A person on Quora asked me, “What would you do if you had no job, no food, no credit, no money, no relatives or friends? What would be your immediate plan to get out of poverty?”
This is how I responded:
First, I would go to the Department of Social Services and get welfare money. Then I would find section 8 housing, if that still exists.
During the day, I’d be taking trips to the library to learn new skills. From there, I would sell fruit or flowers off the side of the freeway in the evening. The last lady I saw selling fruit made $30 in 30 minutes.
After I save up some money, I would find something better to sell. Then something better. Maybe make a move into technology or banking products. Hopefully by then, I’ll be on the other end of the economic spectrum.
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Originally posted on Quora.
Leonard Kim consults startups and writes books like The Etiquette of Social Media: How to Connect and Respond to Others in the World of Social Media
This might work in the first world countries. But it’s not a universal solution to get out of poverty. In third world countries fruit sellers even after selling much more fruit than you might only earn 1$ – 5$. This is all they get after spending one day without even a shade. They work till late at night.
I am no intellectual like you but scenarios which might work for someone aren’t always supposed to work with you.
The lady you’re talking might have some very good marketing skills and might have some very permanent customers and even might have a good reputation of selling fruit in that area.
The immediate plan must guarantee more success rate than this plan does.
You don’t get Section 8 housing you’re doomed cos all of your profit will go towards paying your rents. You don’t get welfare money even than you’re doomed.
Every country is different.