If you are facing homelessness or houselessness and may be living in your vehicle, I hope this helps. If this site is difficult to navigate, the "Beginner's" playlist at the top of my TikTok: @CalistaTravels

America has an average of 745,652 people experiencing homelessness each night, and that number does not include much of the car & vehicle-living community. In 2026, more than 1 million people are also living in their vehicles separate from that initial number.

You are not alone. Please do not let yourself believe that you are.

If you ever need help, search 'carcamping' 'i live in my car' 'van life' 'houselessness' combined with 'tips for' on most social medias

You can also leave a comment at the bottom of this page, which no one sees until I approve it, or use the Contact Me page if you have questions that aren't answered here.

Useful Tips for everyone with or without a car

Welcome to Vehicle living

Mindset and expected set backs - its normal to feel down but you don't need to make yourself the victim of a situation you can make better for yourself. Your life can become your choices.

Bed - I've had a couple versions of beds but ultimately I was able to make it work by taking my seats out, I was too plump to sleep out the trunk when I first moved into the car. If you have different vehicles, this may not work for you. This is how I did it in a sedan though. 

Lets Cook
List of things to cook with:
* some parks have electric outlets at their pavilions and if you can find the source, electric burner, mini noodle cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, sandwich press/burger press
* camp stove burner or a back pack hiking stove, or gas powered grill
* camp fire, camp stove, camp grill
* hot logic both comes for car use and electric outlet use
* microwaves at panera (be limited & respectful), 7-Eleven/Gas stations, hotels (if you're in one), etc
* get a battery like bluetti or ecoflow and use it for electric products for inside vehicle
* Soups, Coffees, Liquids, Ramens: Hot water from gas stations/coffee shops or a heating water pot - made for vehicles

Disclaimer: If you decide to use an adapter plug in or something directly into your ciggerette lighter, please check the wattage of the item. Anything higher than 125 watts will most likely blow a fuze or fully drain your car battery. You have to pay attention. Many hot water warmers/boilers CAN POSSIBLY kill a car battery in less than 1 use.

Coffee - how to, other than instant of course

Present: Moka pot (comes in 3 sizes), Pour Over is no electric coffee pot (hot water needed), Coffee Rocket is no electric (hot water needed) - again can just get hot water from coffee shops, panera, gas stations

Cleaning & Maintenance

You can use the baby wipe trick and the bottle trick for body soap as well
* baby wipes * spray body with soap in it * bottle baths (posted at top) * cloth bath etc

Dealing with the Heat and the Cold

Straight up Tips - a general coverage of different pieces of advice

Hotel Tips for those who find themselves in a hotel

Different layouts for different people. The layout you have today does not need to be the one you keep forever. Experience, inexperienced. No two set ups are the same!