Tell me about being homeless.

I broke up with my girlfriend. I have handed in my two weeks notice. The lease on my apartment ends on April 1st and I have made no attempt to renew it or to find another place to live. I have decided instead to go on an epic martial arts journey of self discovery. I am 20 years old and now is the time.

I have a $3,000 safety net that I would rather not use at all. "Learning experiences" are inevitable, however.

I plan to stay in Winnipeg, Manitoba until early September when my Thai boxing gym membership expires. After that I want to either travel West to British Columbia or East to Ontario and Quebec. Weather and quality of martial art instruction will be major factors in my decision, while opportunities for fun adventures will be minor ones.

My main concerns are:
Homeless is not classless. What is the best way to earn money without holding a job or begging? Serious replies only, please.

Nutrition is of utmost importance. Where are the best deals on fresh meat and vegetables? How can I get regular access to a kitchen without paying too much?

How can I make myself safe while sleeping outside? Specifically in urban and countryside environments?

There are many things I have yet to consider. If you can think of anything that I should know, please tell me.

If you're sleeping outside, the Ontario/Quebec thing might not be such a good idea. It gets cold in the winter.

As for making money without a job... well, what are things you're good at? You could spin up a website and sell stuff through another company.

What do you hope to achieve with this journey, exactly? Is it really your choice, or are you kind of stuck and making the most of it?

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Originally Posted by Replicon

What do you hope to achieve with this journey, exactly?

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I hope to turn the page on the social and emotional stagnation of my life during the two years following high school, to explode out of my shell, to better understand people and the world, to be afraid, and to have fun while doing it.

I suppose the most material of my goals is to break into amateur kickboxing. I have been training for a long time but have never been focused enough to be fight ready. Indeed, if this journey were to have an official purpose, it would be to enter the ring and fight.

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what are things you're good at?

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Hard physical labour.

Um, I'm not sure about this. :? It's not really the sort of thing people would admire you for in modern society.

I am not interested in being a respectable little hobbit in his comfortable little hobbit hole.

I want a raw experience; a radical event for better or for worse. I want to experiment with life's possibilities.

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Originally Posted by Ward

I plan to stay in Winnipeg, Manitoba until early September when my Thai boxing gym membership expires. After that I want to either travel West to British Columbia or East to Ontario and Quebec. Weather and quality of martial art instruction will be major factors in my decision, while opportunities for fun adventures will be minor ones.

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Idk how long after September you're looking to do this for, but you'd better take the cold into account... I doubt you don't know this, but Canada gets mighty cold during the winter.

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My main concerns are:
Homeless is not classless. What is the best way to earn money without holding a job or begging? Serious replies only, please.

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Busking.
Best would be a guitar for easy transport because of the light weight nature... but more rare(or at least, less commonly busked) instruments, such as a woodwind or brass instrument, will probably rake in more money.
Remember you might have to get a permit from the city you're in to make money whilst playing on the street,

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Nutrition is of utmost importance. Where are the best deals on fresh meat and vegetables? How can I get regular access to a kitchen without paying too much?

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Not having a place to live severely limits where and what you can cook.
Buying fresh meat is a pretty bad idea, as you have to eat it right away, or in a few hours it could start to go bad being out of refrigeration.

The best places to get food are soup kitchens. The food isn't 5 star, but it gets the job done.

For low cost, try and find a co-op, which is a store you pay a membership fee(usually one time) and you get amazing discounts on all the products. They tend to be organic and vegan in nature, but you get great nutrients for a great price.

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How can I make myself safe while sleeping outside? Specifically in urban and countryside environments?

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Get a hotel ;)
If you've got a way to carry it, get an army type sleeping bag. I've got one that belonged to my grandfather when he was stationed in some mountains... it is comfortably warm to temperatures under -15F. However it's also massive and weighs like 20 pounds. Well worth it if you can afford one and carry one easily.

I don't know much about living homeless in the countryside... But I assume a few episodes of Les Stroud's Survivorman in the Canadian wilderness should give you a few good pointers on things like how to build a lean-to or other rudimentary shelters that can be added to and strengthened.

For safety in urban environments, the first thing I had to worry about was physical protection, but being a martial artist you probably have less to worry about. However, learning how to safely wield a knife could be important.

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There are many things I have yet to consider. If you can think of anything that I should know, please tell me.

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http://www.donrearic.com/homeless.htm

If you needed to cook, I'd suggest that you find yourself a good pair of tin snips so that you can make one of these on the fly: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobo_stove
It's better than cooking over an open fire, since it's not so obvious, and it takes less fuel. If you have to ditch it, you're not out much, and you can easily make another one out of a coffee can or something.

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Originally Posted by Elis D.

http://www.donrearic.com/homeless.htm

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This is super interesting. I'm reading it right now.

yo i've always wanted to do this. hopefully i will someday. good luck.

I liked the article, Elis. It was a really interesting read.

I, too, greatly enjoyed the article. It was extremely educational!

I greatly admire what you're doing, Ward, and I am very envious of you. I've always wanted to make such a journey, but as a wife and the mother of 4 kids it is currently an impossibility.

I ran away from home twice when I was a kid growing up in Pensacola, Florida. Both times it was cold- March one year, November another. The temps dropped down into the 20's. I made myself a lean-to in some woods the first time (for 10 days) and I stayed in a drainage tunnel (water runoff, not sewage lol) for a week the second time.
I can't even imagine the weather you'll be facing!! So, please take care, stay safe, stay warm and be sure to stop at libraries and update us along your jouney :)

make sure you sleep every night. watch out for the cops . go somewhere warm !

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Originally Posted by Elis D.

Idk how long after September you're looking to do this for, but you'd better take the cold into account... I doubt you don't know this, but Canada gets mighty cold during the winter.

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More than one year. Less than three. I promised my mom that I would finish my degree by the time I was 25.
The cold is a problem that I had planned to solve over the summer. Right now I am considering a high grade sleeping bag, warm clothes, and shelter where I can find it. Also, relocating to an area with a survivable winter.
I will research any suggestions for a place to go.

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Busking.

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I like this idea. I have some skill with a guitar and have just started playing the ukulele. It is even lighter and smaller than a guitar and after a couple months of solid practice I should be able to impress somebody enough to earn a little money. If only I could sing!
I would also like to know where to look for temporary employment. There are placement agencies but a home address may be required to work.

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Not having a place to live severely limits where and what you can cook.
Buying fresh meat is a pretty bad idea, as you have to eat it right away, or in a few hours it could start to go bad being out of refrigeration.

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The idea is to buy it and eat it right away, perhaps for only one meal a day.
I expect to live on fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains for the most part but I will be burning thousands of calories a day by training. I accept that I will not be able to eat enough to be in peak physical condition but just to maintain a healthy body I will need at least one large meal each day.

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If you've got a way to carry it, get an army type sleeping bag.

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It seems to be a worthwhile investment.

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For safety in urban environments, the first thing I had to worry about was physical protection, but being a martial artist you probably have less to worry about.

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I am a good boxer but I would rather avoid any real world confrontation. People and circumstances are too unpredictable to value my training as anything more than a safety net with some holes in it. I am more interested in avoidance and concealment techniques.

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http://www.donrearic.com/homeless.htm

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Interesting and helpful. Thank you.

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Originally Posted by Zhaylin

So, please take care, stay safe, stay warm and be sure to stop at libraries and update us along your jouney

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I am going to keep a journal and take photos along the way. Up until now I had not considered posting them online. I am kind of wary about this. I do not want to become the object of a 4chan meme or something.

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Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

Um, I'm not sure about this. :? It's not really the sort of thing people would admire you for in modern society.

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why must life be about the way modern society looks at you?

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Originally Posted by Ward

I am going to keep a journal and take photos along the way. Up until now I had not considered posting them online. I am kind of wary about this. I do not want to become the object of a 4chan meme or something.

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Unless you planned on posting your journal on a chan (VERY bad idea), you don't really have anything to worry about.

I'll tell you about homelessness. It f*ing sucks. Ive spent the last 4 years on the dole because i cant hold down a job (mental issues) and im only 20. I live in a shared boarding house, i live one $150AUD a fornight plus whatever i can make on the side and material handouts. Im stuck in a rut. I dont have the money to finance a car so i can get work (must have to work here in Aus im afraid) and i cant get the money because i cant work. Seriously, use that money you have to put yourself in rental accomodation near a place thats got alot of work, maybe get a cheapo car if you havent already got one and then work and train. Id suggest concreting if your biult for it. Work your ass off and save, then when youve got money in the bank you can think about adventure. Do you know how degrading it is to stand in line with homeless people because ive got no food? and not because i drink it all but because i simply dont have enough money to live on? The mere fact that your considering such a course of action tells me that your not ready for it. And to base it on your martial arts training.. you do not live in 17th century asia.
Im personally offended by this thread.

If you must do this.. and please for f***s sake dont, get a car with a roomy backseat or a station wagon and put a mattress with plenty of blankets in it. put curtains on your windows and make sure it has top notch locking systems. You can shower at local swimming pools and you should find out about all the soup kitchens/ material aid in whatever area you choose to "live" in. Stock up on clothes and find a laundromat. Get yourself a small camping stove and keep a stock of canned fruit veg and meats.

Good luck pal, your gonna need it.

The idea does sound interesting, but think about it for a while.

It doesn't seem like quality training and being homeless go well together. If you are serious about kickboxing (or any combat sport) you are going to need quality food and quality rest. This means at least 3 proper meals a day (this is a bare minimum) and 8-9 hours of good sleep.

This is what is likely to happen:
1. you get injured in training because your muscles break down (lack of nutrition and rest) or
2. you have health issues (cold, pneumonia, skin infections from training) as your immunity goes down from training. A lot of professional fighters get sick before their matches because of exhaustion and they have the benefit of not being homeless.
3. both 1 and 2

I think it's a really cool idea, just in requirement of planning. Think of the story you'll have if you succeed through this. You'll definitely be well rounded. Who says you can't get good rest? Who says you'll have a lack of nutrition? You seem to have a grasp of intelligence, and I think you'll work your way around it. Just dress warmly and use your brain (avoid the street drugs).

Definitely you should keep a thorough journal. Turn it into an editor I guarantee you get a book deal with that kind of story.
You might have to fluff it with some deep emotional, metophorical stuff saying that was a "physiological, psychological and emotional cleansing" or something to give it more oompf, but it would sell just as well by itself.

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Originally Posted by Ward

I broke up with my girlfriend. I have handed in my two weeks notice. The lease on my apartment ends on April 1st and I have made no attempt to renew it or to find another place to live. I have decided instead to go on an epic martial arts journey of self discovery. I am 20 years old and now is the time.

I have a $3,000 safety net that I would rather not use at all. "Learning experiences" are inevitable, however.

I plan to stay in Winnipeg, Manitoba until early September when my Thai boxing gym membership expires. After that I want to either travel West to British Columbia or East to Ontario and Quebec. Weather and quality of martial art instruction will be major factors in my decision, while opportunities for fun adventures will be minor ones.

My main concerns are:
Homeless is not classless. What is the best way to earn money without holding a job or begging? Serious replies only, please.

Nutrition is of utmost importance. Where are the best deals on fresh meat and vegetables? How can I get regular access to a kitchen without paying too much?

How can I make myself safe while sleeping outside? Specifically in urban and countryside environments?

There are many things I have yet to consider. If you can think of anything that I should know, please tell me.

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Dude, trust me you don't want to be homeless. Jesus.

Find a room for rent in a house. If your lucky you can get free food out of the deal as well. If you want to earn money with a job or begging the only possible thing to do is cook meth or grow weed. Since your want to be homeless you could find a good spot for a small operation field and just watch your gold grow out of the ground.

While considering making such a major decision, I must warn you that living on the street may not be compatible with your plans of martial arts training.
Some barriers to consider:
Lack of quantity/quality sleep (also not so good for dream work)
training facilities cost $
getting the proper nutrients/ calories to keep yourself in proper shape


That being said, if you are determined to do this might i suggest heading West to either Vancouver or Victoria. Back in October, just before I moved out the country, Victoria had passed a city ordinance allowing the homeless to camp in all public parks during certain hours of the evening. Since moving away, I'm not sure where the law stands, but it's definitely worth researching. Also Vic is relatively warm, with very little snow (but lots of rain)!

In terms of finding money, you might be able to find some manual labor/landscaping jobs where you'll be paid under the table. Another way of earning money is by collecting bottles and cans... a good place to start being outside college dorms late Friday and Saturday nights.

you should read this guide:
http://guide2homelessness.blogspot.c...o-project.html

It's got a lot of great ideas, especially when it comes to the considering the logistics of living out of a car.

Good luck.:shock:

BUSK.

I busk all the time, a really really good professional busker can make probably maximum of 500$ a day. seriously.
5 shows a day, easily make 100$ each show, if your show is good,
and you know alot about business, and how the mind works, and you can manipulate people into watching your show.
If you can play an instrument, do that, but make it like a show! Dont just sit there, and let people put money in as they walk by, thats called a trinkle, trinkles are dumb, I like the fat hats!
If you want, we can talk about busking. I can give you advice, if you can entertain someone.

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Also Vic is relatively warm, with very little snow (but lots of rain)!

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Haha, obviously you weren't here this past winter...

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Originally Posted by CoLd BlooDed

Haha, obviously you weren't here this past winter...

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Nope. I decided to move to Hawaii :D

Damnit! How did you manage to afford that?
*PM me as to not derail this thread*