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lifestyle:involuntary [2020/12/15 18:33]
frater_secessus [resources and forums]
lifestyle:involuntary [2023/06/16 18:12] (current)
mahkato [Involuntary vandwelling]
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 +Note:  this page uses terms like //vandwelling// because they are common.  But the info is for all vehicle-dwellers:  folks in cars, trucks, minivans, etc.  
 +
 ====== Involuntary vandwelling ====== ====== Involuntary vandwelling ======
  
-Not everyone ran to #vanlife as happy as 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. +Not everyone planned to live in vehicle -- sometimes economic or other pressures mean that living in a vehicle is the //best option available//. In that situation we are focused on **functional, not fancy**. Do what is best for you((and any loved ones that live with you)) right now;  you are not in competition with the [[lifestyle:faq_instagram|Instagram "influencer" crowd]]
  
  
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 First things first, let's reframe the situation a little bit.  These perspectives may help you cope with the new stresses: First things first, let's reframe the situation a little bit.  These perspectives may help you cope with the new stresses:
  
-  * **you have shelter** which **can be locked**, is basically **weatherproof**, and might even be mobile.  This is a really big dealthe 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; it's one third of the **food, water, and shelter** requirement for human survival.
   * "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 $$$, but **one can live very cheaply and simply in a vehicle**   * modern life is $$$, 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 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."))   * 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."))
 +  * learning to //notice// and [[lifestyle:resourcefulness|take advantage of resources]] that may be available
  
  
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   * 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 [[toilet:cat_hole|cat hole]] 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.  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 **[[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.  Heads 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 **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. 
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 ===== smartphones ===== ===== 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. +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.  If buying used, 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 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.  
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 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.  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.+**Tablets** are functionally like large smartphones, and may make web browsing and forum participation easier.   If there is no built-in microphone you may be able to use a bluetooth headset or corded headphones with mic to make VOIP phone calls
      
 **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.  **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. 
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-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.((plain cardboard may affect phone and wifi reception less than foil-covered ones))  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 [[https://amzn.to/3Q6pfyK|USB outlets that fit into the cigarette lighter]] in dollar stores and similar.   Charge as often as you can, preferably while driving.  See [[rv:car#power|this discussion of power options]] for cars. 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 [[hygiene:gym|gym membership]] will get you a place to shower, use the restroom, use wifi, etc.  And exercise if you are into that.  :-)   
  
-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. 
  
-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 =====
  
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 Register for **social services** in your area as quickly as possible, as there can be some lag.  Food banks, unemployment, food stamps, etc, **they exist for precisely this reason**.  They were //funded by you// and by people like you for situations just like this.  Don't be a hero or a proud idiot.  Register for **social services** in your area as quickly as possible, as there can be some lag.  Food banks, unemployment, food stamps, etc, **they exist for precisely this reason**.  They were //funded by you// and by people like you for situations just like this.  Don't be a hero or a proud idiot. 
  
-If you **still are going to work**, do as much of your device updating, bathroom-using, washing-up, trash disposal, ice-making, water collection there as is appropriate. Example:  rotate in freezer packs when you get to work and put them back in your cooler at the end of the workday.  +If you **still are going to work**, do as much of your device updating, bathroom-using, washing-up, trash disposal, ice-making, and water filling there as is appropriate. Example:  rotate in freezer packs when you get to work and put them back in your cooler at the end of the workday.  Take a full container of water with you every day when you leave.  
  
 +===== longer-term plans =====
  
 +If you will be living in the vehicle for months or years see [[lifestyle:hitting_the_road|this guide]] to making a permanent or semi-permanent transition. 
  
  
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   * [[https://www.findhelp.org/|findhelp.org]]   * [[https://www.findhelp.org/|findhelp.org]]
 +  * [[https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/|Homes on Wheels Alliance]] - grants and other resources to provide vans for financially struggling people
   * reddit   * reddit
     * [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/|/r/vandwellers]]     * [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/|/r/vandwellers]]
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     * [[https://www.reddit.com/r/homeless/|/r/homeless/]]     * [[https://www.reddit.com/r/homeless/|/r/homeless/]]
   * [[https://vandwellerforum.com/|vandweller forum]]   * [[https://vandwellerforum.com/|vandweller forum]]
-  * [[https://cheaprvliving.com/forums/|Cheap RV Living (CRVL) forum]]+  * [[https://vanlivingforum.com//|Vanliving forum]] - used to be the Cheap RV Living (CRVL) forum before Bob sold it
   * depending on location, 211 may connect you to resources   * depending on location, 211 may connect you to resources
        
lifestyle/involuntary.1608075207.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/12/15 18:33 by frater_secessus