Being homeless has its rewards too...
By Cody Stewart
@CODYMAC (1356)
San Diego, California
July 28, 2012 10:41pm CST
Hello, to all of myLot. I have decided that being homeless is the best way to live in our economy. What do I mean?
First, I have no door to lock. Next, I have no power bill to pay. Then there is that pesky little annoyance called rent. I dont have to pay rent. That is what is killing me here.
So, I thank all of my local friends for the prayers. I think it was for nothing because it didnt work. Maybe instead of praying for me, let me stay with you. No? Well, that too is ok. I feel like saying that it is better to have to pick up cans like a common bum, and live on the street, than live with you.
At least my place is air conditioned. It is just right. I get to play with the squirrels, and the creepy crawlies at night. Perfect. Now all I need is a lock for gym locker, where I keep all of my things. I hear that the ones from the dollar store break easily.
Taking showers will be expensive though. I will need $5 every time I go to the truck stop. That means I will only take 3 showers per week. That is going to be interesting.
I think that only thing I may be forgetting is cooking but I can eat off the dollar menu at BK and McDee's. That is $3 per day and nothing more. Wow, I will be able to save so much money being homeless... 
Well, what do you all think the benefits are to being homeless verses having a place to stay? I am curious to know what you all think... 
Well, what do you all think the benefits are to being homeless verses having a place to stay? I am curious to know what you all think... 4 people like this
13 responses
@Axai2012 (371)
•
29 Jul 12
That is a very brave thing for you to do. I am just concerned when it comes to your health. What if it rains or it will be too hot outdoors? The food you are eating is not healthy, or you won't have enough sleep. Don't you think the effect of that is detrimental to your health and will cost you more when you get sick?
@verolop29 (1096)
• United States
22 Aug 12
And what about the weather? What r u doing to do when it gets too cold? And washing ur clothes?
I'd u look at both the pros and the cons....then I guess u can figure it out. I have been that way for a long time and I didn't like it bcuz I would loose things that meant a lot to me.
I have been on my own since I was 16 I ran away bcuz I was being abused by my mother and I wasn't going to put up with anymore. I left with whatever I had on my back and didn't look back. At age 19 I moved to a better lifestyle and joined job corp and finished school and got certified in business school. It was all free funded by the government....and then I meet my husband who wasn't homeless!! But for me homeless is not a way to go. I think it kinda tells us that u don't care for urslelf. Because ur depending on us to pay for things. Not us, us but ppl in general.
I didn't like being without a home bcuz I couldn't bathe I didn't even have clothes. I did have a friend who offered us his couch but he tried to rape me
But for whatever reason on y u want to be like that if the pro out weigh the cons... Then u know what to do.
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
There are homeless shelters here that require TB tests, and also require that a person pays about $5 per night.
Much better than a motel and a rented room. I will take the bed for $5. I am just that kind of guy trying to get what he can fir his loved ones.
Thanks for the responses. 
@peavey (16936)
• United States
29 Jul 12
I don't quite know how to answer this, Cody. Are you on the verge of being homeless? I know things have been tough for you.
I can understand your frustration with those who basically said, "Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled." I don't know why people are that way. Maybe because it's easy to say, then feel as if they've done their "duty."
But back to being homeless. You can save that $3 a day at least sometimes by eating at a shelter, or hitting the grocery stores on the day they give samples. It's amazing how much food is given away. Go to grand openings and things like that, too. I've seen grand openings that had free ice cream or sodas or even free hotdogs. The savings are endless!
1 person likes this
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
I was able to keep my apt. My landlord is a very nice person, and she understands my situation. Having that option is nice to be able to get those free samples.
We have helped each other out. I have helped her clean out apartments and she has taken some off the rent.
That was nice of her.
Sorry for the late reply, I was feeling sorry for myself those last few weeks...
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
29 Jul 12
I think it is not a good idea, yhea it is cheaper but it is not safe. I would choose to work and pay the things makes me comfortable.
1 person likes this
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
I really like being comfortable too.
I just wish that rent was not so darn expensive...
@allknowing (153544)
• India
29 Jul 12
This indeed is a morbid thought. One needs to live and not just exist. And to live one needs a roof over one's head. I cannot think of a single point in favour of a homeless existence.
1 person likes this
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
As I said before, being homeless without a job is the worst thing ever. Being homeless with a job is not so bad.
I just wish that they had places where a person could stay for $5 per night. That would be great
Even if it was a shelter... I am not talking about everything is provided, but just a bed.
I hate how rent is...
@centuryblack (76)
• India
29 Jul 12
Hello codymac, being homeless is yet very difficult and not in everybody's hand. Everyone have different attitude towards it. Some find it very comfortable like you do, some against it and some have mix attitude as they face such kind of situations at some point of like or may be not completely homeless. I cannot live homeless and thank god I make at least to have small room where you can only such space where you can sleep.
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
Right.
I believe that if I just had a small room and only had to pay like $5 per day I would be great.
I really do not need anything fancy. I am happy with very little.
Thanks for your reply.
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
You are 100% correct.
Sometimes, though, it is out of pure bad luck. There was a family in Denver who's house burned down, and they stayed in the car for 2 weeks until family could take them in.
For people like you and me, it is a choice.
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
31 Jul 12
codyhmac you ha ve to be kidding s urely y es you would have no bills but once you get evicted and have no home or money its
scary, frightening and not freeing. My son and i went through hell after he lost his job and we spent all our savings trying to keep the rent paid., He found Gold crest for me as being on the street for an 82 y r old woman with diabetes was not safe. He is now working steadily and I live in this retirement center p aid for monthly with my Social security and SSI checks lest the one nasty person here who snipped you must get free rent and cable
not true at all. I mylot to pay my cable internet bill . no
its not fun and games being homeless, its brutal.also codymac
living on hamburgers is not too healthy.
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
Right Hatley. It is not good or healthy.
I was homeless in a car for a short while when I first moved here. And it was not that great. The convertible top leaked and it rained almost every day.
But like I said, I will pay $5 per night to just have a place to sleep. I am gone all day and why not? I am tired of paying this high rent. $685 for a small 1 bedroom...
Thanks for the response.
Thanks for the response. 
@dodo19 (48119)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
5 Aug 12
I can certainly get where you're coming from. However, I would much prefer have a home to go home to at the end of the day. I would much rather work, pay rent, bills, and such. I've also been lucky to have a place to go, if ever I was in need.
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
If rent was not $685, then I would have no problem staying right where I am. They really need to reduce that rent to at least $250.
That would make millions very happy.
I really do not have a place to go, because family is not close, but I am sure if I REALLY needed it, I could find some money to make it to a family members house to stay for a short while.
Thanks for the response... Sorry for this being so late.
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
29 Jul 12
I don´t know, but if you were homeless, could you get a small amount of money to have the $3 a dauy to eat, the money for the shower and maybe some to wash your underwear? And would you be happy? You would not have internet, I suppose, nor any other pastime. How do you save money if you don´t earn any? Or is it that your government pays people for not working while they don´t have money to create jobs? Interesting!
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
Yes, interesting indeed.
But I am not a leach, and I work hard.
I just have not been working due to my past. But, I have only complained a few times and in reality, I did it to myself.
But, I am working again, and I think that it would be great to have to pay only $5 per night in a shelter than have to pay $685.
It is something to think about.
@verolop29 (1096)
• United States
22 Aug 12
Where I'm from I see a lot of homeless ppl begging for money in street corners and a majority of them are drunks and very few r thiefs. I've been nice to a few like I give them food. I actually used to manage a shelter for homeless ppl and more than half were always drunk and I wasn't allowed to feed them or let them use any of the facilities we offered like wash their clothes and shower. That was one of my best jobs!
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
That really is a wonderful thing you did. I know that those people were very happy for what you did for them.
I just think that because rent is so expensive, and so is food now, that they should have a place for people to go to pay $5 or so per night just to stay the night. I know that it is done in Boise. I almost rented a room in the Community House for that.
What a wonderful opportunity. thanks for the response, and have a great day...
@squallming (1775)
• Malaysia
31 Jul 12
Well, being homeless does gives you financiak freedom and you would really enjoy your time with nature and the environment. I have thought about it too just few weeks ago. Of course, you can only do so when you don't have family members to take care of, and you don't intend to look for a mate. Because I seriously doubt if anyone would go homeless and live with you. So you have to make choices before living the life of the homeless.
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
It is a tough thing to think about, but at times we all think about "if this happens" or "if that happens".
It is sad to say that nothing is ever set in stone about our situations.
It is a choice like you said and no one wants to live out under a bridge like my room mate.
I would love to be in a place that charged $5 per night, just to sleep. That is not that bad. Thanks for the response, and sorry this was late...
@ARIES1973 (11944)
• Legaspi, Philippines
29 Jul 12
We have a lot of people in our country who are homeless. And they are really those who have no job at all. But first time did I ever heard that somebody who is so intelligent as you have no home of his own.
@CODYMAC (1356)
• San Diego, California
29 Aug 12
It is a bad thing to be homeless, and have no job. But even worse when you have no job.
At least my room mate had a job when he was living under the bridge.
Thank you for that but in reality, I did have a hard time finding a place , because I had no real renting history, either good or bad.
Sorry for the late response...
@ChaoWolf (4)
•
20 Oct 15
Having been homeless myself before, I have experienced first hand the ups and downs of voluntary Homelessness. If you are young, single, childless and still unsure of your path in life it can be a great character building experience. There are communities that are more friendly than others to the vegabond lifestyle and in other areas it's actually against the law to be homeless so please, research before setting up your own tent city! Shelters and churches sometimes offer facility use as well as meals. Sometimes you can earn showers and meals through volunteering at the V.A. Hospitals. Good luck, and remember: If you meet Buddha on the road...kill em!
