Young Vandweller

By Sonja the Vandweller

I was 24 when I met Dan the Handyman (click here: boatbuilding.piczo.com)
and he first told me about van dwelling. My gypsy heart jumped at the idea, but
I was too settled then to even consider it. I had held a steady job for 6 years
and also owned a house. It wasn't until I turned 26 that I was given the
opportunity to completely start over and took it with open arms. I got
permanently laid off from my job and finally sold my house. Everything felt
right, so I spent my savings on a 1985 VW Westfalia vanagon. I definitely had
lots to figure out when I first moved into it. These were among my top concerns
and how I dealt with them –

  • Down-sizing: I had been living in conventional houses for my entire life,
    and I had accumulated an incredible amount of stuff. I gave things away
    to friends, sold massive amounts on eBay, and took over half my clothes to
    consignment & resale shops. I posted flyers to sell furniture, and I sold
    all my cds after burning them into mp3 files. I got rid of everything I
    didn't need, and I only saved things I couldn't bear to part with.  My
    parents still lived nearby, so I put my remaining belongings into "free
    storage" at their house. Someday I will go back and probably get rid of
    most of what is there, because I don't even remember what I'm saving.

  • Organizing: The next step was trying to organize my van. I bought some
    little plastic totes for my tiny piles of socks & underwear, and I keep
    them in the "closet" inside my VW. I put the rest of my clothes into 3
    medium-sized totes that I keep on my bed during the daytime. I hung a
    couple nets in my van for things such as paper-towel, food, my journal, &
    contact solution. I also hung an organizer on the back of the front
    passenger seat which is perfect for my flashlights, candle-lantern, bug
    spray, wet-wipes, incense, pens, hairbrush, flower-vase, and more. I sleep
    in a goose-down sleeping bag with a couple pillows that I keep on my bed
    at all times. They don't take up much space.

  • Food storage: I wasn't sure what to do at first about not having a
    refrigerator. My Westfalia has a tiny fridge, but I didn't want to mess
    with propane canisters. I have been using it as more of a cooler, and it
    works just fine. I can buy ice for it, but things stay pretty cool without
    it if they are just cold to begin with. I really don't buy hardly any
    perishable food these days. I stop at grocery stores if I need to, and I
    buy mostly non-perishable items such as granola bars, dried fruit, nuts,
    peanut butter, and oatmeal. The only perishable food I normally buy is
    fruit, and I eat that so often that it never has a chance to go bad.

  • Going to the bathroom: This has become so much easier for me since I
    bought a little gadget called a "Lady J." I can use it to go right into a
    bottle, just like a man, which is extremely convenient. I bought the
    complementary "Little John," which is guaranteed to be leak-proof and
    odor-proof. I also have biodegradable TP, a coffee can, and plastic bags
    in my van for when I need more than my 'Lady J'. I then keep it in the
    can and dispose of it when I find my next trash receptacle.  I don't have
    to seek out a place to use a bathroom anymore when I really have to go.
    Of course, if it's convenient, I'll use any public restroom that is nearby.

  • Personal hygiene: I am a very clean person and can't stand feeling
    disgusting. If I am able to use a friend's shower, I definitely take
    advantage of their kindness. I shower quite often at the gym, and I have
    also showered at public beaches, campgrounds, and public swimming pools.
    I wash myself with camp suds if I'm at a lake or beach with no shower,
    although I am stealthy about it. I keep washcloths and water in my van
    for quick wipe-downs, and I also wipe my face with witch-hazel to feel
    refreshed. I have a no-rinse shampoo, which is very handy if there is no
    water available & I'm desperate to wash my hair. Someday I plan on
    getting a solar shower and perhaps hanging a shower curtain around my
    back hatch when it's open. Then I can take a shower from the privacy of
    standing behind my van.

  • Paying bills & getting mail: I do save money living in my van, but I still
    have expenses other than food and gas. I have a cell phone, a loan
    payment, van insurance, and credit cards. One of the first things I did to
    handle this was go "paperless" - I now get all my statements by email and
    pay my bills online. I get wifi on my laptop, and many public libraries
    have computers & internet available. I use the address at my parent's
    house for random mail, but I really don't get much from anyone. If I am
    ever in one place long enough, a PO Box is definitely an option. I've
    learned there are also services in various states that will get mail for you,
    and you can always get packages at any post office if they are sent c/o
    General Delivery.

  • Making money: I'm sure that this will always be somewhat of a challenge
    while I'm on the road. This past summer I did a couple interior painting
    jobs, sorted cherries at an orchard, and did some brush cleanup and weed-
    whacking at a horse farm. I could also do babysitting, house cleaning, dog
    walking, and things of that nature. I've found odd jobs through friends,
    store posting boards, and the newspaper. I've learned to really just focus
    on what I do best and also be willing to try anything. I've thought about
    parking & working at different campgrounds, or selling foot rubs or hemp
    necklaces at summer festivals. My main passion is photography, so I am
    currently busy with my online store, "Falia Photography" (click here:
    cafepress.com/falia) that sells products with my original travel
    photographs..

I never really look back on the life that I used to have, other than to be
thankful for my new-found freedom and experiences. I love my van, and it is all
that I need.  Since moving into it, I have started  my "Falia Photography Travel
Journal" (click here: faliaphotography.com) to meet people like you along the
way. If you have the time, I would love to hear your story.
Sonja's Cozy Little Home On Wheels