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Things You Should Know About Living in Your Car if Inflation is Driving You Crazy

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With the loss of DEI, tech jobs, and the general economic recession, many Americans are unable to afford the rising costs of food and housing and having to seek alternative living situations… like their car. Though the van life aesthetic can be aspir...
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Vanlife Essentials to Make Living in Your Car as Cozy as Possible

There's nothing worse than having to move into your vehicle (for those who didn't dive headfirst into vanlife by choice) and to feel trapped like sardines in a can. These must haves will make the experience less dreadful and more like you're car camp...
 
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LISTEN 😂 You might be like, why is this here but HEAR ME OUT! If you are a digital nomad or content creator living in your car? I've been with Mint Mobile for… five or six years now? I have service when NOBOOODDDYYYY DOES. 😩🙌🏾 I mean those T-Mobi...if you click this link and use my referral code? Not only will you get 50% off the unlimited plan too, but you'll get a $15 credit on your account. That's what I got when I signed up and I HAVEN'T LOOKED BACK. It's the TRUTH. I had my mother on it before she passed, I've had family calling me up ...
Mint Mobile Phone Plans with Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data
 
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You're gonna see this one time and time again when you begin doing your research on how to get away with living in your car (for those in the US specifically) in this day and age. With the crackdown on homelessness and van living happening across the...
2, 3, or 4 Inch Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper with Removable Fitted Cover (4 inch, Twin)
 
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If you have pillows already, use those. I don't want you spending unnecessary money. BUT, I add these to the list because even before living in my vehicle, when I transitioned to cooling pillows? GAME. CHANGER. I sleep with blankets even if it's 90°F...
Sertapedic Cool Nites Queen Bed Pillow, by Serta
 
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One of the things that I highly recommend, if you're going to be wintering in your car, is a 0°F. This one is an XL, so it gives you more room than the sleeping bags the size of coffins if you've got... y'know... a little more to love on ya. 😘 This ...
Cabela's Outfitter XL 0° Sleeping Bag
 
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This might just be for the girlies, but I was spoiled in my last house: the bathroom had the best vanity mirror EVER and I knew, moving into my vehicle, it was not something I would be happy to be without. Hence, the Good Lord Almighty led me to this...
Ultra Thin LED HD Vanity Mirror for Car Sun Visor

Things I Bought / Already Had for Stealth Car Camping

After doing a bit of research (cough HOURS ON HOURS ON HOURS 👀), assessing the space that I have in my vehicle, and breaking down my non-negotiables vs the things I could live without? Here are my personal essentials for car living.

 
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THIS IS A NON NEGOTIABLE, ESPECIALLY FOR YOU LADIES ‼️ I mean it! Mine arrived in the mail like the same day I went to go get all the windows on my car tinted. The privacy is not up for debate, you don't want people to see that your whole life is in ...
4 Pack Magnetic Car Side Window Sun Shades – Universal Fit Privacy Curtains with Safe Mirror Cutout, Strong Light Blocking & UV Protection, Easy Install for Driving, Camping, and Napping
 
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Listen, I work online. This was one of the non-negotiables for me because the grind doesn't stop just because my living situation has switched up. 🤷🏾‍♀️ That being said, I got this very one on a STEAL (half off, I couldn't believe it 🫠) because I ...used Rakuten to get CASH BACK GIRLLLL!!! 🤑 Because it was a holiday weekend, the cash back bonus helped me out too and I got more money back then I would have otherwise. (If you're new to Rakuten, you can totally use my link to join and if you use it and spend $50 in 90 days? THEY'LL GIVE YOU $50 RIGHT BACK IT'S BETTER THAN FETCH I PROMISE YOU 😭👌🏾) BUT ANYWAY! Charge it up in my car, charge it up at libraries, charge it up in cafés, and keep on working without worrying about...
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station
 
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You never know what's going to be available to you once you get on the road. It's why when I had to choose between a GasOne camping stove and a Coleman? GasOne was the way to go. Why? It's simple: this amazing little camping stove can take propane AN...
GasOne Butane or Propane Portable Gas Stove
 
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It was pink, I had to 👀 No, but seriously— this is another one of those purchases that I knew I needed something and instead of getting a fridge, I knew because of my lifestyle I just needed a cooler… but I needed a dependable one. I chose the YETI,...I used Rakuten and got $20 right back on this purchase. I'm so satisfied with my going YETI instead of sticking with this old Coleman cooler I had. I knew that with the old Coleman? I'd have to buy ice every day because I've traveled with it across the country. The YETI was worth the in...
YETI Roadie® 24 Hard Cooler
 
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INTRODUCING MY PANTRY STORAGE SOLUTION! 😂🙌🏾 For southerners, elite tupperware like LocknLock is a no brainer. When I was younger, I spent half the year in Florida and half the year in Michigan to spend time and get to know my siblings and family d...YETI Roadie without worrying about melted ice making my food soggy, and that they would make my dry goods bulletproof when it comes to attracting pests. Any seasonings or like oatmeal, tea, etc? In the LocknLock. And I TRULY advise you to invest in a set like t...
LocknLock 12-Pc Nestable Rectangle Storage Set w/ (2) Handle Lids
 
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I had to make a decision because well… I love to cook. Over the last few months, I haven't been going all out like I used to because I was transitioning and well… I have learned time and time again that one food that I will have a literally breakdown...
AROMA Mini Rice Cooker, 2-Cup (Uncooked) / 4-Cup (Cooked), 1.5 Qt & Reviews | Wayfair
 
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This is how I know there is a God: listen— I'd already been looking at the Bissell for over a year because if you go and put your quarters in the vacuums at the car wash? You know those vacuums ain't about nothing, let's be real AND IT'S SO FRUSTRATI...
Little Green® Mini Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
 
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This was another no brainer. Personally, I bought two fans. I have fallen asleep in my vehicle MANY TIMES before starting vanlife, so knowing the experience of just passing out in my garage let me know this was a non negotiable. 😂✌🏾
GVDV Camping Fan with LED Lantern, 20000mAh Portable Battery Operated Outdoor Fan, Personal Rechargeable Desk Fan for Travel, Hiking, Fishing, Picnic, Orange
 
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🗣️ THIS IS A MUST!! I repeat! This is a MUST!! 😭 You don't wanna get mold in your car and the moisture from mouth breathing in your sleep will be the #1 culprit of this happening 😂 But seriously! You need a dehumidifier of some kind and these are ...
DampRid Fresh Scent Hanging Moisture Absorbers, 3 Count
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Useful Gadgets That Make Car Life A Little Bit Easier

Sometimes, it's the little things that can make your day a little bit brighter. When living a digital nomad lifestyle (or just living out of your car in general), having certain tools on hand can be helpful in navigating life on the road... and somet...
 
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Listen, if you're traveling and living the van life dream? Sometimes those remote areas or state parks that you're adventuring to? You don't wanna get stuck out there where your cell signal is ❌ and you can't call roadside assistance. This battery st...
AVAPOW 6000A Car Battery Jump Starter, Portable Car Jump Starter with Dual USB Quick Charge and DC Output, 12V Jump Pack with Built-in LED Bright Light, Yellow
 
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Love love love LOVE this thing!! As someone who has had to endure a small tire leak until I had the funds to get new tires, I know the hassle of driving around looking for an air pump at a gas station (especially if Discount Tire is too far 😬). It's...
Ophanie Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor, 9000mAh Battery Powered, 150PSI Dual Mode, Auto Air Pump for Car Tires, Motorcycle, Bicycle, Electric Pump with LED Light & Digital Pressure Gauge
 
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It's one of the first things I bought after I went and got all my windows tinted. I knew without a DOUBT that to combat moisture in the vehicle (plus my love for driving with the windows down) I was going to need a way to sit with my windows down wit...
AstroAI Car Window Shade, Rear Stretchable Breathable Mesh Fabric 26.4”H x 51.2”L, for Most Vehicles (2 Pack, Black)
 
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If it comes to safety, especially for solo vanlifers? Having a camera can come in clutch 👌🏾 Seriously tho, it can also help with recording your day for content creation or even if you need extra security for Uber/Lyft or Instacart/DoorDash gigs. Yo...
Vantrue Nexus 5 4 Channel WiFi Dash Cam, STARVIS 2 IR Night Vision, 2.7K+1080P*3 Front Rear Inside Dashcam, Voice Control, GPS, 24 Hours Buffered Parking Mode Dash Camera, Support 512GB Max
 
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Now, if you are a Black traveler doing the vanlife thing in the U.S.? This interactive map by Tougaloo College is something that you should bookmark and save to your favorites in your browsers. It shows the sundown towns that are still active on the ...
Sundown Town Map | History and Social Justice, inspired by James W. Loewen
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The Heroclip is AMAZING!! Ever walked into a bathroom with your purse or tote and there's no hook to hang it on and you just... you don't even wanna chance sitting it on the floor? 🤢 Yeah, this is what you need for THOSE moments, because this become...
Heroclip 2.25-in Oval Wire Carabiner
 
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I am a tea person, but coffee drinkers can unite with me on this: I need it every day all day into the night that will break into the dawn of a new day. 🍵👀 Like... D A I L Y. And having a tumbler like this that'll keep my tea hot for 30 hours?? Wha...
28 oz Hot Flask & Cup
 
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Call me bougie all you want but unless it's tea? I'm not drinking it without a straw. 🙈 I KNOW IT'S TERRIBLE, but it's literally how I got myself to start reaching my water goals: a straw. Once I put a straw in the cup I'm guzzling water, and stayin...
40 oz Travel Tumbler

Organization Hacks for Tiny Living

You're not gonna have as much space as you once had living in an apartment, condo, mobile home, whatever. You've GOT to adjust to this, and this may be the hardest part of it all— not just the physical condensing but the emotional aspect of downsizin...

 
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This is honestly the best breakdown of how to efficiently store your stuff in your car. The car life community on Reddit is insanely awesome. 💘
Reddit | Efficient storage solutions for car living
 
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I already owned collapsible organizers, so when car life became my next move, I knew that they were going to be having a permanent home in my backseats. Roll your clothes and here you go, mobile dresser drawers! 😂 You wanna make sure, especially if ...
FORTEM Car Trunk Organizer, Collapsible Multi Compartment SUV Organizer, Non Slip Foldable Storage for Car Accessories with Securing Straps and Cover
 
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I have moved a lot. I love travel. And previously, when I got my passport for the first time last year, I bought one of these (which led to my mother buying one because she liked it, and my aunt — a former stewardess — getting one as well 😅.) When I...
The Space Saver Pro Bonchemin Hanging Toiletry Bag
 
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I've had mine for years. All the women on my mother's side of the family have them now. They're just that good. I've got my shower stuff and like grooming essentials for the gym in one, my skin care regime fits in another, I know the Good Lord's gonn...
Joy Mangano 3-piece Big Beauty Cases
 
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LISTEN TO ME!! If you get no other bag on this list? TRUST. ME. This is the one (besides the Nordace one that I've had for over 5 years that is like… ugh, you'll see it next on this list) that you need for your gym/work bag while on the road. I promise you. You're going to probably have a Planet Fitness or Anytime Fitness or 24 Hour Fitness SOME 24 HOUR GYM MEMBERSHIP while doing th...
The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel—42L
 
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I've owned this bag for five years now and it hasn't disappointed me once. Lightweight with… I mean… when you open this thing up? There is SOOOOOO much you can fit in this thing and it doesn't look like it! There are so many pockets that are perfect ...
Nordace Siena Pro 13 Backpack
 
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Listen, you could go with something waterproof if you wanted but hear me out— it's cute and it's cotton. Meaning you can wash it. Which is great. Because one thing about car life? You wanna stick with bags and collapsible storage as much as possible....
Free People | New Horizons Weekender

Tips + Tricks from Fellow Car Dwellers

With many van dwellers, they've been saving up for months or years, have either self built their vans or spent thousands of dollars to transform their vehicles into mini tiny homes. If you're living in your car, you may not have had the time or the r...

 
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Finding this forum was the game changer. At least for me. You might not be hitting the road and seeing all these scenic places like a lot of car living content creators are. You may have a 9 to 5 or job where you don't work remote and are tethered to...
Reddit | r/urbancarliving
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I wanted to just link to one of her car camping set ups… but her whole channel is good. Really. Alauna started living out of her car Rhonda the Honda part time (6mos out of the year), she pet sits and then hosts yoga retreats, and I believe this year...
Alauna Roby on YouTube
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Claire has been extremeeeelllyyy helpful because when she shared how she got into her car? It's like… not everyone thinks that this is the kind of lifestyle they're going to have to live and yet… she's transformed her situation into something beautif...
Claire on the Road on YouTube
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Diana is no spring chicken, even if she looks it (isn't she GORGEOUS?!) A former sugar baby, she had a harrowing medical emergency and woke up in the hospital with a determined goal to live life to the fullest. We get this fun and informative lifesty...
WANDERLUST DIANA on YouTube
 
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Now Rosa has been doing this for 8 years in Elrond the Element willingly. She started before COVID and in earlier videos, you can see that she had a bare build that only cost her $200. Like it wasn't a lot of fancy gadgets and stuff that she was working with. And to be honest? Compared to a lot of other car dwellers? This is still pretty… minimalistic. In this video in particular, she's sharing her wisdom. And if you need more in...
Rosa on YouTube | 8 years of living in my car - let's talk about it
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What I love most about this is how realistic it is. Simplicity is best when you have a goal and limited space. Not only are there his essentials, but you can see what makes it easier for him to live in his car while chasing his goals. His whole chann...
Michael Hickey on YouTube | Moving into my car for 100 days
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