The number of children walking the halls of U.S. schools today now exceeds the total population of Detroit. As families, children, and college students struggle to keep their head above water during our nation’s economic slump, it is important to be aware of the signs that homelessness may be on the horizon.
Once you know the signs, it’s equally important to make immediate changes to pull yourself and your family ashore before sinking into the dark abyss of homelessness.
Homelessness is not for the weak; no single incident leads to this far from an exotic destination. Usually a series of poor decisions and unexpected circumstances blindside vulnerable people. This article and my memoir, Thank God for the Shelter: Memoirs of a Homeless Healer, were written to serve as a first line of defense, sharing the signs of potential financial collapse.
Don’t be caught off guard. Use this guide to help yourself, your friends, and your family members take a stand against homelessness by making immediate changes to fight for your freedom.
Signs You Are on the Verge of Homelessness
You are living with a partner or family member because you can’t afford to live on your own.
You are using your credit card to pay bills and float you to the next paycheck.
You have had more than one payday advance in the past 90 days.
You don’t have a budget or know how much it costs for you to live each month.
You have received an eviction notice because you were over extended.
Your credit-card company has decided to not renew your card.
You don’t have a minimum of $1,000 saved for an emergency.
You can’t get a loan for car repairs.
You can’t open a checking account because of outstanding debt to a financial institution.
Your taxes are past due and you don’t have a sound plan to pay them in the next 30 days.
Being unwilling to accept that the signs above could result in you and your family becoming homeless within the next six months may mean you are in denial. Denial can lead to becoming homeless. We have lived in the age of abundance for a long time in the U.S. and have become accustomed to acquiring things that are not essential for living well. Now may be the time to evaluate the cost of cell phones, internet, cable, automobiles, dining out, entertainment, and other habits to see what can be eliminated in order to maintain the freedom you value so dearly.
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