I don't think I have any real advice like your looking for. That said, we can talk about something to get the conversation started until others chime in.

I suppose in preparation of being poor, it's important to get rid of a much debt as possible. Knowing how to fix things will be important. Home cooking and meal planning will be pivotal as well. I used to hate thrift stores (because I didn't grow up needing them and thought they were depressing), but now I find all kinds of good stuff there, especially when I shop at ones adjacent to well off neighborhoods.