What sort of work experience do you have? If you live in a low-crime area, you can make a decent living working off Craigslist - bike to peoples' houses (do you have a bike?), run a virusscan, and charge $60. Future employers will be all over your dick if you mention that and how important it made keeping clients happy.

Failing that, try to get certified in something. Forklift driving, locksmithing, something like that. Actually getting the certification will take a bit of time though, so ask your parents if they can hold off one month while you get training. This is probably the best option in the long term.

I suppose the last option I can come up with is trying to look for general labor jobs on jobs boards - you know, Mexican type work. No training needed and sometimes you can find yourself pulling $15/hour.

Do you have any friends or family, even in other parts of the country, who will host you for a bit while you get on your feet? In addition to looking for work on CL, you might be able to find a cheap room, maybe in the city where work is easier to find. You could try posting a wanted ad, looking for a room or something, offering property care services in lieu of rent. Cooking, cleaning, yardwork, grocery shopping. That's not something I'd normally suggest, but you are in a pretty desperate situation.

You can start checking out what government benefits you'll qualify for once you're poor and homeless, try here http://www.benefits.gov/ to start.

500$ is a lot of money. I would move out if I were you. You can get a better deal. Unless they cut you a break, find someone to rent you a room for half the price.

>>1119
I don't know where you live, but I haven't seen any 2 bedrooms locally for under $1100/mo. Depending on where you are, $500 including food and utilities is pretty damn good.

>>1121
I wasn't taking food into account, though. And two bedrooms is overdoing it since OP is only one person. That is why I suggested getting a room instead of a 2-bedroom unit. Ya know, live within your means.

I think in most areas of the US you should be able to find a room pretty cheap excluding downtown areas of major cities. It is actually hard in my city to find a room above $400 a month. I could imagine the coasts being more expensive, but Michigan at least is very affordable when it comes to housing regardless of whether you're renting or buying.