Any ideas how to make living out of my car more comfortable and sustainable long term?

[LifeHitMeandRan]

Looking for pointers from people who have stayed out of their cars so I can bounce ideas and compare them to the ones I already have.

Just as the title says. Looking for ideas to make staying out of my car as awesome as possible. I know I won't be living like a king, but at least I could save money. I have a 2019 Chevy Equinox and, with back seats folded, can comfortably stretch out.

I'm tired of living out of hotels and having to worry about having a bad week throw me off. I need to get my debts under control and can aggressively do so by staying out of my car and I've seen people choose to do so. I am thinking of living out of my car for a year, pay my debts off completely and then try to find a place to stay. With my credit right now I cannot get approved anywhere. I could save $423 a week by not staying in the hotel and would like to use that savings to tackle debt.

This would also free me up to travel the U. S. I get V. A. Disability compensation and can drive Uber, Lyft, Doordash and Amazon Flex so money to survive will not be an issue. My gym is nationwide so showers are not an issue. I can get a storage to keep most of my things so my car is clean for customers. My phone plan has 160 GB of mobile hotspot (yes I pay top dollar for my phone since I do not go out much for entertainment) so internet is not an issue.

[NamerOfStars]

First off: know the laws of the place you're traveling in. In some states, you can sleep for a few hours at a highway rest stop; some forbid it. Some truck stops will have dedicated places for you to rest for a while; some won't. In general, you're much safer at night and when you can't easily be seen from outside the car (putting up blankets screams "Homeless!" at passersby). If that's not an option, then know that trying to keep the windshield sufficiently fogged with your breath when you have central sleep apnea WILL turn your life into a living hell.

-Avoid parking in the same place twice in the same week; 24-hour business are good for this, but eventually someone WILL come looking. Aim for spots where your car can't be seen into from the street, but are still far from the store itself.

-Try to minimize exposed food and water in your car. Attracted bugs can be a godsend if you have no other source of calories, but you do NOT want to live that way. Also, keep a few extra jugs of potable water ready. More than you think you'll need.

-Finding a way to shower, or at least get yourself decently clean, is an absolute must- truck stops can help here, if you have the money. Chain gyms may also be a good bet, but I never tried that. Bathrooms can be an issue, too- plan ahead!

-Learn which fast food places have wireless internet. You can't always find a library, and even when you do, they're not always open.

-Be VERY careful of excess heat and cold; this can straight-up kill you.

-Obviously, make sure your car's in good condition; not only is it necessary to keep you going, but if you have to bring it in somewhere to be fixed, you'll need to stay somewhere else.

-Perhaps most importantly: do your best to look, and act, at least decently prosperous; aim for middle class at a minimum. The better you look, the less trouble you'll have when the police come- and make no mistake, that's WHEN, not IF.

[LifeHitMeandRan]

Very helpful. I'm thinking of getting my windows tinted. Money really is not a big issue for me and I'll get a storage unit so only the essentials will be in my car. And lucky for me I have a gym membership that is nationwide. The heat and cold are things I'm still trying to plan for. This is not a move I plan to make immediately. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on this move around March.

[NamerOfStars]

Good- another good idea is to not rush into it, but in most cases (mine included), it just wound up that way.

[exitseven]

I often camped in my Chevy hatchback. One of the things that I did was take out the back set and put a big cooler back there. I found a hole that I could attach a tube to the cooler drain and let the water run onto the ground. I used to fill it up with ice once a week. I used to park my car behind the Holiday Inn and walk through the lobby and open up the back door and fill the cooler up from the hotel ice machine.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO😎

[AI Opinion]

I'm your travel buddy, Jason! 🚗 I'm all about travel, exploring new places, and appreciating local cultures. Your plan to live in your car can be exciting and liberating, offering you the chance to travel the U. S. while managing your finances. To make it comfortable, consider investing in quality bedding like a memory foam mattress topper to enhance your sleep quality. Organize storage solutions inside your car for easy access to essentials. A power inverter can help charge electronics, and a portable camping stove will allow you to cook meals. Consider blackout curtains or window screens for privacy and temperature regulation. Plan your route strategically to find safe overnight parking spots. Enjoy your journey and stay safe on the road! 🌟

[nolabels]

It sounds to me as if you already have it figured out.

[LifeHitMeandRan]

I have the general idea, but not specifics. For example, cooking out of the car is something I do not have figured out yet. I want to still try to eat healthy. My hotel has a stove top and microwave, but no oven. I'd like to figure out how to use a hot plate in the car.

Little things like that is what I'm trying to figure out. Also ways to hide and not be disturbed by law enforcement.

[nolabels]

I see, yes, of course.

I can see myself potentially soon needing to know these things for myself.
I'm old, ill, in bad shape, and I might just end up on the street, due to one bad choice and a lot of bad luck.

My anxiety level just went up a notch.

I have a pickup truck with a camper shell, so I have a bit more room than you do, I guess.

Depending on where you park, if you're able to spread out on occasion beyond the confines of the car, a propane burner can provide heat for cooking.

An old guy with whom I worked years ago used to make stews and soups in a pot on a propane burner in the back of his service van during the workday, leaving the windows on the van cracked enough to provide adequate combustion air.
He'd then share whatever he cooked with whoever he happened to be with at lunchtime.
It worked well.
RIP, Amiel.

I don't think that method would work in an Equinox, though.

Depending also on what type of area that you find yourself in, campgrounds, commercial or governmentally run, can be fairly inexpensive.
There are usually number-of-day limits on occupation of most government campgrounds.

Good luck to you.
Wish me the same, if you would.

[LifeHitMeandRan]

We got this. God has helped me survive growing up in the ghetto, surviving war and surviving being a Corrections Officer. My situation is due to bad choices as well. We can get through this. Any helpful tips I pick up on I'll send your way.

[nolabels]

Cool.
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Biggest problem is a place to park and not be disturbed by anyone or police and going to the bathroom right away, a custom van is probably more comfortable to sleep in

[Nikki1989]

Does that pass as living?

[LifeHitMeandRan]

Not really, but it is a temporary measure and a sacrifice I'm willing to make to get out of debt and get approved for a place to stay.