Oh, the reason is that while I keep getting suggestions to go to the food bank, the bulk of it still requires refrigeration and preparation. Pretty hard to do in a car. Less difficult in a van, much easier in an RV.

Well, obviously you'd need to get non-perishable things like canned goods, and maybe pasta/rice/instant potatoes if you have a means for cooking. Don't look at one problem aspect as an insurmountable wall keeping you from doing anything.

Great idea, he could get cup ramen etc use hot water and at least it’s a meal! I should have thought of that. Some places I think even sell some good auto heat ramen pots that just need water to activate like an MRE

As I said, I don't have any cooking facilities. Not even a folding table to put a gas stove on.

Hot water gas station as I said don’t need anything more.

Not just that a small fold out table and a mini gas cooker and a pot barely takes up any space and would be like $30 for all of it.
Heck you wouldn't even need a table, just find a wall somewhere.
My parents often took bacon with a small frying pan and the small camping stove to make bacon sandwiches or heat up cans of soup.
Heck even potatoes cut up and doing fries in it with a small bit of bacon fat , burger fat or veg oil.

And dollar stores I know sell reasonable cheap utensils thus he could get some fork knives etc and a small pan or soup pot for about 2 meals price or sell few originals he’s sat on over a month proving the 144 ish scans to sell. Times ticking esp with winter id be selling fast to scrap every penny. (He’ll I’m trying to do that myself w all my stuff for sale atm to for lord knows how long w hubs former bills. I’m looking into assistance thru state etc but takes time till then I’m in sell sell mode as I’d hope he is to)

I do have a butane cartridge stove,

Rv and truck gas would be far more $ than a car tho. Your best option would be first sell the scans get some stability find a pt job or something for income and save up. It sucks yes but if you apply yourself and get some stuff up I am rooting for your success to get out of this slump.

Costs a lot to buy, costs a lot to run, costs a lot to repair, costs lots to insure, costs a lot to park (you can stealth camp in a car much easier than a rv).
If it was me, I'd just rip out some of the back seats and use a bit of plywood to make the back of the estate car into a decent bed, go find anywhere that I can get access to showers, and park somewhere. From there you have everything you really need, just find any job regardless if its a few hours a week but just to get money for food etc untill you can get back on your feet.

All super ideas - I would def do same

That's why option one was a trailer or camper with a towing vehicle, but no matter what I need I somehow always am wrong for needing it.

Not wrong just pointing out ways to accommodate with current vehicle. You’re in no safe position to get another vehicle atm . Your best bet is to adjust current to acclimate your needs . Far cheaper to.

No ones saying your wrong for wanting it, im just pointing out the negatives in what you have now and what you wanted.
Like a small van if you can get a good trade for your car would be great since it can be stealth parked without you getting in trouble since you can hide that your living in it.
Long term wise if youd rather an rv go for it but youd need an income to support it.
Short term a bit of plywood, a camping stove, some silver foil for the windows to keep the heat in and an electric blanket, a bit of foam for a mattress and boom you got a comfy place to sleep and eat for under $100

Oh, I've watched my share of van life videos, that's why my first option is a van. If it's beefy enough, I could even tow a trailer to live in. Either a van or a pickup truck. Then I can get a truck bed camper. In either case the gas costs can be minimized. And unlike a motorhome, if I suffer a breakdown, I can swap the vehicle rather than scrap everything.

Well towing typically adds extra to the insurance and depending on where you live it can be quite a lot.
Again id just spend like $100 and do up your car, you spent a fair bit on it so it should last you a good while.

Depends how much it costs to fix.

Well on that point how do you plan to fund either your car or you van etc?
Have you got any plans for a job or an income stream?

Not many jobs for 50+ yos, agism unfortunately is a very real thing. Also, living in my car doesn't allow much space for clothing, shy of the paid showers at Flying J, not much hope for hygiene. Hence the need for a van at least.

Well do you really need a car?
Wouldnt it be cheaper to get a tent and stuff like that?
You cant or i should say you shouldnt depend on charity till your 90…

What you need is income. What you should do is post the scans and save up. Hit anything job wise even fast food for part time work. I know ca has some better pay even than Texas for fast food. Even getting 20 hours a week will be better than zero and having to continue scratching. I’m 48 with severe issues inc spine and shoulder issues but even I’m debating pt to get anything spare outside my posts of sales. ESP w my back breaking debts from hubs cancer I’m trying to just make ends meet for anything past basics. Prices here are nasty your in a state that’s even worse. Hell my aunt n uncle moved here from ca due to prices. You need to invest in yourself and find a good pt job minimum to survive there. And I’d save up to gtfo to a cheaper state when you can hon!

Post the new scans. Put a pen or such beside for prooof of it being original type up description n bank some cash
Oh duh and ship tee hee.

Buy a coat. You don't do anything with your car anyways.

Considering the situation just north of us, I would have to say a vehicle replacement is a low priority. 100K evacuated, and the Hollywood sign is close to burning.

Yeah I worry w the fires you n crew need to evacuate please