Reflecting On Two Years Living In My Car | Advice For Would Be Car Dwellers 

I’m 6’7” tall and can barely fit in my car let alone sleep in it. I’d have to get a different vehicle. Maximum respect to you for not only doing this but making the very best of it. You are thriving not just surviving. You work out, take good care of your personal hygiene, eat good food, read and entertain yourself. To me it’s very impressive. I’m a new subscriber and am enjoying the channel.

By far your best video yet. Seems like you've conquered a lot of fears on this journey and being able to stay sober certainly has given you strength to do that. When someone was a binge drinker life I was, and you've said you were as well, when someone finds a way to slay that demon everything seems easier. You've also stayed humble which is just as important. And BTW, congrats on your sobriety. I just hit 5 years sober a few days ago and what a better life it is. Thanks for these videos, they inspire me!!!😎

Congratulations on your sobriety! How i wish my ex husband could have done that. The 3 kids and I weren't enough to get him to quit. He ended up passing away homeless living in a church parking lot. No car. He was drinking both alcohol and hand sanitizer. It was a fatal cocktail. I have faith in you. You can and will beat that demon. It's just not worth it. Prayers for you 🙏

God bless you. I slept in my car for six months straight and it was one of the most peaceful times of my life. No worries. No stress. No bills. And I got to spend a lot of time with God and realize that God was protecting me. I was very respectful of where I slept. Thank God for Walmart and Sam Walton the founder of Walmart who allowed people to stay in the parking lot overnight. I slept at campgrounds and Walmart and target parking lot. I joined the gym and showered and exercise at the gym. I had no worries. Just stay close to God and trust in God and he will protect you and provide for you and when the time comes for you to get another home, he will get you the best place for your budget and your lifestyle. God bless you.

Hallelujah!!! I love your testimony. I just started this journey. It's not by choice. But staying in scripture gets me through. I refuse to live in fear also. I live in Psalm 91. Blessings to you 🙏 ~ 🦋

I have lived in my minivan on and off for a few years in the past and it was, at times, miserable. But EVERYTHING regarding the misery was because I just did not prepare properly or use my energies to get myself organized better. This way of living can be such a gift if you are willing to just figure it out and you don't spend every second feeling bad for yourself (I am referring to myself). I thought I would just move into my van and I wouldn't have any problems and that is just not how life works. It can truly feel like a home and you have a tremendous amount of freedom. You just have to give yourself the grace to figure it out. After paying rent I want to move back into my car!! Congratulations on your sobriety and ability to make this happen!

Fellow Rhode Islander here, about to embark in the next 2 weeks! Subscribed!

Happy 2 yrs Bren. You made the right decision to not become a snowbird. Your a better Dad because of it.

The love you have for your son is so apparent. You are a great dad. Thanks for sharing such an inspirational talk. A great vlog! God Bless!

This is the kind off guy everyone should aspire too shape into, big heyyy🎉 from the UK, cool guy 😎🇬🇧

Really contemplating doing this. Everyone thinks I’m crazy and can’t do it. I do have a FT 9- 5 job so have been trying to figure out how that would work ….your definitely an inspiration ❤ 🤗

I love car and van life content. Yours is one of my favorites because it seems so sincere! I would recommend this channel to anybody starting off car life. If I didn’t have 4 kids, I’d probably do it. I’m still really wanting to save money to convert a van for me and my kids to travel the states comfortably. I’ve also been looking into the van top tents. I have to first save more money then next grow some balls (so nervous)😂😂 my goal is to have it done in 3 years.

365 times it says in the Bible " do not be afraid." I figure that's one for each day!

I am in RV park right now. Living in RV. And i hate this. I have no freedom. I am trapped here. I am selling rv and going back to van life. I love to have no obligations. I am working full time. I don't want to pay any more any rent. Never. Screw that

I appreciate you giving us your knowledge and experience for others who might've made the same mistakes without your intervention. I've been prepping myself for vehicle living for months, but it was only when I saw another video of yours that I got over my bias of "ohh I'll be fine, I have 4 blankets!" and gave in and bought a good 0 degree bag. I've been without a vehicle or place to stay before and the thing I fear the most in vehicle life is the cold. For some reason, I completely shaded logic from myself after watching hundreds of videos and thinking I would be fine if I just bundled up enough, or brought enough blankets, or went south enough. That came crashing down once my nice southern desert city finally got its winter freeze and had lows down to 20 degrees with little reprieve in the days that brought 15+ mph freezing winds. The cold slapped that thinking right outta my head. I have the very warm sleeping bag, thanks to you. now I'm on the search for a good affordable winter coat. I've also found out wearing three thin sweatshirts and fleece jackets will not protect me against the bitter winds. I was watching some videos of this person who lives in a honda element and she sleeps in the mountains of idaho for her winters. I was like, "oh! she looks very warm let me click some keys on my computer and find her very warm nice looking coat that warms her in -10 degrees. dee de dee" OH MY GOD. 800 DOLLARS. My skeleton wanted to jump out of my skin!! Do you recommend the winter coat you said you don't use much anymore? I'm not sure what brand it is, but I get cold easily and if it works in NJ it should be just fine in the desert as long as the quality up to par and the product is affordable. Thanks for bringing sense to my mind when my intuition failed. Sh*t happens, but it would have been a very stressful first week or two out if you hadn't been kind enough to give others your knowledge. Everything will be okay.

I never thought of anyone sleeping in their vehicle at Walmart until I started watching these kind of videos. I can now tell sometimes but I am focused on other things like getting my stuff and getting home.

I just hit my 2 year car life journey on Feb 20th but also did 8 months another recent time in my life.

Good to hear that most Walmarts go easy on the "no overnight parking" issue. I'll try it out. I've been using Crackerbarrel Restaurants which have a solid policy of welcoming travelers to stay overnight. Also, rest areas in CT and VT are good. I've used Wallingford and Danbury CT and Guilford VT for overnights in my Outback. Happy New Year, Bren!

Great video, my friend! Happy two years 🫶🏼

So glad you and your son have each other. ❤ Hope this next year brings you happiness and prosperity!

Agree with feeling bit nervous but very exhilarated. Appreciate your channel 🎉

BEST OF LUCK IN 2024 !!! 🎉♣

You are doing a great job. Your head is in the right place ❤️

I LIKE YOU ☺I"m thinking you are a RI and you're an inspiration to me !

Such great encouragement! Your vlogs are so helpful. As a Mass. resident your sharing has been in 2:19:15 valuable to me as I anticipate the dive into vanlife when my “ducks” line up. Congratulations on your progress in life. Keep it up😊

Holy is your name. We cry holy to the lamb that was slayed. Holy is his name❤

Just started watching. Your personality is hilarious. You the "boys" got it going on. Love that bowl cover! Go to sleep peacefully every night with the thought of how much money you SAVED from paying rent! Love your attitude. When you use lotion, put some on your arms outside and INSIDE. Wrinkles will show up later in down the road! Trust me. I'm 71. A grandmother advice: stay well. If you're not wiping down each handle of the exercise stuff you use or wiping down your hands after going to Planet Fitness, you should. Wipe down that steering wheel and your car door handle too. I know. I nag. Do it! Keep saving too!

Really awesome video ! Congrats on 2 years living in the car (I just hit my 1 year !) and congrats on the sobriety 🖤

Mummy bag! 😊 I appreciate you answering our noob questions. We’re gonna get better at this. Bet.

It was a very honest and heart touching speech.Wishing you well on your journey..

God bless us all. Thank you for the video

You really touched my heart today watching your videos. Proud of you more than you know.❤

Excellent insights Bren! Keep your trust in God alone. Happy new year! Russ

I, sincerely believe, any purpose-driven journey taken, needs to begin with wise counsel and thoughtful planning. No one can prepare you for your unique, personal experiences; but, wise counsel and thoughtful planning surely softens the brunt of every productive hardship. Surprisingly, I have learned, I can choose to go through difficulty, only if it is actually going to produce the required steadfast characteristics and strength needed, in order for every growth to become spiritual wealth for me, others, and others alike.

Thanks for sharing your story...so far.

God has your back

Lol you are funny good sense of humor and awesome positive person All good thing not everybody knows how to live Enjoying your videos I car camp and deliver door dash I have a home and camper so always windup back to my car I can travel and work I enjoy hiking congratulations on sobriety and a happy life hard to come by you have and are finding your way

Thanks for sharing Bren. Good info an advice for people starting out or thinking about car life living. Have a great New Years!! 🔵🔵🔵

Sobrierty and clear minded is important, i see you took things slowly but surely knowing it gets 100% better with time. Incredible big respect mate

Proud of you Bren! Keep it going. You got this. Safe travels.

I've lived in my car just under the amount of time you have. If I were to do RU-vid, it would sound EXACTLY like yours does. You are spot on! I learned one day at a time, like you. You use the things I do, buy the things I've bought, and do the "stealth thing" just like I do. I couldn't ever share my experiences like you do, but I sure wish I had your videos when I startedout. Best channel to learn how to do this.

Great advice!! Learn as you go, give yourself some grace. Good luck, be safe. Thanks for taking us on your journey.

Gteat video with so many insightful statements. Ive gone thru many of the same things. Good luck man.

Great video Bren. Fear holds us back, whether real or imaginary. The first part of Isaiah 41:10 says "Do not be afraid, for I (God) am with you."

Well done brother!

Great insightful video thank you. Keep up brill vids thanks

Dude, you are inspiring! Keep doing your best!

Very helpful advice. Thankyou

God bless you, Sir.

Great video! All the the best always!

I have the same mummy bag and it is a game changer. I went camping up in the mountains in April not knowing that it gets pretty cold up there. It was cold and miserable. Bought the mummy bag and was nice and warm the second time up there.

I admire you! Big hug!

Wow thank you ! I’m about to start truck life in a couple months. This video was so helpful! Thank you

You are the real deal and unashamed to share your faith. Thank you!

Good video.. enjoyed watching! Good information too.

There are apps that tell you free overnight camping. Van lifers use them.

your so right!!!!

Thank you for sharing! May God bless you and keep you!!

I like your truth!! God bless you. Just keep the faith

Great video ❤

Im happy your still sober you are grounded hang with god and great things follow all the best to you

Faith over Fear!

Thank you for your great video Bren and Happy New Year! I wish you success in all your endeavors!

Bro Im so touched by your story, ive stumbled upon your channel. I hope you have lots of success and happiness going forward.

Great video! Thanks for sharing 👍 Walmart was my 1st place to sleep in my car. I was very comfortable with all the big rigs around me. It was in the back of the Wal-Mart. Stay safe out there. See ya in the next video 😊

Happy New Year!!!

super great video, love your channel! @9.00 in video so funny! I never laughed so hard about the Dude!

Just started watching 2 or 3 of your videos and subscribed. 🤗🤗 Love your peaceful attitude and hopeful outlook on life. So happy for your sobriety and finding a relationship with God. 🙌🏿🙌🏿 I especially love that your relationship with your son is so important to you that you put your own comfort out of your mind. God is definitely keeping you. I will add you into my prayers 🙏🏾🙏🏾 Tracey from San Diego, California

I’m so happy to hear you say you have a relationship with God. I pray for continued success with your sobriety journey and I hope you will always stand firm in your faith because I know that is the only way I can do life. God bless.

Good for you always keep your faith in God is all you need I'm praying for you much love from Michigan ❤️🙏

I'm going back and watching all your videos❤

Bless you Bren x Hi from new Zealand. Love your content and advice 😊😊

Great video. Can you show us how you use the jackery?

Hi Bren. I just subbed a couple days ago. Your channel came up and it looked interesting to me. I have been watching a lot of car/van living channels. I am amazed at how well it’s done. I am older but it still sounds good to me. I realize it’s a huge learning curve but would love doing it I think. Maybe down the road a little more. I am also a believer and trying not to live in fear. Such a crazy world right now. 😮 God does not want us to live in fear. So hallelujah to that! I also love watching you deliver with Uber eats. You stay busy but it’s a great way to make some money. Anyways, I will be watching all your vids. Keep on going and be safe. God bless 😊

You are so amazing!

Getting a feel for the place is huge. From my job in my town, I could easily camp one night at a time in at least ten different places just because I am out and about for pretty much my whole work day. Thinking some of those ideas will do me well in the future, just as a general idea of what to look for in any town. (trying to comment on all the vids of yours I watch, hope that helps)

I was sleeping in my cas for three monts in the pst, but i hav a private parking spot. even thath way is VERY chalenging. I remember just sleeping in the street for 3 nights. The ammount of mindset required is huge. You got a new follower sir, and god bless you men.

Thank you

❤ from Canada 🇨🇦

Well done

Smart.

Some churches might allow overnight car camping. I saw a new story about them in Southern California. Perhaps there are some on the east coast with all the churches over there. I would think those are safer than non-wal-mart shopping centers, maybe?

Wao brother your words hit home. My concern for living in my car is my son. Im in Floria

Does being in the winter dark, alone, for hours every night before falling asleep, ever get to you? That's the only thing I'm really nervous about. When it gets dark at 5pm, that's alot of dark hours to kill every night.

When I see someone like you in a Walmart parking lot, I just assume you are on a road trip and had to pull over to get some sleep so you could be safe.

Yes i got that they came with electric heating usb conection. 12 v. The blankes

9.15 The dude abides. PS great men also cry.....

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🙌💈

Good video

Lol "crush head with a cinderblock"

Hi Bren, Thank you for your informative and handful videos. I had a few question, nothing serious just some trivia. Could you please share, which bank is the best for GIG work using an LLC overall? What bank do you use that could link well to SPARK app?

Anyway, people don't have to stay in any particular place. If it's cold, travel to a warmer climate unless you're tied down to a job. Be a snowbird and move to comfortable places as the seasons change. But if you are employed and don't want to quit your job and work remotely, then you have a problem and need to make sure you can heat and cool your vehicle, especially overnight.

IDK how far you are from a marina you can get a sailboat and have grid tied power regular place to shower. I see live board boats 30'+ slip rent as low as $400 a month here in Louisiana.

A relationship with GOD yes he will protect the ones who love him. Good video I really enjoyed it.

Remember God gives his fights to his strongest people. You are Strong and you are chosen. God is perfect in using our mess to use it as a message. Keep the Faith up And know great things are ahead of you Stay Blessed!!

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I've been living in a car for almost five years and I think I can safely say that this should only be approached as a temporary solution to a housing problem, and definitely not as a lifestyle. I see a lot of RU-vid videos of people living the so-called "Van life" who present it as being an awesome lifestyle when in fact it's nothing like that for most people. It's a grind ...

😊

Hey Bren - are you finding you’re managing to build up savings quite well without rent/power bills etc? I guess it’s really only your gas, car insurance and food is all you have to pay for really huh!