Have you ever been totally down and out, destitute?

Question

If so, how did you come to that state? For how long were you "dirt poor"? How did you get out of that situation?

Answer 1

When I first married my ex-husband, we lived off of Fried potatoes and Top Roman. We had about 6 or more "friends" sleeping in our little one room apartment most nights and we had them make a "donation" every night they slept in the apartment.

The rent was $150 a month ant that included all utilities.

The way we got out of it was, I stopped waiting for him to find a job and I went out and got a job myself.

Answer 2

yes, down and out. Economy went bad increasing the interest rates in bank which forced me to fold up. Dirt poor for 4 to 6 years. I came up with businesses and had it funded by people i know. I was able to come up with much needed money to survive

Answer 3

Yes. Three times. (I'm older). Each time, it was because I risked my own financial welfare to help others who proved unworthy of such generosity. I never stayed down for long, though. I have an RN's license to always fall back on, no matter what, that brings in an instant check. And, I play serious poker. These days, I keep myself securely covered from numerous diverse angles. I also have better judgement about whom to show generosity towards. And, I never form any partnership. I remain independent and self-sufficient.

Answer 4

oh yeah, and it was AWFUL!

After my husband and I separated it was up to me to secure the family home and on a part-time salary, that just wasn't going to be possible. I literally lurched from one financial crisis to another over a period of a year or more and miraculously held (tight!) at every turn. The first thing I did was to walk into my boss'es office and told her I needed a full-time job as of yesterday --- later that day she came up to me and said "it's yours!" It was still only a temporary situation, but within around 6 months I finally secured a full-time permanent position.

So due to a combination of stubborn faith; nervous and frantic energy at times; fantastic people around me who believed in me and gave me realistic and helpful support and advice; the fact that I had no other debts since I pay cash for mostly everything and live frugally; some financial help from my family; and drawing on my strengths to create a better job situation - I finally pulled through. But I will never forget what it is like to feel desperate and I hope no-one else has to go through the same thing... it's really awful!

Right now I am in a happier situation than I have been in years, with things getting better and brighter everyday. I have a wonderful man in my life who I am genuinely in love with and who I have lot of respect for. He is financially secure himself and has helped me to focus on improving my financial situation - as well as sharing some of what he has with me in ways I've not experienced before, which is just amazing. There is also now the prospect of my financial situation improving considerably within a few months thanks to my family. I am not rolling in money or wealthy by any stretch of the imagination, but I am certainly more financially secure than ever before.

Answer 5

Yes. I spent all my money. I was dirt poor for three or four years. I got a job.

Answer 6

Yes. Homeless, living on the street, sleeping under bridges, eating out of restaurant cans. I went to a shelter, got a job and got back on my feet.

Answer 7

I enlisted the help of my parents, who were otherwise my worst enemies by default. Now, they have a clean slate with me for helping me with my debt. I was able to smooth things over by agreeing to work for my mom, which meant taking a 3-day class in nursing assistance.