Living In A Car To Save Money | How I Did It & Complete Guide

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This is a comprehensive guide on how to start living in a car. It really isn't as bad as you may think as long as you have a good plan. I lived in a van in San Francisco for almost the entirety of 2019 and I draw a lot of my experience from my time there.

Fasting Studies:
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I-9 form regulation:
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Timestamps
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0:00 - Intro
0:30 - City Van Life
1:07- Stealth Factor
2:45 - How to Find Parking
4:43 - What's for dinner?
6:06- Working in a Post-COVID World
7:34 - Mailing Address
8:50 - Too Hot! Too Cold!
12:06- Be a Regular
12:53 - A Happy Inconvenience
13:59 - Community
15:39 - Conclusion

[donhomer]

So refreshing to see an honest take. No yoga in scenic locations, unrealistic ideas, or hippie pyschobabble. Just information learned through personal experience. Really appreciate your earnest approach. All the best to you.

[mysuns]

Evan, I remember the sadness and loneliness you felt when you were finding your way 10 months ago. Now, I see a much happier, stronger, confident young man. You look great! So happy for you. Keep strong. Great video. God Bless you!

[hannahliferedesign]

I'm not even considering living in a van, but I kept watching until the end because of how helpful, useful, and well-done this video is. What a great video!

[WhoBeSilly]

I used to do that all the time in a Suburban. One thing this video misses, along with many other car-camp vids, is that this gets waaaay too hard as you age. It is much too stressful, uncomfortable, and too confining when you get out of your 20s and 30s. Your health will begin to suffer simply because you lack certain comforts, i.e. no bathroom with immediate access, no access to a hot shower, your car might break down, you will be caught (trust me, people in the neighborhood will know you're in there). Your car might be vandalized, you might be ripped off at gunpoint and left with nothing, police might bother you all the time, you will get depressed, etc. There are a lot of issues that nobody ever talks about in these videos. While it sounds romantic and appeals to the bohemian lifestyle, it's not as glamorous as you get older- it just gets sad.

[vicentequintero]

“The actions I take will impact what will and will not happen in my life” My man got deep. I’m gonna take this to heart.

[somedudeeatingbeans.]

Its sad that we have to resort to sleeping in the back of a car because housing is to much

[SANTIAGOPR]

I'm starting my car life while I pursue my law degree in Boston. This video is giving me really good tips.

[leeolson]

I did all of that, and lived in my SUV for a year. A black curtain on a bar behind the drivers seat makes a very cozy bedroom, along with insulated blackout covers for my rear windows. Having a gym membership is great for showers and bathrooms. I cooked a steak or hamburger a day on a Coleman stove on the back bumper. Celery, carrots and blueberries rounded out the diet. I had a BougeRV 12 volt cooler. I had solar panels, and an Ecoflow battery. I used a virtual address to receive my mail. Though some outlets do register as a PMB (public mail box by the post office). I bought a 12V fan for cooling, and I used an electric blanket for heating, both plugged into my battery. I slept in my car at 26 degrees F. I kept myself warm, rather than trying to warm my car. I always used the black facing outside on the windows at nights because they are more stealth. Showing the reflective side is a giveaway that someone is sleeping inside. I used libraries a lot for WIFI connections and battery charging. PS. I know Santa Cruz very, very well, including the Abby. :)

[rayvillar]

Hi Evan. Your guide to live in the van while working in expensive city like San Francisco is 100% accurate. I was working as biotech/pharmaceutical technical writer consultant when I moved to work in the Bay Area. I realized that I can saved more to retire sooner than the required 65 years old if I have to avoid paying rent and sleep in my SUV. I was earning good money at $100 dollars rate an hour in my last work assignment, working 40 hours a week. I saved most of it and enjoy to eat out in fancy restaurant in the Bay Area. I usually park close to the gym like 24 hours Fitness in Gellert in Daly City and developed lots of freindship with people who also sleep and work in their van or SUV. I retired early last year after I paid my house and pick up truck in full. No mortgage. No headache.

[Avantime]

Also an additional tip: Go to a motel or Airbnb for a day once a week or fortnight, that will make you feel a lot better. If there's a kitchen, cook meals and put them in a 5-10 day ice cooler. Find a microwave at work or at a convenience store and reheat them.

[PetarJovancevic]

I dunno guys. The fact that this is a genuine method/lifestyle is kind of on the verge of dystopia... But I digress, awesome video.

[mspenelope]

With everyday life becoming too expensive for so many, I applaud your practical approach to van-life, helping removing stigma associated with saving for, rather than already maintaining, a mortgage. With a broader approach to life we can transform feelings of shame into mastery 😊

[TaRonThomasTv]

I relate to you so much. I use to be homeless. I lived out of my car once and it was such a great experience to be quite honest. I racked up on money and learned to adapt to the basics of life. Many people think living is having wifi, multiple cars, tv and a bed with plenty of rooms but the less we have can be even more gratifying. It’s good to see someone with the same thoughts

[Taureanfitness]

I love how you Emphasize the importance of community friends familiar faces having a sense that you belong somewhere.A lot of people that do this nomadic van life don't last very long because it's incredibly lonely and that's not healthy

[eugeniawatson]

I've just started my car life journey. This is my first month. These tips are very helpful. The best thing is the 1st of the month is coming and I don't have to pay for ridiculously high rent 😊

[anmedejasnipes]

This is honestly one of the most informative van dwelling video I have seen and I've been watching these kind of videos for 5-6 years.

[purelight]

This young man is brilliant. Learning how to 'rescue yourself' (as my grandmother called it) is the best lesson your parents can ever teach you.

[valerief]

I wish I would have seen a video like this when I was young. I am a grandmother now, and have no regrets, but I learned along the way that what I did for most of my 20’s, 30’s and 40’s was live the life other people thought I should live.

[Anarchizer]

People making tutorials of how to live in a car. What a time to be alive!

[jenmdawg]

I’m so close to living like this already. I eat one meal a day, I’ve gotten rid of most of my things, I no longer want status in life and I own a small business I love that I could turn over to employees. I sold the house last year after my SO died unexpectedly- paying rent again feels INSANE - just to live in a city.

I’m 55 but in great health (since going low carb/OMAD 8 years ago).

Going start looking at vans.

Thank you.