Freedom or mandatory
These are the two main reasons why people end up living in their cars.
While some like the freedom they get when they live in their cars, it is not always the best option hygienically.
Others are forced to live in their cars because one of life’s downturns has set their progress back and they have no other option.
In either situation, there are good and bad ways to live in your car.
In the future, when a disaster strikes, you will need to know how to live in your car the good way and how to avoid the bad way.
Is sleeping in your car illegal?
This is an important question, at least prior to a disaster striking.
After a disaster strikes, there may be more pressing concerns for law enforcement to focus on, and they won’t arrest you for sleeping in your car.
In the meantime, if you sleep in your car, even after a night out with the boys or girls, you have to be careful.
While there are no real federal prohibitions against sleeping in your car, you may have trouble with local authorities.
Some cities do have laws banning this option.
In many cases, if you look nice, presentable, etc., the authorities may only ask you to leave the area and find another place to park.
Of course, if you pulled over because you were too tired or had too much to drink, most policemen understand and will let you take the safest option and let you remain where you are parked.
If you park in the right locations, you should be able to get a good night’s sleep and be rested for the day ahead.
Just check the laws in your area to try to stay out of sight of the authorities when you have to live in your car.
How to live in your car
There are many tips available that will help you get a good night’s rest and remain undisturbed through the nights you sleep in your car.
The following tips will help you avoid doing those bad things that draw attention to your predicament.
#1. Keep a low profile
The last thing you want to do is draw attention to yourself.
If the police do not see you, chances are someone else will, and they will notify the police.
One way to keep people from noticing your new sleeping arrangement is to put up blackout shades.
These shades will keep passersby from noticing you, any light inside, and so on. Then pick areas where no one will notice your vehicle.
It is best to park in a spot only once per week.
Any more than that, and you can attract attention.
There are some good parking locations you can choose between:
- Church parking lots
- Big box store parking lots
- Shopping mall parking lots
- Rest stops
- Campgrounds (those that are free, like the BLM campgrounds)
- Casino parking lots
- Information or welcome centers
In many of these cases, you may have to ask permission to stay in their parking lots, as they are private property.
Have a list of places you can go, and make sure to park in a discreet location when you do get access to these options.
#2. Have a hygiene plan
How to live in your is very hard when it comes to hygiene.
Bathroom and shower options are nil in this situation, so you need to scout the area to see where you can go to the bathroom or use a shower.
Having a toiletry bag is one way to make sure your cleaning supplies are handy and won’t get lost.
Find a good spot in your trunk or back seat for this bag.
If at all possible, join a health club or gym so you can shower freely without worry each day if you need it.
If you are still working and the company has showers there for its employees, then use those facilities.
The items you will need for your hygienic routine will be:
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Soap and Shampoo
- Toilet paper
- Razor and shaving cream
- Any skin products you may need
- And more
Keep a good supply of these items on hand so you don’t have to go shopping as frequently.
One of the problems you may have when you shower is that you will have no place to hang your towel to dry.
The same would go for washcloths.
You can use paper towels to dry yourself off or look for other drying alternatives.
#3. Food
It would be nice to have a fridge built into your vehicle, but that just takes up too much space and is very impractical.
Buying and storing food takes on different strategies, just as a car can get very hot during the day.
This means your food may spoil if not stored correctly.
The type of food you need to buy changes as you focus more on non-perishable items than any other kind.
Having a cooler helps with the perishable items, but then you have to constantly go get ice to keep the food fresh and good.
If you can afford it, find those restaurants that serve a cheap breakfast.
That way, you can get at least one good meal per day.
Plan your menu and storage carefully so you do not attract attention to yourself and have a way to dispose of any food packaging safely and without being seen.
Trash disposal will be a challenge unless you can find a big dumpster behind a business that won’t notice any extra trash being dumped into it.
#4. How to stay entertained
Another challenge for many people, especially at night, is that you do not let any light escape through your car windows.
This will cut your entertainment options considerably.
During the day, you should be out and away from your car, doing different things. But at night, you are stuck.
The best option you have is a flashlight and a book or a magazine.
If you use an electronic device, you will lose power to the computer battery and the car battery, with no way to recharge them.
Those items are best reserved for use during the day, when you can plug in and connect to a wifi signal.
Plan your entertainment carefully, as too much noise will attract attention—and usually the wrong type of attention.
#5. Prepare for the wrong attention
Living in your car opens up a new world you may have only seen in the movies.
One of the first things you will notice is an attitude change toward you.
You will lose the respect of the people you know, and that can interfere with getting back on your feet.
Also, be careful who you talk to.
Most homeless people have lost their minds, and hanging out with them is never a good idea.
Find better people to talk to and hang out with.
Also, you are more vulnerable to violence and threats.
So the fewer people who know you are homeless, the better it is for you.
There are those that hate homeless people, and they love to knock them around a bit, so be careful.
#6. Remain invisible
When a disaster strikes, there will be a lot of abandoned vehicles that are easy to break into for shelter.
The key is to not pick the best car around.
That is putting a sign on your back and asking people to hit you.
If you do find a nice car, get a lead pipe or baseball bat and put a lot of dents in the vehicle.
Knock out the head and tail lights, but do not break any of the glass.
You will need all the glass in good shape to protect you from the elements.
When it comes to parking, try to avoid underground parking lots.
That is where a lot of ill-intentioned people like to hang out because it offers them some security and safety.
Try to park in a spot that makes your vehicle invisible.
If you can, use the upper floors of a parking garage so you have a great view of your surroundings.
When disaster strikes, your biggest threat will be other people, so make your location as secure as possible.
Use all of your survival skills to stay alive and get needed supplies, as the competition will be fierce.
Some final words
Now you know how to live in your car if and when the time comes.
When disaster strikes, urban survival is easier than wilderness survival.
You have a lot of places you can go, like cars, to find shelter.
Plus, it is easier to find supplies in these areas.
The key is to remain invisible and not tell anyone where you are staying.
Unwanted visitors looking for your supplies and equipment are the last thing you want.
There are also lots of places to go and park your car that are out of the way when life is not normal.
Originally posted 2023-02-12 07:38:10.
