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--- lifestyle:downsizing [2020/01/23 20:48]
frater_secessus [everything else must go]
+++ lifestyle:downsizing [2021/03/18 03:03] (current)
frater_secessus
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ===== understanding the available space =====
-The best way to understand what should go in your camper is to move it into your camper, or at least a camper-sized space in your home.
+The best way to understand what should go in your camper is to move it into your camper, or at least [[rv:build:cardboard|a camper-sized space in your home]].
 If your build is sufficiently far along, **actually put each item in your camper** when you decide to keep it.  The amount of available space and need for organization will become apparent.
-If you don't have a camper (or have the vehicle but can't load it up yet), measure the camper's floor plan and mark it out with painters tape on the floor.  Placing it in a corner works particularly well.  Also mark the ceiling height on your walls;  nothing can go above that.  Literally place each item you will bring in the space as if it were your camper.  Cardboard boxes can be arranged to represent furniture and other items.((AKA "cardboard aided design"))
+===== general practices =====
+Getting rid of excess material goods takes a long time, and can can be emotionally/psychologically harder than one might think.
+Some ideas to help with the downsizing:
+  * **stop buying physical stuff** that will not go in the van with you. Bias purchases toward experiences, digital goods, consumables
+  * clear out room by room in your house or apartment.  As soon as there is one empty room, measure out a spot on the floor that [[rv:build:cardboard|approximates the living space of the smallest van you are considering]].  **Everything you will own must fit in that space**.
+  * make spaces for stuff you want to sell, and stuff you want to give away.  Put the give-away somewhere near the door so you will remember to offer those items to friends and family who visit.
+  * start paring your wardrobe down to the essentials: //"Pack as if you're going out for only a week during the summer. Then add what you'd need if you were going out for only a week in winter. That should pretty much cover everything."// -- MrNoodly((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Van-Packing-List?pid=300869#pid300869))
+  * let your family and friends know you can't use physical gifts (unless it's an item or material you can use in your build)
+  * convert your [[:#books|book]] collection to an e-reader like a Nook or Kindle;  see below.
+===== what to bring =====
+> "Pack as if you're going out for only a week during the summer. Then add what you'd need if you were going out for only a week in winter. That should pretty much cover everything." --MrNoodly((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Van-Packing-List?pid=300869#pid300869))
+> "I can't be prepared for everything I can possibly imagine, so I prepare for things that are most likely to happen." -- MrNoodly((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Van-Packing-List?pid=301214#pid301214))
+  * [[water:start|water]] for drinking, [[hygiene:bathing|bathing]], and doing dishes and [[lifestyle:faq_laundry|laundry]]
+  * food
+  * [[food:cooking:stoves|cookware]], and utensils
+  * [[hvac:start|ventilation]]:  a fan
+  * [[rv:build:bed|bed]]:  cot, blankets, mummy sleeping bag
+  * a few item to cook and eat with
+  * clothing
+  * heater
+  * [[lifestyle:faq_toilet|toilet]], and toiletries:  toothpaste/brush, moisturizer
 ===== everything else must go =====
@@ Line 18: / Line 48: @@
 ways to leave your clutter:
-  - craigslist
+  - sell or give away on craigslist
-  - ebay
+  - sell it on [[https://www.ebay.com/?mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&mkcid=1&campid=5338647285&toolid=10001&customid=&mkevt=1|ebay]]
-  - freecycle
+  - give it away on [[https://www.freecycle.org/|freecycle]]
-====== books ======
+  - give it away by setting it out early for trash pickup - swoop!
+  - give away books on [[http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/bookmooch/|bookmooch]]
+  - donate it to religious thrifts like the Salvation Army, secular thrifts like Goodwill, etc.  Be sure to get your tax deduction slip!
+==== books ====
 > If you need to jettison books quickly, donate them to your local Friends of the Library group for an upcoming book sale or drop the reading material off at a nearby Little Free Library.  -- rubbertrampartist((http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/eliminating-material-possessions-letting-go-part-4-how-to-give-away-what-you-no-longer-need/))
@@ Line 30: / Line 63: @@
 Your public library probably already digitally loans Kindle books through [[https://www.overdrive.com/|Overdrive]] (they are delivered by Amazon).  No standing in checkout line or driving back to the library to return them - the books are just deleted from the reader after the loan expires.
+If you have books that are not available in digital format companies like [[http://1dollarscan.com/|1dollarscan]] can digitize your physical copy.
 Note:  Non-DRM books (like public domain works from [[http://www.gutenberg.org/|Project Gutenberg]], etc) can be read in third party apps like [[https://fbreader.org/|FBreader]], a free and massively configurable reader.

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