Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mash4077]

I have heard it said that some families are only a paycheck away from homelessness. I am sure this is not exactly true, but I do know that homelessness has grown in numbers in the West in recent years. Some folks have real bad luck and through a set of circumstances end up in the street. I would say that most end up there through poor planning, or are in the more traditonal variety:addicts, mentals, ex-cons.

Could you see yourself ever being homeless? How would you survive?

[Atavistic]

[OiGirl]

I was always one paycheck away from being on the street in the US. But I do have people I could stay with if it comes to that.

My best friend told me she'd rather I live with them than move into a trailer park!

[sojourner1]

Yes, it's true that most are living paycheck to paycheck. Some due to irresponsibility, others simply do not earn enough of a paycheck to do much with. Yes, it's that tough for people such as myself who are not drug addicts, alcoholics, and shopoholics. Pay for many people is super low compared to todays' cost of living. I am telling my story since it relates to the situation of millions of educated and capable Americans and tells of why others don't have a way.

I was one pay check away from homelessness for many years, including my college years and did live out of a car on 2 occasions during my 20's due to no money or help at times. It was very difficult and troubling for me as I found that despite anti discrimination laws on hiring military veterans, many employers won't touch anyone who was a soldier with a 10 foot pole for liability reasons and not understanding or willing to accept this kind of job applicant. This is a troubling problem for many veterans since the Vietnam war. I like to be able not mention it, but that's not right and then have a huge unexplained gap in life, but it does not show up on my credit report anyhow like civilian jobs do.

Because I didn't have any to stay with, I would go hungry and not indulge in any non-essentials to my survival such as eating out, beer, new clothes, and fancy foods. Financial stress is crazy difficult like being trapped in a prison for something you are not guilty of which is a world of anxiety, misery, and doom. I hope to never experience a lack of finances again as I hate this so much and you can try and try and not be able to dig yourself out for a long time.

For example, If you only have $800 a month income and your total cost of living runs $1200 a month and you are not using credit or help form someone, then you have to cut $400 of something out of your living and it is a tough miserable way to have to go. When you're low income with high debt such as student loans, then you don't have a great FICO credit score which keeps you from obtaining professional well paying employment that you went to school 4 or 5 years for such as accountant, financial analyst, market researcher, and business manager. I nearly landed many great jobs, but the low FICO called all chances off.

It was very tough my first year out of college as there isn't much good opportunity in recent years for those who attended a 4 year college, but the 2 year trade school graduates are doing very well in St. Louis and across America. Many people such as myself didn't' have parents to help with college costs and hard times so it meant not having a car, necessities, and a real lifestyle which further handicapped me from finding adequate employment. You just can't have it if you don't have the income or money in the bank regardless of level of level headed responsibility.

America is not the land of opportunity for those who are poor, just starting out, raising a family on beans, lacking contacts to aid in employment connections, having lower than 750 FICO credit score, and those with the wrong set of attributes demanded by job markets. You can get all the impressive degrees, but if you don't have connections who want to put you into a good job, then you're whistling Dixie. I now understand that when considering a career change or retraining, I better go into a field that has recruiters with real tangible jobs and raw physical business growth.

It really is tough for millions upon millions of people and just going to get much more difficult.

[reactionary]

good story sojourner. you're right. the american middle class and its myth are shrinking, and it's not because more people are becoming millionaires.

atavistic, i'm intrigued. care to expand on your old man?

[itaewonguy]

well there are steps you can take..
food stamps, shelters! etc salvation army, redcross etc..

in NZ , OZ , UK we have the DOLE so never be without money!
also can get government housing! so the ones you see living in bus shelters! choose to be there!

I would never let my fmaily starve! my father being an immigrant
we spent times in government houses when my father took a serious loss
but hey worked what ever he could and then built himself back!!
I remember he took me to salvation army to get my school uniform, we lived in shared housing and luckily being in NZ we lived off the doll money so we didnt have to eat in shelters!
that was only for a VERY period while he was looking for work..
I dont understand the homeless to much.. many of them could work! they just choose not too!
many cant! I feel for them!
but people who can walk and hands and feet! no reason you cant wash dishes or pick potatoes!

[Tiger Beer]

I'd sneak into ER rooms, hospitals, and the like, and doze off in the lobbies as if I was visiting someone.

I'd also do whatever it takes to make sure I'm homeless near a beach as well - Hawaii, California or Florida come to mind.

I also thought I'd invest in some inexpensive longterm storage unit to keep the basic stuff you need without worrying about losing it. You can keep extra clothes, important documents, and other necessary essentials.

[Summer Wine]

[itaewonguy]

I rememeber reading in a paper back home that homeless people would commit small crimes to get locked up for about 3 months! best way to beat the cold. 3 square meals, board, tv, people to talk with..
its true when you think about it..

[reactionary]

i've also heard police won't always arrest certain repeat offenders because of that fact...not sure how true it is though

[cbclark4]

Homeless - Move to Florida, the bugs ain't that bad and when they get bad you can hitch to the north and away from the swamps.

Not that I have any experience with that.

[stevie rotten]

i'd think the stigma of being referred to as 'mental' may not be the most flattering fact is that a lot of the people on the street are there because they have issues.
although i have spent a number of nights in parks, under bridges, or in abandoned buildings i probably could have stayed elsewhere if i wanted so i can't speak of homelessness with any first hand knowledge. i do have family that works with the homeless and have kinda been able to tap into their subculture through them.
There was a great documentary on TVO a few years ago that just followed a few bottle and can collectors. Most were fairly articulate. it wasn't really poor planning or a drug or alcohol addiction. (although the alcoholism seems to come after becoming homeless) On of the guys the film followed had something like $40000 in his bank account before stepping in front of a freight train. I'd say it's more just feelings of alienation than anything else thats drives people to that lifestyle.
the NFB is making what looks to be a pretty decent documentary on the North Vancouver psycho binners. dunno when it's coming out but there are a couple pretty intense previews at http://youtube.com/watch?v=-5JHYt7n58E
and http://youtube.com/watch?v=vNgiUOHyMPo

[Atavistic]

[The Perfect Cup of Coffee]

Went through some of those things to sojourner1. All good points.

[adeline]

i would move to santa monica, i think thats the most homeless friendly city in america, plus its warm all year round. that statement really is true, so many people are in terrible debt now, it has become normal to be hundreds of thousands under and keep buying new stuff.