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This story is about a KL man who took being a digital nomad to the next level by living in his car.
Living in a car was never something I envisioned for myself.
However, it is with shame that I had to borrow money from my mom, my boss, my best friends, my colleagues, and ask my boss thrice for an advance payment of my salary just to survive.
The reason is because I was saddled with a debt of over RM100,000 after getting into near-bankruptcy last year.
Living in a car to save money
One day, I was browsing Youtube when I chanced upon a video titled Living In A Car To Save Money. As someone who was left with just RM50 to survive one week until payday, I was hooked.
I went down the rabbit hole and started researching the topic. My total transportation bill easily reaches up to RM800 a month, because I drive 60 km to work with 3 tolls in between.
That’s when I had a lightbulb moment. I was sick of constantly borrowing money from others. If I could save even just RM 800 a month, I’m in!
As it turns out, there isn’t much you need to convert a car into a living space.
Here’s what you need:
- A mattress that fits perfectly in the back of your car
- Portable fans
- Portable air circulation vent
- Power generator to charge your laptop, phone, fans, air vent, and misc items
- Tinted car windows
- A car with seats that can flatten out (usually a compact SUV)
I still remember the first time I slept without a mattress pad – it was painful!
Finding a place to park and sleep in KL is a challenge
One of the most challenging aspects of car life is finding a suitable place to park and sleep each night. That’s why most YouTubers call Car Camping/Car Life ‘urban stealth camping,’ as you do not want to attract unwanted attention.
Unfortunately, car camping is extremely new in Malaysia, so there were also locations with too many curious onlookers observing me as I set up my mattress. It’s a continuous learning process, and I often must be prepared to move if a location doesn’t feel right.
Here are the best places to park your car in KL:
- Near a mamak restaurant (access to food and toilet facilities)
- A 24-hour KK Mart (access to anything you need to buy)
- Near your office (so you can just walk to the office)
- Near a gym (for showering, toilet use, and workouts anytime)
Fortunately, I found a spot where I am literally in the middle of all four convenient spots!
And the biggest lesson I learnt – Never, ever park your car far from the nearest toilet – trust me, you don’t want to make the same mistake I did!
My daily routine
After work, I grab dinner, then prepare my car for sleep. My daily routine involves finding a quiet, safe spot to park for the night.
Safety is a major concern, so I always make sure that the car is locked from the inside, and I keep a police baton and metal shield within reach. When sleeping, usually, I leave the windows open about 3 inches to let some air in.
In the morning, I am gently awakened by sunshine, and I go hiking/walking for an hour, head to the gym, then shower and get into my office clothes before entering the office.
For bathroom needs, I usually rely on public restrooms at gas stations, malls, gyms, the office toilet, or 24-hour mamaks. It’s not ideal, but it’s manageable. For hygiene, I have a gym membership, which I primarily use for showering facilities.
I can drive across Asia and sleep anywhere
There are multiple stories of people compelled to live in their cars, such as the Kajang couple who lived in their car.
But I never thought that I myself would also have to live in my car. Although I have a stable income in the low 5-figures, my lifestyle still aligns more with the B40 of Malaysians. It’s a stark contrast that often leaves me pondering the unpredictable turns of life.
There is still a huge social stigma attached to living in one’s car – that of poverty and desperation. I mean, I would also judge someone if they were living in their own car, but now that I am living this life myself, I understand why.
Despite the challenges, I’ve found a sense of freedom in this lifestyle. I can literally CAMP anywhere in KL, Melaka, or Penang! Or why just Malaysia, what if I were to drive all the way to Thailand, Vietnam, and China, with accommodation already settled?
Car camping is not just about saving money; it’s also about re-evaluating what’s essential in life and finding contentment in simplicity.
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The post I Was Forced to Live in My Car After Getting Into RM100,000 Worth Of Debt appeared first on In Real Life.
