*Living in Your Car* The Pros and Cons
By ScottHallock, 22nd Jun 2010 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutGuidesOutdoorSurvival Skills
Yes, there are good reasons for living in your car and many benefits that can change your life for the better. However, the cons of living in your car can carry some personal and emotional hardships, which can be difficult to deal with.
*Living in Your Car* The Pros and Cons
Check out and read my related article, "Tips on How to Live in Your Car" (click here)
I personally, am currently living in my car, and have for almost the past 2 years. I lost my home due to the economy so, I had to adjust and change my plans. My plans now are to stay in my car for a total of ten years.
In societies current economic breakdown many people are finding themselves in a forced situation where they have to make many sacrifices, change the way they are used to living and give up trying to maintain that higher standard of, living large.
Many have had to down size, lighten the load, and are keeping just the minimum by living far below their means.
Therefore, whether by choice or because hard times have fallen on you, I have listed some pros and cons of living in your car based on my own personal experience.
The Pros of living in your Car
Money
The number one reason why anyone would choose to stay in his or her car is to save money.
Imagine if every month, you took what you would have spent on rent and invested it for six months, a year or ten years.
I have a great job that pays me over $93,000.00 per year, and after I pay for my other obligations, I take what I would normally pay for rent and I put $1,400.00 dollars a month into an investment. I have eight more years on my ten-year plan for a total investment of, $168,000.00 dollars. Can you imagine what that is going to do for my life?
I certainly do not recommend a ten year plan, but imagine three to six months or a year saving and investing what you would have paid in rent, it will really add up to a sizable amount of money.
Freedom
Being able to live anywhere you want, rent-free, truly has its advantages because if you feel like living in the hills, mountains or the beach, there are plenty of camping spots that are clean, safe and available.
The average person spends 70% of their income each month paying for a home. Imagine the freedom from that and being able to save that 70% of your income for a while plus the freedom from the responsibilities of property taxes, utilities, yard and home maintenance would be life changing.
Entertainment
No more sitting around on a couch watching TV wasting time and getting fat because the outside world will become your source of entertainment, relaxation and fun.
There is so much to explore and see, and you will find many ways to meet new people see new places and discover new hobbies that will keep you busy. Site seeing and walking around the city will be a learning experience you cannot get anywhere else. You will begin to see up front and first hand many things most people have never seen. You will discover quaint markets, historical sites and architecture, shopping areas and eateries hidden from the average person who probably would not appreciate it anyway or who are too busy to get out and explore to find them.
The library and bookstores are wonderful sources of unlimited learning where you can spend hours discovering people, the world and everything else.
Count your blessings
An amazing and humbling effect happens when you are near the bottom of life; you begin to count your blessings.
I have enough underclothes, T-shirts, pants and shorts to last one week and that may seem very little, but I have all I need and I am very grateful for it.
The Cons of living in your Car
Psychological
Society has not judged the homeless very fairly. Most of the time, homeless people are looked down upon. No one really knows the reasons why people are even in their situation.
The hardest thing for me about living in my car is fighting back the belief that I fall into the category that society has given the homeless and grouped me in with other unfortunate homeless people living in a broken down old van, down by the river.
Many times, I have had to fight back the feelings that I am a loser and have asked myself, "What the heck am I doing"? The other feelings I feel are anger and even worse, I start to feel sorry for myself.
However, when I look at my investment statements, any bad feelings I have dissipated when I realize that financial freedom is not too far off in the horizon. I am then reminded how lucky I am.
Weather
The weather can always be a factor and depending on where you live, can honestly make a big difference. I live in southern California and the coldest winter we have had was in the high teens. I could stay warm because I have a very good sleeping bag. Having a good sleeping bag that is made to withstand cold weather is the key to staying warm.
Warmer weather is a little easier to deal with by rolling down your windows and sleeping on top of the blankets or sleeping bag.
When the weather is windy or raining then the sounds of rain falling or wind blowing are very soothing, and I will have to admit, I sleep better.
Safety
Finding a safe and legal place to park your car is necessary. Many States have laws about parking on public streets and sleeping. You do not want to be awakened by the local Police or bothered by people who may take advantage of you. Many campsites are available or businesses that are open 24 hours usually do not mind you parking in their lot and staying in your car. I do not recommend underground parking garages or any place that is too hidden from public view.
Conclusion
Whatever the reasons for wanting to or having to live in your car, be it personal, financial, a hardship or just wanting to save money, you can make it a positive or negative experience.
Make a list of all the pros and cons considering your particular circumstances, see which side outweighs the other and make an educated decision on whether or not this is right for you.
Happy living!
This article also posted on Bukisa.com and AssociatedContent.com by Scott Hallock
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