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lifestyle:involuntary [2021/01/16 11:34]
frater_secessus [services] |
lifestyle:involuntary [2023/06/16 18:12] (current)
mahkato [Involuntary vandwelling] |
| | 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. |
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| ====== Involuntary vandwelling ====== | ====== Involuntary vandwelling ====== |
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| 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. | Not everyone planned to live in a 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: |
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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; 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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| ===== smartphones ===== | ===== smartphones ===== |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
| 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. |
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| **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. |
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| **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. |
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| | 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. |
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| | 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. :-) |
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| 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. | |
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| 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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| | ===== longer-term plans ===== |
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| | 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]] |
| * [[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 |
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