How To Make Money And Survive Financially As A Squatter Everyday

There’s a few ways to look at the problem. Do you want money to buy little things you can’t scrounge or are you looking to drag yourself out of the pit you found yourself in?

Everybody’s situation is going to be different based on the goals you set for yourself. In war, we’re probably all going to be in the same boat, so any financial gains you make (if any) will likely be small. Expect to have to save the money you acquire till you have enough for whatever. I found that all gains were small until you get those "right time- right place" opportunities. They’re not as easy to find as some book writers make it out to be.

As long as the economy remains unstable, you don't have host of opportunities before you. There are many illicit ways to get money and gear, but many people just never had the heart to do them (their conscious is stronger than my intellect sometimes), so I can’t give you any practical advice there - sorry.

Let’s start with the simplest:

1. Loose Change - One thing that surprised the heck out of me was how the general public feels about change. People can start anywhere.  First cleaning parking lots for a meal. Fast food joints, supermarkets, mall parking lots, sidewalks, etc are covered in it. Sure there were some days you be lucky to find free food or even money, there will be other days you could end up with more of just change picked up from the ground. It may not seem like a lot, but that little change in your pocket can get you a lighter & matches, a roll of string, bottle of multi-vitamins, and a few other little things you might need. Let your "survival mind" chew on that for awhile… What would YOU get?

2. Returnable Bottles and Cans - Another small one that adds up. You would be surprised in the more heavily populated areas just how many folks don’t bother with the things and toss ‘em… Remember those "party sites". Those were usually gold mines for bottles and cans. You can sell them for money. 

3. Begging - It IS an option, and you don’t have to be deceitful about it. Don’t expect a lot of money if you beg "legit" however. A better way, IMO, is to apply a skill to your plea. In some case, I have seen people play musical instruments. By planting yourself near the churches, events and various parties usually on Saturdays or Sundays, you can anywhere from N1000 - N2000. However, don't expect the higher end of that range everyday. Location is the key no matter how you choose to go about begging. 

When you’re ready or determined to get yourself back on your feet, this is the way to go. Don’t expect to find any work, however, if you’re searching for one, you need to start cleaning yourself up and making yourself look presentable. Be up front with your problems and many are willing to help. Some places, they are willing to let you do temporary work for cash such as factories, loading docks and construction sites (backbreaking work - loading/unloading trucks, carrying materials from A to B, doing site cleanups, etc). Try to use whatever skills you have to best advantage when looking for places to work and bid yourself below minimum wage. if you have a personal skill and know how to use them, it’s a big plus. 

In some places the contractors can pay you above minimum wage if they see how hard you worked and they may ask you to stay, permanently. So it does pay to give your boss your best effort. It’s hard to do this though if you’re only passing through, but for those who are ready to plant their feet and start getting their life back together this is your ticket…

Using any combination of the above and maintaining extremely frugal living habits, the cash will start to pile up. What you do and how you choose to apply yourself. If you become homeless is entirely up to you, but homeless doesn’t have to mean penniless.