How long could you survive on $5000 if you lived in your car? (insurance, expenses)

[ramkobe]

If you lived on some remote land and the only expenses were food, gas, misc.

[GoCUBS1]

Depends on where the car is located. Is it parked somewhere (e.g. an abandoned car deep in the woods) or do I have to buy gas to drive around to lots? Do I need to pay for parking space? Is it parked in a temperate climate (LA) or more extreme climate (Alaska)?

[ramkobe]

In the desert near Las Vegas.

The only driving will be done to go buy food and misc stuff couple times a week.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by ramkobe

If you lived on some remote land and the only expenses were food, gas, misc.

You don't live *in* the car. You live OUT OF it.
Buy the army surplus platoon tent and similar camp gear, water tanks and all that.

Once you're set up... the remaining cash might be enough to buy water and food for a year.

[Threestep2]

Originally Posted by ramkobe

In the desert near Las Vegas.

The only driving will be done to go buy food and misc stuff couple times a week.

You have never been to Nevada in summer?

[charolastra00]

I'd assume that by living out of my car, I also lost health insurance. That would eat up my money in under 3 months.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by ramkobe

...........
The only driving will be done to go buy food and misc stuff couple times a week.

If you are planning on driving into town a couple of times every week, that money won't last long. If you want to live outside the city limits in a remote area, you might want to consider giving up your city ways of doing things.

[Hemlock140]

For an old beater that's paid off and no need for collision, insurance would still be a pretty big expense, and you would have to budget for any fines if caught illegally camping or trespassing. Eating a lot of ramen, no medical or dental problems, and not getting busted, that should last a couple of years.

[Escort Rider]

$5,000 divided by 365 equals $13.70 per day for a year. That's for everything, not just food. I don't see that lasting "a couple of years" as was stated above. One can "eat a lot of ramen" but I can't see eating a steady diet of ramen and nothing else (which would lead to health problems anyway). I know I would not last a year on $5,000.

[cdelena]

I have known people that live in trucks, camp grounds, and various temporary places. One of the things some do it become a gym member ($5 - $25 a month depending) so they have a place for personal bathing as well as hang out in bad weather and watch television. Others have a small storage unit that they use as a closet and stash. Most don't last long but one person I know has 'lived' (in a cabin with no power, water, etc.) on some land he owns for years but I see him in the gym... he still has income requirements of over $10k a year.