If you are starting over with $30,000 Canadian what would you purchase?

Certainly not a car. I would look for a place to rent in an area with public transportation and invest in a nice outfit for job interviews. 30,000 American or Canadian won’t get you too far.

Try and secure lodging, look for work, if you have a smart phone I wouldn’t worry about a computer.
With almost no clothes I would visit the salvation army .

I would buy some cheap clothes and sneakers, and put the rest in the bank for now.

I would go to the Red Cross for help with necessities and maybe they could help me get an apartment.

Add two zeros and we can talk.

30k is easy to start with. Your focus is finding shelter. You have to rent something short-term. If you’re in a metro area you don’t need a car yet but it is better to have one. Decent used cars can still be had for less than 5–10k, just stick with vehicles without known problems. You also do need some clothes, small appliances and cookware. Goodwill or thrift stores will provide you that for next to nothing. At this point you have shelter, clothing and transportation and have perhaps 15— 20k left. If you don’t have a job (you did not specify) you must get one ASAP.

Learn from previous situations. What went wrong the first time, that makes you need to start over?

I’d go to a community where I could find shelter, thrift stores with cheap used items, and a way to support myself.

You need the basics while you try to put a life together. And you need to put that money in a safe place; not in your pants on in your car/shelter. Buy an inexpensive car that will transport you around town for job hunting as well as shelter you from weather and some crime….but get off the sidewalk. Get clean…whatever that takes. And I’m talking alcohol, drugs, and hygiene. Tell yourself once an hour that you may never have this chance again and if you blow it you will die at a young age. Find work and keep looking for the next job which will be an upgrade, and keep on doing that. Help another person everyday in some way…..other than handing them money. As soon as you can, find a room in someone’s private home to rent, or in low-income housing. The better the job you are looking for, the more important it will be to have a permanent address and telephone number. That is where you can really feel progress. I wish all people struggling better days ahead.

First I would put it in an interest bearing bank account/credit union. I guess I’m assuming you have a car, but if not find a room to rent, and begin drawing a small amount of money as needed for rent and food. Don’t buy anything beyond absolute necessaries without a job or other income.