Homeless Survival Kit

Maybe you are sitting in a library reading this blog because you are homeless. Maybe you are thinking about becoming homeless. Maybe you are wondering what you can do for someone that is homeless.

In this post I will discuss how to prepare for life on the streets in such a way that you can stay safe as possible and maximize your chances of getting back to a normal life.

Most people will never get the chance to prepare to become homeless. Usually when it happens it blindsides most people. Some people will see it coming weeks, months, or even years before it happens but they don't prepare because they don't think it can happen to them. If it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.

Having a little cash and knowing how to spend it right can really make a huge difference how you spend your time on the streets and how long you stay there. Let's face it, say you found $200 on the street, how would you spend it? Most people that are homeless will go rent a cheap motel room for a few nights. Some might cave in to their addictions and blow the money on drugs or alcohol.

The first thing you should buy when you become homeless is a backpack. A backpack is probably the single most important item you can buy for your homeless survival kit.

A backpack allows you to carry all your belongings with you at all times. Unattended items will usually get stolen or vandalized when you are homeless, so everything you absolutely need must come with you wherever you go. Sleep with your backpack on. I used to reverse mine and wear it on my front when I slept.

You can buy a cheap backpack at Walmart or Target. You can even find them really cheap used at thrift stores. Don't worry about how it looks, if it has cartoon characters on it or whatever, only concern yourself with whether it is tough and will hold up with lots of use.

Don't buy anything too fancy or it might get stolen. Keep this in mind if you are buying a backpack for someone else, too.


The next thing you should buy is a cheap sleeping bag or blanket. I buy sleeping bags at Walmart for $10. This isn't the greatest sleeping bag but it worked for Southern California weather most of the time and as long as it isn't freezing in Seattle it gets me by. I think it's rated for 40 degrees. You can always layer up inside of the sleeping bag. If you are homeless in a cold weather environment you should look into getting a warmer sleeping bag. You don't want to be cold at night, you'll be miserable.

Just like picking out a backpack, don't spend a lot of money on a sleeping bag or worry about what it looks like. I've had several sleeping bags stolen or ruined by weather throughout the years.

You can also buy an emergency Mylar blanket. These are small, compact, and cheap but can keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. You can find these blankets in emergency kits or at stores like Target or Walgreens.

Face it, when you are homeless you won't always have access to a shower. Sometimes you are just going to have to make due. The last thing you want is people looking at you funny because you smell bad. You can minimize this by buying a cheap bar of soap and some deodorant. If you can find a clean bathroom you can give yourself a quick birdbath.

I cannot stress enough how important a toothbrush and toothpaste is. I am just now dealing with teeth and gum problems from years of neglect. When you are homeless the last thing you may be thinking about is brushing your teeth but it's so important. I thought I was taking pretty good care of my teeth but I didn't get around to brushing every day. Now I'm having all sorts of trouble with my teeth. I can barely chew some foods. I really believe this is why you see so many homeless people with dental problems.

Clean clothes are really important when you are homeless. I would suggest at least 3 shirts, 3 pairs of pants, and 3 -t-shirts. You will also want at least 3 pairs of underwear and buy yourself a 6-pack of socks. Your feet take a beating when you are homeless. You're going to go through a lot of socks.

Buy clothes that are easy to maintain. I wouldn't suggest buying the cheapest clothes because they will just shrink or get ruined fast. Buy clothes that are sturdy and clothes that will easily fold up without getting too wrinkled. I usually avoid places like Target or Walmart when I'm buying clothes, (except for socks and underwear.) I have found you can buy really nice clothes that are out of season at places like Macy's for 70% off in the clearance racks and the clothes end up being cheaper than what the discount stores have to offer, yet they last so much longer.

Another thing you will want to carry around is a tarp or plastic drop cloth. These can be found at stores like Walmart or almost any hardware store. There are going to be nights when it rains and you'll be glad you had it. You can use it to shelter yourself from the wind and rain or lay it down on the ground. The ground can be very cold and damp. I also recommend buying a cheap sleeping pad or egg crate foam. Buy something you can roll up and easily carrying around. I have spent countless nights sleeping on the cold, hard, ground or cement. Trust me, you want something underneath you.

No matter what climate you are homeless in you'll want to buy some hats and gloves. Even when I was homeless in Southern California, I always carried a beanie around with me. At night it can still get a little cold and a beanie not only keeps your head warm but you can also use it to pull over your eyes to keep light out and it also protects your hair from dirt and whatnot when you are sleeping outdoors. I even use one in the summer.

I also bought some longjohns for the winter and I always have a pair of gloves on me. I figure I can shed the extra clothes during the day when it gets warmer. You can even find beanies and gloves at the dollar store.

As crazy as it may seem you will need a cellphone to survive on the streets these days. Yes, even the homeless have cellphones now!

A cellphone is an important tool for any homeless person. You can use your cellphone as an alarm clock to wake you up in the morning. This is very important if you are sleeping somewhere that you have to get up really early so you can remain undetected.

Cellphones are also good to have in case of an emergency. Even if you have run of of minutes you can still use your cellphone to call 911. You can also give out your number to family members or friends who may need to reach you or leave a message. If you are looking for a job a cellphone is a must-have.

Cellphones are really cheap nowadays. Even without credit you can pick up a prepaid one for less than $20. Just watch your minutes and it shouldn't cost you much to maintain. You can charge your phone at the local library while you're using the computer or find a working outlet someplace and don't tell anyone about it. I found one in a park once and used it for a long time until until someone else found it and abused it.