What It's Really Like Living Out Of Your Car

Thanks DeleteMe! Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to JoinDeleteMe.com/TFC and use promo code TFC.
Chelsea talks to Mitz, who has had to resort to living out of their car after being unable to secure housing. They cover misconceptions surrounding being unhoused, the logistics of living out of your car, money and mental health, and more.
Donate! uscpr.org/give/
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @thefinancialdiet
The Financial Diet site: www.thefinancialdiet.com
Facebook: / thefinancialdiet
Twitter: / tfdiet
Instagram: thefinancia...

[@shashakeit013]

It honestly seemed like this guest wasn’t vetted at all and Chelsea thought this conversation was going to go in a different direction.

[@sara61696]

I agree it seems they need to filter their “real people” guests much more for the future

[@BRBRidingMyHorse]

I'm allergic to pollution? Ok dude.

[@jaydeedearness]

@@BRBRidingMyHorseactually, a growing number of people are. You should read the book ‘Slow Death by Rubber Duck’ to gain some perspective on this. It’s really not a joke.

[@Nerdygoddess]

If I remember correctly, the behavior she is exhibiting is a coping mechanism and she wasn't as comfortable as she thought and the team hoped discussing how bad things are (Insisting that she is fine, but then admitting how dangerous some of the situations she found herself in). I personally also wouldn't feel comfortable explaining to the entire internet why I would feel safer moving into my car and living off the charity of strangers than moving back in with my parents.

[@suebear119]

I just find it pretty sus that they go from saying they have such a supportive family to “oh i can’t move back with my family cause of privacy” to “I can’t move back in with my family cause of safety concerns”. Something just isn’t adding up here for me

[@MKatelynn]

As someone who was homeless before, saying unhoused sounds stupid and is a distraction from the issue. I understand people think it's a nicer term but for someone who experienced it it feels frivolous and unnecessary. Just fix the problem and get past the semantics.

[@kyla8386]

I think that too, it’s like putting a ribbon on a pile of shit, it’s a bad situation no one wants to be in. We don’t need a millennial spin on fucking everything

[@lydia6231]

I agree 💯

[@Bonserak23]

Kind of makes it sound less idk severe LoL, like bruh I literally have to bathe at Walmart.

[@MKatelynn]

@@Bonserak23 that's exactly it. It's almost like it's sanitizing the issue so people feel comfortable and like they're doing something.

[@habersmashery]

I understood it differently. Using ‘homeless person’ can suggest the individual has been lacking or deficient in housing themselves, when actually they are often hugely inventive and resilient in finding shelter. Saying ‘unhoused’ suggests there is a communal/government responsibility to house people,, which is not being met. It shifts the responsibility from the individual to the wider situation and systems they are living in.

[@Rodja.]

Chelsea tried to salvage this as best she could, but this is a person who chose to live in a van and agreed to an interview without actually being willing to say anything coherent about the circumstances that made them choose it.

[@mariusvanc]

Just minutes and minutes and minutes of saying NOTHING.

[@YoYo-gt5iq]

Yeah, I kept commenting because someone had to say SOMETHING. 14 mins and I'm calling it quits.

[@dewilson55]

I agree. She just rambles without clearly answering any questions.

[@M4rkeritaville]

I know this is snarky to say... but Mitz would have been a better fit for the Financial Audit show.

[@brendandoherty2861]

I gave it a chance until the end then I couldn’t take it seriously after she said to donate money to Gaza. I’m not saying it’s not an important cause but it just has absolutely nothing to do with the interview and kinda proves that this is the type of person who chooses to be a victim which I already thought due to the comments about pollution allergy and having a supportive family

[@laprimo21]

As a formerly long-term-homeless person in NYC, there are a lot more compelling stories I'd like to see covered than a very young person with access to large support system. I respect what they've experienced as someone with chronic illness trying to seek housing that won't make them sicker, but I think there is a lot of opportunity here that most homeless/unhoused people don't have access to.

[@krista6538]

I'd definitely be interested in hearing someone like you be interviewed. Being involuntarily homeless vs. someone doing van life voluntarily are...two very different things.

[@TC-8789]

A disability is very very often the reason people become homeless. And having a significant disability often negates the presumed advantages of youth. A collection of stories would be interesting but no one person she picks is going to make all of us seen or heard.

[@emilyh753]

I agree and disagree. I think she was a terrible interview and I do understand why a lot of viewers feel she's "choosing van life" vs experiencing homelessness. My initial reaction was very similar to yours. However I think it's important to understand that she's very, very young and her parents seem to have made some concerning lifestyle choices. Having various polyamorous partners live with their family and bring along their children is just... so chaotic. Potentially so unsafe. I suspect Mitz isn't ready to talk about this and that is part of why this interview felt so off.

[@alejandramoreno6625]

Yes, In this case I feel it's very much a choice.

[@alejandramoreno6625]

​@@emilyh753maybe she cannot bring herself to admit that she's not ok with her family situation because that would seem as prudish or judgemental, but honestly, I think most people would agree that being in the same house with a bunch of adults in a relationship plus their kids is a version of hell.

[@2bitgirly007]

The life choices the guest made for themself are valid but I think the framework of the interview being that of homelessness vs just life in a van made the guest seem out of touch and almost like they viewed being unhoused as a life-affirming sidequest. Understandable why it is rubbing people the wrong way.

[@colleenduffy1139]

I didn't see it as a life affirming sidequest so much as her trying really really hard to be positive and hold onto a friendships in tough circumstances.

[@MissJoyce88]

Usually a fan of your videos but this isn’t it. It really feels like the interview didn’t turn out as expected but you needed to post something as planned.

[@kiterafrey]

She likely had to. Sponsors typically have contracts that you agree to a specific number of videos on specific dates. And, she probably has the sponsorship contract for the podcast specifically, meaning if she couldn't make a new one fast enough it could cost the company money and hurt their other possible contracts with the sponsor. And Chelsea, if nothing else, always makes sure to take care of her employee and make sure they get paid.

[@javelinrivera5280]

I been living in my car for about a year now (in a SCION IM Hatchback). I could honestly only do it because I work four jobs (fast food, gym, clinic, and crisis center) that I see more as places of shelter in exchange for some chores rather than places to make money. The extra money has been nice, and the amount that you save from living this lifestyle is crazy. WiFi from work and library. Household essentials like utensils, garbage bags, paper towels, toilet paper, and so on are provided by work. You get creative with cooking things in a microwave (not just frozen food but like actual cooking like Mug cakes or even boiling pasta in a microwave and heating up sauce and adding frozen veggies). The hardest challenge is definitely the extreme weather in the region you are urban car dwelling in. For me the heatwaves have been horrible, but I am fortunate that one of my jobs (fast food) has a bunch of college student coworkers that have opened their homes for me. Before the heatwaves I would never even consider couch hopping, but my main concern with heatwaves is not myself (since I am usually inside working), but rather my things in my car (electronics, bathroom supplies melting like deodorant and soap, and anything else sensitive to 100+ degree heat). I don't "come out of the trunk" often to people (aka reveal my living situation as living in my car), but you do get to the point where you feel like you are accepted in a specific environment, and can just trust people to treat you regularly. Even though certain circumstances outside of my control led me to live this lifestyle, I am starting to see some of the way this lifestyle has contributed to my growth and to my wellbeing. I am never late for any of my jobs since I just park in the plaza. If I get a knock on my door, I just point to my uniform and tell security I am waiting for my shift. The money I have been saving from not paying rent has been going to more stress management activities that I could never fit into my budget before (massages, spas, saunas, etc.). Doing chores more regularly (especially laundry ... since laundromats provide a nice escape from car living as well). I do plan to retire soon from urban car dwelling, but definitely do not feel the rush to do so at this time. I will definitely be looking forward to having privacy again, and being able to express myself through decorating my home. --- But yeah just wanted to share my experience with living in my car. If you have any specific questions regarding this alternative housing lifestyle feel free to ask respectfully.

[@shannonleonhardt5140]

This comment was more insightful than the entire video. Thank you for posting, and I wish you the best.

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

What’s it like working in the crisis center and the clinic?

[@Spamhard]

Great comment. Better understands the question of the video imo, where opting for car/van living can actuallky be a lifestyle choice over just being about involuntary homlessness. But, at the same time, isn't always a lifestyle choice borne from priviledge, but one we may feel cornered into. I've been considering it on and off myself. I live pretty comfortably with my parents, which I fully acknowledge is a priviledge many don't hold. But mental health issues mean I struggle to hold consistent jobs which means I just have no opportunities to either buy a home of my own, or even rent (due to cost of living being so incredibly high). At the same time, I'm middle aged and not only want to stop being a burden on my parents and give them some space, but I also just want some independence for myself. As renting/buying isn't an option for me, especially if I want to have money for hobbies/activities that aid my mental health (like you said re your stress management), van/car life seems like the only option available. I understand folks frustrations at the person being interviewed. But I also do think there are times where there are other options available to us but van life can be an option favoured due to our own mental health (not wanting to bbe a burden to family and friends etc).

[@javelinrivera5280]

@@chelseashurmantine8153 The clinic I work provides ABA services for children with Autism. The crisis center I work at is a 24/7 home that houses older teens (for up to a year) with Autism. The clinic is much for lax, and we are usually just playing with the children while teaching them functional communication. For example, if child is showing signs that they will start a tantrum we remind them that you could also say 'I want __' to gain access to what you need. So just seeing the reduction of non-functional behaviors (ex: tantrums, hitting, crying, spitting, etc.), and an increase in functional behavior (asking for space, asking for what they want, using their coping skills) is really satisfying to see. Also there are times we provide services in home and we drive to our clients homes to conduct session. The crisis home is not for everybody. I work the overnight shift from 10p - 6a. The behaviors can be very intense, and you definitely use your defensive on-the-job training more often than you would like. Also because it is not for everybody turnover is very high, and it is very common that employees will be given the option to work a 16 hour shift. On top of providing ABA services, we are also doing the household chores (laundry, cooking, driving them to school, and just other things to maintain the house).

[@barbarakeyser6415]

​@@SpamhardWayward Abode is KZbin channel and I think she's got some excellent content.

[@sarahbuck2506]

Lot of people hung up on the "practice being homeless" part. Losing your home isn't usually an overnight process. It can be months or years of struggle before the moment of truth actually comes. What they're suggesting is to recognize when homelessness has become a genuine possibility, and to use some of that time to figure out a plan for if it does happen. It doesn't mean give up and go live in a van. It means don't assume that the worst couldn't happen to you and stick your head in the sand until it's too late. We can prepare for these things the same way we prepare for natural disasters.

[@heatherwhedbee9988]

Yeah but then they followed that statement with “to see if it’s right for you and if it’s not…” (I’d argue then stumbled on their words as they realized how disingenuous it sounded). Sure, “be prepared” is a great message but I took it as “see if you can hack it and if you can’t, then work harder so you don’t have to”… pretty tone deaf if you ask me.

[@passivelyobsessive5460]

@@heatherwhedbee9988 not at all. as the original commenter said, they were saying "if you're current emergency plan is right for you" meaning do you have everything you would need if the circumstances come that. Or do you think your plan for when you do become homeless could use some tweaks to "make it right for you" as Mitz put it, you can see if you would be ready and "call it quits and go back home" before its too late and you literally cannot and just have to deal with what you have

[@RRpistachio]

Great Portlandia sketch, bizarre TFD guest! This is a young person choosing car living with backup support and housing options available if needed… aka houseless by choice, as an intentional lifestyle decision… Also this guest provides little to no insightful information about the financial reality, choices, or planning as related to their lifestyle… just vibes

[@acivilright]

I have two Portlandia characters (the gutter punks, and I think one or both were wealthy) which have come to mind. From what I've heard this personal grew up in an unstable home environment with adults and kids coming in and out of the household, and she has carried that with her into her adult life as either a norm or is so averse to that sort of instability she has moved about life trying to avoid it.

[@DimaRakesah]

I feel like Chelsea keeps trying to ask Mitz important and serious questions and Mitz gives answers along the lines of "Well I just planned out how to be homeless cause it was a better choice for me" which is drastically different from wanting stable housing but being unhoused due to circumstances beyond one's control. Most people don't really get the choice. She seems like she chose this situation despite having housing options available to her.

[@Unkuuu]

Sounds like homeless cosplay. This person is not serious. She has options. Many others do not.

[@emilyh753]

My thoughts after sleeping on it are that she was still a terrible guest because she did not answer any of Chelsea's questions. I don't think she was prepared for the type of interview Chelsea attempted and I think the intro Chelsea did really set us up for disappointment. However I do think she's an appropriate representation of why a young person with a "supportive family" might choose to live in her car. Her parents, while supportive on paper, are polyamorous and apparently had various partners (and their children) live with their family throughout the guests' childhood. She's like 21. I doubt she's prepared to talk about that in depth. I don't think she was the best guest to interview, but i think she has very valid reasons to live in her car vs with her parents. ETA: a good example of personal reasons that might lead to being unhoused, but a terrible example of systemic issues that can lead to being unhoused.

[@acivilright]

Again, someone else is putting my thoughts into writing better than I could. Thank you, I wholly agree!

[@OCJoker2009]

I agree!

[@TheRealE.B.]

A combustion engine vehicle is an interesting choice of shelter for someone who's very sensitive to pollution.

[@jumpdumppyy]

Thats the most available option

[@EMSpdx]

Scrolled down looking for THIS! Oh my word! Just the emissions from being close in from other cars alone!

[@rodemates]

Interesting video idea. Would like to see it covered again with a more mature guest perspective though.

[@Authentistic-ism]

i would volunteer if i wasn't so camera shy! i did it for 2 years in the pandemic!

[@KHBogWitch]

I’m trying not to feel insulted by this guest, and failing. My father was living out of his car for a few months after his release from a 1-year incarceration when I was a kid, and I vividly remember worrying about him all the time. I’m from the Dakotas where it is truly deadly to be unhoused, there are so few resources available and the elements are so brutal that many people get arrested on purpose so that they have shelter for the 6-8 months of winter that we experience. I would worry that it was too cold for him, that he didn’t have enough to eat, that he didn’t have a good place to sleep. This guest seems very detached from the harsh reality of unchosen homelessness. Edit: It seemed clear that Chelsea wanted to discuss the social implications and recognize the logistical dangers of homelessness that contribute to its cyclical nature, and I absolutely commend her for that. It’s just unfortunate that she was the only one here who was engaging in that conversation-this guest skipped away from it every chance she got.

[@passivelyobsessive5460]

that was the most annoying part of the interview to me when Chelsea asked about safety and Mitz just pulls out window covers.... like..... what?

[@marce0830]

TFD, you can still delete this whole interview and we can all pretend it never happened. I promise we will still watch your content

[@patrycjam2740]

I quit watching and came back at least seven times but I made it through. I will not write what’s wrong with this interview, because it was already said in the comments as well as I believe at least Chelsea sees. But what I cannot understand is why it was still put out there? I really do mean that, quality and substance is missing I can understand that interview can always come out short of our expectations but I truly cannot understand the decision to air it.

[@MM-ow8ix]

I agree. She refused to talk about financial issues at all. She made weird claims like camping is necessary for her health. She turned down scholarships and makes a lot of money and can’t buy a homestead (because everyone with allergies and health issues needs a homestead!), and showed us some good window shades and suggested people practice being homeless! I think showing this trivializes the housing crisis as just a bunch of people who could go home but don’t because they don’t want to. Maybe she didn’t want to discuss reality, but she agreed to be interviewed.

[@SimplyErinful]

The only reason I can see is the commitment to the sponsor? But I don’t think this was up to the usual standard of this podcast

[@SmarandaC]

Agreed, I think this interview should not have been posted to the channel. She's first and foremost and very incoherent guest.

[@FebruaryJulia]

Maybe it's so that we appreciate the other interviews more?..

[@susan825]

An episode with someone post-incarceration who is trying to turn their life around but jas difficulty finding employment/housing because of their record An individual s/p divorce who is having to start from scratch A senior citizen who has no support network and cant get employment because of age or ability A young adult who experienced homelessness as a child and teen and is stuck in a family cycle of poverty Someone who has had drug or etoh issues and is trying to turn their life around but is meeting resistance... All of these would offer a more representative experience that perhaps have actual potential for solutions as opposed to someone who seemingly is choosing this as a lifestyle because she prefers it.

[@susan825]

Or a person who works fulltime and is still homeless because of cost and pay ( a very common experience that needs to be brought more into the public view to change the way people view homeless people)

[@octavia307]

Yes, this! Especially seniors. Absolutely, no seniors or children should be homeless in this country (U.S.)

[@susan825]

Oh! Or a person who is working and going to college and is doing all the 'right things' but dorm life/housing is not afforable or manageable

[@krista6538]

I agree with other commenters...this person isn't really homeless. I empathize with their chronic illness needs, but given they are able to still be on their parent's insurance, I'm kind of surprised they are so set in stone about not going back home. I lived with my parents after college and even though I was "on" their insurance, they prevented me from using it as I needed. At age 26 and being officially off their insurance for two years, I'm not homeless and rent a room, but am easily a paycheck or two from being unhoused given my current level of debt. I am not sure if the guest has debt, but I'm sure there is low-income places across the country they could apply to...or a trailer park they could live in. It seems like an intentional move to live the van life, not a decision they/she(?) was forced to make. I feel for their friend that has to live in a shelter...

[@luna_soleil]

I'm confused. She's saying pollution but what protection does she get living in her car?? Surely most homes would be less polluted than a vehicle? After reading through the comments I can definitely say, some people are the source of their own issues. To each their own.

[@kgal1298]

I think from an educational standpoint this wasn't the best guest to have on because a lot of people have more questions and then others are trying to rationalize it because they're sympathizing with her, but there's still a lot missing from her story. I honestly would have liked Chelsea to reach out to a KZbinr that is living in their car first to get a sense of how that works and why someone would choose to do it then move into a more "I didn't choose to be homeless" situation.

[@chloeinthecities]

Yep

[@PaulaC-137]

@@kgal1298 I think a van-life influencer would glamourize homelessness even further... This interview is a mess but at least this person doesn't have an "aesthetic" van that costs more than two years of rent and utilities

[@krista6538]

@@PaulaC-137 Totally agree- the guest doesn't seem to have an influencer-style, glamorous van life. However, they don't seem like the best guest to represent non-voluntary homelessness or non-voluntary van life.

[@Bandwagons]

I got to "I'm allergic to pollution so I won't look for housing until it's on a prairie" and knew this must be a late April Fools joke.

[@ytismylifea2812]

This was one POV and I know this situation is on a huge spectrum I just don’t think this was the best representation of homelessness

[@EmeraldVaughn]

As someone who has heen housing insecure in the past it seems like she's not taking advantage of her resources well. If her current income is entirely digital and she has a working car, she could travel to a low cost of living area and easily find stable housing. Maybe she prefers her current lifestyle and thats fine, but her situation does not feel like a good representation of the systemic issues with housing in our country.

[@TAHOEkaleidonaut]

She has physical health issues that restrict her working more lucrative jobs… She stays at campsites as it’s cheaper than renting a parking space in a storage facility/trailer park monthly, & safer than risking parking in a big city. She is being frugal, & remaining in her situation to save towards a $10K Emergency Fund, as well as a new-to-her car, before moving up into a better housing situation. 28:46 … Resources are brought up. 30:30 … More on her chronic illness. Also navigating the healthcare system having said health issues, being disabled, & only so much time with specialists. Plus the access to healthcare during the initial months of chaos of being unhoused. 42:01 … She prioritizes her health so that she can function with her disability. I’ve fallen into judging first in my teens, but it pays & is quite karmatic to listen & have empathy so the whole story gets told.

[@Namari12]

To me, the commenter above isn't saying that her situation isn't understandable, just that this person isn't a good representative of systemic issues around housing in this country. Mitz seems like a great representation of "The Real Vanlife--Going Beyond the Influencers" or "Why Some People Choose to Live in Their Cars." She could choose to live with her family but has decided that living in her car is a better option for her. At a couple of different points, she says that living in her car is the best choice for her right now, not that living in her car is her *only* choice right now. But Chelsea started the episode by saying we were going to have a conversation about the systemic issues around being unhoused and I feel Mitz isn't a great representation of that because she does have options and is making a choice (albeit an understandable choice) to be unhoused. That's not "judging" her, that's just an observation.

[@The_Letter_M]

@@Namari12 Did you reach the point where she's applying for food stamps but is in a position where she can't disclose that her current residence is her car? There's definitely some systemic issues brought up.

[@Namari12]

@@The_Letter_M Yes, I watched the whole thing--that was pretty much the only systemic issue covered in an entire hour-long conversation, and definitely the most interesting part.

[@TAHOEkaleidonaut]

@@Namari12 True, this is just one view from a single facet of the board spectrum Chelsea mentioned, not the whole big picture of being unhoused. Anyone could dedicate a KZbin Channel to the subject of homelessness… I wonder if anyone has, & looked at the socio-political causes/curses that relate to/perpetuate during the filming of…?

[@elisemstephens]

It bothered me that the guest wouldn't answer questions about their own life but then would spout off vague, not super helpful advice about navigating the social benefits system or actually managing life in a car. I don't need advice on living in a vehicle, but I am curious about how an unhoused person would make it work - even if their situation is very specific.

[@dearbronte686]

My first awareness of housing insecurity in the US was a woman I was friendly with years ago: she was older, had paid off her house, saved money for her retirement and had health insurance. Then she got cancer and even with insurance was completely bankrupted by the medical treatments. She made it through with her health thank goodness, but with no house, no savings and only her car to live in. She felt invisible. The last I heard she was retraining as a nurse in her late 50's. The situation for older women, even in countries like Australia here where we have more social safety nets, is getting dire with the cost of housing.

[@racheljoy3737]

As soon as I heard "Currently living in their vehicle around the pacific northwest" I knew it was going to be sus. I know multiple people who have chosen that lifestyle at one point or another. Not the conversation any of us were expecting I think, but it's certainly less sad than the single moms getting priced out of their housing and struggling to feed their kids on a regular basis where I live.

[@LylaKittn]

I waited to comment because I wanted to see if everyone else was on the same page as me, LOL. I'm currently homeless (again - I had several years of practice about a decade ago) because I chose to forgo living in my car for pursuing legal action against a seriously egregious slumlord. I "chose" this, but honestly not much would have been different if I were living in my car due to my...let's call it a 'strategy'. Very similar to the other commenter who said they work at a restaurant, gym, and crisis center because they're gonna be there anyway. The car would have been an extremely expensive storage unit. That being said, I am also from the Midwest, where it is not uncommon to find houses in the country on several acres for under $100k. The $10k in case she needs to replace her van is where it seems Chelsea just checked out. :))) It sent me, too. If she can get to a $10k emergency fund, she can buy a homestead in Kansas. And the work she's doing is remote web-based freelancing?? Girl could literally be milking her own cows by now. She's not homeless; she's a van life girlie. Sorry your guest didn't work out as planned.

[@coralinejonez]

The $10k and recommending top quality camping gear…

[@hellaradusername]

Also if you're ever living out of your car, join a cheap gym: this will give you access to a hot shower, give you some place to go every day and charge your devices and help keep you in shape.

[@Authentistic-ism]

Can vouch, Planet fitness knows what's up with us people who join and show up to shower and go right back out. Don't leave a mess and nobody says anything.

[@UNDERDOG18UNDERDOG18]

Or use the community college’s showers for free.

[@FanFiLiLi]

Lost me at "very sensitive to pollution" as a requirement for having a roof.

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

I think that the thumbnail and title are simply misleading is what I gathered from the comments lol. I concur.

[@Habadacus405]

Not a fan of this guest. She gives off entitled and out of touch with the OVERWHELMING majority of the audience.

[@shanicewebb1727]

This lady is not picking up what Chelsea is putting down. 🙃

[@Patchouliprince]

One of my earliest memories is living in a car when I was four, my little sister was still a very young infant, it was always so hot and stuffy and uncomfortable and miserable. I was also homeless as a teenager, my sophomore year of highschool, it was rough. And people would be surprised how tricky it is to get a job when you don’t have a home, or access to any of your own legal paperwork

[@ljohnson1908]

I might be misunderstanding, but it seems like this person might be transitioning to van/camper life more than being unhoused.

[@user-nh7kq2um1y]

It seemed to me the same as well but I agree with Chelsea that being unhoused is a spectrum

[@The_Letter_M]

"Transitioning to van life" after being unable to secure stable housing is being unhoused. This is very much a perspective of being unhoused, given that at the start of this video, they talk about how they couldn't secure housing, this just doesn't look like how you *expect* being unhoused to look. A lot of unhoused people don't "look" unhoused (there's not a single look!) Some are lucky enough to have cars to sleep in, some squat in otherwise empty buildings, some actually sleep on the streets (what I would guess you're thinking of when you think of an unhoused person). There's definitely a spectrum of houselessness, and this living situation is on it. There are definitely van/camper life influencers who *aren't* unhoused, and who are choosing to live in a vehicle for hobbies, marketing, whatever, but that's not the topic of this video either.

[@TAHOEkaleidonaut]

Please watch the whole video before commenting. Yes, you’re misunderstanding due to not getting the whole story.😅

[@ljohnson1908]

@The_Letter_M I have known people in real life who walk out of their jobs with top Silicon Valley companies and go into a tent or car with all of their possessions because they've been priced out of housing in California. I've also had people stay in my home months at a time because they didn't have anywhere to go. So don't lecture me about your assumption on what I think being unhoused looks like. My point is given that this person stated they don't know that they'll return to living in a traditional space due to pollution concerns that it seems like living in a camper is what they'll purposely adopt until they can homestead.

[@ljohnson1908]

@TAHOEkaleidonaut Did I speak in an absolute, or did I say I could be misunderstanding?

[@cwalker6911]

I’m confused at the point/message of this. This person doesn’t seem genuinely unhoused I’m confused. I get its on a spectrum but idk this sounds like a person choosing a different path

[@colleenduffy1139]

Living in a car with no address qualifies as unhoused. Sorry they aren't rock bottom enough to satisfy our train wreck viewing desires.

[@cwalker6911]

@@colleenduffy1139 idk about that when you have access to healthcare, income, and are actively choosing to be unhoused when you have resources to fall back on. To imply that the person needs to be devastated is not the point but nice try lol. I find that to conflate a person’s active choice with those who have next to none is just extremely tone deaf and ridiculous

[@huntercurry8604]

Way to assume the worst. Rock bottom comment.

[@lindsaypaps8099]

"my family can't understand why i don't want to live with my parents as an adult with no privacy......and can't understand why I'd want to travel and see things and not just stay in my hometown" Case. Point. Privileged. Tone deaf.

[@jenniferparker7588]

This one was a head scratcher...

[@Anthony.Delagarza]

Not the best person to interview. Definitely didn’t get much from her view points.

[@habersmashery]

Can I ask why you feel this way? Is it because this is a young, well-dressed person with visibly good hygiene, and you were expecting something else?

[@urbanflight820]

@@habersmashery There was no depth to the discussion and some of Chelsea's questions went unanswered. And yes, lack of maturity was an issue for this particular interview, which isn't actually age-specific.

[@viktoriaherzberg9519]

I guess authors wanted to show other scenarios of becoming homeless, than typical issues like mental health, home abuse, or incarceration. The lady said from the very beginning: I want to show how you can be few missed paychecks away from homelessness. I’m afraid those scenarios are going to multiply.

[@mariusvanc]

This person is not homeless. She can move in with her parents or any number of other people any time she wants to. She is, at best, LARPing homeless.

[@JQueenofMe]

​@@habersmasheryHer answers on a cognitive problem solving scale made no common sense. There's possibly some mental health issues.

[@UNDERDOG18UNDERDOG18]

Guest didn’t answers a single question. She’s a spoiled Portlandia character.

[@pubear7514]

This one felt weird and out of touch. She sounds like someone with privilege preaching homelessness to others.

[@jzmina]

The “practice being homeless” part ten minutes in is what did it for me🥴 Girl if you wanna go do van life just say that. No need to justify it or claim homelessness💀

[@gothamcat]

Yeahhh I agree with that. I wholeheartedly support them helping people who find themselves in this situation but “practicing” being homeless is incredibly tone deaf and problematic.

[@Habadacus405]

Right!

[@YoYo-gt5iq]

Yup. She's telling ppl to practice sleeping in their car instead of "do labor or other things that make money."

[@sarahbuck2506]

The "practice being homeless" advice is for people who are on the verge of losing everything. If your unemployment ran out and all attempts at employment have failed, you've been served an eviction notice etc..don't wait until the sheriff is literally there throwing all your stuff out and dragging you out of the house to figure out what you're going to need and how you're going to manage. People really do get into a mindset of "that could never happen to me. I'm a good person. I did the things I was supposed to do." And then the worst happens and they have no idea how to survive.

[@sidoniasalt]

​@@sarahbuck2506 That's the way I took this suggestion, as well. Just realistically preparing yourself before the actual moment is upon you. 😢

[@shadowkatt56]

As part of a community who all live on the road and frequently travel the country for work, living in tents/rvs/cars, this person is kinda infuriating. She sounds exactly like someone doing this for the social clout vs because she has to. She doesn't need to do any of this! She had a family that seems to support and love her, they can't help? Splitting rent with friends is too hard? And the pollution things is a completely insane comment but honestly not worth the discussion. Not saying all guests have to be the most under-represented, poor, completely downtrodden person you can find. There's a range of experiences. But I imagine most people aren't impressed by someone cosplaying as a homeless person.

[@shadowkatt56]

Quick edit for anyone listening to this, it gets increasingly more infuriating as you go leave while you still can

[@emijliastarovic8524]

@@shadowkatt56I struggled to make it even 10 minutes in 😅😅

[@annabeinglazy5580]

This is especially insane to me as the Rent Splitting with Friends is... Too hard? Then find a room in a House share, or do they Not exist in the US? I spent my Uni days and my First year working in shared housing. They dont have to be your Friends, you can literally Just Rent a room. And btw, I DID NOT have guarantors because my Family lives in a different country than me and thus didnt qualify. I simply call bs on that

[@colleenduffy1139]

@@annabeinglazy5580 News flash things have gotten harder since you did it.

[@rba4377]

Im torn on this one: homelessness and house insecurity is a spectrum, we cant expect everyone to tick our preferred boxes... BUT a few points: 1- When Chelsea asked about if she was working toward getting a place and she said for her would only be a homestead ... Im pretty sure this is not the only way to live out of cities, again just seems she is chasing her goals ...and many countryside cities are more polluted than big cities because of farming and other industries... and even if she find a clean town ...again... she can only work towards housing if its a homestead? Im confused, that would take way more money than renting in small "clean" town" 2-Desire for privacy and to see the country is not homelessness as far as I know? Calling dad (which already shows support and some level of a good relationship) saying "I dont know what Im doing" again gives the idea of choice and not being homeless. A lot of people would prefer to not live with family but again unless there is abuse, a choice is a choice. 3-Based on her own words specially towards the end of the conversation, this seems like a choice to achieve her goals. I had a friend that did that and he never called himself house insecure because it was his choice to achieve a goal.Homelessness is not a choice, this seems like it is one. 4- As someone who grew up with some privilege but then lost both parents at a young age and had no security of any kind of several year, I still wouldnt call myself back then house insecure. YES We are going through a crisis but at the same time throughout many generations it has been common for very young people in general to not be able to afford their own place despite wanting to. 5- Many people dont understand chronic illness and people deserve their privacy, but in this context more info would have been relevant? It does comes across like this interview was set up to be about homelessness and it has turned into what the person sees as part of their identity now?

[@oyoll4032]

I love TFD and my opinions on this video doesn't change that. That being said, I had to do a double-take when they said they couldn't tolerate pollution. Like, literally what? What kind(s) of pollutants can't they tolerate? Because that is an incredibly broad term and relative to the subjects of pollutants. Like, light pollution is a type of pollutant. More importantly, of what pollutant does living in a car allow them to have a greater tolerance? How does their exposure to water pollutants differ between residential potable water and public potable water? How does their exposure to air pollutants differ from inside a home and inside a vehicle? I was just baffled, honestly. I do hope you guys touch on this topic again, with a better fitting guest however.

[@lucilasandoval3084]

Right? I have many questions because it just feels like maybe air pollution is her issue and so she has to be away from cities? But there is definitely some cheaper housing in some rural areas, especially with a remote job. I think she was too vague to be an useful account.

[@cwalker6911]

Also I don’t get how driving/living in a car is good for pollution. I am confusion

[@kyla8386]

It’s called MCAS, not sure how real it is, it’s probably an allergy to common pollutants, in that case take an allergy pill. No sense living in a car to escape pollution, would be like living in the woods to escape pollen

[@habersmashery]

You drive to your parking location, and then park the car. No fumes when the engine isn't running!

[@cwalker6911]

@@habersmashery are you being intentionally daft?

[@habersmashery]

@@cwalker6911 I'm not making fun of you. It's just simple answer to a simple question. When you're living in a vehicle, you're actually not driving it that much. I live in a house and have to drive to and from my job every day. Someone living in a vehicle and working remotely parks up and then stays there. Even if they move once or twice a week, they'll run their engine less than the average car owner.

[@emijliastarovic8524]

No offense but this seems like a teenager playing out her van life fantasy while she’s still on mommy and daddy’s health insurance plan

[@judithvictoria3109]

Totally 💯…

[@krista6538]

it seems that way because it probably is that lol

[@capucnechaussonpassion14]

So she should be poor to the point of no insurance to be deserving enough in your eyes ??? Wtf

[@scottbuck1572]

@@capucnechaussonpassion14 No, its that presenting her as a example of the unhouse is extremely disingenuous (as they choose this and prepared for it, instead of putting that same effort into obtaining stable housing) and minimizes the ACTUAL problems that have created a housing crisis. They arent suffering from a housing crisis; they didnt find an apartment that worked for them and instead of extending their current lease or moving in with their parents, CHOOSE to live in their car. If you dont understand how that is fundamentally different than being evicted with no support system (no friends couch to crash on, parents who hate/abuse you, etc.), then I cant help you

[@annabeinglazy5580]

​@@capucnechaussonpassion14 sorry but that Person simply didnt want to live in a houseshare, thats my Takeaway from it. The Pollution bit makes Not a whole Lot of Sense, since you can absolutely Check which areas to hunt for Apartments for, ESPECIALLY when your Main income in digital jobs. Theres the Point that they and their Friends "couldnt" find an Apartment, aka, they could theoretically afford an Apartment. They even have guarantors. So when the Deal with the Friends Fell through (been there myself), they could have Just started looking for a houseshare. Theyre in their early 20s, thats the easiest demographic to find a houseshare for. It's how i lived all through university and my First year of work, on british Minimum wage, which would be around 1200 usd today. So... Yh, the Van seems Like a choice Made for that Van Lifestyle, more Like a necessity for that Person.

[@JQueenofMe]

So much of this made absolutely no common sense. Solutions didn't seem to be the goal. Was online classes not an option if pollution was the real issue with education? There seems to be a collection of rejecting the stability of the systems while still trying to use them as needed. Can't live with Mom and Dad but willing to use their resources. I feel like I'm getting dumber listening to this so I'm moving on. I understand why some of the family is distancing themselves. Maybe the next video will be better.

[@krista6538]

I couldn't agree more. I also have trouble believing that their costs are "under $500" a month. Most people can't afford to outright buy the van in its entirety and would have high monthly payments, including high monthly gas costs. Plus the cost of healthcare they're mentioning? Even just the co-pays would be very expensive. This person didn't actually talk about the costs they added up for things like a water pump, a self-starting car generator thing, the high-quality reflective shades, etc. It seems actually cheaper for most people to just live in a low cost boring but relatively safe area with a few roommates. Turning down "thousands" in scholarships seems insane too. They didn't mention the specifics of why they didn't want to stay in school, but I can't imagine going back to school would be as bad as they're saying.

[@Mushroompanda648]

21 year old has "chronic illness" but won't say what it is, chose to leave college and abandon a scholarship to live in a van full-time and do gig work. Let me guess she has anxiety...🙄 I'm sorry, I know people who live in a van full-time and travel the country, who could have done a way better job with this interview. This was definitely a choice and I think Chelsea tried to do her best but I feel like we need a redo on this topic.

[@tross-lj2eb]

They said they are disabled and have trouble walking. Your assumptions are revealing your biases.

[@krista6538]

@@tross-lj2eb I have a feeling it's not anxiety, however I wonder why they didn't disclose their illness. It makes little to no sense if they really do have a chronic illness that makes them sensitive to pollution, to live in a car, in which it's rather easy to be exposed to pollution in.

[@lahnnabell11]

I have a lot of questions, too. Maybe I missed the question/answer, but she has a support system, and this support system isn't helping with housing? Why not? I feel like something is missing here. Also, living in her car doesn't seem like a very good solution to avoiding pollution.

[@ellegirl87]

i feel like this person is nuts 😂

[@thegadflysnemesis4102]

The support system thing is addressed around the 41-minute mark - living with their family is not a viable option for them for reasons involving privacy, safety, and health, and their family has gone through periods of financial difficulty so it's reasonable to assume the financial help they could receive (even if that help were to be accepted, which is not a guarantee and, since we don't actually know the whole situation, really should not be judged) would not be enough to get them to housing they could live in. Also, I don't think the pollution thing is a fair assessment- the pollution of one car driving to a less polluted area is far less than the pollution of a city with thousands of cars.

[@lahnnabell11]

​@@ellegirl87I think that is a needless oversimplification of her situation.

[@lahnnabell11]

​@thegadflysnemesis4102 Asking for help doesn't mean she has to live with them, but perhaps she an use them as a resource to find affordable options for her challenging situation.

[@CaraMarie13]

There's probably some leftover stuff from her parents having people come in and out of the house when she was younger. I truly hope nothing happened to her or her siblings growing up.

[@latoyatangelo]

I couldn’t watch it all the way through because of how incoherent the guest was.

[@alejandramoreno6625]

I think there's a serious issue there if somebody thinks getting woken up at 1am to deive away or sleeping in the middle of the desert because you got stuck, is a safer and preferable situation than living with your family.

[@user-rc2yf8kt7i]

Some people have abusive families. I can't speak for her, but for many it would absolutely be preferable to live in a car than with their abusers.

[@krista6538]

@@user-rc2yf8kt7i The guest did say that their parents were supportive. I completely understand why it would be difficult and frankly unpleasant to live with a polyamorous family- the guest may have been expected to babysit for free, it may have been very unsuitable for them. However, from what I gathered, it did not seem like the guest implied whatsoever that their family was abusive. It's possible I am wrong, but this is my takeaway.

[@urbanflight820]

This seemed like more of a commercial for voluntary van life, as opposed to a conversation with a person who is involuntary unhoused (which is what I believed coming in). Some of Chelsea's questions weren't even answered. I guess the tips given may be helpful for those who it will apply to.

[@urbanflight820]

This was soooooo hard to get through.

[@marianar2948]

I agree, it feels so much like an add! Even her breezy haha! and generalist atitude sound straight out of a commercial! I'm not saying that a person n this situatin must look sad and defeated to be taken seriously, but come on...

[@ammercedes3591]

Yeah the guest didn't really even answer if they're currently working or how they're getting money.

[@passivelyobsessive5460]

the part about safety and then they pull out their window shades like that's the answer we were looking for killed me

[@itsmf19]

How they became unhoused was confusing to me. They looked for a place for 4 months and couldn’t find anything? Plus they are sharing the rent with a few other friends? Would’ve liked to know more what barriers they faced in locating a house.. cuz it sounds like they planned out to to live in their car.

[@lahnnabell11]

I am also bothered by the lack of clarity on why they couldn't find housing. There is a lot of vague explaining of phone calls, application fees, and that nothing was lining up. What wasn't lining up? Credit checks? Location? Amenities? The issue with pollution isn't mentioned as an obstacle at this stage. These are all valid questions and are not meant to be judgemental. We are trying to understand and empathize, but the lack of transparency around these topics feels strange.

[@jaydeedearness]

This is part of the rising middle class homelessness that is occurring throughout many western countries atm. I am in a similar situation. I am middle class, have a good income, but had severe health issues about 5 years ago that decimated my savings and left me homeless. I was able to move in with my family at the time, but to get a job I had to move to another city which left me without my family and friend network. I now house-sit, and work full time. Mostly because it is far too expensive in the new city to be able to rent (the most expensive in the entire nation and in the top 2-3 expensive cities in the world to live atm. My family is not rich, and cannot afford to be sending me money to support rent in another city. Basically, I house-sit because if I were to rent something that is maybe in my price range (still a stretch to be honest), it would definitely have mould and this would trigger my illness again. The houses I sit at the moment are clean and comfortable which means I am not exposed. Safe hygenic and well maintained affordable housing is becoming a huge problem for a greater proportion of the population that would never normally experience this. Landlords know they can charge 50% of your pay to their rent, and not fix anything around the property because if you complain, they’ll get rid of you and someone else desperate enough (usually with small children) will be lining up to replace you.

[@Bonserak23]

Well a lot of the new housing being built in the PNW is predatory and classist. Literally you have to prove you make 4x a month than the rent, deposit, first and last can easily be $6000 plus just to move. These are basically just normal apartments mind you nothing special. Like I don't know what they want us to do anymore LoL. My 24 year old niece can't even get a starter apartment.

[@jasonmaserton]

There is an issue with housing where places will take you application fees and then tell you that you dont make enough to rent there. And if you dont have a guarantor making 6x your rent, you cant get in anywhere

[@sarahbuck2506]

My current roommates spent over $3000 on application fees trying to get any apartment here and were denied every time. If I hadn't been able to buy a house big enough for everyone when I moved here, they'd have been homeless. It's a really shitty situation, and you have predatory property owners out there who literally just collect application fees and deny everyone without ever renting out the apartment. They make the rent in fees and never have to worry about wear and tear. It's messed up.

[@sandstorm3363]

Can we just take a minute to talk about her abuse of the food stamps system. If youre living in different states and working in other states and applying for assistance in YET ANOTHER STATE and some how that isnt fraud as long as you have someone youre comfortable with opening your mail. WHAT IS THIS This is why politically the risk of programs getting cut is so high because this is the exact example politicians point to and say defund these programs people dont "need them"

[@moni7652]

When she said practice being homeless, I thought ‘What am listening to?’

[@chelsea7229]

The fact that she ended with the Palestine talk says a lot tbh. One of the problem with actual homelessness is that it sucks away your ability to think about ANYTHING else except how to get your basic needs met. There’s no mental or physical energy to spare for things outside a relatively narrow field of vision. More evidence that she’s choosing to live in a car, but she’s not actually homeless/houseless in a way that many people who do NOT have her options are. It feels obnoxious to have chosen her to represent this very real problem.

[@a1stbornunicorn]

I think what a lot of people are missing with the guest is that she IS a representation of the growing homeless youth. They are choosing this lifestyle for one reason or another. I see it in my city. I've personally known people in this situation. This comment is not to take away from more tragic examples of homelessness but merely to point out that some are choosing this lifestyle. It's camping to them.

[@TOFKAS01]

Really choosing? Or geting forced...

[@scottbuck1572]

"This comment is not to take away from more tragic examples of homelessness but merely to point out that some are choosing this lifestyle. It's camping to them." I hope you dont take this as me coming at you, but as a young person who grew up unhoused at times, this is ABSURDLY offensive and disrespectful (of the people considering it a "lifestyle" or "camping"); the worst moments of my youth being considered a great way save money, especially by people with enough privelage and wealth for it to be a complete choice, not only is minimizing the issues of the housing crisis, but is also straight poverty tourism. Those people need to stop living their bohemian fantasy, call their parents, and start working to solve the systemic issues we face, instead of pretending to be as powerless as the rest of us.

[@TOFKAS01]

@@scottbuck1572 Its an american sickness to to beat about the bush. Forced homelessness is called "Choosing". Social catastrophys are called "Challenges". In fact, that life as we see here, is another version of the "Hobo" of the Great Depression. And even this desolated fate was romantisised later by the american public.

[@scottbuck1572]

@@TOFKAS01 Yeah not, when I mean forced, I mean evicted with 2-day notice, cant get food stamps cause your living in your car, and having to go to the food bank after 4 days of no access to running water. This person is choosing, people doing that are not.

[@scottbuck1572]

@@TOFKAS01 "Hobo" of the Great Depression. And even this desolated fate was romantisised later by the american public." What are you even talking about? Those pieces of media are not aspirational lol,

[@aprila316]

I read the comments, heard you say “Pacific Northwest” and got about 5 minutes into the dialogue. It all trends 😒

[@acivilright]

I hate to say this, but I somewhat agree. This is actually a prime example of a case that certain partisans in the US have used to basically outlaw sleeping in public spaces (which we all just saw, the Supreme Court gleefully did a couple weeks ago). I work in a social services adjacent area and I am also an RN who has lived in low income areas and worked with vulnerable people. This person is an outlier. And the danger imo of amplifying interviews like this is people will make policy that does real harm to the most vulnerable, who have no one to fall back on for help based on examples like this. I have empathy for her and her issues, however... No, she is not someone I'd pick as representative of homelessness in America.

[@syd1066]

Strange privilege to be capable and willing to do a "trial run" of homelessness. This is really just this person's strange lifestyle choice, no need to parade it around as anything else

[@lndcruz721]

I might need to listen again, but it seems like she isnt really answering the questions chelsea asks. Or bith are just not on the same page. Kind of distracting but interesting nonetheless

[@Crucis119]

Yeah it's really hard to follow then because their answers are so indirect

[@YoYo-gt5iq]

Don't waste your time.

[@dewilson55]

I think the perspective of someone choosing to live in their car is one worth listening to, but I would have preferred to hear from someone for whom this was less of a choice. Also, her inability to answer simple questions clearly made this interview painful to listen to. The questions asked were ones I wanted to hear answers to, so I hope this channel brings on other guests who can explain their situations without so much rambling. I think this topic is worth exploring but please vet the guests a bit better in the future.

[@scottbuck1572]

Right? "What are some surprising things you didnt realize you needed?" "Dont litter guys, its bad for the planet!" Like huh?

[@luxicon2848]

Chelsea, of course, did a great job. I think folks, especially those who are not used to being interviewed, should get an interview prep meeting with a member of the TFD team. Or maybe they do, but this person answering "how did your financial decisions/planning change" with "I'm not tempted to buy burgers anymore" was probably not what she would have said had she known she was going to be asked about that. I'm just trying to put myself in this person's shoes and how I would feel about the negative comments and what grace I'd like people to show me.

[@ruled_by_pluto]

it's hella weird that she keeps saying she has privilege for having parents that worked full time. idk who convinced her that's a privilege when it's a necessity. is she listening to people whose parents are crackheads? she needs to get more comfortable with privilege. she should be trying to have more privilege, not feeling guilty for what little she had.

[@chanelissy]

Not a fan of the this guest - I get that it unhousing is a spectrum but this is a choice to live this particular way that homeless people do not get

[@octavia307]

Did she say practice being unhoused before being unhoused?! Most that are involuntarily unhoused aren't waiting for it or spent that time trying to avoid it. It sounds like she has options but enjoys living this way. And, there is nothing wrong with that, but it's not really an honest picture of homelessness in terms of brainstorming solutions for those who really want housing. Especially with her saying she is "avoiding pollution," and can't find housing because of that but hasn't driven to or sought out housing in "less polluted" areas. 🫤

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

It is honest because it’s her story. Period.

[@octavia307]

@chelseashurmantine8153 sure, her honest story. But of van life, not of homelessness.

[@scottbuck1572]

@@chelseashurmantine8153 Its also honest that I took a poop in woods two months ago when I went camping; that experience doesnt expose the harsh realities about living without basic amenities, like running water. Its just something I did.

[@lucilasandoval3084]

Wait?! did she say she was offered thousands of dollars in scholarships or did I misunderstood?

[@acivilright]

No, you heard correctly: she turned down free money that probably could have kept her housed I firmly believe people can choose to live how they wish. But I also firmly believe that society doesn't have to bear the full brunt of your choice to live that way. See: why we need more regulation on firearms. But there are some who are actually vulnerable as evidenced by less external control and social power over situations that happen in life and those who choose to be vulnerable and reject the external control and social power available to them when it comes to things that happen in life. Mitz is imo the latter. Like she brought up Gaza, great example of how when you say homeless we are not talking about folks who are so cozy they can dance along to HSM songs in their vehicle where they can choose the good 100 dollar version of things over the 20 dollar, break after one use verison.

[@krista6538]

I heard this as well and was shocked.

[@dvanopynen88]

I'd like to see this covered again with a guest that has maybe been homeless and has come out the otherside. This guest, I'm not sure if its defensiveness or denial that I'm picking up on, is obviously not open to discussing the difficulties and hardships of that living situation.

[@omgsockss]

So she'd rather have 10k in the bank than a roof over her head? ...interesting

[@asuka_the_void_witch]

having friends and/or family is SO IMPORTANT. take it from someone (me) who has zero of either. if something terrible happens to me (povery, cancer, whatever) i'm 100% toast.

[@deliah3003]

Going to add to the pile of comments…I know that the knee-jerk reaction of others witnessing a guest like this is that she doesn’t resemble what we’ve come to expect of a homeless or unhoused (whichever term you prefer) person. And since they are not required to explain their health situation to any of us perhaps it is better for them to drive and stay out in nature than stay with family. I can even understand that if the want is there to either live in a car or camper instead of with family than preparing for it is best. But I feel like this interview should have been more clear on the choice and privilege that this person has in this very specific situation. It just seemed as though Chelsea was trying to keep it more general while the person was sharing about their life and only their experience. Which is fine and interesting but than I hope that there is a series of interviews like these that goes along the entire spectrum of this topic. For example someone with a different type of disability wouldn’t fair well at all in this situation or potentially be able to work while living this way where as someone else could do even better than this guest did in this situation.

[@lahnnabell11]

I completely agree that this topic deserves a series in order to attempt to cover the spectrum of homeless issues others face.

[@kiterafrey]

I feel really bad for Chelsea, I can feel how hard she's trying to pick her words to try and get the discussion to match the agreed direction of the interview. I have a feeling the guest wasn't fully honest in the vetting process.

[@YoYo-gt5iq]

Shes paying her own way, so kudos to her. Interview was intro'd badly.

[@monnica7005]

I think she's gearing up to write a book about this. There seems to be an agenda here that has nothing to do with housing insecurity.

[@BrittMasters]

Chelsea was prepared and tried hard both to keep things on track as well as do constant damage control, but this maybe wasn't the best. I'm not sure this interview did a lot to change the stereotypical perception of the type of person who lives in their car.

[@marianaflores.illustration]

Ok, this is the very Finantial episode that I couldn't watch until the end because it honestly annoyed me. With all due respect to the girl being interviewed, but she is still coming from such a priviledge standpoint! She has more money saved up than most people I know and could very well pay for a room in a shared appartment if she wanted to. It looks like living in her car was a decision, not a necessity. I know very closely someone who has had to resort to living in their car and it was not at all like this! Also, come on, you can't find suitable housing because you can't live close to pollution so you chose to live on a car?... I don't buy it.

[@KeyKeyJay]

I’m confused as to why this person isn’t able to find decent housing in a cheap quiet town (far from a city). They already work remotely, sounds like they have some savings, and they are avoiding pollution in big cities. Wouldn’t living in a small town with a lower COL be the best bet? I guess the answer is that they just prefer the van life style which is fine, but doesn’t quite feel representative of the unhoused experience or systemic issues…very bizarre interview. I was so confused

[@MKatelynn]

It sounds like she had a friend that was actually homeless and instead of living with her family and truly being a good friend and giving him the car she took him to a shelter where he got punched in the face. I shouldn't judge, but I also have a chronic illness and struggle with work, but I moved back home because when you're truly desperate thats what you do (given your family is safe and able to help). She's an example of someone who needed to pass the mic to someone else instead of taking a platform from someone else who actually experienced homelessness not by choice.

[@lucilasandoval3084]

This, I think her story is interesting but she could have probably passed the mic or showcased some of the situations her friends are experiencing.

[@capucnechaussonpassion14]

Maybe it's not about passing the mic but ... Having more mics...

[@scottbuck1572]

@@capucnechaussonpassion14 Yeah, but thats not the world we live in; those with the loudest voices are the only ones that get listened to, and giving this person the platform to speaking on systemic issues of being unhoused is simply irresponsible, as their story makes it seem like the vast majority of unhoused people can make personal choices to avoid it, when that is not the case.

[@lucilasandoval3084]

@@capucnechaussonpassion14 I mean sure but in this case this wasn't the mic for her, she barely answered the questions Chelsea posed, and didn't seem very interested in discussing the money side of this issue, so she should have passed the mic to someone with a more relevant experience, more willing to engage in the conversation

[@MKatelynn]

@@lucilasandoval3084 agreed she was on the wrong stage. If this was a van life advice page then I would have appreciated her insights. Just the wrong convo

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

What she said about the natural disasters like fires being a factor in leaving people homeless? And she’ll be available to help if that happens!?? That’s soooo valid. These natural disasters are happening. Having a person who can show up ready to help and having thought of emergency plans would be a true asset in a family

[@studyco_]

How different is a CR-V from a van? 😅 Also individuals I know that have had seasons of homelessness have said that they prioritize their gym membership. If it's a 24 hr gym that's the best situation, because they can shower and get some of their social needs along with their health needs met.

[@delusionsofgrandeur6385]

Suggestion: there’s a young lady on KZbin as “ZeZeDesire” who can show you the real story on how car living happens to someone. This girl is “working homeless” (employed but still can’t afford a place to live) for real: aged out of the foster care system, lived on the street, no support, no family or parents of course, only one adult friend who isn’t even worse off than she is, living in a cheap used car because she has literally no other option. That’s car life for real. She’s supposed to be getting a trashed-out short bus but there are difficulties there too. That’s an interview I’d like to see! ZeZeDesire. Check her out. Her delivery and camera work can be a little hard to listen to but she’s working on it. I’m sure she’ll improve with practice.

[@iyxon]

This episode was both confusing and interesting. I appreciate the atypical approach on focusing on the realistic pragmatics of the situation and the guest being from a complex background of both having and not having support. I could imagine an episode where we focus on liberal platitudes and money advice on #howtostopbeingunhoused that, while might sound more "correctly" and "maturely" future oriented and being a proper Responsible Citizen(tm) isn't going to actual provide useful advice or perspective on someone who is about to need to start living in their car within a week or something. Maybe a more balanced perspective from more angles would've been better. A weird episode for sure. Didn't dislike it per se though.

[@nofymofylol]

Chelsea tried so hard

[@marianar2948]

This was very frustrating, the person spent a whole lot of time dodging the questions. P.e., at 24:24m , she didn't explained her routine at all, she just mentioned some general advice about being ecological. Instead of sharing useful information and some suggestions for utensiles, she once again just took the chance to rant about waste. It's a shame she's so vague and has nothing concrete to share, I do agree that she comes across as someone who choose the van life for the sake of environmental values (nothing wrong with that!) and wasn't necessairly pushed into homelessness because of poverty.

[@kathleen_oneill]

Wow here I was thinking I had to be homeless for the government to offer me assistance but apparently it’s a lose-lose situation! You can’t have enough money to have an address… but you have to HAVE an address…?! MAKE IT MAKE SENSE 😩 Thank you Chelsea for interviewing someone young with chronic illness like I had requested! It was great to hear this person’s POV however I do agree with the comments saying they are perhaps in a bit of a unique situation that doesn’t apply to the majority of young sick folks. That doesn’t mean it’s not a helpful POV though. I personally am in my 30’s disabled with chronic pain/fatigue etc. and worry about potential homelessness and was surprised to hear that living in a vehicle was beneficial to the guest’s physical limitations. I get it would be helpful to have things close by but I can’t imagine anything else being easier, like doing laundry, sleeping arrangements, cooking etc. just thinking about it makes my pain flare up 😢 I thought it was very admirable that at the end when given the opportunity to shout themselves out, the guest chose to suggest supporting Gaza. This person is literally sick and homeless yet didn’t ask us to help THEM. Is there a way to help this guest AND assist Gaza if those are able? So they can get closer to their goal of homesteading? And I Oop when Chelsea said at the end there are ways to help “from the comfort of your own home” 🙈 lollll I mean I know a vehicle can be a home but 👀 It’s a helpful lesson though in how to talk to people in these situations because I can’t deny it’s uncomfortable and I admire Chelsea for taking this on! Seriously bravo girl!! LOVE it! Esp bc the last guest who got sick was rich af and had a whole “new house” savings to put towards her cancer treatments! We gotta hear from all parts of the spectrum! I’d love to hear from someone a bit older maybe late 20s to late 30s about how they manage to survive on disability alone. Because that’s my biggest fear for when my parents pass and I don’t have a partner or family or inheritance to live on. I fear $1k/mo just won’t be enough 😢

[@rachellwhelan]

Yikes. Glad to see most folks in the comments can agree: this guest is not representative of the issue this episode is trying to address.

[@oneofeverything9820]

I think I’m the only person that enjoyed this interview. I thought it was a unique perspective that I haven’t come across before (i.e. a car dweller who has special health needs). It is true that Chelsea was a little surprised at how this interview went. But I still appreciate that she went through with it. The person also gave some very helpful tips! Thumb up 👍

[@kyla8386]

Practice being homeless is hilarious

[@butterfish-g9f]

That's just camping or LARPing as a homeless person.

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

You won’t be laughing if it’s you or someone you love

[@scottbuck1572]

@@chelseashurmantine8153 Its funny in their situation (the person being interviewed) because instead of spending that time (they admitted to knowing they were gonna be in this situation for 9 months) getting a better job or finding a cheaper place to live, they cosplayed being unhoused until they literally were. Its absurd

[@kyla8386]

@@chelseashurmantine8153 nah this is objectively funny, as if the average person who’s going to become homeless has the time to do a trail run before they subscribe xD absolutely ridiculous and goofy

[@khorwath91]

Heres the thing: this is a very challenging and vulnerable topic. Those who are living in extreme circumstances may not have the resources or interest to share their experience online. So when vetting potential candidates for a financial channel, you're likely going to find more people like this. An easy fix to adjust for expectations for this video would just be changing the title. Theres a spectrum of people who live in their cars, similar to those that live in tiny homes, etc. Whenever money is a topic of conversation, most people will be on varying levels. This channel does take a more human approach compared to other channels, but it is a financial channel, and the guests that are drawn to it may be in better positions financially- even if they feel they aren't.

[@dclaireparsons]

Hello, big fan of the show. God bless this girl your interviewing, but she's a character study in and of herself independent of homelessness. I've been homeless repeatedly with and without a car to live in, zero family support, I've met lots of people in similar situations from similar situations. None of them had polyamorous parents with different families living with them.😵‍💫 Being homeless is just one aspect of her story.

[@UNDERDOG18UNDERDOG18]

Interview is all over the place.

[@renatagp7570]

Agree with most of the comments here. I feel I didn’t learn anything with rhis guest and they seem to be unwilling give straightfoward answers, to what I would say….don’t do an interview about this topic and your lifestyle then

[@drsheynemartin]

Important topic, misleading intro, poor choice of guest. There are many other advocates/former unhouse people out there that could speak in depth about topic. Wish I could remove my view count of this video. God knows Chelsea tried to salvage it. Sometimes no episode is better than just any episode just to appease the algorithm Gods.

[@chloeinthecities]

So many questions here. Is she still in school or did she stop that. How was she living in the apt previously when she’s alleged the pollution is bad for her? Why stop looking for housing if she had all those advantages. I don’t get this at all

[@chloeinthecities]

She says she could have lived with her parents. Yikes

[@Kelli.Hicks.5]

I love the 4-Plan Plan: Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency.

[@Rebecca-iy1ui]

I’m a big fan of this channel and love to hear and learn from people’s stories, however as many are saying, this interview was a miss. If anything, it’s a view into the minds of some usually young, overall privileged people who cosplay as poor or marginalized as a result of their victim mindsets. I’ve known others like her.

[@IceNicole12]

This was a wild episode. So confused start to finish

[@marianar2948]

Also I'm thoroughly surprised that no question about the mechanical costs was posed! To me it's pretty obvious that the maintenance of the vehicle is a source of financial impoverishment. I would be interested in learning more about the management of a car/van. Mitz said some stuff about it towards the end, but still, she didn't say anything about the mechanics per se and she cleary hasn't come across with any real difficulty regarding that. She discusses everything as a minor incovenience with the happy go lucky smile typical of someone who has always gotten over an obstacle, but what about real threatening situations? I feel like I learned more about living in a vehicle out of necessity with the movie "Nomade". To me, even with her final remakrs, Mitz came across as a hipster who just wants to live in the periphery of society because *capitalism bad* (which fair enough, it is) rather than someone who really HAS TO live like this. She consistently sounds like a young leftist experimenting with alternatives lifestyles rather than a true poor person that is forced to figure things out.

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

Her organizing around doctors appointments is genius

[@sophianachtigall3598]

This guest could easily be a politician in future. Speaking for an hour without saying anything is a neat skill. There was no straightforward answer to any question Chelsea asked. Kidding aside, I believe she is ashamed to admit any difficulties and trying to keep it positive and light. At the moments she sounds like she is advertising this way of life.

[@Bonserak23]

More of a boat life guy.

[@CaraMarie13]

I actually got into the vanlife videos a few years ago. I always thought it it as homelessness but the people in those videos were there by choice or it was their second choice to moving in with relatives. And i say choice because they could have moved elsewhere since they all worked remotely full-time.

[@The_Letter_M]

@@CaraMarie13 Yeah, Mitz doesn't appear to have that option based on their chronic illness, their income, and the fact that their support system doesn't have financial stability for themselves.

[@CaraMarie13]

​@@The_Letter_MI was talking about the vanlife videos specifically