Misunderstood internet humor

My work buddy didn't like my silly response to her "serious" post.

12/28 Car Truths: Research

Research!

Nothing could really prepare you for living for an extended period of time out of your vehicle. Depending on how long you're planning on living like this or got forced into the lifestyle, it helps to learn from others' experiences. Originally, I wanted to get a van and ease into this life. Due to my room mate (and boyfriend) problems I kind of got pushed into it.

Basic mistakes will always happen, but seeing variances on the same idea can help you plan how to live.

Ilgunas wrote a book on the experience.

It also makes me feel less alone and crazy. Everyone I have spoken to about the concept gives me a look of just not getting it. I've never met another van dweller or vagabond and sometimes the weight of hiding how I live gets to me. (Which is also why I'm a Car Truth post behind - Sunday I had a sad.)

Here are some helpful blogs to get you started.

Ken Ilgunas
Deciding to live in a van for graduate school, Igunas lived in one of the parking lots of Duke University. Inspired by Thoreau's Walden, he details his experiences on his blog. Honestly, Ilgunas shares similar motivations for my car life: I hated getting a student loan and vowed that I would pay it off as soon as possible.

I worked my ass for years and used my savings to cover school expenses. Transferring to CSU, living where I did, taking months to find a job, and unfortunately getting involved in a money and emotionally draining relationship put in a position where by last December I only had a hundred dollars in the bank.

Ilgunas vowed to go to graduate school and not get anymore loans. I want to finish my undergrad with little to no loans.

Source

Cheap RV Living

Probably most of the recent traffic came from the Cheap RV Living forum. The website has how-tos and set up tutorials. The most beneficial part o
f the site, I have found, is the forum. The individual stories and vans from the followers of the website are inspiring and solve van dwelling problems.

VanDwellers.org
Van Dwellers is also a big resource website. Copyrighted and also updating regularly, Romana keeps a log of useful information for those seeking to live the dream and move into their vehicles. His living in a car section is my experience in one page, as opposed to a whole website, and features good videos on the subject.

11/28 Car Truths: Bugs

Bugs!

Any fresh food should be consumed within a couple of days.

Keep the car clean.

You have a little space, the more disorganized you become the harder it is to find stuff and the easier it is for these little demons to sneak inside.

This is a more complicated subject then just saying clean and organized. Moisture collects in the car while you live in it. To avoid nasty smells and damp sheets, air out the car. If there's food or places to reside, bugs find them.

I generally keep my food in the trunk, in a box. There are some granola bars up front for breakfast. Those Nature Valley bars become crumbs.

Have a plastic bag around for trash.

Preferably don't eat in the car to avoid crumbs.

Fortunately, I live in Colorado and lived in my car mostly through winter. The forecast right now says it's going to snow again on Wednesday. Hah!

Don't let bugs be a problem.

10/28 Car Truths: Nothing new

I have a "Style" folder on my computer,

You don't need anything new!

The few items that I purchased to make living in my car easier are:
Cold weather sleeping bag - $23
Three red containers - $12
Four sun reflecting window covers - $26

Out of those items how many do you think I really needed?

None, honestly.

Where I collect inspiration pieces.

I left the sleeping bag at my mom's house over Spring Break and survived through one blizzard and two snow storms with the blankets I already had. Further, my mom had two sleeping bags in the garage, that I didn't want to use because they were "old."

I'm only using one of the red containers that I bought now. The third one kept getting in the way, so I left it at my ex's and never got it back after we broke up. After rearranging the clothes I actually use versus the clothes I brought, I eliminated the second container. The problem is: I work at a grocery warehouse, I could of just grabbed some cardboard boxes for free.

I used the window covers for my first week in the car and had two problems: I couldn't find a way to hang them up they attracted attention. Sun covers, on all the windows, during winter is an unusual sight. They're bright, shiny and say "The person who owns this car doesn't want you to see something." Most people ignore the blankets I have in my car and if I wasn't lazy in the mornings I could store them in the trunk for further stealth. I even received a ticket, while sleeping in my car, and the person who gave it to me didn't realize someone was in there.

That's sixty-four dollars that could of been mine.

I have a soft spot for "cool" jackets.

There's a lot of cool traveling gear, that I wish I had, but waiting until you have the cool clothes before going an adventure brings you no where.


You lack nothing to live free; the hard part is getting rid of the excess.

The Quarters: Updated

I saw the Quarters post reach one of the top ten posts and decided to update the poorly made graph of how I currently live. There's still an Emergency cat kit, even though it's not featured.

9/28 Car Truths: Uhm.

Let's talk about...

First off, I recently saw Salt-n-Pepa live in concert. They still got it.

Uhm. I debated about writing this post. Depending on the type of person you are and how you live this may or may not effect you, but most people are sexual.

I wouldn't suggest having long-term relationships when living in a car, unless your partner is participating.

Unless you're out in the middle of no where, miles away from any cop, park ranger, or whoever can hear you - don't have sex in your vehicle. Not speaking from personal experience, but bumping uglies causes noise and movement, which in the city is iffy (and illegal).

If you feel like masturbating, be aware of your surroundings.

If you want to have a one-night stand, or a casual relationship, plan to go to their place.

Same rules of safety and consent always apply.

8/28 Car Truths: Water

Water!

You need it! Besides having an army of water bottles that were mainly acquired throughout the campus, I carry a 3 liter jug in the car. I'm living off the campus, so water is easy to come by and is covered by my nonnegotiable student fees.

On the road, I would suggest having multiple, reusable 24 oz bottles to fill up at various locations: parks, stores, gas stations. Afterwards pour the water in the larger container. There's no need to pay for water.

The jug of water is so I never run out, or if I need to wash things. Unlike living in a home with a sink, I have to conscious think about all my utilities and manage my time around that.