https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TohrVpe6sxk
People are struggling to be comfortable in their cars today as they go back and forth and live their lives. But what if they had to literally live in their cars?
Bob Wells from Cheap RV Living on youtube thinks that once the government sees how many people are living in cars, vans, RVs, etc., due to the homeless situation, it will propel the government to take action to take care of them.
doorway for me to also educate everyone on why living in a car and/or van or a similar vehicle might be a better way to reinvent or change your life than buying an RV.these expensive and extensive repairs, especially many women, so they should think about living in a car, van or similar vehicle instead. Many travelers, especially women, with Travel Trailers or Fifth Wheels, which can be dangerous to get out of and hook up at times (from ‘man’ and/or ‘beast’), have decided to downsize to #VanLife instead. So again, living in an RV might not be right for everyone.Remember, you can save a ton of money while Car or Van Dwelling also, so look at these options, if you need to pay off bills and save for the future.
- Save Money Quickly: Those individuals who need to save money quickly should consider moving into a car or van. If you are attempting to do #VanLife then move into your car until you have enough money saved. If you need to find an apartment then move into your car, van or a similar vehicle until you have enough money saved. If you need to buy a house, then move into your car, van or similar vehicle until you have enough saved.
- Students Going Off to College: Not all students that go off or try to go off to college have supportive parents. Many college students today are trying to find ways to cut down on tuition. They can live in a car, van or a similar vehicle and cut down on dorm fees.
- Abused Employees: Over the years as a ‘Discrimination and Workplace Consultant’, I have watched tons of women and men lose their homes due to wrongful terminations and discrimination on their jobs. Many walked straight from their homes to the streets. They had no other choice but to get involved in prostitution or selling drugs and/or ended up homeless or in jail.
- Abusive Spouses: Others, especially women, out here in the Car and Van Dwelling community have had to run away from ‘abusive spouses’. No one should be forced to live in a relationship with anyone where they are not happy. Did you know most Domestic Violence hotlines are flooded with calls for help from women after the holidays (especially in January) once the bills come in?
- Sickness: Just remember the NUMBER ONE REASON that most people lose their apartments or homes is SICKNESS, so it’s important to take care of your health. I don’t know if I would choose to get out here on the road if I was sick (probably not), but getting out here on the road can help you in the long run from getting sick. You can take care of yourself better by being out there on the road because you can afford #BetterFoods (#OrganicFoods) and breathe in a better quality of air, especially if you choose to camp out on BLM.gov or National Forest land. Also, if you can’t afford the high cost of medications, think about living in a car, van or a similar vehicle.
- Homelessness: Having too many bills can make anyone sick or homeless in a heartbeat. Many women and men have these big ’empty’ homes and can barely keep their heads above water because of all these high bills. They are underwater on their mortgage and don’t have a way out. So these are the individuals that need to consider moving into a car, van, or similar vehicle, especially if they are looking at becoming homeless. Land is the most valuable commodity you can have so don’t think I am telling you to just give your land away — because I am not. Unless you take care of yourself and your land and especially pay your taxes, the government is going to take it anyway. So do something with it or turn it over to family members who can. You can turn your land into an RV park or allow others to rent part of it to grow foods. When buying a house, only buy a house that does not have Homeowner’s Association (HOAs) fees because you probably won’t be able to grow foods in the front yard. If you need a break from it all, take a break and come out on the road and build a new life for yourself.
Since RVs are made so poorly with cheap material and can break in half 20 miles down the road, you need to consider converting other vehicles for your traveling pleasures.
Keep in mind that Camper Trucks and Vans are also called “RVs” and/or “Motorhomes.” Many travelers today because of the economy and just to be able to travel and see some beautiful sites are living in small and large cars, SUVs, trucks, mini-vans, camper trucks, camper vans, box vans, cargo vans, old bread trucks, converted Federal Express and U-haul trucks and horse trailers, buses, etc. The sky is the limit in what type of vehicle you can live or camp out in.
No one really want to live or sleep in their cars, but many are making it work today. Many families sleep in their cars when they go camping — so why not live in it full-time?
Despite what you might think living in a car, van or a similar vehicle can be safer than living on the streets. Our ancestors used to live in caves, so why are we as a society looking down on anyone for sleeping in their cars — whether they are ‘homeless’ or just want the luxury of being mobile to travel around the country and save on gas?
Many with jobs and businesses do utilize their vehicles to work in, but a majority of people who sleep in cars, vans, RVs and other vehicles — LIVE OUT of their vehicles.
They spend their time during the day out of the vehicle engaging in activities, while returning to the vehicles at nighttime for sleep.
Many Car and Van Dwellers believe RVers look down on them for sleeping in a car, van or similar vehicle. I am sure they look at Car and Van Dwellers as being ‘primitive’ because many don’t have running water, bathrooms or toilets.
However, we are all the same — #OneCommunity of ‘Wanderers, Gypsies, and Nomads’. Again, this is a #Kind and #Brave community so let’s take care of each other.
If you live in a car, you can sleep in the front seat, passenger seat or back seat or remove the front passenger seat or back seats for more comfort. It all depends on the size of the person and which angle you will find most comfortable.
Once you lay the driver or passenger seat back, for many this can be a comfortable position. You can remove the front passenger seat and put a board or plank down from Home Depot or Lowe’s — get an inflatable camping bag, pillow and sleeping bag and you should be quite comfortable sleeping in your car. You can also use an air mattress.
Or you can lay down the back seats or remove them totally and fix the area up like the front passenger seat with your legs extending in the trunk area. These two positions should allow you to be quite comfortable living in your car or a bigger vehicle.
Why You Should Buy A ‘Toyota Prius’ To Live in
- It’s quick.
- Great mileage.
- Great mobility so you can get up and go.
- Great for stealth camping.
- Most families already have a car so start with what you got. It’s more affordable than a Class B van, Class B plus (also called a ‘Class C’), Class A, Travel Trailer or Fifth Wheel.
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You can get a used car or van for $2000 to $5000 on autotrader.com, facebook marketplace, eBay, craigslist or even cheaper from a personal seller.
If you only have a car and not a van, then set up your car and travel around the country and prepare to have fun. You can add tents to your car to extend your living area and space when out camping.
- Food
- Bottled Water
- Eating Utensils (Folks, Spoons, Bowls, Plates)
- Paper Towels/Napkins
- Wet Wipes
- Toilet Paper
- Trash Bags
- Bed/Sleeping Bag (Inflatable Camping Mattress and/or Air Mattress)
- Pillow
- Knife/Swiss Army Knife
- Flashlight
- Mini Travel Umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Pee Bottle/Toilet Pot (Collapsible Toilet)
- Small Fans (in the summertime)
- First Aid Kit
- Ice Chess/Cooler (Coleman Extreme Cooler – will keep ice for up to – maybe a week) or an Ice Chess that runs on a 9 or 12-volt battery. Many van dwellers have the Yeti coolers and there are iceless coolers by Igloo.).
- Inverter/Generator, which you can charge while driving and run your phone, computer, iPad, blender, steamer, etc.
tent, use Solar Showers or take showers at gyms such as 24-hour fitness, Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, YMCAs, etc. should have a tent with you. Springbar.com has the best quality of tents that lasts a while. The tents are really sturdy and can hold up in high winds. Genji Sports Instant Camping tents are a great quality ‘pop-up’ tent, which means you can put it up and take it down in a hurry.If you arrive in your car or van as a ‘campground host’ or when you just go camping, bring a tent along especially if you need to take a break from sleeping in a car or van.
Also, know up-front that many campgrounds require those arriving in cars and vans to bring a tent along. They require you to sleep in the tents or you can set up the tent ‘as a disguise’ — for safety purposes — and still sleep in your car or van. -
toaster oven
- induction plate (could interfere with cardiac pacemakers)
- instant pot
- air fryer
- blender
- steamer
Know the regulations and laws wherever you are. You can also bring chairs and tools along. You can tailgate off your truck or the back of your car. If you need a place to park, you can go on Craigslist and put an ad in it and offer $100 a month (or less) to park in someone’s driveway or on their land.- Rest Areas
- Truck Stops
- Walmart (24 hours)
- Kmart (24 hours)
- Hospitals
- Hotels
- Motels
- Bass Pro Shops (also own Cabela’s) allows Van Dwellers – maybe Car Dwellers.
- Cracker Barrel allows Van Dwellers – maybe Car Dwellers.
- Tribal Lands (You ask permission from a tribal council. And pay a permit fee)
- Casinos also check out CasinoCamping.com
- National Parks and Monuments
- State, City or Community Parks (Look for signs that say 24 parking)
- City, County or Regional and Private Campgrounds
- BLM.gov Land (It’s everywhere but mostly on the west coast). Camp on BLM land with small or large groups of people to be safe, especially if you are a solo female traveler or join Bob Wells from CheapRVLiving.com Caravans at www.Meetup.com/Caravans).
- You can do “Driveway or Mooch Surfing” (also “Couch Surfing” — staying on someone’s couch) in a family’ member, friend or someone’s driveway. Cars and Van Dwellers can do this easier than larger RVs.
- Residential Areas (Respect “No Parking Signs.” Do not park on private property. Somebody is always watching).
- Apartment Complexes (There is usually street parking there too. Google or go to Craiglist and look for apartments for rent. Big apartment complexes ‘without gates’ are a great idea, especially for Car and Van Dwellers).
- Community College parking lots (Check hours of Campus police. It’s usually 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.).
- Strip Malls or Shopping Malls that are opened 24 hours, but they might have security guards.
- Car Dealerships (Go to the service area especially if they work on the type of car or van you drive)
- HarvestHosts.com allows Van Dwellers and RVers (not Car Dwellers). These are wineries, farms, breweries, etc. Memberships are $50 a year. (Owner name is Joel). They only take up to 5 RVers or Van Dwellers a night so you need to make reservations. You need to buy wine, cheese, and other products, while you are there.
- BoondockersWelcome.com allows Van Dwellers and RVers (not Car Dwellers). Also, check out Boondocking.org.
- Campendium.com
- FreeCampsites.net
- Allstays (They have a page listing Walmarts you can stay at).
- Park Advisor (RV parks and campgrounds)
- Free Roam (Boondocking campground locator)
- KOA (Kampgrounds of America, Inc. – Search for campgrounds)
- The Dyrt (Find campgrounds and reviews by states)
- Pilot Flying J
- Loves Truck Stops
- USA Rest Stop Locator
- iExit (Your road trip pitstop finder)
- FindFriends (An app to help you can keep up with friends in RVs).
- US Public Lands (Worth the $2.99 cost).
- Ultimate Public Campgrounds (Over 40,300 in U.S. & CA) (Cost $3.99).
- OvernightRVParking.com (Subscription is $24.95).
- AllTrails (To find hiking trails. Subscription is $29.99 a year).
- Gas Buddy
- Fuelly
- Gas Guru
- Gas Cubby
- GasPricesTriple.com
Weather Apps
- Windy.com (gives you 3-hour updates, wind speed, wind directions, wind gust, and Hurricanes forecasts)
- The Weather Channel
- Weather
- My Radar
- Weather Bug
It’s up to you whether you camp out or live in a compact car, a larger vehicle or a van. Remember to start with what you have. If that is a car then get in your car and get out here on the road and enjoy yourself and/or save your sanity.
Read my article entitled “What You Need to Know Before Starting #VanLife.” Even though you live in a Car, Van, a similar vehicle or RV, you can truly still live “The Good Life” by getting out of your COMFORT ZONE and putting one foot in front of the other and say the words — “No more struggles, no more pain, no more headaches, no more heartaches. I am building a new life and I am doing it now.” Welcome aboard the #FreedomExpress!
Find out more great info on Car Camping and Car Living in these groups:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/SimpleLifeRVing
Motivational Speaker, Advice Columnist at DearCathy.com, Non-GMO Health and Wellness Expert, Business and Love Coach and Self-Publishing Expert and the author of 26 non-fiction books at www.AngelsPress.com. Her books cover topics such as family and community empowerment, health, youth and adult entrepreneurship, writing/publishing, workplace discrimination, whistleblowing, government, law enforcement, domestic and international traveling, politics, media, beauty, car buying and selling for women, aging/retirement – just to name a few. She offers seminars, workshops, and consultations at www.CathyHarrisInternational.com.