I needed a place to stay where I could sleep, eat, bathe, and apply for jobs (so, internet). I also needed rides to go check out a few cars before I had one of my own. And a place to store a few boxes of belongings.

Physical items would not have helped me in any way (unless you include housing and a car in that–where I was had no public transit).

Edit: There was a very brief period where access to a washer/dryer would have been amazing. Failing that, new underwear and socks.