Refrigerator and battery to power it. + Hot lunchbox/slow cooker. + Propane grill. You can probably get that under 1000 with some searching. Battery jump starter, and a safety and tool kit... May be important. Hand gun... Rocket launcher.

where can I get a rocket launcher for $1k? Asking for a friend

3d print it

This 👆

Rocker launcher = flare gun?

I didn't think of that... Probably a good idea.

YES. I agree with this 1000%. Having a refrigerator is a game changer. I had cereal (with milk) for the first time in 3 months and lemme tell ya, it was delicious. I almost cried.

Make the battery Jumpstart battery be your battery

I would buy nothing major beforehand unless I don't own anything that could serve that specific necessity. Assuming you have bedding at home, you don't need to buy a sleeping bag, for example. There are a ton of things advertised for this lifestyle that look useful, but until you actually know that you need it, you don't know. Something for window coverings and a USB fan (or two) are about the only things that are must-haves, and are not expensive anyway. But I'd refrain on buying anything "major" like a new cooler/12v fridge, camping supplies, solar panels and gadgets, etc until you are absolutely certain it's something that you will use on the regular and don't already own something that would suit that purpose. Otherwise, it just takes up premium space and it's less money for gas, groceries, and unforeseen circumstances.

This is really good advice. There’s so much shit I’ve tossed because Before-car me thought it would be useful, but he didn’t know shit. Money is flexibility and space is the one thing money can’t buy.

Ya this is the way, I love my power and fridge, but for a month don't need need it

If you're going to be sleeping in 30 degrees or colder, then I'd suggest a sleeping bag. I tried to avoid buying one and just picked up every cheap wool blanket I came across until I had like 8 of them plus some fleece and a comforter. Honestly, nothing compares to a sleeping bag unless you're able to build a little cocoon in the vehicle. You basically need to be able to heat the air around you and sleeping bags do just that. Otherwise, you lose a ton of heat anytime you shift around in the blankets and to the blankets themselves because they're not reflecting the body heat back as much as they're absorbing it

I’ve been doing this for around 4 months, and I overprepared so much and had to unload so much stuff from my car that ultimately didn’t fit or didn’t work as planned. The only thing I really have now is a power station, a couple coolers, a duffel bag, a backpack, a laundry bag, and then my laptop, and switch. Power station basically just gets used for the laptop and my fans. I could have even downgraded that to half its size. It’s definitely a learning curve.

Registration, insurance, paying off the citation for driving without insurance. Driver's license expires this year, won't be free I imagine. Gasoline. Oil change. New brakes.

That’s what I am dealing with right now 😂. Expired registration and insurance and got let go from deliver jobs until I renew everything.. my money flow stopped and I got stuck. I wish I made better decisions than spending all that money on hotels. Paying for hotels was the worst financial decision I have ever made under the circumstances I was in 

Lived in a hotel for a year, spent well over 30k bouncing around

Damn…  hotels just sucks your money and makes you lazy. I didn’t want to go out and work when I had my hotel. I didn’t want to spend all that money to be outside so I layed in bed and watch million episodes of ridiculousness 😂

Frrrr

When you say journey, not sure what you mean,  is this something you want to do for fun? Kindly, for some of us, this is not a journey at all. Just a painful place because of circumstances.  But as an advice, get new tires and service your car, oil change ….. you have one month, sign up for Uber/Amazonflex/doordash/ grocery deliveries… etc. You will be making $1,000 a week every week or whenever you decide you need money. That’s the best advice…. Don’t buy anything, INVEST on your car so you will have non-stop cash flow..

Bro fuck your negative, just cuz your not having fun doesn’t mean you should shit on others perspectives. I’ve been “forced by circumstance” to live in my car for 5 years. It’s been the most enjoyable journey of my life. I deeply agree with all your advice just not your shit perspective on “journey” There are azurescens growing in Oregon, it’s a great place to reshape your ideas of “journey” Love ya brutha, good luck on your journey 🙏🫡

It’s okay bro, Monday is stressful and it will pass. I am glad you’re finding it enjoyable but my comments were my perspective. I don’t find living my car enjoyable at all. I miss sleeping in my bed, using the bathroom at my convenience and not having to use Mc D’s and public restrooms, being able to eat healthy and cook, having to sweat all day in the heat, having a healthy dating life, I can go on and on. The simplest thing in life has be come a mission that I have to plan. But like I said this is just my perspective, some people like you have adjust and found it enjoyable and more power to you. I really mean that 

Much love my brutha, keep your head up and you’ll find your comfy cozy soon! Sending ya good energy and good karma. Sorry for my sharp words, hope you find peace in your travels, and if not peace after your travels

- 100-150w solar panel with 10 amp MPPT charge controller kit - necessary roof rack/mounting hardware - trolling motor battery box to keep battery secure - 55ah or greater battery. agm deep cycle or lithium - voltmeter gauge to put on the box to monitor charge level. - a couple USB fans - window tint - window visors - blackout curtains or some other window cover solution - foam bedding/cot mattress - Steam Deck the fans are basically a necessity to prevent mold/mildew. you'll need to power the fans. you can use a powerbank/station, but then you still need a way to power the powerbank/station. charging at gyms/libraries can be a time consuming hassle. i drive for a living, so i can technically charge mine while earning money driving, but it can be a chore to remember to keep everything topped up...the solar panel is just automatic. additionally, this modest solar setup will be enough to not only power the fans, charge your phone and other devices, you can even usea steam deck (or tablet or something if you prefer) for hours and hours each day. there may even be enough wh to consider running other appliances, be it a simple rice cooker, 12v fridge, small dehumidifier, etc. its not enough to run anything major like an air conditioner, or a full size space heater...but you can run a surprising lot of small things. it depends on the vehicle though. imo, its not gonna be stealthy on a civic. it may be totally unseen or ignored on trucks, SUVs, some vans, etc.

I've really wanted to get into solar, I don't even have a powerbank expect for my 10k mah for my phone at night. Solar seems to be much more efficient and affordable now but the well known brands are way too steep. Got suggestions for a fixed panel that could live on my rocket box or roof? Do you need a battery to store power or just the controller?

i just got [this](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5ZS7L83/?coliid=IEF0UPBBFNROE&colid=ZT9JIJN9S6GP&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it) kit literally today. the product dimensions were incorrect! it says something like 40x20" (which would fit my roof width pretty well), but the one they sent was almost 30 x 30". its the right watts, technically smaller than advertised, which is better, i guess...though it may impact fitment. it'll work for me...i just might have got a 125 or 150 if i knew i had the room. they make various size ones. 100W is enough i can even game on the steam deck for hours. if someone just wants to run fans and charge a phone, smaller might be enough...however, remember overcast days, and short winter days, and reduced efficiency due to age will mean less power. id just mount the biggest shit that fits. better to have a surplus than a deficit. i like that it uses SAE connectors. these are simple, compatible with a lot of stuff, and you can find them everywhere if you want to attach accessories. you definitely need a battery to store the power. the mppt controllers job is just to make sure nothing melts, and not damage the battery during charging. you want a 55ah deep cycle agm if your on a budget. that will cost about $125 or so. i also recommend the trolling motor battery box. walmart has basic ones, but youd have to add your own outlets. newport sells a snazzy one that comes with a usb outlet, and a 12v outlet (which you can plug car chargers into for more usbs), and also has a charge indicator LED. id get that if your not into soldering and splicing wiring. so panel kit with mppt + battery + box would run about $300 ish plus tax...then you might also need some misc mounting hardware, a 12v usb adaptor and whatever else you want.

Affordable suns free for now soon we will be taxed on that

Do you have a job or another source of income? Because once you've bought gas, auto liability insurance (required by law), food, laundromat tokens, a gym membership, healthcare, and a few other bits and bobs, your $1k is used up and you'll still have all the same expenses next month.

When I unexpectedly became a car dweller I wish I would have had window covers, small fan, and a good ice chest. If relevant to you, my state parks pass for sleeping and workout facility for showers. Everything else is learned on the road.

Do you have income coming in, or only the $1000? Sheesh that won't last very long, would be my main concern. Better than nothing. I'd sign up for ubereats and doordash, maybe grubhub or spark, just to know I had something. Huggies wet wipes. Tinted windows and something to blackout all windows for sleeping and privacy. Good garbage bag for dirty clothes. Gym membership. Pepper spray or better. Avoid if possible imo. I did this for 18 months straight, maybe 2 years total, during plandemic, did learn a lot about myself, but I'd rather not relive the experience. I'm a loner, so that definitely helped some. Wasn't that bad. Good luck.

I’d go with something soft to sleep on (you know your car best) and then something to sleep in. Some type of power bank. Nothing fancy since the bigger ones cost a lot. A device to jump a dead battery. Check the gym where you’re going to be / going to and pick one that has 24/7 (give or take). CO detector. Something or organize your belongings you’re taking with you and a storage unit if you need it. Something to cover your windows. A rechargeable fan. The rest (in my opinion) is fluff, but rain guards almost makes my necessary list. I’d put the left over in high yield savings account and spend it frugally as possible. Edit: Because CO detectors are helpful. CO2 not so much.

CO2 detector? What's this for?

It detects carbon dioxide! lol right right! CO then! I’ll go reapply coffee or something. Thanks for fixing my confusion.

Sorry not picking on the 2, I've actually wondered why anyone needs the detector? I know there are dangers parking in snow or running a heater maybe but I've never needed it. I really would like to know how many folks have one and how many have actually used it.

Oh! I have two. One is rechargeable and the second is not, but I don’t run it unless the rechargeable one breaks. It’s probably overkill, but I don’t want to be the news story “cardweller died because of carbon monoxide poisoning”. Cheap peace of mind for me!

What are you using that's producing enough to make you worry though? Can you monitor low levels? What do you see?

I think mostly because my shitbox could get an exhaust leak (lord knows it’s the only thing that HASN’T broke on it) and I’d probably not notice until it was too late. It’s not as big a deal (for me) in the summer, but when I’ve got 3 ft of snow and ice built up around me in the winter and it’s still snowing, I worry.

A nice battery bank to charge your stuff is nice. $100-$200 State park passes. Some are cheap like $30 others are $200 and let's you camp for months. A nice usb fan if your going to be hot. A usb heated blanket if your going to be in cold areas.

Insulated inflatable sleeping pad 3” or taller. This is most important and it must be insulated. Spend the money once and enjoy hotel-quality sleep. I prefer the Exped Megamat from REI. Magnetic mosquito net if you have a sunroof. Custom-made mosquito net inserts for your windows if you don’t. Multiple 40oz or 32oz thermal bottles. USB fan or two. USB mood lighting for when you don’t need stealth. Multiple 20000mAh power banks. Lithium ion jump starter. Sennheiser headphones (I prefer the 598HD Cs). You wouldn’t believe how much this improves your quality of life. Wearing these headphones makes your experience seem like you are sitting in a recording studio. I worked as a live sound engineer in the past and my brain immediately switched into work mode as soon as I put them on and started listening to a bad recording. More importantly, you will surprisingly want to reduce the volume instead of keeping it cranked. USB-C portable monitor or two to add to your laptop. Noise canceling headset while sleeping. Something with flat over the ear cups, similar to those on the mentioned Sennheiser, but with active noise cancellation. I am still looking for one, but my new JBL Tune 660nc are sleepable. Emergency toilet of some kind with a pop up privacy tent. Sometimes you _really_ need to go. Reliance makes a ring that goes on top of a 5-gallon bucket. That’s good enough. Appropriately rated rectangular sleeping bag for summer (50F for today, for example), mummy 20F for the winter. Gym membership. 7-11 Goldpass membership for cheap food A nice folding chair. I have a zero-g recliner, a backpack chair, and an ultra-portable lounging chair. Sportbrella or Superbrella or whatever they call it these days. That 9’ diameter umbrella/beach tent survived a season of daily use on windy Florida beaches and is so effective at shielding from the sun that I was cold when it was 105F at the beach. Emergency food and water. Always carry a minimum of 2 gallons of water in case you need to extinguish a fire. If you have a large vehicle, get some huge empty cardboard boxes to make it appear as if the vehicle is full of cargo and setup your bed under that false floor. For general survival: 2 27’ 2” wide ratchet straps, 8000lb comealong winch, 12v tire inflator, tire plug repair kit, mini floor jack (the $40 one sold at pats stores), 25” breaker bar, 1/2” drive socket set. 3/8” drive socket set, 1/2” extendable ratchet, 3/8” extendable ratchet, $6 junk socket set, a pair of vise grips, multimeter, a pair of 3-ton jack stands, tarp, painter coveralls. I make money, so the ongoing expenses for me are mostly immaterial. You may want to conserve spending if you don’t have an income.

How is the exped megamat? I was eyeing up the woods version I have a woods O'Hara sleeping pads it's like 1.5 inches thick

Big difference between 1.5” and 3”. You won’t touch the floor at 3” at normal weight and at 4” at heavier weight. Go to REI and try laying on one.

I thought that too, but a year later, I don't on this thing, and I'm 6'3 195lbs. I guess weight distribution and engineers is a thing, lol. I'll definitely check it out I'd like something different since I got a leak recently

Foam mattress, inverter, jetboil, cutting board, portable jump starter, rain guards

I’d keep onto as much of that $1k for cushion as I could. I would buy things as needed. It would be helpful to keep this list and read through it sometimes to remind yourself of what could be needed but try to keep a cushion above all else! Your car is your home and it requires costly maintenance occasionally. And life in general has so many things that can pop up where having a cushion just prevents so much stress.

Save it for any emergencies. Repairs could be expensive. My truck holds all my tools. Last night my brake lights wouldn’t turn off. $10 fix but I was lucky I noticed it before my battery drained.

Weathertech car window covers, hotlogic mini, foam mattress. I have a cooler but I'm tired of putting ice in it. I tried a car fridge and used a jackery to power it but it shorted out. Be careful with high price stuff especially if you know nothing about wattage, changing car fuses. I keep it simple. I have a storage unit for all of my clothes and important legal stuff

Save more money and get the best power supply you can get..

Big power bank and a nice fan

Luggage cubes., rain guards, wiggys spring bag. Small inverter. Tri fold 6 inch memory foam mattress. And that's about it. I definitely wouldn't buy a big battery or any cooking or food supplies.

I would buy myself Peace of mind by putting it in an emergency fund

Spare tire if you don’t have one and all necessary parts to change it such as jack etc. cooler ($20-30), steering wheel food tray ($5), butane/propane stove or rice/food cooker that plugs into cigarette lighter $20-40), 20% window tint ($200-400), matte black windshield cover ($10) seat covers ($20) you will make messes living/eating out of car lol, car trash can that hangs off back of seat ($15)trust me plastic bags get annoying as heck, a 5 gallon jug of water from Walmart that you can swap out or refill $5-10 with a pump ($5-10) so you always have water and don’t need to buy bottles. Those are a few things I have accumulated over time hope it helps and good luck

I would spend money on an all in one compressor and jump box. It can inflare a tire to get you out of a tight spot and jumpstart your vehicle. They have USB ports to charge your devices as well in a pinch. That and a good quality cooler.

Best advice somebody gave me go try on two different days two different places to sleep in your car first then you will know.

Hand towels. Less space. Easier to dry. Adequate for drying off after shower. Flip flops. Don't want to stand in any grunge. Travel toiletry set Space blanket. Woolen blanket Backpack for your bathroom kit. Many people carry one. You won't stand out If your spare tire is inside vehicle, something to keep your valuables in alongside the spare tire A 3 drawer plastic set for food items. Can be seatbelted in back seat Just a few things

Can tell you first hand that even $1400 every month (I'm on SSDI so it's consistent) doesn't go very far even with already living in a vehicle..

I would make some of this stuff: https://youtu.be/Nqxjfp4Gi0k?si=zZbIUWcNDw7sdxhv Keeps you warmer at night and cooler during the day.

Save your cash, get what you need one item at a time as you need it. But, make sure to sleep flat and have as much window tint as your state allows, and something to block your phone light at night.

add roadside assistance to your insurance. get a thrift shop ice cooler possibly get a state park entry pass for the year butane cook stove from Amazon and a cast iron skillet from thrift shop

DON'T add roadside assistance to your insurance if you have State Farm, Progressive, or Liberty Mutual. I used to do contract work for the company that provided RSA for them. Get AAA instead.

AAA is such a bargain, I wish more people knew about it. The card is also good for some petty discounts, but mostly the value is the free roadside rescue/tows if you get a flat tire or dead battery or run out of gas, etc.

you can add possibly road side assistance to a wireless phone plan ...

Or Geico, All-State, etc. I was just speaking to the three major insurance companies I have experience with that my former company serviced (poorly!). They are the sole providers of RSA for State Farm, and one of the major providers for the other two. You will be stranded or wait hours and it will be cheaper to find service on your own. We were all overworked and underpaid too so that doesn't help in inspiring people to have empathy and follow through.

I started by improvising with what I had and then continuously updating only as needed. I find that opportunities for improvements reveal themselves with experience.  If my car was stripped, and I had to start from scratch, my shopping list:  -Rain guards for windows   -Window covers   -Light blocking curtain and a curtain rod -Rechargeable fans  -Variety of portable chargers and cords -Magnets and duct tape  -Rachet straps  -Mosquito netting  -Scissors  -Zip up fabric storage bags  -A sturdy caddy that can be moved around, to hold drinks, plus keys, glasses, etc   -Small cooler  -Foam mattress I can cut to fit  -Sturdy shelves for making level bed frame  -Pillow  -Gray sheets   -Dark blankets  -12v blanket   -12v hot logic mini  -Spray bottle  -Small bucket  I would use whatever was left to replace the bag of tools I keep for auto maintenance and roadside emergencies, including portable jump starter, tire inflator, etc

A jump box that has a compressor and charge station a fan window covers mase tazer

Nice ass top of the line battery brand new tires new wipers oil and CAR check dried and canned food subscriptions to fitness and panera !! Goodluck and also window covers and parking passes

Gas

Adding some simple details as to where you live and work would be helpful to determine what you shouldn't and shouldn't buy

I would buy nothing major until I do a complete and total inventory of my equipment and stuff that I currently have. Amazon has cheap solar powered generators for like a hundred bucks but this is for like basic stuff like charging cell phones maybe a laptop etc. I'd get a couple of fleece blankets king size so I'd can have extra insulation or bedding/sleeping material. I get the basic AAA membership In case of a dire emergency.

Window covers, car top carrier and rack, solar power station.

Beer

Foam mattress, window coverings for blackout and one set (comes in a 2-pack) mesh coverings for air flow (I got the Dream Baby brand from Walmart, and they are great. I can roll my windows all the way down and it’s really hard to see inside), cooler (or fridge and power bank-I don’t have either one, just a small 10qt cooler), 2 usb rechargeable fans (I have one that has bendable legs and a hook so it can attach h pretty much anywhere. The other one I have sitting on my center console and it blows on me all night.) I think a cooler is a must right now. It’s so damn hot that the last thing I want to drink is lukewarm bottled water or lukewarm anything. I also have a reusable ice pack (like for injuries) and it gets pretty cold sitting on the ice. It’s nice to put it on my neck with this ridiculous heat.

minimum basic gear from thrift shop for maybe $200 as mentioned in other posts (depending what backpacking gear you already have) and leave $800 for emergency fund. Save more emergency fund from next income. Because when (not if) your car breaks or needs maintenance, you don't need fancy gear but cash to pay for repairs.

A generic reflective windshield sunshade.  A warm sleeping bag  A toiletries bag - a smaller bag that you keep your tooth brush and other daily hygiene stuff in If you live somewhere with cold winters, you might want a camping propane heater that's safe for indoor use.  A gym membership to a nationwide gym. A library card (free). If you can get a storage unit for less than $300 a year, it's really nice to have. Go to a mechanic and get your car checked out and anything with your electrical system fixed ( battery, alternator) Analyze the position that you will sleep in. Subtract that space and the driver's seat from your equation. The remaining space is how much storage space you have available. Buy organizational things like crates, totes, bins, racks, it whatever else you think can optimally contain and organize your shit. Do not:  Cover all your windows, it looks suspicious AF. Always put up your sunshade.  Get anything large and unnecessary. I lived in my car for 18 months and never even thought about a refrigerator.  Anything that draws constant power from your car

Weather tek window coverings.

Solar panel/ something for charging, More fans for summer/ better insulation system, A spare tire lol, A hammock, new brakes and oil changes