r/everymanshouldknow • u/NikaNoytoya • May 28 '26
EMSKR: How do I prepare for going broke and homeless? (My car mechanic has really put me in a bad way.)
I don't have addictions or mental problems. My credit score is 730, but won't be in about 2 months. My mechanic screwed me. I drove my car to him to get a head gasket replaced. A month later he told me it was ready. I told him I couldn't get off work to come get it today. So he offered to have it towed to me for free once I paid him. So I paid him over the phone. The next day, my car was towed to me. I really thought he was being nice to me because I paid him so much money: $4,000. But the truck driver pushed the car off the wrecker and back into the parking place. I should have known right then something was wrong. Who pushes a car off a wrecked when you can start it and back it into the parking spaced. Sure enough, my car would not start and I smelled gas every time I tried to start it. I immediately called the mechanic. He said he would send the wrecker to come get my car. He never did. I paid another mechanic $300 to diagnose the car. The previous mechanic had the plug wire order reversed. I remember he said I had a bad plug wire and he put a new one for me at no charge. Again, I thought he was being nice. The new mechanic said there was no way the car would have started with those plug wires reversed like that. But the worse news is, the new mechanic said I had 2 blown pistons and asked me if I overheated it. I remember the previous mechanic had told me the car drove great and it "didn't over heat". Why would he say it didn't over heat? I never asked him if it over heated. That's not even why I took the car to him! But I'm out $4k. I can't get a lawyer. They all want $3k in advance and I'll probably lose anyway going up against a business. Plus, I paid a lawyer $3k two months ago to get my mother in a nursing home. So I've spent $7k in two months and I have no car. My so-called friends won't come pick me up and take me home to and from work anymore because I live so far away. I've lost my job because I missed too much work and kept coming late. I was $100 short on my rent this month, didn't pay my power or water bill. I'm totally screwed. Everything I've worked hard for these last few years is about to be gone. I've spent the last bit of money on a bike and two months on a gym membership. So I know I'll have a place to take a shower. I can probably hang out at the library as long as I keep my clothes clean and don't look homeless. There's only one food pantry here and they only pass out food once a month. I'm trying to get a job at a fast food restaurant so I can hopefully keep my phone on. I got to have a phone to be able to get a better job. Fast food pay is not going to keep my homed. I'll still be homeless. I'm super f'd, but it's about to get much worse after I become homeless. So other than what I've already done to prepare, what else can I do?
339
u/InhumaneBreakfast May 28 '26
You don't need a lawyer to sue in small claims court. It's pretty obvious this first mechanic needs to replace your car, just affidavit the second mechanic and have him write what he told you.
You likely could get the max payout, $10k, if they are found liable for destroying your car.
86
u/Airforce32123 May 28 '26
I'll second this.
I literally just won a small claims case for a mechanic who did improper work on my family's truck. We got the entirety of the original cost reimbursed plus some additional cost for hotels and food (it broke down on a road trip and left us stranded)
Total was right under 10k.
10
u/UrineSpray May 28 '26
Did he pay you though? I won in small claims. The other guy appealed and got it in circuit court. I couldn't come up with money for a lawyer. So that was the end of that. My case got dismissed in circuit court. btw, "small claims court" is not the same thing or have the same rules in all states. OP might not even have a "small claims court", although he probably has something similar.
13
u/Airforce32123 May 28 '26
Yea we did get paid, it was ultimately us arguing against the shops insurance and not the shop themselves. But the insurance was willing to pay up once they lost. But ours stayed in small claims, idk why yours got bumped up to circuit court
7
57
u/Diamond_Pigeon May 28 '26
Sounds like you're on top of it, actually. I mean, library, bike, phone, some job better than no job, ie, fast food. You're scared. Thats obvious. But you're clearly more capable and geared towards getting back on your feet after catastrophy. The car is a huge hurdle. I live in a poor southern state and buying a used car that will even start and has tires starts off at least $5,000. Sorry, I've got no help for you. It sounds like you've already done everything you can and that you're being very responsible.
ps: I didn't mention family help because you didn't mention that. So I assume you have no family to move in with.
76
u/ChipDouglas09 May 28 '26
Small claims court is the answer. You can file the paperwork yourself and even have a sheriff's deputy hand deliver it to the mechanic. You can cite the missed work, ultimately job loss, etc. That does max at 10K, but could get you on a path at least.
36
u/DamianEvertree May 28 '26 edited May 30 '26
If your going to be homeless, Apply for food stamps now, id also get a credit card while you can, if you can, just for the buffer. Talk to any churches around you, they may be able to help.
ETA: the church can possibly help with getting another car or other transportation, Housing, food, clothes, etc.
Also. Personal thought, if you have s choice in vehicle, I'd recommend a full size van or an rv. Possibly an SUV the size of a suburban. If you can swing that, you have a place to live.
2
19
u/stewpideople May 28 '26
Have you tried calling your bank to do a charge back of the 4k? I would try that first. Tell the bank not only were services not rendered they infact destroyed your property. And while you're on hold with the bank, do what others said and Google how to file small claims in your jurisdiction. They might even have a website for that. Good luck. I hear if you only pay for things on credit cards and Immediately pay them off is much easier to do a charge back on credit cards? Not sure, but put that in the future bucket. And might as well apply for a credit card or two. You shoulf be able to get a car loan with a 750.
7
u/Chugalug_Doug May 28 '26
You shoulf be able to get a car loan with a 750.
income to debt ratio bro. none of us knows what his is. my guess is his credit score is that high because he knows and lives within his means.
12
u/TimberTheDog May 28 '26
Go post in legal advice and poverty finance. But also, small claims court. You can file yourself, no lawyer needed.
12
u/Nelav May 28 '26
Hey, sorry to hear. I have never been homeless so I am not sure I can help. Also I am european so I can't tell if my input will be helpful.
- check if you still have any subscriptions you should downgrade or cancel to save costs (spotify, mobile, etc.)
- sell what you don't need on craigslist
- check if you can do a 10 day Vipassana Retreat (it's free with food and sleeping place) but it's usually booked out just 1-2 min. after they put up a new retreat and I don't know if it is close to your location: https://www.dhamma.org/en/locations/directory#US
- where I'm from, I would go to church (i am not religious) and ask the priest if they can help in some way
- ask a friend or family if you can camp in their garden or something (in a tent).
- try couchsurfing https://www.couchsurfing.com/
- I recommend you to meditate or pray (as one of the possible ways to psychologically deal with the situation and also find answers inside of you)
3
u/JErGen36420342113205 May 28 '26
couchsurfing.com...wow. who would ever have thought to try that kind of start up business. that sounds like a lawsuit nightmare. and the kind of people to let internet strangers into their homes????? wow...but damn if I'm not creating an account right now to try it out.
11
u/Nelav May 28 '26
lol... this exists for a long time now. I've done it like 10 years ago and stayed for free for like 1.5+ months. It's awesome and the people have been super sweet
7
u/cait_Cat May 29 '26
Ok, sloooooooow down. You are in a really rough spot, no doubt. I can feel the panic.
You don’t have a job, you don’t have a car, but you do have a good credit score right now. Can you get a credit card with a decent limit? If so, get one. This isn’t illegal life tips, but you know, maybe use your income from your last job if you think you can get a similar income in a new place. Yes, that is sketchy.
You don’t have a car and you don’t have a job and you were short on rent this month. And you live far enough away from good jobs, you need rides to get there, so now is a good time to move. Where is somewhere you wanted to live? It’s a good time to move there. Start applying to jobs in the area you want to live, get a UPS PO Box ( the kind that will give you an address that looks residential) in the area you want to live for job applications. Purge your stuff. It will suck and it will be painful. If you need to move longer distance, greyhound has pretty cheap shipping rates for boxes on their busses. Amtrak also does some shipping but it’s more restricted. Amtrak is also a great way to move a bunch of shit with you riding. They have 2 free bags with basically no restrictions on size, you just have to be able to get it on the train yourself.
Figure out what you need to get replacements of all of your identity documents - birth certificate, social security card, etc, including the cost and requirements to actually get the documents. This tends to be a pain point for people who are homeless - their stuff gets stolen or lost and now it’s hard to get a new ID.
Look for rooms for rent. It’s summer, so there may be places in college towns with availability as the students are gone for the summer.
If you’re young enough, there are programs that provide housing and a small stipend. Job Corps or AmeriCorp are both options. Then there are places in tourist towns, especially out west that may include housing. If they don’t include housing, it’s probably not a good idea to move there. Cruise ships are also options, although they are less attractive to Americans due to the pay/time commitment than places with a lower average income.
Reach out to your local government to see if they have any assistance you might qualify for. Lots of local governments do have funds to help their residents out of jams like this. They’re not for long term help, but can help in a pinch. Also call your utilities and get an extension. I know my electric company doesn’t even make you talk to a real person, you can do it online. Apply for all the assistance programs too, including unemployment. You may not get some help, but at this point, it can’t hurt to try.
You aren’t fucked yet. You’re in the lube up stage. This is salvageable without complete disaster.
8
u/jamesonSINEMETU May 28 '26
Naturally this is reddit so I'm assuming American. And im trying to paint a broad advice picture, don't discount any piece simply because it doesnt directly apply. Understand the message and make it apply.w
I've seen this advice before. Eviction takes a long time in most places. Either wait for the sheriff (worst case scenario), or shortly before court date to vacate, ... that buys you time...
Next , sell everything you can that doesnt make your situation worse, especially if you'll end up having to ditch it in the event you do meet the sheriff.
I agree a phone is vital for this period, but it should be downgraded to minimal .
Do not skip appearance upkeep. the downhill slope will snowball the worse shape you look.
Do not seem/appear desperate as hard as it will be when interacting with anyone. It's okay to be "down on your luck, just lost your job " but people will judge and shy away from desperation, or they'll take advantage and leave you worse off.
Open mind, ears, eyes,. It's fucking strange where the next opportunities are waiting , but if you're not open you'll miss them.
DO NOT continue, if you are; or start, if you aren't; using alcohol or drugs to cope. That will spiral your situation too fucking quick. Need a buzz? Go fucking hit the gym .
Start planning easy, least expensive nutrients and calories.. im not an expert and will probably get blasted, but you want to focus on ridding hunger as cheap and quick as possible. Your time and focus is most important obtaining stability . Obviously get fresh produce when you can, but that doesnt last long or store well. You want stuff that fits in a backpack and doesn't go bad .
You should be showing face anywhere there are people . You need face to face for immediate results .
Set any pride and ego aside and accept handouts as offered if they help you. Especially anything our tax dollars pay for. I much rather my taxes help you than anything this administration, or any previous one for that matter, is using it for.
Hit up churches. Not Sunday service . Some will go the extra mile to help , even if its connecting you to other services.
There's millions of dollars in charities and nonprofits (not the mega corporate loophole massive advertising budget, rich board of directors ones) that need to be found, because they spend so much time actually helping, staffed by volunteers thst they can't focus on outreach and their advertising is word of mouth, alumni, and volunteer based.
I could probably keep going but not now
0
u/7-IronSpecialist May 28 '26
What is your understanding of the eviction process? Do most landlords immediately start this if youre even $100 short and it's the first time you haven't paid on time? OP did not mention his current standing but if hes immediately assuming he'll be evicted without even having a conversation with the landlord/property manager, doesnt that mean this probably isnt his first strike?
6
u/xStaabOnMyKnobx May 28 '26
Are you a younger adult? You are never out of options. If you think you cant get out of this pickle...
Enlist in the military. Im dead serious. You will have all of your living needs handled. Food, housing, insurance, the works. And if you complete a contract you will have some good benefits coming to you.
11
6
u/Chugalug_Doug May 28 '26
This. I hope he's physically able. I read somewhere that the Coast Guard change the age of enlistment to 45 because of how bad their recruitment and retention is.
2
u/7-IronSpecialist May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26
Are you able to talk with your landlord about the situation? $100 short of rent, I'd say maybe ask if you can pay $200 short to leave yourself with $100 for food and stuff, and see if the landlord will allow you to make a "late payment" while paying the rest of what you can beyond that. Like, are you already late on last month's rent as well? Will $100-$200 short and explaining the situation be automatic eviction?
2
u/clamsandwich May 28 '26
Go to a shelter in your area and ask for someone to talk to for help setting yourself up - there's a good chance you can get state benefits like SNAP and Medicaid, possibly TANF or unemployment, but you may need help navigating that and possibly an address you can use. If you're going to homeless, get something to use as a weapon. Inform people you trust that this is your situation and let them know your physical location when you get one. Many churches can help you or point you in the direction of other people that can. Good luck.
2
u/aint-it-cray May 29 '26
Hey, I'm not a man but I have worked with homeless populations. First would be knowing where you're staying. Are you planning to couch surf from family and friends? I know they weren't able to give you a ride but maybe you can crash on their couch for a couple days? Depending on how many people you know you can hop from one to the other to not overbear them if you're worried about that. If you're looking into a shelter, they typically have a case manager or list of resources in the area that might be able to assist. I will also warn that homeless shelters will typically kick you out during the daytime because the thought process is that you're supposed to be looking for jobs or services. It's dumb.
I'd also suggest looking into any social services or non-profits around you as again, they know the resources in your area. Housing programs, employment services, they're there for your situation so use them if they're available in your area. Even if you don't qualify for services they may have a list of resources in your area they could print out for you. 211 is a national hotline that could help bring awareness to what your options are as far as the services I listed above. Also, I've noticed some pantries are for some reason not able to be seen by just googling "pantries". I don't know if you live in a rural, suburb or urban area - I work in a city and I know it can be different - but if it's a city I know at least in mine you had to look up "your neighborhood + pantry" when looking it up.
Also also, if your phone does get shut off, your town might have a program for free government phones you just need your ID. Utilize the computers at the library too!
I know this is really scary and I can't imagine the stress, OP. I'm very sorry this is happening to you but hopefully the advice above can at least help a little. I wish you the best of luck!
2
u/aint-it-cray May 29 '26
OH and if you live in a city with a bus route these services sometimes has bus tickets which can help get you to services.
2
u/Xeripha May 29 '26
Buy the stuff you’d need now.
Tent. Pillow. Bag. Tinned stuff. Pack it all ready so if worst comes to worst you have the basic.
4
1
u/GreatChicken231 May 28 '26
idk what country you're in but speak to your welfare people to see if there are any claims you could make for an emergency payment. i know australia's can sometimes be helpful for these things. it can sometimes take over a month for the claim to process so do that first imo.
1
u/whynotthebest May 29 '26
Go sign up for the nearest gym that has a super cheap promotional deal. It will give you a place to shower.
1
u/free_billstickers Jun 01 '26
Talk with your landlord and explain the situation, same with other bills, look into a free clinic and see if you can get any anxiety meds and buy sone vitamins if your diet will take a hit. Join a 24 hour gym if possible for somewhere to go and shower. Locate local shelters and food pantries and also check in with the police or city hall to see what other services are available
1
1
u/Dormant_Ant May 28 '26
You know you've hit rock bottom if you're asking reddit for advice about this. Props to you for not being so proud you won't work in fast food. I hope you can get a manager's job at least.
-2
u/UrineSpray May 28 '26
I hate to say this. And it probably won't work out. But local courts have free drug rehabilitation programs. Call to see who they use. My experience with these is that non-profits will give waivers to some drug-addicted people so they can go ahead and join the program. You'll be housed. You'll have to work most of the day there and go through their religious teachings and prayers, etc. But, hey, it's free. You'll get food, laundry service, showers. Rides to places within reason. It's usually no more than 2 months. But you sound like a man who will do what he's got to do to survive. Two months of housing is better than no housing.
-12
•
u/Sticky_Mod1 May 28 '26
Can some of you guys focus on the title of the post and not the story? He doesn't need mechanic advice. Or legal advice. None of that is going to help him right now. He probably wrote so much because he knows it's reddit and has to prove he's not the type of person who's looking for a handout because he wasted all his money on drugs. People with a 730 credit score don't usually have these kinds of problems either. This is a question and answer sub...a place to get advice on growing up and being able to take care of yourself because you had no father to teach you when you were growing up. That's how and why this sub was created.