EDIT: Does anyone have personal experience with car living and using Military MRE’s for food? I’ve been looking on Amazon, but there are so many to choose from. I would love some brand suggestions if so!

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I would especially LOVE organizational hacks.

I already lived in my car before, so I know most of what to expect, but that was just a few weeks. Now, I’ll be living in it for a few months. So, any helpful tips are appreciated! 🫶

  • Changing my diet to mostly foods that don't need refrigeration.

    parent

    Could you provide a quick list? (:

    parent root

    peanut butter, bread, oats, chia seeds, dried fruit, dried soup mix, dried veggies, canned chicken, powdered milk, ...

    parent root

    Beans, rice, tuna & salmon packets, oats, nuts and meals ready to eat

    parent root

    I’ve been looking at MRE’s on Amazon, but there are so many to choose from. Any brand suggestions?

    parent root

    Oh yes you can do that too, but I meant things like Rotisserie chicken, tasty bite (brand) entrees, and anything you can put in a pot, warm up and eat… I would look around Walmart or whatever store you shop at and try to find those types of items

    parent root

    I would personally recommend AGAINST MRE's because they can be really hit or miss on the taste and texture. IMO they range from I can eat this to I would rather starve.... Never getting to the I WANT to eat this lol

    For food I would take a stroll down your grocery store isles and see what you can find that is quick to throw together

    parent root

    Oh yeah, texture is a big thing for me. So duly noted, thank you!

    parent root

    you in usa also??? anybody in aus

    parent root

    Only exclusion now is in winter. I’ve been keeping a tub of ice cream these past couple of days haha

    parent root

    Same, beans and pre-made rice are great. And pasta.

    In the morning I have hard-boiled eggs from my cooler and I spread garlic and herb soft cheese on bread, crumble an egg on top, drizzle Chick-fil-A sauce, sprinkle seasoning and add chives. Definitely upped my breakfast game and is super easy to prepare.

    parent root

  • Eat mostly fruits, vegetables and low-fat meats. You're poop won't stink much.

    Have a place for everything. If you don't know where it's going to go, it can't come.

    Setup your space around zones- cooking zone, hygiene zone, workout equipment zone, electronics zones.

    Have as many drawers or open shelf storage as you can. Moving A to get to B, then putting back B and putting back A, gets gets old really quick.

    Have a grey water container.

    Get a collapsible sink and at least two camp shower caps to go on a 1 gallon jug or a 2-liter bottle. Being able to wash up in a sink is life and the cap saves so much water.

    Put your dirty shoes inside plastic shower caps.

    Get a rechargeable vacuum. It gets so freaking dirty in a car every single day.

    Empty your pee jar before bed. It REALLY needs to be empty for that first morning pee.

    parent

    I’m deep diving into your comments. Really interested in the collapsible sink and shower caps suggestions.

    parent root

    I got my sinks from Walmart (I have two but two aren't necessary) - Ozark Trail 10-Quart Collapsible Sink 12.1 in L x 12.1 in W x 2.75 in H (7.87 in Expanded)

    I got my shower caps from Amazon. I have this one and it fits on the great value 1 gallon spring water bottle as long as I push it over the rim - Impresa Water Bottle Attachment Shower Sprinkler Cap - Blue Silicone, 2-Pack, Fits 16oz-2L - Water Bottle Rinse Cap for Sand & Dirt Removal - for Camping & Hiking.

    I just ordered these to see if they'll fit better on 2L bottles - Jokupey 3 Pack Portable Outdoor Shower, Fits Most Plastic Bottles, Blue, Orange, Green.

    parent root

    I started notes in my phone called "where is it"

    Next to each item, I put where I keep it.

    So that way I can use the search feature to find my stuff

    Kinda like this:

    Hair tools - storage

    Trash bags - glove box

    Cat litter - storage

    Comb - gym bag

    parent root

  • My most used and favorite purchased items were:

    Quick dry towels (low as $10 at Target)

    Always had a pre loaded small bag with hygiene and two outfits (in case one got wet) when I shower at Rec Centers or a friends house.

    A fabric cube of non perishable snacks / canned goods and plastic spoons/ forks. $1.25 at Dollar Tree. If it ever got spilled on- just bought a new one.

    Wipes! All the wipes! Booty, Face, car wipes, Lysol

    Storage unit. I visited about every other day and kept my dirty laundry there for once a week visits to the laundry mat.

    Step stool cause if you buy the cheap $30 a month one- it’s a fucking squirrel hole you have to climb up into.

    Tinted windows. Best money spent of my life.

    parent

    Great ideas! Love the “Wipes! All the wipes!” That made me laugh a little.

    Thank you! 🙏

    parent root

  • If you have a section of blank wall that's not doing anything (maybe a door panel), take a length of bungee cord and screw both ends of it to the wall so you have a horizontal cord that pulls tight against the wall. Then, you can insert a pair of shoes with the soles against the wall, or other things like wet towels. Keep one or both ends of the bungee removable to use for paper towel roll, etc. You can also wrap a bungee around your front passenger seat for similar uses.

    parent

    Id like to add you can attach bungees or straps to your o shit handles as well. Also doubles as a window curtain when things are hanging on it to dry. 

    parent root

  • Get that mf trash out same day, or you'll wind up drowning in it in 6 weeks.

    parent

  • Nutritional yeast, found in the baking aisle near the baker's yeast at most grocery stores, is an additive that's got a good amount of protein and fiber, and gives a cheesy flavor. Apparently it's used by some vegans just for that reason. I added it to my ramen the other day and I shit you not it tasted like fried chicken. However I'm a vegetarian so I'm a bit out of practice taste-wise. But either way, that NY can help add flavor to things you aren't feeling.

    According to some backpacker friends of mine, hummus stays good for a while, and that's a very healthy thing to have. Carrots, bread, taco shells, whatever you want as your hummus vessel.

    *Edit to add, Nutritional Yeast also contains nutrients of course, but specifically B6&12, as well as Thiamin, Riboflavin, and Folic Acid, which I've just learned are all also B vitamins with special names I guess.

    parent

  • Have advance plans in place for when you get into a car accident and may be without your car for a few days to a few weeks or longer. Familiarize yourself with the intricacies of your car insurance plan. Specifically, the amount of days you are entitled to a rental car, paid for by insurance, while you wait for repairs to be completed.

    parent

    I’m trying to do better about having a Plan B and hell, a Plan C too. So, this is a very good idea, thank you. 💜

    parent root

    Ugh that would be a nightmare!! I have a tent set up at least (and camp for free on BLM land in nature) but walking all the way to town for supplies and such would suck. An electric scooter or bicycle would be a life saver in that scenario.

    parent root

  • Find an inexpensive storage unit. Climate control is the best, but quite pricey. Allows you to keep off-season items such as clothing in there.

    parent

  • Sleep in a supermarket parking lot, eat ready made meals $7--9

    parent

  • Get rid of stuff, you don’t need it

    parent

    1. Folgers coffee cans make the best freaking car trashcan. I took an empty one from my office, if you walk into almost any office and ask nicely they might just give you one. The size is perfect for all kinds of trash and the fresh seal lid is damn good at keeping odors in.

    2. If you can splurge for some good camping gear I highly recommend it. It will also make it so much easier if you have a small car to maximize space. It also helps with the cold weather. My girlfriend and I live in our minivan and we have a double wide camping mattress that we blow up with a little USB pump and put inside our sleeping bag at night. We are cozy and comfy. During the day it folds up and becomes our "couch". If you have a small car this could be useful for one person to have a bed you can deflate and pack away during the day to maximize your lounging/cooking space/access to storage.

    3. Get a storage unit and a minivan.

    parent

  • budgeting my money for rent

    parent

    What’s your budget look like?

    parent root