Long-Term Homeless Advice

This popping up in my recommendations as I am struggling financially and fearing a layoff at my job... seems like a bad omen. We are all a bad day away from losing everything and being on the streets. God have mercy on everyone in this situation, I pray for the safety, comfort, warmth, and opportunity for all the homeless souls out there. Thank the Lord for a roof over my head and food. I think it's about time that I go drop some food and supplies off at my local shelter again.

Nature and bugs don't stop. The most truthful statement any one has ever said. Much love rob.

When I was homeless I just kept reminding myself how mankind has lived for hundreds of years without electricity! I made a yurt by glueing tarps together for the sides. Then glued a couple of tarps over the top. I used denatured alcohol stove to cook with( it doesn't smoke) I collected rain water off the roof into 25 gallon totes, then put the lid on them after the rain. A dear friend loaned me a Little buddy heater& propane tank. It was a life saver! Even though my yurt was 144 sq ft, it only used 2 pounds/1/2 gallon/$1.87 of propane a day. That was if I only used at night, on low. Having friends that can get you thru the hard times and good neighbors is very critical!

Observation: in a recent video about isolation in Antarctica, studies show that the hypocampus part of the brain shrinks over time, leading to memory loss and a reduction in the ability to learn and loss of motivation in general. A companion animal can reduce and even reverse this.

I hope your circumstances improve, but know that you’re stronger than all of us in having made it this far. Take care brother.

As a citizen of the country you took an oath to defend, it frustrates me to see any homeless veteran. I pray you find employment, stability and fulfillment in this life.

I was homeless for 3 years in the 80s and working full time. It made me who I am today. I still have the same mind set and have to slip back into the wilderness every week for my mental health. Great video and hi from the UK!

I was only homeless for a couple years but it was enough of a wake up call to sober me up after about 30 years of alcohol and drug addiction. With the help of Jesus Christ, I've been sober and no homeless forover 3 years. God bless 🙏 ☦️

I was homeless for many years. Here’s another tip that works. I had my tent destroyed by mice. They chewed their way in. When I got another tent I thought of a way so that would not happen again. Take hot peppers chop them up fine. Sprinkle them all around your tent. I never saw another mouse. It’s works!! (You will need to do this at least once a week)

i’m scared of becoming homeless and i’m sure your advice will become handy someday, thank you.

I'm going through the same struggle about finding work and can't get hired because you can't meet anyone face to face. Thank you for being honest and talking to those who listen.

Stay strong my brother. Keep doing these vlogs. I am sure more and more people would love to hear from you, and would like to help you out.

One lesson I learned in the cold was take 2, clean, 30+ gallon garbage bags and place you and your sleeping bag in them. Cut a big enough hole in the top of the upper for your head and shoulders. At the time of my lesson, I had a 10 degrees below 0 rated sleeping bag and even when in my car when it was 20 above at night, I was still cold. Having clean, large, garbage bags enveloping my sleeping bag and me made a world of difference.

Great info Rob! I spent a few years homeless. It was usually 6 months at a time. The nights that got down to the low 30s were always hard. I had a cheap tent, a 20 degree sleeping bag, an air mattress with two blankets on it. It was the first time I ever slept with a winter hat on in a hoodie with the hood cinched up. My final stretch I boondocked in my van with my dog. We eventually moved into a storage unit then got lucky and got to house sit for a while. Warmer days are ahead brother!

Thank you so much for this video! I could talk about this subject forever! I've been homeless, van dweller, since 2005. I was a licensed electrician, teaching in college, when the bottom fell out of my life. I've actually grown to like this lifestyle. I know that might sound odd to some people, but it is the truth. However, the first year or so was a living hell as I tried to get used to living this way. I felt ashamed of myself for being homeless and wouldn't tell anyone. Recently, I had to move back east because the engine died in my old van. I plugged into a family member's porch outlet for electricity while I worked and saved for another vehicle. I love my family but I couldn't get away from that place fast enough!! I'm back out west now and happier than ever!! Heck, from what I can tell, even Jesus Christ was homeless! This lifestyle is definitely not for everyone. As with everything else in life, it's a trade off. If I don't like my surroundings, I'm free to leave them and find something better. My scenic views are always changing. I've seen more in a few years than many will see in their lifetime. Those are a few of the good points. This morning, I was answering the call of nature in the 20 degree, blowing snow out here in the Arizona desert. I'm lonely most of the time. (Although it's easy to do small talk with people, you seldom develop deep relationships). I'm sitting here typing this, praying that my social security check will make it to the bank, before the monthly bills do. I could easily find work where I am currently, but because of some physical issues that I have now, I'm not able to do the work that I did during my working years. I guess my point is that Homelessness, at least in the US, is generally looked upon as some sort of contagious plague. For whatever reason a person might find themselves in this situation, please remember that, that is a fellow human being, just as worthy of love as anyone else. May you be blessed my friend!

You made me realize a lot more things about being homeless thank you

I did 10 years homeless myself. Much respect. Hold fast, spring is around the corner.

We all appreciate your honesty. This really makes one realize what you are going through. I have never been homeless but camped in some very rough conditions so I understood some of what you are going through. But then again, I went home when all my cloths were muddy, my food supply ran low or that creepy noise going around my tent at night had me running for the car. Just having a car near by is heaven when out there. No one knows how it is unless they lived it. You are a one of a kind. You are stronger than anyone I know ! Thanks for your honesty. Take Care my friend 😇

Hope things get better for you right away, buddy. Prayers from Islamabad, Pakistan.

That was some good advice. Been in my tent for 2 years now myself and it's not easy. I try to spend most my days away from my camp on my mountain bike so I keep occupied. work has been tough myself. Nice thing is springs around the corner and that's when I enjoy the woods the most. Spring and fall. I don't consider myself homeless I only consider myself houseless. Keep trudging on man it always gets easier. you're only lonely when you're not happy with yourself. ☮️