It is an urban myth propagated by old GW's on this forum. The poster in question never visited soup kitchens or lived in a basement.

Only the losers stuck in China still teaching English make up such nonsense.

Well if he told you he didn't that has to be proof-positive. So, we'll take it he didn't. Personally I don't think that going to a soup kitchen and sleeping at your Mum's is anything to be ashamed of. The main thing was he recovered from his difficulties, made a success of his teaching position in Beijing and has become a respected poster on this forum. MORE POWER TO HIS ELBOW IS WHAT I SAY! As for your cash-flow problems, more tins of soup and less steaks and you'll get through.