When Mike Was Homeless

[@beethechange257]

Mike seems like such an empathetic, sweet man. You are a great couple. ♥️

[@teresauntalan6828]

I think you two are the cutest couple. I enjoy your videos. Allow me to share my experience as an almost homeless 20 year old female in the mid 60's. I left Colorado to pursue my dream in California. I actually didn't know what my dream was. I knew no one in California and when I was on my last bag of beans and my rent was due in a few days, I knew I was in deep trouble. The bit of money I had saved was gone and I still had no job. As I was looking for a job I came across the Army Recruiting station went in signed up and within a week I was on my way to Annaston Alabama to attend basic training for what was then called the Women's Army Corps. Best thing I ever did. After I completed my time in the Corps I went to university and got a degree in nursing. I am now retired with a pension and two paid up homes. I did have a successful 52 year marriage and 4 wonderful children, My husband passed away in 2019.

[@ksbordersjville]

What a wonderful story. U lived in the Anniston area for many years As a nurse myself I have so much respect for you.

[@queenbobbi8481]

Thank you for your service. ❤️

[@visitor3756]

God Bless you more !!!

[@luxtellez7897]

Bravo!

[@davisholman6518]

What a terrific story! And to think people ponder & plan for years what to do in the future. You did something due to being desperate & it ends up changing your life forever! So wonderful - & I feel any young person who does not really know what they want to do should go into the military. It has so many advantages & teaches responsibility & maturity. I loved being an Air Force brat too. I will never forget living with my family in Italy of three years. We traveled all over Europe - was a wonderful experience.

[@cherokeestrong442]

If you have not lived through it yourself, it’s often hard to relate, but there are so many families that are NOT warm, fuzzy, loving, and supportive of their children. From one survivor to another, glad you made it through and had the self determination to change your life and teach your own children differently Mike (& Tawra). Well done.

[@wendythomas4930]

And look at you now, Mike! What a success story!🤩🤩🤩

[@thatspersonal7910]

23 is still pretty young, Mike, don't feel bad about it. Its the learning curve. Love you guys

[@gailfox6791]

Thank u for sharing your story of triumph over diversity. Your husband seems so very humble and kind natured. It is wonderful that he didnt let all that make him bitter and resentful. His story will hopefully help so many in similar situations.Blessings to u Tawra and family.

[@kathybullmer8884]

Wow Praising God that you're ok Mike! Sorry that you had to go through those tough times, but thankfully you learned the life lessons and now you and Tawra are able to help people if they are willing to listen. My husband lost his job years ago and we were homeless for a few months, but Praising God that we're doing better now and agree with your message to people "Get It Together People!" :)

[@peggybaggenstoss3817]

My first nursing job in 1983 in south Arkansas paid $1.75 an hour. I had rent, 2 children, car payment and other life needs. We learn to manage with what we have. Child support didn’t come regularly but wasn’t enforced by the law so I learned to manage on my own. I have several single friends.. female and male.. that lived in rooming houses with “ strangers” while in college. That’s how you meet and learn people. These lifestyles make us creative in all areas of our life. In the 1980’’s a male friend learned how to cook Ramen noodles and tuna thousands of ways while in college. Focusing on NEEDS is more important than WANTS. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@m1975cl]

Mad respect to you. I am gaining insight into why you think the way you do, the bootstrap mentality. You all have walked the talk.

[@debbiehawley1278]

My life has fallen apart later in life. But I do learn from your videos and I appreciate them.

[@RandallHallKaizenReiki]

Great problem solving attitude. I spent a lot of my life just "winging" it through my finances. I finally took charge of them last year thanks to KZbin channels like this one. Appreciate the constant advice and encouragement.

[@pamelaanis715]

I am so glad you took Mike in (even though he was stupid) he seems like a good guy!!

[@suec2117]

Thank you Mike and Tawra for your transparency this will help so many people ❤️

[@naomipatton6976]

Beautiful makeup Tawra!

[@bettyqueen1235]

Thank you for this awesome personal story Mike! Both you and Tawra know first hand, by experience the hard truths of life. Experience is a good but difficult teacher. Thank God He brought the two of you together and you learned a lot and truly fulfilled your dreams! I thank God for the both of you, as a great team, you are really helping others make better decisions about saving money. We love you guys, you two are the best! God bless you!

[@lindazibluk8099]

Havent watched this yet but i want to because of all the utube husbands out there I find Mike to be the most likeable and i am sute approachable..He has always been so upbeat yet realistc on the videos and I would like to meet him in person! Love from the snowy east coast. Also love Tara and Jill of course!!!

[@irenebaker8263]

I really love your story Mike. Thanks for sharing with us. I like the part of the story where you are figuring out food and telling about basic white rice and sause but then you mentioned about progressive improvement I think you called it. I think that is key....to constantly try to improve our own individual situations. Looking forward to this series!❤🏡❤

[@estherch8394]

It's a blessing video. Humbling.

[@findingaway5512]

You are made for each other. Like hearing about the fugality of necessity. I am sure you spiced up his frugal life!

[@sabrinadevol1210]

Tawra, your complexion is gorgeous and love your hair! Thank you for sharing this very personal story, Mike. No doubt this will be helpful to so many. Blessings!

[@bethanyg153]

Good story! I’d love to hear his salvation testimony.

[@einzgeisha]

definitely Mike's testimony . I really like how he brings us step by step through his journey and growths of realization when he was 23 and going through that.

[@glendasully]

I'm sorry to hear that you were homeless, but happy that you turned around your financial situation and are using what you learned to help others. I've been homeless too and it is very scary

[@heatherofthemountains]

The way Tawra looks at Mike, with such a love, is incredible. You don't see that in couples too much anymore. Makes my heart glad to see. All my love and prayers for you and yours, always 💙

[@izzynbuddy5551]

That must have been such a lonely, scary time in your life. I am really glad you ended up meeting Tawra.

[@Jean2235177]

Thank you for sharing this Mike. I know it was a difficult time and want to keep it in the past. ❤️❤️ I think others can benefit from y’all’s wisdom.

[@margaretbedwell58]

That was great Mike. You were a quick learner, that was your saving grace. I hope this helps others out there that are in a similar situation. Thanks for sharing and have a Blessed day.

[@midsouthhomesteader2075]

That was very interesting!! I never would have thought Mike was once homeless!! Thanks, Mike, for sharing!

[@gailrodgers3079]

I was never homeless, but certainly felt under the gun. I graduated college in 1977. I went to college in Saskatchewan, Canada and home was PA. I always took a Greyhound there and back as I was a poor college student that worked my way through. So I get home after 2 days on the bus. I can't remember if it was Saturday or Sunday. My mother in no way indicated that I could take a few days to rest, etc. Not like I hadn't been going non-stop for 4 years. I was at a Bible college that on top of regular work to pay for going there, all students were required to do Christian Service, which for me meant, teaching Sunday school, doing at evening service at a nursing home, doing children's church, etc. The point being, even Sundays were no days off to rest. So I get home and Monday morning I caught the local bus that went into the city twice a day and came back twice a day. I was filling out job applications all over the place. On Thursday, I missed the bus home and my mom had to come get me (about a 40 minute drive) so lets go to some other places to apply. I ended up at an Arby's for minimum wage of $2.30/H! My mom knew a lady in the area that agreed to let me live and eat at her house for $90/month. That meant 39 hours of work before taxes! I didn't have a clue at that time how most fast food places had revolving doors. I started part time and within 2-3 weeks I was fulltime. I worked my way up to asst. manager with a nickel an hour raise. But later I had an opportunity to apply for a job near NYC. On that minimum wage job while completely and totally supporting myself, I had saved enough to FLY out to the job interview, and did it again a week or two late. I got a job that also came with an apartment for $90/month (I had to share a bathroom but had my own kitchen and bed/living room. I felt like I was in the lap of luxury at that point. I didn't drive or own a car. But I had learned to handle my money before I went to college and college even reinforced that more so that when I quit the Arby's to move. I was the first person in the 2 years that they had been open that actually gave notice that I was quitting. I wasn't making much more money, but much better on a resume if needed than fast food worker. If you put your mind to it, you can live on very little. I hear people claiming they need something that wasn't even invented 10 years ago. Rarely to you need new inventions. LOL. I was encouraged by Mike's story. I'm not sure what my mother would have done with me if I hadn't gotten that job as I was about out of all the cash I had and we lived in a dink-do town with NO jobs to be had.

[@kittyobrien393]

Mike, thank you for sharing your story. I don't think I could have shared like that. Look at all the courageous things you did to help yourself. Inspiring.

[@cherylT321]

My parents were like that; money was a taboo topic in our home, so we weren’t taught how to use it properly!

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

Same here. The answer we got to many questions was either: It's none of your business, or: I tell you another day. Not now.... At some point you stop asking. 😊❤ However our mother was very good at stretching a penny and doing things herself at home. I learned that from her.

[@cherylT321]

@@heidimisfeldt5685 🙂

[@davisholman6518]

@@heidimisfeldt5685 Wow - all I remember is my parents argued about money & we were always paycheck to paycheck. It pushed me to make sure I never felt like that again. I went to college and had a very successful career - enough money to breathe! I hated always struggling to survive & was determined to do better.

[@warrior5203]

God prepared your family for generations for days like these! Har life and you equipped your children as role models for the worked as faithful Christians! Hallelujah!

[@malmquistestates2507]

Well done and inspirational. I was thrown out at 17. I was a first child who was forced to comply to very hiigh standards. I think of all the terrible things I went through. I am grateful to my Father who taught me the envelope method. He was a teacher who died a multi millionaire. I still live quite frugally. Problem is I can't spend money on what other people consider necessary. By the way I love your cookbook. Lots of good advice for everyone. Love Amy in Minnesocold

[@stacykroeger3301]

Poor Mike! I've heard families say, I'm not dicussing money with my kids and I think that is just WRONG! How do you think they're going to learn? What gets me the most is hearing people that are on welfare and food stamps say they can't make it on that when in reality, they have more money than my husband and myself

[@Liz-lt1zn]

Agreed 100%

[@rachelkivarkis1801]

Wow, what an experience. Thanks for sharing guys. ❤️🙏🌹🌟👍👏🤟✝️

[@nicolejohnson5225]

I dunno if you're using dye or just letting your silver grow out Tawra but you look so good with it! The color's definitely working for you. Love these personal experience videos:)

[@LivingOnADime]

Oh thank you! It's my natural color growing out.

[@joannapatterson4625]

I think so too. Looks great.

[@debishell952]

@@LivingOnADime mn

[@debishell952]

Tawra, I love how you are looking at Mike. Love just shines on your face!

[@carolwilliams8840]

Thank you Mike for sharing your story. Glad you not only survived but are thriving in life and teaching your children about the responsibilities of how to handle money.

[@nancyrichardson9927]

I grew up in a family that never used credit. If my parents bought a car or built on to the house, they had the money to pay for it. I started working when I was 14 and learned quickly how to spend only what I had.

[@cherylT321]

Excellent!

[@janetschult6548]

Great parents

[@renatuttle633]

My grandparents lived this way as well. I’ve managed to do so.

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

Thank you for sharing your story. 😃😀

[@nette0423]

What a great testimony! God surely was watching over you to keep you safe. Thank you for sharing. We surely had hard times as we were growing up in a family of 10. Some times it was just boiling bones to have soup with rice. I learned a lot from not having and how to deal with it.

[@jent.3816]

I really appreciated this video. What an honest and insightful experience you shared! Thank you! My teenagers & I really enjoy listening to your advice and stories.

[@meripederson8379]

I was fortunate enough to be a veteran. So when I became homeless in my 50's after losing my job I got help getting housing through them.

[@queenbobbi8481]

Thank you for your service. ❤️

[@dianecelento4974]

Thank you for your service. God bless you

[@diannemahedy8041]

Thank you for your service.

[@AdairCty]

Thanks for sharing...interesting story of overcoming hardships!

[@sharoncook8020]

Thank you for all you do

[@pamettmayer2391]

You guys have done a wonderful job with your children. Your experience that you were in helped your whole life lessons.

[@brightstarr57]

Thanks for sharing, Mike! Thank God you made it through that experience!

[@youtubehandle-]

Oh my Mike you have come a long way! Life long lesson. ❤✌

[@karinklapproth866]

Thanks for sharing your story🦋

[@karenlowry2736]

Wow talk about life’s lessons!! You learned besides saving is good cc no good, that you weren’t as fearful as you thought you over came that by focusing on shelter job and food. Good going!

[@warrior5203]

Thank u for sharing incredible story with honesty and sincerity! Learned a lot!

[@bgbell3049]

Thank you for sharing Mike’s story.

[@t4qjjqdq5y6]

Wow! Thank you for sharing. A lot of people could benefit from hearing your story! LuvUguys!

[@swissmiss1212]

Can relate with the family situation. I have been through a lot with mine. Many years ago now. Thank God I now have a home that is mine and it is all paid for. God uses bad times to bring good things from it. Thanks for sharing this.

[@angelpurcell3156]

Love you 2! You keep your channel so real 🥰 I understand my parents kept their finances a secret mine did too and when i had kids i made sure i did the money system with my kiddos. I made them give me half of their allowance to put in saving acct to sit and they cant get it they turn 25 yrs old....they hated me back then but now thank me for showing them how to save for stuff instead of buy here pay later stores. Love ya'll

[@lavonnepettit9483]

Good morning 🌄 catching up on videos... Thx soo much for sharing ur story Mike.. and for all that u guys do.. God Bless! have a great day!❤

[@sheemaalen9286]

Well, this is why so many people are living in a Van!!! W prices soo high and housing shortages everywhere - it works til things get better!! Tfs!!

[@karenbrandenberger517]

I was homeless. You learned what people don't learn so esaly now.

[@marytrombetta681]

Thank you for sharing! You are a beautiful couple and I appreciate all your wise advice. God bless you and your family

[@janebush2478]

Jack's whistling was cute! I whistle all the time! I don't even realize I am doing it usually, but if I am happy I am usually whistling a tune while I go about my work.

[@paulfinkiewicz991]

Thank you for sharing your story Mike. You were speaking so much truth as to what we really need in life. I was also raised kind of the same way where finances were taboo. Community college did do the same thing to me with the credit cards in the mid 90's.

[@PatriciaRamirez-dd8qm]

What a inspiring story. I was left with 3 kids at 22. No job,no money.NOTHING. went to college,and the school provided day care. Got on welfare during that time. Took a test for the postal service.started working and saving and scrimping. Im 67.paid my house off in 15 years. And I own 3 more propertys..I also am remodeling my kitchen and paying all cash.42,000..I saved since the day my husband left me.and I am truly blessed.but it was hard work saving and providing for my kids

[@carmendoyle9786]

U two beautiful ppl 🙏🥂so sad family was nit there for u ! Family should alway help one other even other ppl !love the tree

[@jasminer7804]

Love hearing your experience and how you learned from it. Thanks!

[@angelabiggs6951]

awsome speech or preaching adult children are in the situations when they have money they go and do like that money will not come to an end payments come every 4 weeks but sometimes you have to let the adult children go to the edge until they see

[@lisaworleyable]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REMINDER ON PREPARING. NOT ONLY VID 19,BUT FOR WHAT AND WHEN WE LEAVE THIS WORLD....WHAT ARE OR HOW ARE WE LEAVING FAMILY AND COSTS OF JUS THAT !...JUS WANNA SAY THANK YOU AGAIN

[@k1886-o6x]

Thank you so much for sharing your stories. I'm looking forward to hearing how you met! God bless :)

[@lisaworleyable]

....my 2 boys and I totally feel what homeless is like ,as it happened to us once! You and myself n others have gained strength and testimony GOD IS GOOD!

[@jessicabrinkmeier2197]

thanks for sharing

[@debrabenoit5062]

whistling means happy!

[@Brendabrenda1942]

Out here chic fil a pays $18 an hour! And most minimum wage in these areas is like $15! I remember getting paid $4.25 an hour. Plus it just seams that the more the minimum wage goes up everything else goes up too. People demand more money without realizing that the issue is in their habits not the actual amount they make.

[@ekp-g205]

I think it's funny how he chuckles NOW about these "bumps in the road" more like serious things that happened. And Yes you should have sought legal action. I know cause I was not thinking when I wanted to be nice and just count on workers comp to take care of my injuries and income. WRONG! Also my mother told me I'd never make it on my own...but I did leave and did well. Until I loaned an old high schoolmate $50K of my $68K...that she and her husband was to pay back in 3 days. Well they skipped the country. Lesson learned...people have no guilt or conscience

[@lisaworleyable]

Love you guys ....and want you say THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR US VIEWERS ! GOD BLESS YOU AND UR FAMILYS

[@kippytx]

I appreciate you sharing this

[@lois6635]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@terrikim4992]

What a success story you two are 😘

[@lorenherrera6988]

Thank you for sharing ❤️❤️❤️

[@jmstouter6572]

The school system should teach money management. I don’t know why it isn’t done.

[@ninas8133]

New to your channel. I loved this video thanks for being so honest and sharing your story. I loved how you took ownership of the situation and learned how to fix it. The Amex card was such a trap but I guess good you had it for your food and gas. Living with other people is also super hard I've been there barely making rent but it makes you put things in perspective. When I met my husband he had a full time job with no savings at all and when we started dating I whipped him into shape (aka no more dominos every night) and I eventually got my diamond hehe

[@claudiazam-rod3362]

Great video! I had a similar experience with the different, that I had No credit cards! But I rent a small studio, they let me move into it , but I only gave them half of the cost , now I also had a minimum wage back in the 80s N had come up soon with the other half of the rent, had an accident N could Not work, no food no money boy in those days I had lots of water , when I was hungry! But thank God now my I am in a totally great place .

[@kimsrurallife8775]

Can’t wait for Wednesday! Have a great day everyone!

[@debbieclark7497]

Mike you definitely are blessed. God has been with you through those rough years. I was about your age when i left home. Left San Francisco and moved to Los Angeles County but not homeless. No car but thankfully they have a good bus system. Now I live in Pennsylvania and its freezing cold now. I dont know how the homeless do it here. In California it dips dowb to 30 in some places. It was 1° this morning. Too cold to touch the steering wheel. I definitely wish that i had known of you and Tawra earlier cos I would of managed better and not wasted so much and gotten out of debt. But i guess its never too late to start. Im 66 living on social security and have my adult daughter who is on disability living with me cos she has epilipsy but can work but is laid off because of covid. She is getting unemployment and helps me when she can. We are working on getting out of this mess but fortunately its not as bad as many others but will be nice when we are out of it.

[@crookedbiden9788]

I remember my dad using a pager in 90s

[@MsBobbieHobbyFarmer]

I remember using a calling card that charged your house phone for using it at pay phones

[@joannapatterson4625]

Yep. I was in college then.

[@sylviabibler3036]

My husbands first job with 2yrs. College was $1.00 an hour in FL. 1963.

[@sassymango9369]

Thank you for sharing. That was a tough time. You can be proud you got through

[@kimsrurallife8775]

My first “real” job was 6.00 an hour at 17 as a bank teller. Student loans paid for dorms. Took while but paid them off in twenty’s. That why I’m so mad now someone in gov wants to pay off all student loans. I worked 3 jobs to work thru school! Struggling builds character. So glad you made it thru the hard times.

[@almamurphy8418]

What a great video you should make more real life experiences videos helped us alot thank you

[@juliafayeconner8978]

My parents never talked about money either. My dad handeled it We moved every few months because he didn’t pay the rent. Some places we didn’t have any utilities and cooked on a camp fire and carried water from a creek. Some places had big cracks between the boards and snow blew in on our bed. Hard times make you appreciate easier times.

[@lisam3002]

Sorry Mike you went thru that. I got a credit card at 18,no fun paying it off.Glad u made it thru..now I've learned buy on credit pay it right off,to build your credit...

[@charylliss1472]

I HAVE been there and you DON'T pull yourself up by your bootstraps. The grace of God and the help of others lift you up. YES, it really only works if you are doing your part. Lifting DEAD WEIGHT usually doesn't turn out well.

[@UnStrungHero]

You have music in your house, Buster gets the beat going and Jack does the rest. All good!

[@dianecelento4974]

You both are great speakers

[@barbarawilliams979]

This is good for people to watch because most people do not realize how dangerous debt can be.

[@anitalehman2626]

Did Mike’s not having been raised knowing how to handle money, being raised differently from Tawra, did that create tension in your marriage early on?

[@visitor3756]

Good question!!!

[@judithscharf6318]

It is hard to imagine a parent kicking a law-abiding child out of the house. You triumphed over this one.

[@bettyqueen1235]

This is done quite a lot after they reach a certain age. It is called tough love. But if parents do not teach their children, really they have themselves to blame. We are not born with all wisdom, that is learned and The Bible teaches knowledge and wisdom.

[@oliviafox3310]

It happens. And you figure out ways to cope.

[@lilalavendel3951]

Oh I love you guys so much! Thank you for all your great tips!

[@nadanalia3000]

Tawra you have beautiful skin

[@kaylenewinter248]

I've been homeless as well. It's always in the back of my mind

[@helenegeler8407]

Been watching older videos and I just had to comment! I hate with a passion the saying: You Deserve This blank blank thing. You deserve to be happy get this blank blank thing. Having a "I deserve attitude" for things causes trouble. When I got married, I was poor, but paid my bills on time and didn't have many wants. If I wanted something I saved for it, or asked for it for my birthday ( as a teenager) or decided to just wait to get it. My in laws made comments/ strong suggestions that I deserved this or needed that to the point where I felt if I didn't go with the crowd ( teenager trying to fit into the in crowd feeling). My in laws would look down on me all the time. So slowly, brain washed to thinking I do "deserve" to have this! And having a spouse with a drinking problem, 27 yrs old!! never ever had to have his own budget, because his mom paid his bills for him( he gave her the $$ and she wrote out the checks and mailed the bills out for him!!Ugh!) causing money issues. I wouldn't have had so much debt or issues with debt. We lived pay check to pay check barely. I grew up with my parents lived paycheck to pay check, but didn't have much debt mortgage and a car payment, occasionally, a lay away for something, needed. I was in a big mess, and I just couldn't get ahead. After a divorce and seeing the light of wanting a debt free life, I finally got to a debt free life, just before becoming disabled. So that's why I hate "you deserve" mind set. I deserve to be happy, owe no one. I am thankful that God has helped me to see issues, get me through them. Thank God I can pay my bills on disability pay and not worry!

[@joannapatterson4625]

I’m 48. There’s been one recession after another for the last 25 years. I learned early to live below my means and save whenever I could. You need to plan and prepare for the worst. Also, newsflash: credit cards are NOT your money. I use my cards all the time. I don’t like to carry cash. However, if I don’t actually already have the money, I don’t buy the thing. Ever.

[@tonnadaunt9250]

Good afternoon!