Living in Your Car

[Wesley2005]

Hello one and all!

Finances during COVID have taken a huge turn. Me and my young son will have to resort to other means to save money if we want to rent a new place cheaper.

However I have no relatives. No friends to crash with. Etc.

I’m working and making good money now. But it was too late on the spectrum.

So. Any tips? Advice for living in your car? It would be for around a month or two tops. But. I figure I’d reach out to a community where I feel at home.

[harryk]

Sorry to here that Wesley2005 but it's not much of a hardship. I've done this on my own for a few times, weather plays a big part. In no particular order -

Always park legally.
Park near a public lavatory if you can.
Find a local laundrette (laundromat).
Swimming pools have good showers.
Don't drain your battery.
Eat well, not just junk food.
Always have a few bottles of fresh water and snacks.
Don't drink much alcohol.
^ Always hide the ignition key and stash a spare somewhere safe.
Those internal sunscreen things are good for privacy.

There is more but it depends on the kids age, climate and car size. Often better to buy some cheap camping gear if your not stuck in a city job.

Good luck mate, let us know how it pans out.

[Wesley2005]

My son is 6. And I appreciate your words. No doubt.
What else?

[harryk]

Always carry wet wipes, the big packs of 100 baby wipes are cheapest. And even before Covid, always a good disinfecting hand wash.

I used to kayak, climb and camp a lot, sometimes for months on end. And we used to be serious about a survival kit. Here's part of a very useful list -

A good knife, but hide it.
Plastic bags and some big bin liners.
Gaffa/Duct (Duck) tape.
String, and a small sewing kit.
Basic First aid kit. Add scissors, tweezers and two triangular bandages + any required meds.
Keep a stove, or onetime burner plus kettle/saucepan and emergency dehydrated food. Any quick noodles are good for a while.
If it's cold then emergency Mylar blankets.
The kid will need entertainment, so books toys and some free online streaming sites (can't post them here). Maybe a free game or two. Again don't drain your car battery.
Eat at the same pub/cafe regularly. They'll usually let you charge up a device for free but don't take the p!$$.

Always find a trusted safe address or pay for a post box. Store important documents there (birth certs, passports, bank details etc).

Luck.

[Wesley2005]

Aug 3, 2021 15:56:06 GMT -8 harryk said:

Always carry wet wipes, the big packs of 100 baby wipes are cheapest. And even before Covid, always a good disinfecting hand wash.

I used to kayak, climb and camp a lot, sometimes for months on end. And we used to be serious about a survival kit. Here's part of a very useful list -

A good knife, but hide it.
Plastic bags and some big bin liners.
Gaffa/Duct (Duck) tape.
String, and a small sewing kit.
Basic First aid kit. Add scissors, tweezers and two triangular bandages + any required meds.
Keep a stove, or onetime burner plus kettle/saucepan and emergency dehydrated food. Any quick noodles are good for a while.
If it's cold then emergency Mylar blankets.
The kid will need entertainment, so books toys and some free online streaming sites (can't post them here). Maybe a free game or two. Again don't drain your car battery.
Eat at the same pub/cafe regularly. They'll usually let you charge up a device for free but don't take the p!$$.

Always find a trusted safe address or pay for a post box. Store important documents there (birth certs, passports, bank details etc).

Luck.

Someone also mentioned me getting a Gym Membership? Like 50 a month here in the USA.. Is this something that I should do? Would they allow my son ?

[User 180565 is taking donation]

Aug 4, 2021 15:01:29 GMT -8 Wesley2005 said:

Aug 3, 2021 15:56:06 GMT -8 harryk said:

Always carry wet wipes, the big packs of 100 baby wipes are cheapest. And even before Covid, always a good disinfecting hand wash.

I used to kayak, climb and camp a lot, sometimes for months on end. And we used to be serious about a survival kit. Here's part of a very useful list -

A good knife, but hide it.
Plastic bags and some big bin liners.
Gaffa/Duct (Duck) tape.
String, and a small sewing kit.
Basic First aid kit. Add scissors, tweezers and two triangular bandages + any required meds.
Keep a stove, or onetime burner plus kettle/saucepan and emergency dehydrated food. Any quick noodles are good for a while.
If it's cold then emergency Mylar blankets.
The kid will need entertainment, so books toys and some free online streaming sites (can't post them here). Maybe a free game or two. Again don't drain your car battery.
Eat at the same pub/cafe regularly. They'll usually let you charge up a device for free but don't take the p!$$.

Always find a trusted safe address or pay for a post box. Store important documents there (birth certs, passports, bank details etc).

Luck.

Someone also mentioned me getting a Gym Membership? Like 50 a month here in the USA.. Is this something that I should do? Would they allow my son ?

Have you seeked government assistance? Giving that you have no major felonies I'd contact local mental health centers - no this isn't an attempt at saying you're mental but they have legitimate case workers that can help you get back on your feet.

I've went through their services and they helped me get my own apartment and live soundly even though I'm dealing with medical conditions I manage to steadily pay my own bills with their help. I'd recommend you look into centers they just have experts their willing to work with you.

If you have any medical insurance they may have programs that cover the costs of gym memberships.

[harryk]

What User 180565 is taking donation said can be worrisome but it makes a lot of sense. A Diogenes of depression and/or anxiety can really help. Lot easier here in the UK where healthcare is free.

Remember that future employers (outside the government) can not legally ask about about mental health issues. See - www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/depression-ptsd-other-mental-health-conditions-workplace-your-legal-rights

If you can find a Citizens Advice Bureau or similar they can really help with stuff like this. Just be careful of Social Services, they could put your son in the foster system. Sometimes that's a good option.

Luck and stay safe.

[bigballofyarn]

Aug 4, 2021 15:01:29 GMT -8 Wesley2005 said:

Someone also mentioned me getting a Gym Membership? Like 50 a month here in the USA.. Is this something that I should do? Would they allow my son ?

Do you have a Planet Fitness in your area? I believe it's $20 per month (according to commercials) and you can bring a guest every time you go. You'd have a place to exercise, shower, use WiFi, go to the bathroom, and more.

[wildmaven]

You need to be REALLY REALLY careful how you do this, as child protective services could take away your son.

If you are making good money now, is a budget hotel feasible?

I don’t know the circumstances of your son’s mother, so forgive me if I unintentionally say the wrong thing. Can she, or any of her family, house your son for a month so that he doesn’t have to endure homelessness and possibly be taken away from you because someone saw you living in a car?

How will you handle the summer heat? Where will your son be while you’re at work?

Be very careful that you don’t get carbon monoxide poisoning while running the engine for long times while stationary.

Have you thought about contacting a local church for help?

Can someone from work let you crash at their place for a while?

Being a father changes so much that sometimes you have to swallow your pride and ask for help for the safety of the child. I’m being harsh because after all these years, I know how you can be resistant to some things, and I do care about you.