There's a difference between being homeless and being homeless. Living on the streets or at the mercy of others is one thing when you have to, but couchsurfing

There's a difference between being homeless and being homeless. Living on the streets or at the mercy of others is one thing when you have to, but couchsurfing or choosing to live out of your car (emphasis on choosing) is something different. I've never been homeless, but I've worked with the homeless. That's something no one in their right mind would ever choose. However, I have chosen to live with friends, live out of my car, and at one point, live in a tent longer-term. It was my choice and I made the decision with a lot of planning ahead of time and figuring out where I would shower, how to store food, etc. Being homeless isn't a life hack, but finding alternative living arrangements certainly is, especially when you're talking about the Bay Area.