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Ask HN: How to survive as a homeless engineer?

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Re: Ask HN: How to survive as a homeless engineer?

#111

Post by lozf »

bhnmmhmd wrote: post #105
auslegung wrote: post #2

This sucks! I'm so sorry to hear man. I've spent a lot of time with people who are homeless, which has caused me to think about this very question though I haven't had to put any of this into practice so grain of salt. - Get a membership to a cheap gym so you can use their shower (and potentially wifi) if the shelter doesn't work out. In many areas it's possible to get a membership for $10-20/month. Clean your clothe…

> Lifted most of these food ideas from a thread on reddit btw. Do you remember which thread it was?

I'm not GP, but there are often good suggestions on /r/EatCheapAndHealthy [0] ... also, I'd bookmarked this response from the SA forum [1]

Of course, lots of these suggestions assume that a reasonably equipped kitchen and storage is available, which may limit OPs options. Hope it helps anyway.

[0]: https://www.reddit.com/r/EatCheapAndHealthy/

[1]: https://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=34...

Re: Ask HN: How to survive as a homeless engineer?

#112

Post by hluska »

csomar wrote: post #88

I also agree this story doesn't make sense or it is missing some stuff. Otherwise I'll be harsh: What the hell happened during 15 years? I'm based in a third-world and have been working for 7 years only and have approximately a lifetime of savings. Despite traveling to a dozen countries and buying lots of gadgets. Something doesn't add up. Or, you have a bigger problem than finding a job (gambling addiction? an expen…

It takes an unbelievable asshole to reply like this. I am disgusted by this and you should he ashamed of yourself.

Sometimes shit happens. When shit happens, the last thing anyone needs is some individual bragging about how they've saved a lifetime of living expenses in seven years of working...

Re: Ask HN: How to survive as a homeless engineer?

#114

Post by hluska »

homelessdev wrote: post #104

Apparently my post has been flagged for some reason. I attempted to post the following last night but kept getting a message that I was posting too fast: Questions / answers thus far: there's been a lot of good advice in this thread thus far and a few understandable questions. I'm going to answer them all here as I can no longer edit the main thread. first off, great suggestions - some of these were already on my min…

People aren't being very fair to you here and I'm flat out embarrassed by HN.

The most relevant thing is that you're going through something terrible. If I had anything, I'd give it to you, but I've had a very tough year.

The best I can offer is that I'm genuinely sorry. Not only for the way you've been treated here, but for everything that has happened.

I've had some good friends go down the homelessness path and the one thing I've heard from all of them is that, no matter what, you've got to have some sort of fixed address. Over the next few days, you've got two big priorities:

1.) Finding shelter.

2.) Finding someone who will let you get your mail sent to their address.

I wouldn't normally suggest this because it's rather manipulative, but there's a technique called door in the face persuasion. Your first ask is going to be, "Can we stay on your couch for {{period of time you'll stick to}}?" And, if you hear no or see a pained expression on that person's face, your next ask is, "Can I change my address to yours so I can keep getting my mail?"

Vast swaths of North American culture assume you have an address. It's amazing how hard things will get when you no longer have one.

If you're in the Denver area, check out the Denver Voice. It's a street newspaper and street papers are a great way to make money!

Re: Ask HN: How to survive as a homeless engineer?

#115

Post by pucke »

morganwilde wrote: post #66

I know the feeling, in fact a little over two years ago I posted something similar on HN and got 0 responses. It’s always empowering to finally acknowledge that there is no safety net. Forget computers and engineering interviews, start looking for any and all work that pays. If all else fails, go to McDonald’s and work there until you save up a little. Once you have an income restart your job search. If you go homele…

"McDonald's" will not hire just anybody. I lived in Seattle for almost 8 months before finding a low-level wage job. The McDonald's argument is what entitled people say to poverty stricken people who are suffering.

Also "find an apartment you can afford" is hilarious and patronizing. I make enough money in the industry I have worked in for over a decade to not really be able to afford a 140 square ft efficiency.

Re: Ask HN: How to survive as a homeless engineer?

#116

Post by mrleiter »

IanDrake wrote: post #108
mrleiter wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So many things could have happened, not everyone is able to save up. Also, it's irrelevant - either you want to help or not. Discussing the "impossibility" of his situation is not yours to judge, seriously.

I’m not judging. A cautionary tail could do a lot of good here. Why not let something good come out of the discussion that could prevent others from ending up in this situation? A postmortem of sorts. I could have ended up like this guy, but I found personal finance religion when I was 28. After making six figures for six years all I had was monthly payments equal to my paycheck and not much to show for it. It’s path…

Yes, a cautionary tale would be good. It's just the way you phrased it that was bugging me.

Also, I was not gunning for pity, nor was OP, true. Still, in such moments kind strangers on the internet who wish you well still feel good I believe.

Thanks for clearing it up!

Re: Ask HN: How to survive as a homeless engineer?

#117

Post by anoncoward111 »

pucke wrote: post #115
morganwilde wrote: post #66

I know the feeling, in fact a little over two years ago I posted something similar on HN and got 0 responses. It’s always empowering to finally acknowledge that there is no safety net. Forget computers and engineering interviews, start looking for any and all work that pays. If all else fails, go to McDonald’s and work there until you save up a little. Once you have an income restart your job search. If you go homele…

"McDonald's" will not hire just anybody. I lived in Seattle for almost 8 months before finding a low-level wage job. The McDonald's argument is what entitled people say to poverty stricken people who are suffering. Also "find an apartment you can afford" is hilarious and patronizing. I make enough money in the industry I have worked in for over a decade to not really be able to afford a 140 square ft efficiency.

Totally agree re: "find an apartment you can afford". My parents we're laughing their asses off when I told them "it is not easy to find a room for $600 in NYC with a month-to-month lease".

They thought I was brain dead. It just turns out that they haven't apartment hunted in 30 years.

Re: Ask HN: How to survive as a homeless engineer?

#118

Post by tudelo »

koliber wrote: post #97

> I was 3 days late on my rent this month and now have to appear in court to explain why i haven't paid. I fully expect that to lead to an eviction. This is strange. If you paid, why are you going to court? Normally, if someone does not pay on time, they may be served a late rent notice. This is an official warning and has a deadline by which a payment must be made. If you miss that payment, the landlord can file an…

The laws vary greatly by state regarding eviction in my experience.

Re: Ask HN: How to survive as a homeless engineer?

#119

Post by mgkimsal »

hluska wrote: post #112
csomar wrote: post #88

I also agree this story doesn't make sense or it is missing some stuff. Otherwise I'll be harsh: What the hell happened during 15 years? I'm based in a third-world and have been working for 7 years only and have approximately a lifetime of savings. Despite traveling to a dozen countries and buying lots of gadgets. Something doesn't add up. Or, you have a bigger problem than finding a job (gambling addiction? an expen…

It takes an unbelievable asshole to reply like this. I am disgusted by this and you should he ashamed of yourself. Sometimes shit happens. When shit happens, the last thing anyone needs is some individual bragging about how they've saved a lifetime of living expenses in seven years of working...

agreed.

> I'm based in a third-world...

The cost of living is much much lower there. Without relatively exorbitant rent and insurance costs, many people may be able to save a 'lifetime' of expenses. Many of us in the US are stuck with high costs of things. Moving to different parts of the country can help (assuming you can afford the move), but moving to other countries is usually out of the question for most people (especially with a spouse or family). So... "free" healthcare in other countries is something we can't easily avail ourselves of, for example.

There are many pros to being in the US, but there are pros in being in other countries too.

Re: Ask HN: How to survive as a homeless engineer?

#120

Post by ummonk »

pucke wrote: post #115
morganwilde wrote: post #66

I know the feeling, in fact a little over two years ago I posted something similar on HN and got 0 responses. It’s always empowering to finally acknowledge that there is no safety net. Forget computers and engineering interviews, start looking for any and all work that pays. If all else fails, go to McDonald’s and work there until you save up a little. Once you have an income restart your job search. If you go homele…

"McDonald's" will not hire just anybody. I lived in Seattle for almost 8 months before finding a low-level wage job. The McDonald's argument is what entitled people say to poverty stricken people who are suffering. Also "find an apartment you can afford" is hilarious and patronizing. I make enough money in the industry I have worked in for over a decade to not really be able to afford a 140 square ft efficiency.

They will in today's job market (which isn't typical). Hiring for unskilled labor is incredibly tight.
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