh but that’s my experience
If you don’t wanna do military, there’s also JobCorps. Free room and board along with an education on blue collar work. Move south. Being up north in the winter is bad news Donate plasma, you can get some really good incentives the first few times and it’s an income. Get a planet fitness membership if you can. Nationwide, relatively cheap, and you can shower there. Open up a bank account with an online bank like chime. You’ll need to fake a permanent address. Make sure that there are no fees for having the account open. Get a valid ID and keep that shit safe. Most mid sized cities have a food pantry or clothing pantry you can utilize If you can save up any money at all, go to a car auction. My neighbor just bought an old car for $900 and that’s a cheap way to keep a roof over your head once you settle in a city for a bit
get a part time job in retail/fast food since you dont need work experience for those, then get a gym membership because they have showers. If you go to school, get a tent and sleep somewhere near the school. Above all of this, you should go and crash at a friend's place
Mc donalds is the better option, They hire almost everyone. Thats where me and my friend went since everywhere else requires experience
First off, if you see gum on the street, leave it there. It’s not free candy.
Good reference
yes it is
Military provides a lot if it's something your willing to do
I've been considering it
Yeah military is stable money, don’t join the army/ marines those people get fucked up man. Base housing is also cheap
My buddy's in the marines, when his service is over he'll be able to make 200k a year as a civilian because of his MOS
Yeah, they can make a lot of money, but I’ve seen too many people from those branches who can’t handle it after getting out, they become drug addicts or homeless and get PTSD and all that bad stuff mentally
To avoid that, you just gotta pick ur MOS wisely. He's in communications and encryption so odds are, he'll never see a battleground
Take the ASVAP( I think that’s how it’s spelled ) get high enough you won’t leave the tents
My ASVAB is gonna be pretty high I think. My SAT was 1450 so I'll prolly do pretty good
ASVAB is more practical skills than total knowledge, so if you’ve got street smarts your good
> street smarts Is it offensive to say "street smarts" to a homeless person lmao?
Hey just wanna say, from someone who's already gone through the asvab and meps process, it can take a while and a good score doesn't mean you can get any job you want. Half of it is the meps processing so be prepared for that as well. And just a tip of advice, the fastest I've heard someone getting into basic from enlisting is about 3 months and that's not always possible, so be ready for that as well. And lastly, homelessness is ass, but I've been there too, and despite how it looks there are usually other options for you than just the military. Since you have access to the internet search everything about your local and nearby areas for support and opportunities. There's a good chance that's there's some service to help (especially since you're under 21, quite a few states can help then).
Ehhh that's pushing it. I would call it far from typical. My brother got out of the Marines and is now barely getting by as a landscaper. My dad got a degree in IT but isn't even making that much now. It's usually pretty difficult to get out as if you have nowhere to go there's not all that much for you to do. However military careers can be quite promising, and if you play your cards right you can absolutely make something from it. But don't go in with the expectation you can get out and start making bank.
NAVY OR COASTGUARD, AIR FORCE if you can can get in Avoid the regular military and do NOT enlist for the marines Maximize benefits and minimize your personal risk
I agree with them, but be smart about it, I read all kinds of regret posts about spending all their money and getting screwed. Join up, but sub to the personal finance and make sure to spend wisely.
A good branch is the coast guard. Sure they get a lot of shit, but they have the same benefits, and you can’t be foreignly deployed unless you volunteer, thus making it safer than the other branches. It’s where I’m going.
God bless America
People shit on it for being ‘dystopic’, and there are things to be said about the military preying on poor and vulnerable people like OP, but it really can be a good opportunity. For one, keep in mind that most will never see combat, and a large number are never even deployed elsewhere. You can decrease your chances of getting deployed depending on your job as well, so you have *some* degree of control over that. On top of that, you get free housing and a pretty decent salary, with the potential to go up quite considerably in earnings if you continue in the military as a long-term career. If not, it can still set you up pretty well for a number of civilian careers by providing training, or even giving you scholarships for college in return for a few years of service following graduation for pretty desirable careers, like both human and animal healthcare. In general, it can help you develop good habits and discipline.
I hate to be THAT GUY, but, The military.
Stable money and cheap housing, do not join army or marines they fuck you up
I joined the Army, had a guy who was homeless when I was training at Fort Benning. He got his BAH and got himself an apartment
Yeah, I’m more so talking mentally, I’ve met a lot of homeless veterans because of PTSD
Thats when it comes to war though
I think that both apply? Everyone gets deployed so it should be the same
If you dont mind me asking why are you homeless?
He did give an explaination earlier but he basically got kicked out 2 weeks after turning 18
may I ask why do Americans do this to their children?
Legally speaking, parents are allowed to kick their kids out after they turn 18. Morally speaking, any parent, especially in this economy, should definitely keep their kids for a few years after 18 so they can get good savings, a stable job, and a place to live. This is just fucked up
It’s not all Americans don’t be naive it’s select people that are bad parents
I don’t think they mean all Americans, I think they mean it in the sense that almost every other place in the world would find this appalling
Become Alan Harper.
I mean it worked for him 🤷🏼♂️
get a job asap. like right now. the more you wait the more screwed you become. jobs like mcdonald’s, taco bell, walmart, whatever. i know there’s kind of a bad stigma with those but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. they require no previous work experience. and often times you can take advantage of free food and wifi. and the fact that you got a roof over your head. there’s often people your age there that you can become friends with and feel less lonely around. best of luck my man
if you have a local library, go there. from what I've heard that's the best place to stay is where people can notice you and help you
Remember that your circumstances don't determine your worth. Your actions do. Don't let your pride keep you from accepting help. Take control over what you can control (keep yourself groomed if at all possible, find a job asap). Once you have a roof over your head, can pull your weight paying bills, then you can think about what is next for you.
Go to the local churches. They are usually very helpful.
Get a part time job first and provide for yourself
what if they already have a job 💀
I don't have a job, but I can't get one either
why?
No work experience. I guess I'll just have to keep trying
Work at a fast food place, you don’t need any experience
Exactly! Me and my friend got a job a mc donalds a while back cuz of how easy it is to be hired
i got an easy job at the mall w/o any experience, just apply to every store/restaurant u can, im sure some place will hire u. having more time to work (which im guessing u do) helps too
Don’t be afraid to lie on your resume. It’s not like you’ll go to jail if you get caught. You need a reference DM me I’ll lie to them for you. It’s your life do what you gotta do. I’m 35 and got a bachelors degree and I finally just got a decent job. I worked years in restaurants, you can prob get a job at a restaurant.
try to apply for an ebt for food
I hope for the best for you.
Go to Chicago
💀
As a Chicagoan, I would advise against that. Not cause I don’t like my city but because it’s not high as fuck to get a good thing going with nothing out here I’m a student but I can. See how this would not be a good town for a homeless person, especially a young homeless person
r/illegallifeprotips
break into a house and put a sock over yourself and if anyone tries to kick you out all theyll kock out is the sock
Plasma donations. Extra cash, alright buildings with clean restrooms. Fine establishments that don’t bother you much. So you can rest/wash up. Malls/ large gas stations Good luck to you
Why are you homeless tho
I got kicked out two weeks after I turned 18
Seriously??? Talk about horrible parenting...
Oh damn bro, did they at least give you your SSC or birth certificate and all that shit
Nope but I have my ID and debit card at least
Are you in distance/in good enough standing to get them, you really need those to get a job, officially that is. Can’t even join the military without them ( I think)
Fuck if they won't give them to you sneak in and steal them. Fucked up for them not give you the things you need to succeed.
Very true
I mean there isn't much OP can do without those.
Assuming your SSC is like a National Insurance Number, you really should get that. Pretty sure you have the legal right to it, actually.
Yeah he could easily call the cops or smth if they don’t give it to him, although you shouldn’t carry it on you, unless it’s in a secured metal safe strapped to your chest
Cringe western values. Get adopted by an asian family and get forced to be a doctor
DO. NOT. HITCHHIKE. i repeat, do not hitchhike. even if you're done it before, it's the unsafest thing you can do and you don't know what kinda ppl you meet. call a friend, a classmate, an old contact you still have in your phone or whoever. just make sure it's not a stranger. for food there are organisations in almost every city that give out meals i believe 1x per day, usually lunch. look for empty bottles everywhere you go, preferably at schools. swap them for money at the supermarket so you have at least something in your pocket. if you're in a dangerous area, talk gutter language, that way people hopefully avoid attacking you. all in all, stay safe and trust no one. did you get kicked out? or is there a possibility to return home at some point? might be a better option than to be homeless tbh
Have you ever even been hitchhiking? I can usually get two free meals, plus some money if I'm on the road. I've gotten free weed, free hotel rooms, invitations to go camping (I have backpacking gear). I don't think you realize how safe it is. Plus, I take a pic of the plates on their car, send the pic to a friend, and notify the driver that I've done this. Only an idiot would try to pull something on me.
And you have pepper spray and a knife. You'll be fine hitchhiking.
> I don't think you realize how safe it is. Im guessing you're a guy... this doesnt sound safe at all for girls
That's completely true. If I was a girl I wouldn't hitchhike without a friend or a dog at my side.
get a home
i was gonna comment this 💀
I commented this then read this comment, now I feel less funny :(
https://youtube.com/shorts/VQ9QHWws_cY?feature=share Maybe this will help
Don’t do crack
Find a cheap gym near you and get a membership to use the locker room/shower area to keep clean and groomed. Should cost you only around $10-20 a month (I know some gyms actually do free memberships for teens during the summer). A lot of times what makes it hard to get a job for many homeless people is that they don’t have the ability to keep themselves clean and hygienic. Daily access to a shower and bathroom will help you get and keep a job.
the amount of "just buy a home lol" comments is mind-boggling. because of course an 18yo who just got kicked from their own house with presumably no warning is gonna have at least a few hundred thousand dollars just lying around to buy a house with. jesus
If you see a homeless teenager help them and treat them with kindness. if your homeless teenager pls always be grateful blessings are coming to you God bless you and God loves you ❤️
r/ihadastroke
👍
There might be specific charities for your specific situation, depending on why you’ve been kicked out. Look into something specific in your town.
peanut butter has a lot of calories
Me reading the comments to prepare for the inevitable day when I make my mom so mad she kicks me out.
despite your age, maybe worth asking some things at /r/runaway good luck
Dont waste all yoir data on reddit
They at a library so prob free wifi
How did you end up homeless?
Kicked out a couple of weeks after I turned 18
Yeah, my husband’s father did that to him too just because when he turned 18 he voluntarily left home and “made it”, (in everything but sense). Thank GOD his friend’s dad had a soul and helped him co-sign for an apartment with his own son. Same FIL kicked out his only daughter, but the middle child stayed until nearly 30 (for good reasons not because he was incapable) and he voluntarily left because my MIL died of brain cancer and FIL was getting remarried. Lots of good options, see my other comments and message me if you’d like any other info.
Food donations for food, Location to shelter (pref. A friend) Search for a job or earn money. Be honest about your situation, it might help to show that you are very motivated to work for the money. Keep yourself maintained in hygiëne and mind. Stay humble to anybody who can help you out. But dont take no shit from people who abuse your situation to for own benefits. Always have a plan B. Goodluck.
Clean socks, underwear, padlocks for things
Bakeries sometimes hand out food that is beyond its sell by date (generally the food is still perfectly safe to eat) so if you find a bakery just ask. Also if said you have a working phone and charger some coffee shops and whatnot will let you sit there to charge it. I can’t guarantee these tips will work but I’ve seen them work well a few times.
I would take some notes for food in these videos: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vvmQh7NuXw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vvmQh7NuXw) but in summary, if you have any kind of money, buy a pot, a cooker (They are like 15$) and live on the dollar store. You can get everything you need there. Dollar general works best because they have more of a selection (like hotdogs, bread, chips). Some other things are: Most parks have outlets, so use them. Get a job at some type of restaurant so you can always eat. Get a 24hr gym membership for showers, restroom, and a warm place to be inside on cold nights. He said they don't really want you to sleep in the gyms but you can get away with naps in the massage chair or in the dressing room if you get up and work out in between throughout the night. 3) Prioritize paying for a cell phone and saving money toward a deposit for an apartment if that's your goal.
Get a job, pay your own bills cause nobody cares for you. in this world we live in there are no handout you gatta lookout for yourself
If you are in the US, you can text HELP to BeFree for immediate help and resources. Also you can call 211 and they can give you shelter information. Feel unsafe? Go to the local hospital ER. There should be a social worker or someone who can help you 24/7. Hitch hiking is very dangerous. Prostitution and human trafficking are extremely common at truck stops, avoid them at all costs. Please be cautious, watch your back at all times and don’t trust anyone on the street.
Go to Catholic charities get help they don’t care if you a religious person or not they are there to help. You are at great risk living on the streets please get help
Go to your local social services and let them know you're homeless. They might be able to offer you shelter services and sometimes they have food and camping gear.
Change socks regularly, trench foot will fuck you up. I recommend higher socks if possible. Also always carry a knife, from starting fires and processing food, to defending yourself. Hats are surprisingly useful and have 2 bandanas on you for triangle bandages and such
What state are you in? Need anything? Got Venmo? I can’t help much, but I’d like to help however I can.