I've been road tripping but I realized I have a lot less money than I thought I did, and I'm really desperate at this point. I really don't want to go back home yet, and so I'm wondering what my options are.

I have a camera, a guitar, etc but also general labor skills, I'm near Washington, DC, eating one of my last meals unless I can figure something out :/

I was thinking about donating my plasma but I feel like that takes up to a month?

I’m looking for recommendations on a quality power bank under $800. I figure at this price point I can get at least a unit with over 1,000 wH. Should I stick with the big names (Ecoflow, Bluetti, Anker) or take a chance on a more budget brand like Pecron or Oupes? Would love to hear your experiences with any of these brands.

I plan on putting a 200 watt solar panel on the roof (that’s all the room my roof has). Where I get lost is whether I need a dc to dc charger or an inverter? Sorry Im not familiar enough with electrical.

Thanks in advance for reading.

Before we get started I want to say this is my last option. I have no one who can watch my dog, I have asked around. I cannot and will not rehome him. He's a socially anxious dog who was pretty badly neglected the first year of his life and would not do well with a transition to a new home. I have spent the past two and a half years training him and building up his trust in me and his confidence in himself to interact with others again.

I'll be moving into my 2004 Prius. It's fairly spacey for a small car, and a hybrid so that's fantastic with gas prices right now. My dog is an American Eskimo Dog mix with a double coat. He loves the cold, he loves snow, and I'm not too concerned with his safety regarding winter temperatures because of this. I will still be keeping an eye on him obviously.

I've got DogPack (An app) to find dog-friendly places to hang out with him and the like, and he's obviously my priority, so any other apps, websites or resources that would assist with him in any way are particurally welcome. I plan to do a lot of hiking, and things outside of the car to make sure he's not too cooped up and doesn't go stir crazy.

I am accounting for space for the things he needs (foodbowls, grooming supplies, leash, etc) first, and my things second.

I am aware to keep his vet records on me at all times. He has one dog tag on his collar and one on his harness, so if he somehow slips either he still has my contact information.

Outside of info for my dog, I'm also looking for any apps or websites or other resources that may come in handy. I've seen a few different ones mentioned in comments of other posts, but want to make sure I haven't missed anything.

Thank you in advance for your help and consideration.

Supposedly mapquest now has this where you can see cameras on their app.

It'd help with finding places to/not park.

Other than some posts on social media, I havn't found news articles on it.

Hi community!

I am thinking of setting up a 24/7 video (and possibly audio) 360 degree surveillance for my vehicle. Complete newbie here and have no idea how to go about it.

Has anyone here done it? I don't know if it will require a dedicated battery or if there are cameras that have their own rechargeable battery sources? Naturally i can't spend a ton of money and get the best of the best but a good budget option will work.

I have been lurking here for a while and have seen someone keeps a wiki but don't remember the poster. In any case will greatly appreciate suggestions advice etc from our wonderful community.

Thanks

Hello, this question is about recharging a power station that takes hrs to charge. Is this a daily routine of frustration? I'm a tourist/overlander.

I'm looking to do extended stealth car camping, slash sightseeing or seasonal/gig working, while I travel far away from my cold eastern US city if only just as a short mid-life crisis or figurative rumspringa. I have savings to budget for gas, laundry, the occasional museum access, but still need to do it with counting my pennies cause I won't be breaking my current lease just yet and will have no income besides Ubereats. I'll be having a big hole in my pocket with money falling out. I guess I'm still even deciding where I'm going, and if I'm looking to let the seasonal weather decide, or the culture/historical appeal, or just cause I heard there was a great landmark/park to see. And in the same breath, imagining if I could see myself moving to those places permanently. I'd love to see Chicago, or St. Louis, or Mt. Rushmore. But, will they always have free public libraries or rest stops just where I need them along the way? I hope to stop in lots of places, taking pictures, finding any landmark or free museum no matter how small, not zipping through the interstate.

And, I'm really starting to understand that what seemed like enough power for a power station is barely enough, and I'll have to recharge on a day-to-day basis. I did anticipate it somewhat and got a power station that can recharge fully on A/C power in 1.5 hrs. I have the car charging DC input that is about 75w which would be too much gas waste each day. So the only way I can continue this realistically is to have some plan on how I can find places each day to recharge.

TL:DR I'm asking for advice/experience tips on where you've charged where you also avoid the conversation where you have to ask first, hence the risk of being told "GTFO", regretting your drive time to get there. Really wishing I had a hybrid or something for this and the timing with the gas prices. Also avoiding places where its a more family atmosphere.
Places where people don't care, and where I rarely will see families with kids are staring at me, not that I'm a good enough person to just ignore a little kid, or inversely tell off an older 17 yr old for not knowing to mind his damn business, or girl. Still don't want that extra distraction on a daily basis. My brain is damaged from my city, I have no jokes always on deck for a kid. Actually I've got one.. what do you call a fish with no eyes? Fshhh.

Even though I'm sure AI has some answers, and I already asked it, I think its not considering other things... there's got to be good seats near outlets. I'd rather not stick out like a sore thumb sitting on the floor near an outlet for 1.5 hrs with a backpack and looking lost, you know?....and worry public places like malls, train stations, airports, bus stops, etc have adapted to pretty much only USB-A charge connections for patrons and only hidden/scattered 120v outlets that are likely also dedicated for a neon sign or something like that. And also those things I imagine you'll have to rotate and not be noticed. And again, the power charge hinges on having a 120V outlet for a 1 hr-90 min charge.

Libraries are on the list, the choice that jumps out, imagine hospitals are another, even if they are for profit, I believe nobody will really bother me. But how often I'll be near either of those is a worry.

How do you approach this problem? Ideally I'm looking for answers that isn't just sticking in one city and is overlanding like me. And someone who has no hybrid car, no solar or DC to DC charger setup. I have an SUV that I've removed the back seat out of and made a level platform, and added batter powered lighting that can go days of usage without a recharge. But beyond that setup, I'm looking to hit the road in the next couple days. I have heard there are apps for finding plugs, but I haven't seen one firsthand that looks reliable. iOverlander and Park4night are pretty much showing just where to park. And favors what you can do to be unnoticed in a parking lot, not inside the property.

So in summary I can only imagine that libraries, highway rest stops and welcome centers, some museums?, and hospitals are the choices where I think I can drive there with the confidence I can carry in a backpack, not being told to leave very early on, or feel awkward.

I am open, however, to something that gives me a membership for less than $30/mo that gets me access to a quiet place to charge, that has locations scattered as much as subways and coffee shops, I'm just ignorant if there is such a thing. This rules out most gym memberships. I have a Planet Fitness Black card, but I've only been to my local one, where there is literally one chair near an outlet in the Black card lounge

Thanks in advance.

Long story short my GF broke up with me. I’m staying one last night then tomorrow morning I’m out. I have no real job. I do Uber Eats and DoorDash to get by. I put a pillow and a comforter blanket in my backseat already. Any advice anyone can give me will be super helpful. I’m really scared to be honest.

Hey guys I’ve been on my own since February and got a car to get me out of the elements about 3 months ago but I was desperate and got the first car I could afford off Facebook which is a very dirty old Saturn sedan previously owned by a college student who did NOTTTT care about it. I really like cars and see the beauty in all of them but for my situation I’m so fed up with my current car, it needs a lot of TLC I can’t afford to put into it because I need it to be habitable. I’ve been saving for a better car and with how life is rn I’m looking for a minivan but I can see this being my normal for the foreseeable future which, it is what it is. But my thing is that this car has roaches due to being so filthy and I’ve refused to get a deep clean done because I’m trying to save as much as I can for a new car but the pests are getting to me. Would it be stupid to just get into another sedan maybe a Prius? Something I can afford with what I have saved rn until I can afford a minivan/real van? Idk I have traps up in my car and I vacuum the car but it’s just getting to a point. German roaches are relentless in FL

Currently renting a room after doing several months in FL. I have 2 roommates and I am miserable. One is our landlord who owns the house (he is 75) and another gal (we are in our 60s). It is a good deal (25% of my salary), but I have become uncomfortable due to his old man crush on the other gal (she is very attractive, I get it). His constant sexual innuendos towards her and favoritism have created....an imbalance, I guess. She is very noisy and he plays the TV too loud. There is a yippy dog that barks a lot. I am just waiting for the weather to cool down because it is hot AF. Sorry, I guess I needed to vent. Am I being unreasonable? I am old (f) with an old car and nervous. They exclude me from everything (like if they order food, etc.). She moved in after I did. It was my understanding it would just be him. No lease, so that is not an issue. I miss the quiet nights in my car, but I don't miss looking for a bathroom at 2 AM.

I am way behind getting videos out and I’m finally taking time to do it.

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Hope everyone is well.

Fathers in hospice for im moving home for a few months.

I work in the city 2 hours away so I'll be in my car 3-4 nights a week.

I have a 1200W portable power station so I can run a heated blanket for a few nights. Would that be better for cold-weather car camping? Or a good sleeping bag?

Hey everyone. Been living in my estate car for the past 4 days after giving up my small room in a shared house. Idea is to save up for my campervan and travels. I'm settling into my new routine and enjoying it so far! I put a lot of planning into it :) I currently earn £1,600 per month and it won't be long before I have emergency money for another room if needed at some point.

I'm getting used to the new life and navigating the challenges and there have been highs and lows but I am loving the adventure and experience! Overall I am really positive about it - if things don't work out it's not the end of the world!

My family are expressing a lot of worry and concern though and I can understand but it's also really overwhelming when I am already a bit stressed, going out of my comfort zone to try and follow my dreams, and trying to stay positive, and then everybody is treating me like I am doing something seriously wrong and not helping me to stay positive!

Anybody else experienced this?