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Living in a car

40 replies

Pickles89 · 17/10/2021 22:30

Has anyone tried it? For weeks/months I mean, either with the aim (and/or effect!) of saving money. How was the experience? Was it worth it for what you saved?

OP posts:
Larryyourwaiter · 18/10/2021 06:57

You can’t cook, shower or wash clothes. Or you will have to pay to do it.

Why don’t you see if you can be a lodger and get a second job instead?

W1neW00s8 · 18/10/2021 08:57

The alternatives;

Find a live in job in a hotel, nanny, carer or similar, where accommodation is provided

Find someone who works nights, you work days, so that you live in the same property, but effectively don't see one another & share the cost

There are websites & apps that provide information about free or cheap places to park up for cars & vans.

userxx · 18/10/2021 09:05

@MobyDicksTinyCanoe Wow! I'll never grumble about my small house again.

Caspianberg · 18/10/2021 09:16

Have you looked on trusted sitters? I know people who are basically nomadic with no fixed own address but they just go from one house sit to the next. They always find longer duration sits ie I think they are currently house/ dog sitting for 3-4 months in one location whilst owners are overseas with sick family member.
Usually the arrangement is you help look after cat/ dog/ garden/ some diy or similar in exchange for free accommodation.

W1neW00s8 · 18/10/2021 09:45

At one point I had 3 jobs

Lived in a shared property, the rent included money towards bills
One of the jobs provided free food & a social life

I had no time to spend money

SpecialchildSupermum · 18/10/2021 09:54

I don’t think living in a car is a good idea or a healthy one. Mentally you would suffer. You can’t go to the loo. Wash. Cook. It’s not the same as car camping for a weekend. A van would be the only way it could work. But you’d need to kit it out properly for all weather ££. Or buy a cheap campervan and sell your car. Nothing is free. So you’ll need money to live. Also you will need an address for post, bank account, doctor.

helpfulperson · 18/10/2021 10:11

Loads of YouTube videos of women who do that. Search for solo female vanners. Pamthevan is a good one from a few years ago. Silvaontheroad is a current one. It will give you a feel for what it's like and how they deal with toilets, showers, clothes, cooking etc.

helpfulperson · 18/10/2021 10:19

I should have said these women are living in citeron berlingos so large cars rather than actual vans.

Slayduggee · 18/10/2021 12:07

I know someone who was a property guardian. Basically your job is to occupy the building by living there when you are not working and you pay a small amount of rent to do so. Maybe this would work for you?

Animood · 18/10/2021 17:06

@W1neW00s8

At one point I had 3 jobs

Lived in a shared property, the rent included money towards bills
One of the jobs provided free food & a social life

I had no time to spend money

Ive also had 3 jobs at the same time:

1 - breakfast/ lunch shift at a sandwich bar
2 - cleaning offices after 5pm
3 - bar work Saturday and Sunday full days.

Made loads and never spent it (obv, didn't have time to think!) Also used to get cash tips which was amazing (not like now!)

myusernamewastakenbyme · 18/10/2021 19:14

I dont see how anyone could live in a car....i cant even stretch out in mine so sleeping would be impossible.

Elieza · 18/10/2021 19:40

Try a trial night in your sleeping bag or a duvet if you don’t have one and see how cold it gets. It’s Baltic.

I’ve stayed in a car overnight a couple of times and stayed in a caravan with no heating a few nights.

It’s like camping but in a slightly more secure ‘tent’!

I wouldn’t recommend it. Not for more than a few days.

How would you charge your phone -and you won’t have broadband WiFi to use. Showering could be at work.

Toilet is a bucket. Rinsed with rain water in another bucket or bottled water. You can poop in a plastic bag and bin it but it’s not very environmentally friendly re plastic bags. Teeth cleaning is with bottled water.

If you put the window down a bit you can put tinfoil over them and then shut them again to keep it out for privacy and some darkness. If you have a windscreen snow/heat shield you can put it on too.

I think there are legalities about sleeping in cars but I think it varies on different council areas?

Herdwicklambs · 19/10/2021 01:11

OP,

I lived in my car for 9 months. It was rough. But, I managed to find loos, learned how to sink wash in those loos... early doors is best.

To live in a car takes some resilience. Have baby wipes (and dispose of them properly) nappy sacks, take out a National Trust membership and park up. The UK isn't set up for people living on the road, there is an inherent suspicion surrounding people that live on the road.

Having said that, I met some fabulous people, I ate well, yes it was cold at times. But, I had good outdoor wear, that gorgeous me through the cold nights. I learned how low to put my window, to avoid condensation, I learned how to manage in extreme circumstances, Greggs breakfasts was a saviour, I learned how to know which service stations would help me out and how truckers would park their cabs around me so I was safe.

I worked ground jobs, seasonable jobs and saved a shedload of cash. Having read some of the responses here, I'm almost laughing out loud. Only MN can be so horrified at such a thought.

I'm in my mid 60s now. This was 2 years ago after I lost everything from some poor business decisions. I miss that time in my life. But, I was at my most healthiest. I still had a bank account and managed to function with odd jobs and had an address that I paid for.

I'd recommend investing in a good all weather sleeping bag, I lived in a hatchback where I could put my seats down. I had a kettle, a collapsible loo, I pooed in a nappy bag, then disposed of it in dog bins. I used wipes to wash with, put my make up on in the visor and paid my mobile phone bill every month. I still have my hatchback that saw me through those 9 months. I worked in hotels, (desperate for staff) then moved on, after a pay packet. Saved nearly 3K.

I'd make sure you invest in good tyres, that your car is in tip top condition and don't run your engine too long as that drains your fuel.

If this is what you need to do to save some cash, then do it. Learn how to manage your safety, how to manage your needs and where to brush your teeth. Always, always have a bottle of water with you.

Good luck.

fantasmasgoria1 · 19/10/2021 01:30

www.forumdaily.com/en/amerikanka-pereexala-v-mashinu-chtoby-ne-platit-za-arendu-kak-ona-zhivet/

I have seen this on Facebook mainly but it might tell you some stuff!

Summerfun54321 · 19/10/2021 01:45

I’ve lived in a tent for 6 months, even when it was snowing outside. With the right outdoor gear it’s fine. I slept the odd night in a car too but the tent was WAY better. The car was freezing cold, bloody uncomfortable and there is a total lack of privacy.

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