During the housing bubble crash of 2008 – 2009, many individuals and families found their housing situation in flux – and for too many, that meant surviving out of their vehicles until they could get their feet back on the ground.
If that happens to you will you be prepared? Here are some vital things to consider – just in case.
Solar film on the windows keeps things private, but you need a blackout curtain to keep light from being seen at night. I used a denim tube and lined it with high density foam, hung from wire springs on both the top and bottom of the tube curtain. The curtain needs to cover the whole window. It provides a bit of insulation, too.
Never park in the same place twice in the same week. Stay away from other parkers in your same situation. Parking around a 24-hour biz is better than residential areas. Apartment complexes offer a degree of stealth street parking due to the high turnover of tenants and friends, NOT in their parking lot, however! Same for 24-hour grocery stores.
A health club membership is the golden ticket for street living. You can shower, steam, and work out, too. Municipal indoor pools are good, too. Learn to bathe in a sink, as in sponge baths.
A private mailbox that provides a street address (not a Post Office box) makes you look more like someone with a real address.
A pay-as-you-go cell phone provides a telephone for job calls and if you need emergency services.
A portable CD player with a radio is very handy for entertainment and news.
Most libraries have computer access. If you have a wireless laptop, then those businesses that let you surf on their wi-fi connection for a cup of coffee are helpful, too.
Hopefully, none of us will ever have to live out of our vehicle for anymore than a night, because of a temporary natural or man made incident.
If, however, you find yourself in a different situation, where your vehicle is your temporary home, incorporating these critical steps can help you get back on the road to normalcy!
For more tips on making the best of a bad situation, please visit The Survival Mom.