By Joe K.
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Nomad in a Minivan
very nice.I take good care of the van and keep it clean, change the oil,check the
lights every day, and it has been trouble free for me. I have used this van for
living purposes on several occasions for as long as 2 months without any real
problem.
Modifications and Additions:
Parking:
At night, parking the van is very easy. I often park at Walmart, among the
shoppers, my mini van blends right in, plus the rest room is not far away if
needed. I park wherever there are alot of cars parked. I will usually spend 2
nights a week in an actual RV park but I look for the bargains and seldom spend
more than $20-25 dollars per night. During those campground nights I will
generally do laundry or use the pool and showers. Most days when not in the
campground, I am bathing in the gulf of mexico at day break or soon after when
there are few if any people out there. Some might complain at the bubbles and I
even hate the thought of polluting the water, so I am careful with the amount of
soap and shampoo I use. I like Florida the best because of all the beaches and
parks in every area and also the warm clean water.
Budget:
I lead a simple life and I have limited funds to live on. I have about $1000 per
month to live on, which seems to be plenty for me. I tend to stay in one area for
about a month and usually can get by with 2 tanks of gas per month. Thats about
$120-150 depending on current price. Then I spend about $200-250 per month
using the campground twice a week, $150-200 per month for food, $150-200 for
saving and the last $200-300 covers everything else. If I know I am going to
stay for an entire month, I will look for a camp spot to rent for a monthly rate,
but sorta ties me down and generally don't do this. I shop the yard sales on
Saturday mornings for clothes if needed or for whatever Im needing at the time.
I will look for a second hand item before paying retail everytime.
Nomad:
I have family and friends in several different points around the country and like
to visit them every few months and will usually stay with them for at least a
month or maybe even two months before going somewhere else. This means for
about 6 months out of the year, I am living indoors and six months out of the van.
It works for me. I know its a bit of a nomadic lifestyle and not everyone could be
comfortable living as I do, but it is fun and I get to go to such wonderful places
and meet different people and I have made friends along the way and never have
regretted my choices. I am planted in eastern North Carolina for the holidays,
but I know that come January, I'm gonna be putting together my next trip,
currently, destination unknown.
lights every day, and it has been trouble free for me. I have used this van for
living purposes on several occasions for as long as 2 months without any real
problem.
Modifications and Additions:
- The van is white and has factory tinted rear windows as most do, but for
added privacy in the rear, I have a simple curtain that encircles the interior
from the rear of the front chairs to the back. Its just a black velvet curtain
but it does a good job of giving added privacy. - I have a small TV that will plug into the lighter and I have a lap top and a
small power invertor along with my digital camera and cell phone, all my
electronic needs are met with very little space. - I had bad luck with the donut spare that came with the van so I bought a full
size tire and rim and carry it in the rear of the van. To utilize the space it
takes up, I have built a small box around the tire as it lays on the floor of
the van. It works well as a table for many things and there is even a small
space for stashing stuff in the rim.It can be moved to any spot in the van. I
used to carry it on top with the luggage rack, but a stolen tire taught me
that lesson. The box seems to work ok without cramping me. I would rather
have the full sized tire just in case I have a flat somewhere far from a
garage and have to rely on a donut for a long stretch. - I have a thin single mattress in the van along with sheets and a comfortor
and several pillows. - I carry one suit case in the back of the van, its a old style suitcase, it opens
opposite of the way a typical one does. Anyhow, I am a warm weather person
so clothing is easy, 20 pair of shorts, 1 pair of jeans and 1 pair of dressier
pants, 20 t-shirts, a few nicer shirts, undies and socks and Im set. It fits
fine against the back door. - Next to it, I have a cooler. I generally carry lunch meats and cheese, peanut
butter and jelly, maybe some beef or steaks if that sounds good. Alot
depends on how long I want to wait before going shopping and sometimes will
go daily or every other day. Nothing fancy, but my small Coleman gas grill
still cooks up a great meal. I do most of my cooking in the day time at local
parks with picnic tables, every town has them and most are free to enter.
Parking:
At night, parking the van is very easy. I often park at Walmart, among the
shoppers, my mini van blends right in, plus the rest room is not far away if
needed. I park wherever there are alot of cars parked. I will usually spend 2
nights a week in an actual RV park but I look for the bargains and seldom spend
more than $20-25 dollars per night. During those campground nights I will
generally do laundry or use the pool and showers. Most days when not in the
campground, I am bathing in the gulf of mexico at day break or soon after when
there are few if any people out there. Some might complain at the bubbles and I
even hate the thought of polluting the water, so I am careful with the amount of
soap and shampoo I use. I like Florida the best because of all the beaches and
parks in every area and also the warm clean water.
Budget:
I lead a simple life and I have limited funds to live on. I have about $1000 per
month to live on, which seems to be plenty for me. I tend to stay in one area for
about a month and usually can get by with 2 tanks of gas per month. Thats about
$120-150 depending on current price. Then I spend about $200-250 per month
using the campground twice a week, $150-200 per month for food, $150-200 for
saving and the last $200-300 covers everything else. If I know I am going to
stay for an entire month, I will look for a camp spot to rent for a monthly rate,
but sorta ties me down and generally don't do this. I shop the yard sales on
Saturday mornings for clothes if needed or for whatever Im needing at the time.
I will look for a second hand item before paying retail everytime.
Nomad:
I have family and friends in several different points around the country and like
to visit them every few months and will usually stay with them for at least a
month or maybe even two months before going somewhere else. This means for
about 6 months out of the year, I am living indoors and six months out of the van.
It works for me. I know its a bit of a nomadic lifestyle and not everyone could be
comfortable living as I do, but it is fun and I get to go to such wonderful places
and meet different people and I have made friends along the way and never have
regretted my choices. I am planted in eastern North Carolina for the holidays,
but I know that come January, I'm gonna be putting together my next trip,
currently, destination unknown.