Sleeping bags are warm and suitable for outdoors. Try a bivy sack, which is like a body-sized tent. It is collapsible and will protect you from the elements. If you live in a very cold area, sleeping on the ground is risky even if you have a sleeping bag and warm clothes because the ground will absorb your body heat. You will need an inflatable insulated sleeping pad to keep in your heat.
Get to know someone before you trust them with your safety. Remember that you are all trying to survive.
Be aware of your surroundings when you sleep in a shelter. You don’t have any privacy there, your belongings are not necessarily safe, and other people in the shelter may pose a threat. [3] X Research source Shelters are commonly non-profit, but some are for-profit. You may be charged a fee for using the shelter, so discuss your options before taking a bed.
Try a public park. You can spread out your blanket as though you are on a picnic. Take a beach nap. If you are near a beach, consider sleeping there during the day. You can fold your blanket like a beach towel so that you blend in with other sunbathers. Be careful to use your sunscreen and avoid the hottest parts of the day.
If you can’t find a soup kitchen, try religious facilities, which usually offer some type of charitable support. You may be able to get a few grocery items or a store gift-card. Ask the soup kitchen staff for information about related services, programs that help the homeless, and opportunities for assistance in getting off the streets, but don’t ask them to give you money or let you stay with them.
Be sure to act like a customer. It’s a good idea to make a small purchase, even if it’s just a single piece of fruit or a pack of noodles. Visit farmer’s markets after closing to see if you can get leftover produce for free or very cheap.
Check the area around the dumpster so that you can avoid confrontations with people who may not want you to remove items from that dumpster, such as a business owner or someone who already dives there. When in doubt, don’t eat food that might have gone bad. Most chain grocery stores throw out extra food even before the best by date. Look in bins behind stores such as Walmart, Kroger, or Safeway. Find out if dumpster diving is legal in your area and don’t go into bins that are in gates.
Remove packaging from food to make it less bulky and reduce weight. Look for snacks while you’re dumpster diving. They may be past their sell-by date, but they are usually still good for awhile. Collect free condiments that you can use in a pinch when other food is unavailable.
If you aren’t in a city, then look for flowing water or catch rain water.
Look for available public bathrooms in places like fast food restaurants, shopping centers, airports, libraries, colleges, and office buildings. Try turning a stall into a private wash station by bringing a container of water and mirror into the stall. If you are able to purchase one, you can acquire a collapsible bucket from an outdoor store. This is a great option if you cannot find a private bathroom.
Try visiting gyms or the YMCA. While you may have to pay gym fees, you can ask if the gym offers free trials. You may be able to take advantage of one of these options, giving you access to the gym’s facilities. Use the showers at a beach or campground. While these showers may sometimes lack privacy, they make washing yourself easier than it is in a sink. Act as though you belong, and it’s unlikely anyone will question you.
Check with your local shelter or soup kitchen to find out if they offer facilities for washing clothes. Collect change to use in the laundromat. Coin-operated washers and dryers often cost between $1-1. 25. Wash your clothes in a bathroom sink a few pieces at a time then hang-dry them.
When carrying a backpack, try to look like you’re either a hiking-enthusiast or a bicyclist who carries a backpack for convenience. Try to use a bag that looks like a standard tote or reusable grocery bag so that people will assume that you are on your way home from shopping.
Depending on your area and race, a police presence could make a place safer or less safe for sleeping. If you have a good relationship with the police in your area, then sleeping on their patrols could be a good option for you. Always be respectful when interacting with the police, even if you feel you are being treated unfairly.
You can find pamphlets and more information at organizations such as the ACLU and nonprofits that focus on helping those who live on the streets. [12] X Research source If you don’t know where to start, ask for help at your local soup kitchen or use the resources at the public library to do research.
If you do have a local airport, blend in with fellow travelers, which should allow you to take a nap in the waiting area. Be sure to move around, though, so that no one becomes suspicious.
Find out if a local shelter allows for people to store items there. Carry a large stick or umbrella to ward off possible thieves. Cover your belongings when you sleep, and if possible wrap part of the bag around your leg or arm so that if someone tries to steal it they’ll risk waking you.
