Fighting Unemployment Blues: Part II

In part one of this series, we discussed various ways to obtain food and cut costs on your food bills during unemployment. In this second part, we will explore the second necessity of life: shelter. Unemployment brings the possibility of losing your home due to foreclosure or losing your apartment due to the inability to pay your rent. For those with a family, the options are limited when you lose your home due to unemployment. Staying with friends and family as well as moving to a different location are all that is on the horizon. The government might be able to offer help, but this guide is not about that.

For the single, while those conventional methods are available, there are unconventional options for shelter that exists. This state is a limbo between the status of homeless and the status of renter, and will definitely keep you alive for several months until you find a job again. This limbo can be known as "explorer mode".

Once you have lost your home from unemployment, the first thing to take care of is finding a storage space for all of your junk and furniture. If the furniture is dispensible, selling them is the best option. Otherwise, renting a storage space is ideal. For about $30 a month, you can store all of your possessions securely and have a "base" for your operations.

Now that you no longer have all this junk to worry about, you can engage in explorer mode. You will need a backpack to keep your daily essentials and also a change of clothes in case of any accidents or emergencies. You will also have to procure some form of transportation be it public or private, motorized or not, so that you can actually explore. After you have prepared all of your necessities, you are ready to find a second base of operation. This second base is your shelter and where you'll sleep at night and the options are numerous. Below are the three best and most recommended options.

1. Sweat to the oldies - The first option for shelter is the 24-hr fitness club. You can sign up for a gym membership for $40-70 a month, make sure that this gym is open 24 hours though or else this plan does not work. The gym is a nice place as it provides various workout equipment and fitness classes to keep you occupied during the day. Large gyms also have basketball courts available and other ball courts available. If you are tired from gym activities everyday, feel free to head over to a public library which usually opens from 9am to 9pm on weekdays. At the public library, you can read books to increase your knowledge or brain power. You can also use the internet for free to search for new career opportunities. When the library closes or when it's bed time, simply head back to the gym and find a remote location to sleep. By remote location, most of the time this implies the restroom stall. Be sure to bring a eye mask so that you get the impression it's dark. You can probably sleep until it is 6am , by then it's time to get ready for the next day as early gym goers will be filtering in.

The gym option provides lots of advantages such as the opportunity to improve both your brain and brawn. There are also opportunities at the gym to meet various people and network. Another advantage is that numerous branches to big chain fitness centers allow you to have more than one base and can increase your exploration possibilites. Perhaps the biggest advantage of all is that you will have full plumbing options and a hot shower whenever you want it. However, the negative is that you have to sleep in a public restroom. But you will only spend about 6 hours a night there, so if you can stand that and can afford $40 a month, then this is a great shelter for your unemployment explorer mode.

2. Up in the air, sort of - The second option you have for a shelter during your unemployment is the local airport. This is less desirable because it's more difficult and less comfortable. Due to homeland security, you can no longer utilize most of the airport in the US and you will have limited space to operate. In most cases, however, you can access the luggage claim area and various waiting areas. The airport have various areas with chairs where you can sleep and spend the night without much suspicion. When out in the open pretending you are waiting for a friend on a delayed flight works very well. If you do not like sleeping out in the open, the airport restroom stalls are always available for use as well. Although you cannot shower there, the airport restrooms are still a good place to wash up, brush your teeth, and get ready for the day. This is not too awkward because you can be a businessman you missed his flight. The airport has a variety of diversions such as the magazine and souvenir stores. While not as great a shelter as the fitness club, the local airport provides one of the best free shelter you can stay at during your unemployment.

3. Go to college - We mentioned earlier that the library is a great place to be during the day if you are unemployed. The third base can perhaps be described as the mega-library. The third base is known as the university library. The university library is similar to the upgraded version of the public library. You can take time to read the numerous books, periodicals, and scholarly journals. There are also internet access for your job search. The best part about the university library is that there are private booths, rooms, and lounges where you can nap to your heart's desire without a second look from the passer by. You can also not shower for a few days and no one would know the difference between you and a typical college student. However, it is recommended you shower once a week to avoid suspicion. The college library also provides restrooms for washing up and taking care of your hygiene. The main problem of the college library is that is it not available in many towns and many college's do not have 24 hour libraries. If you are able to find one though, then this is a fantastic option as a shelter during your unemployment.

Those are possibly the best three shelter ideas that are available if you are unable to afford a real home but wishes to stay above the homeless status. Other possible shelters are 24 hour Wal-Marts, your car, and a casino. It's up to you to find a shelter the best fits your needs until you are able to find employment again. On the next article, we will discuss alternatives and cost cutting ways for your clothing. Until next time, survive and prosper!