that's an excellent question beloved.
i have been in situations fairly similar,
being unemployed several times since I graduated high school in 1995, although the difference being
is that i was supported by other people who had a little money to spare, mainly immediate family members.
so it was in essence the help of the family network....through the grace of God Almighty.

i have wondered the same thing about money
and questioning....if perhaps since the beginning
of the earth, there was never any form of currency
created, and people simply bought and sold using
a trade system.....cattle for land, and vice versa.
what would the world be like?
but now based on my faith and belief that
we are indeed in the last days,
a cashless society is coming closer,
but for all the wrong reasons.

i don't know how much of your question i have
answered, but these are just my thoughts on it.

give thanks
Timothy