Alright my bank account over drafted a while ago by like 10 cents but I got like $350 in over draft fees, it's doomed me in to a cycle of over drafts because I can not pay my rent without over drafting my account which then create more over draft fees from my other bills automatically drafting from my account. I've gotten so deep in to debt that I can't get out unless I go homeless for a while which I'm going to do once my lease is up next month but thats not my problem right now, currently I have absolutely no way to get any money and I need food really bad. I'm really sick and not having food is making it much worse, I'm literally to the point where my neighbor's cat is starting to look really tasty... It's sunday and no food banks are open, I need food right now but I can't think of anyway to get it. Does anyone have any idea what I can do?

If you've not got anyone you could borrow from (interest and charge free of course) to get you through a month and break the cycle - get yourself into the bank, explain your situation, and see if you can get a temporary overdraft extension to break free of the charges. You'll end up living poor for a month but it'll get you out of the cycle.

Another thing is to thin out your bills - that is get rid of all non-essential stuff. Car, mobile phone, cable TV, and last resort - internet. Just short term until you get back on your feet of course.

Google survival texts? Lots of food free for the taking from nature, even in what first appears to be the most inhospitable environments.

As for your banking issues. Get in there and talk to them, and also go talk to your land lord. If nothing else you might be able to convince your landlord to give you a slight extension so you can just drop the bank account and live off cash.

Already talked to the bank, there is no way they will give me any of my money back...

Don't pay the bank until you have money to do so. Also stop using your stupid credit card.

On the food thing, go to a Mall, sit somewhere in the food area and wait until people stand up from their tables and eat the left overs until you get kicked out of the mall. Try to be subtle.

Quote: Original post by owl
On the food thing, go to a Mall, sit somewhere in the food area and wait until people stand up from their tables and eat the left overs until you get kicked out of the mall. Try to be subtle.

I may try that...

Quote: Original post by CodaKiller
Already talked to the bank, there is no way they will give me any of my money back...

Of course they won't give you the money back - but they might give you an overdraft extension, ie, enough so that they won't charge you when you go over on a short term basis.

If the bank isn't going to help, stop using your bank account, get paid in cash, and pay the landlord in cash. Use the rest of the cash to live off, and put some aside so you can eventually pay off your debt to the bank.

Worst case scenario - take out a loan, just enough to cover your charges and bring you back to positive. It'll cost you more in the long run - but if it's just to break the cycle, it may just work.

A few simple tips everyone should live by...

Never set up your bank account for overdraft protection... If you can't maintain a balance over $0... You can't maintain it over -n $...

Never set up automatic bill payment (as in, companies can just take out your monthly charge from your account). I say never, but I do this with insurance... I pay phone/internet/etc manually monthly. If you don't have the cash, you can delay a payment on any of these... Most companies won't complain (though they might charge you minimally) for a month late...

In general, don't buy the things you don't NEED... While need does vary, too many think they need so many things they want : )

As for your current dire need for food... Previous suggestions are good. Crazy hard to believe you have NO friends to get $5 from, which could feed you for days (noodles are crap, but they're cheap and enough for a week+)... The food court idea works, but so does just about any restaurant, fast food, or otherwise.. They dump a ton of food a few times a day : ) And while I think it's a last resort, theft is always an option (Super Walmart?). Hopefully with enough guilt to not get into the situation in the future ; )

-Alamar

A packet of Ramen costs about 25 cents where I am, and you can find 25 cents under parking meters if you walk down the street. Churches are open on Sunday, as I recall, and they're pretty well known for being charitable.

I've gone hungry quite a few times, but if you're in America, it's very difficult to starve. Even bums are obese in our nation. Start calling up local places about food. Call a church, they might direct you to proper help. I use to get groceries monthly from a Catholic organization.

You can also try food kitchens. Ask relatives for help, if that's an option. Avoid going out to eat -- way too expensive. I buy things like Ramen Noodles Mac & Cheese, Rice, you know, the cheap stuff.

Other options: Temp service (Work for a walk-in labor place), Plasma center (You can donate plasma and make anywhere from $20-40 in 1h visit), you can check around your house for stuff to sale or recycle cans... whatever you need to do.

Remember, you don't have to feel ashamed. Most people need help at least few times in their life. But try be grateful about your handouts, even though life seems hard right now.

I don't know if you can get food stamps based on your income, you could always check. And of course, try and see if you can manage your budget better in the future.