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lifestyle:involuntary [2020/05/06 21:44]
frater_secessus [services]
lifestyle:involuntary [2020/07/25 00:06]
frater_secessus [niceties]
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 ====== Involuntary vandwelling ====== ====== Involuntary vandwelling ======
  
-Not everyone ran to #vanlife as happy as a hippie -- sometimes economic or other pressures //force// one into living in their vehicle.   In this situation we are focused on **functional, not fancy**.+Not everyone ran to #vanlife as happy as a hippie -- sometimes economic or other pressures //force// one into living in their vehicle.   In this situation we are focused on **functional, not fancy**.  You are doing what is best for you and your family right now;  you are not in competition with the Instagram "influencer" crowd
  
  
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   * **you have shelter** which **can be locked**, is basically **weatherproof**, and might even be mobile.  This is a really big deal, the most important thing for you and your family.    * **you have shelter** which **can be locked**, is basically **weatherproof**, and might even be mobile.  This is a really big deal, the most important thing for you and your family. 
   * "you can live in your car but you can't drive your house"   * "you can live in your car but you can't drive your house"
-  * modern life is $$$, but **one can live simply on very little** +  * modern life is $$$, but **one can live very cheaply and simply in a vehicle** 
-  * vanfolk usually think of themselves as //houseless//, //home-free// or //nomadic// rather than //homeless// You have a home!  Use whichever term the occasion best.  :-)+  * vanfolk usually think of themselves as //houseless//, //home-free// or //nomadic// rather than //homeless// You have a home!  Use whichever term fits the occasion best.  :-)  Maybe when talking to friends you are a //vandweller// And maybe when talking to service providers you are //homeless// or //unsheltered//.((""An [[http://www.unsheltered.org/faqs/what-does-unsheltered-mean/|unsheltered homeless person]] is someone who lives in a place that is not meant for human habitation."))
  
  
 ===== necessities ===== ===== necessities =====
  
-[[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/gex1wc/simple_sleeping_setup/|{{ https://i.redd.it/rzte7u6nv8x41.jpg?200}}]]You will need **a place to [[rv:build:bed|sleep]]**.   Many people recommend earplugs and eye mask to block out light from streetlights, headlights, etc.  Your first few nights in the vehicle will likely be rough as you get used to the idea. +[[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/gex1wc/simple_sleeping_setup/|{{ https://i.redd.it/rzte7u6nv8x41.jpg?200}}]]You will need **a place to [[rv:build:bed|sleep]]**.     Your first few nights in the vehicle will likely be rough as you get used to the idea. Many people recommend earplugs and eye mask to block out light from streetlights, headlights, etc.
  
   * seats in many cars/trucks recline for short rests.  If you are by yourself you may even take out the passenger seat to make a flat spot to sleep.      * seats in many cars/trucks recline for short rests.  If you are by yourself you may even take out the passenger seat to make a flat spot to sleep.   
   * Many cars have rear seats that fold so your feet can stick into the trunk.     * Many cars have rear seats that fold so your feet can stick into the trunk.  
   * SUVs and crossovers with fold-flat seats [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/gex1wc/simple_sleeping_setup/|have considerable sleeping area]]. If you are in a cold area a blanket or sleeping bag will be helpful.   * SUVs and crossovers with fold-flat seats [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/gex1wc/simple_sleeping_setup/|have considerable sleeping area]]. If you are in a cold area a blanket or sleeping bag will be helpful.
 +  * minivan and suv/crossover seats can usually be unbolted and removed.  Set them by a dumpster and someone with kid-stained seats will take the upgrade  :-)
   * and Vans have much larger areas where one can lay flat on a seat, mat, or cot.    * and Vans have much larger areas where one can lay flat on a seat, mat, or cot. 
  
 You will need **a place to pee**. A [[lifestyle:faq_toilet|gatorade bottle or similar]] is common.  Women may want to use wider-mouth jars.  You will also need **a place to poop**.  With any luck you will have access to a public restroom.  If not, a couple grocery bags (doubled up) will do;  tie off and dispose of in the trash.  You might also dig a cathole if you are in a place with grass or soil.  If you have room, a [[toilet:bucket|bucket]] makes the process more comfortable. You will need **a place to pee**. A [[lifestyle:faq_toilet|gatorade bottle or similar]] is common.  Women may want to use wider-mouth jars.  You will also need **a place to poop**.  With any luck you will have access to a public restroom.  If not, a couple grocery bags (doubled up) will do;  tie off and dispose of in the trash.  You might also dig a cathole if you are in a place with grass or soil.  If you have room, a [[toilet:bucket|bucket]] makes the process more comfortable.
  
-You will need **[[water:drinking|water]] to drink**, to clean the vehicle and yourself up.  Empty soda bottles are tough and hold water well.  Rinse them out and fill in water fountains, spigots, sinks, whatever. If you have space to store gallon or larger jugs, [[water:drinking|water refill kiosks]] are relatively inexpensive.+You will need **[[water:drinking|water]] to drink**, to clean the vehicle and yourself up.  Empty soda bottles are tough and hold water well.  Rinse them out and fill in water fountains, spigots, sinks, whatever. If you have space to store gallon or larger jugs, [[water:drinking|water refill kiosks]] are relatively inexpensive.  Head up:  "milk jug" style jugs are brittle and degrade quickly.  You can buy water in them but don't use them for long-term storage.  
 + 
 +You will need **food to eat**.  Fast food is extremely expensive.  Sandwiches made from deli supplies will be inexpensive. Since you probably won't be able to [[food:cooking|cook]] yet, focus on foods that can be eaten cold.  You'll need a good manual can opener in any case.  Peanut butter is a great bang-for-buck. Since you [[food:no_refrigeration|likely will not have a fridge]], leftovers should be kept to a minimum.  Buy only what you can eat.  
 + 
 +You will need to [[hygiene:bathing|wash yourself]].  You might bring a rag into a public restroom (bring a baggie so you can put the wet rag in it on the way out), pour some water into a bowl, use wipes. etc.  
  
-You will need **food to eat**.  Fast food is extremely expensive.  Sandwiches made from deli supplies will be inexpensive. Since you probably won't be able to [[food:cooking|cook]] yet, focus on foods that can be eaten cold.  You'll need a good can opener in any case.  Peanut butter is a great bang-for-buck. Since you [[food:no_refrigeration|likely will not have a fridge]], leftovers should be kept to a minimum.  Buy only what you can eat.  
  
 You will need a way to **dispose of [[camping:dispersed:trash|trash]]**.   Stuff trash inside other pieces of trash;  loose bits inside jars and cans, for example.  Toss trash into receptacles whenever possible. You will need a way to **dispose of [[camping:dispersed:trash|trash]]**.   Stuff trash inside other pieces of trash;  loose bits inside jars and cans, for example.  Toss trash into receptacles whenever possible.
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 You will need **a place to park for the night**.  If you are in a city this typically means [[camping:stealth_camping|stealth camping]]. If you are on the highway you can usually sleep in a rest area then move on.  In rural areas (particularly out west) you may be able to [[camping:dispersed|boondock]].  You will need **a place to park for the night**.  If you are in a city this typically means [[camping:stealth_camping|stealth camping]]. If you are on the highway you can usually sleep in a rest area then move on.  In rural areas (particularly out west) you may be able to [[camping:dispersed|boondock]]. 
 +
 +You will need [[lifestyle:faq_laundry|a place to do laundry]], usually a laundromat.  Leverage the free wifi if available.  Carry your own detergent as  it is obscenely expensive by the packet.  Save your quarters for doing laundry. 
 +
 +===== smartphones =====
 +
 +A smartphone is extremely useful, even a cheap one or one that is not activated or on a plan.  Cheap new smartphones can be found in prepaid sections in stores, and used ones can be found in thrift stores, pawn shops, etc.  Verify it is not password locked and that it boots up before purchase. 
 +
 +Once you have your smartphone you can **use public wifi for [[communication:internet|internet]]**.  Even though libraries, cafes, etc, are closed they likely still have wifi in the parking lot.  
 +
 +Once you are online with wifi you can get a webmail address like gmail or yahoo.  Google offers free phone numbers through Google Voice, and those numbers can be used for text, voicemail, and sometimes phone calls depending on the setup.  You would only be able to access the text/voicemail when on wifi, but it's a good way to stay in touch and the phone number looks like any other phone number. You can also do chat and video calling over your google mail account. 
 +
 +**Tablets** are functionally like large smartphones, and may make web browsing and forum participation easier.
 +  
 +**Note**:   with some open wifi systems you have to connect to an unsecure website like http://m.cnn.com (not http//s//) in order to get the connection agreement to show up so you can click on it. 
 +
 +**Pro tips**:  
 +
 +  * carry a usb cord and wall charger with you at all times so you can use any charging source you find. A dead smartphone is not so useful. 
 +  * if you have no phone service then turn the phone portion off in the smartphone's menu.  This will extend battery life
 +  * you may be eligible for [[https://www.assurancewireless.com/|a lifeline phone]]
 +  * even if you have a data plan, stretch it further by using open wifi whenever you can
 +  * bluetooth keyboards are about $20 and can make using a smartphone or tablet for email/blogging/posting much easier. 
 +
 +===== tools =====
 +
 +  * flashlight, headlamp, or "taplight" Headlamps are especially useful in small spaces since they are handsfree.  They may have straps or may clip to a hat brim.  Some have a red LED option that makes them less obvious and blinding at night
 +  * mulitools or swiss army kinives often have a knife blade, screwdriver bits, bottle opener, and a [[https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=use+a+swiss+army+knife+can+opener|blade-style can opener]].  As with the manual can opener mentioned above, practice with it //before// you are hungry and stressed -- it can be rough the first time.  After that it's just time-consuming.  :-)
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
  
 ===== niceties ===== ===== niceties =====
  
-  
-If you don't have a mobile data plan on your phone you can **use public wifi to for [[communication:internet|internet]]**.  Even though libraries, cafes, etc, are closed they likely still have wifi in the parking lot.  Note that with some open wifi systems you have to connect to an unsecure website like http://m.cnn.com (not http//s//) in order to get the connection agreement to show up so you can click on it.  
  
 For **privacy**, you can use a sunscreen in your front windshield and cut-to-shape cardboard (preferably dark or painted) on side windows.  Hanging clothes up in the window is a sure giveaway. For **privacy**, you can use a sunscreen in your front windshield and cut-to-shape cardboard (preferably dark or painted) on side windows.  Hanging clothes up in the window is a sure giveaway.
  
-For **power**, most charging for small devices like phones and tablets will be by USB.  Some newer vehicles have USB jacks built in.  If not, you can find ones that fit into the cigarette lighter in dollar stores and similar.   Charge as often as you can, preferably while driving.   +For **power**, most charging for small devices like phones and tablets will be by USB.  Some newer vehicles have USB jacks built in.  If not, you can find ones that fit into the cigarette lighter in dollar stores and similar.   Charge as often as you can, preferably while driving.  See [[electrical:12v:intro#what_you_can_run_in_the_van|this discussion of power options]]. If you will be going to work or public indoor space regularly [[rv:build:minimal#survival_micropower|a small battery pack]] and extension cord may serve you well.
- +
-If you will be going to work or public indoor space regularly [[rv:build:minimal#survival_micropower|a small battery pack]] and extension cord may serve you well.+
  
 +A **gym membership** will get you a place to shower, use the restroom, use wifi, etc.  And exercise if you are into that.  :-)
 ===== services ===== ===== services =====
  
lifestyle/involuntary.txt · Last modified: 2023/06/16 18:12 by mahkato