Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard.

**mrsfoamy** · 10-25-2009, 09:53 AM

I just finished the book "Scratch Beginnings" by Adam Shepard. The book is sub titled 'Me, $25 and the Search For the American Dream'.
http://www.scratchbeginnings.com/
Alone on a dark gritty street, Adam Shepard searched for a homeless shelter. He had a gym bag, $25, and little else. A former college athlete with a bachelor's degree, Mr. Shepard had left a comfortable life with supportive parents in Raleigh, N.C. Now he was an outsider on the wrong side of the tracks in Charlesspam! It is better fried than typedton, S.C.

But Shepard's descent into poverty in the summer of 2006 was no accident. Shortly after graduating from Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., he intentionally left his parents' home to test the vivacity of the American Dream. His goal: to have a furnished apartment, a car, and $2,500 in savings within a year.
During his first 70 days in Charleston, Shepard lived in a shelter and received food stamps. He also made new friends, finding work as a day laborer, which led to a steady job with a moving company.
The effort, he says, was inspired after reading "Nickel and Dimed," in which author Barbara Ehrenreich takes on a series of low-paying jobs. Unlike Ms. Ehrenreich, who chronicled the difficulty of advancing beyond the ranks of the working poor, Shepard found he was able to successfully climb out of his self-imposed poverty.
The message I liked the most was his amazement at people who spent what little money they had on booze and cigarettes and why anyone would not buy
something secondhand or accept cast-offs.

**mauimagic** · 10-25-2009, 03:35 PM

How interesting!! What made you choose this book? Think it will be a good read for DD and me. Mahalo!!

**lilk** · 10-25-2009, 04:25 PM

Sounds interesting.

**wwe11** · 10-26-2009, 09:32 AM

Sounds good.

**tracyq** · 10-26-2009, 09:42 AM

Very interesting..........I just requested it from my library. It was there! I'm looking forward to reading it. Thanks!
Tracy Q.

**Inkstain82** · 10-26-2009, 09:48 AM

I really enjoyed this book a lot. It's important for people to realize what can and should be done even on the most barest of budgets. (I always find it hilarious how much perspective can change things. I routinely see people talking about small incomes on personal finance sites that I would consider a lot of money. But what I make probably seems amazing to people who truly desperate situations).

It is always fair to note, though, that he didn't bring nothing at all with him into this environment. He brought his education, and (possibly more importantly), handsome, white good-looks. Those can't be underestimated.

**annymoll** · 10-26-2009, 11:37 AM

To me, if you think you are stuck in poverty, you will be. Looks like an interesting book.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 10-26-2009, 05:22 PM

Just checked and our library has it! Looks like a great read! Thanks for letting us know!

**DJ1972** · 10-26-2009, 05:36 PM

I forgot about this book! I heard the interview that Dave Ramsey did with him a few months ago. Thanks for the reminder!

**Nishu** · 10-26-2009, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Inkstain82

It is always fair to note, though, that he didn't bring nothing at all with him into this environment. He brought his education, and (possibly more importantly), handsome, white good-looks. Those can't be underestimated.

That's a good point. And while I don't want to discount what this guy did (because it obviously did prove quite a bit) you can't really overlook the fact that this guy also did have his health and didn't have a spouse or child to worry about.

I can't wait to read the book though.

**quiltingmommy** · 10-28-2009, 10:18 AM

I read the book. It was very interesting to read what he went through to find a job, etc. He certainly didn't go from rags to riches, but did go from rags to pretty self sufficient. I recommend this book.

**nodmicks** · 10-28-2009, 11:27 AM

Thanks~ I just requested it at the library

**Imarachne** · 10-29-2009, 08:19 PM

I will get the book to be inspired and to pass along to my buddies who are trying to advance their lives. Thanks for the review.

**NewLeaf** · 10-30-2009, 07:41 AM

I've got to read this book. Thanks for the info. I'm interested because I too started out w/almost nothing. I put myself through college. I paid my own way in the world. I started out with nothing but my education and a VW van and a few bucks in my pocket. I always felt that if a young person (18 at the time) like me with several strikes against her could do it then almost anyone can. My dad died of cancer when I was 18 and mom could just support herself. I found odd jobs, got grants and scholarships and even found an abandoned house and persuaded the owner to rent it to me cheap. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college.

I want my sons to know that hard work and a strong will to succeed can get you somewhere. Just because its not easy doesn't mean it can't be done.

I've never been rich, but I was able to get my own place, buy a car and support myself.

**frugalgram** · 11-02-2009, 02:11 PM

Thanks for letting us know about this book. I got it from my library and finished it over the weekend. I liked reading about his experiences (good and bad). It made my appreciate my life and how it has turned out. Alot of people in the neighborhood I grew up in are going through the struggles I read about. The book reminded me that I should give more to those in need. Sometimes a hand out is a hand up.