2001 Ford E350 Extended High-top van [split from 1986 Dodge B-250 ...]

[anewbiewannabe]

(Grabs the soapbox)

So you used your mom's credit to fund what was important to you. Your grandpa didn't make your list at the time apparently---the blame isn't your parents, at least on that.  Those who want something work toward it, those who don't really want it have excuses.  Condolences on your loss, but you could have figured a way to see him if he had been a priority.

Staying with your parents because of their subsidies speaks volumes.  If you are in fact collecting SSI while being subsidized by your parents and living at their address that is defrauding the government and making it harder for people who really need the assistance to get it.  SSI is for disabled people with basically nothing that don't have anyone helping them and don't have the work credits to get SSDI or their SSDI is low enough to get some SSI too.

You put down people who make choices on how to spend THEIR OWN time and money while using your parents time and money.  Your parents may have enabled your behavior but you are old enough now to take responsibility for your own behavior. Nobody but you owes you anything toward making the life you want.  You want your wants but you haven't even started meeting your own needs and you won't have any true knowledge about life until you get out there and live your own by your own efforts instead of mooching off your parents.

You are very lucky to have parents that keep funding your pet projects, but unless you start being realistic with goals you may find that your parents finally get tired of throwing good money after bad. Or you may never develop into the person you could be because your parents keep bailing you out of situations that you make no true effort to get out of yourself.

It makes me sad to see a young person being given these opportunities and yet continually blaming others, putting others down, being rude to those who try to offer real knowledge, and demanding his wants before he is taking care of his own needs.  It makes me thankful that my daughter is much different from you.

Lots of people on here have tried to help you in many ways, including trying to open your eyes, but you ignore those things that don't fit with what you want to believe.  You may be one who has to go out and experience the school of hard knocks to truly get those lessons, even though you are starting from a position where you could have avoided the worst of them---that's what it looks like from here.  I just hope your parents stop investing so much in you until you actually start truly investing in yourself otherwise you'll still be in the same place in 20 years---that is no favor to you.

You don't have the right to claim "poor" until you are actually living on your own without the parental subsidies. Fly from the cushy nest and get out and experience real life---not just the parties, unless you find a way to pay your own way.  You might not have every want at first, but you will start to find out who you really are and what you really need and that will serve your soul better than just living off of your parents.  Then you will actually be living life and can work toward whatever goals you set however you choose.

(Sets soapbox aside)

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

As my late father always said, "Talk is cheap" and you do a lot of it. You're an adult now, anything you have or don't have rests squarely on your shoulders. The only blame you can put on your parents is they've enabled you to act this way far too long. You show zero gratitude for what they've done to help you and that's really sad. At what age do you think they'll stop owing you something and that you should start providing for yourself? My parents were nice enough to let me live rent free from 18-22 and I repaid them by working two full time jobs and buying my own home at 22. I also did every possible thing around the house I could to help them out.

I hope you succeed and start taking at least a little of the solid advice that has been generously thrown your way. I hope you soon realize what your parents have done and continue to do for you. I hope you can one day return them the favors. I'm sorry to hear about your granddad, but use that as a lesson. One day your parents are going to be old like him and need your help, set yourself up now so you can be there for them later. And do plenty of traveling in the meantime!

 

[debit.servus]

I can't believe you let your parents pay your way and then sit there and whine about them. What are the negative experiences, exactly?

The negative experiences include but are not limited to:
-Mom thinking I belong as a ward of the system in a locked up facility for the rest of my life because I am working to live a different life than they had (deep down I think mom and dad want to get their own rigs, rent out/sell the house to pay for it and travel the same places I do).
-Mom and dad treating me as a big spender because I put my money into tools, appliances and a night out or two (we don't go out as a family).
-Mom and dad calling the DODGE a "money pit", "old bunker", "piece of ----" (but they did finance the FORD which I am thankful for)
-Moms "2 week vacation" philosophy when it comes to life, work yourself to death for a 2 week vacation every year.
-Dad saying I won't ever be financially independent because I haven't decided on college due to me knowing college today is not the "sure bet" that it once was (if it ever was).
-Mom and dad say I am not a saver because I don't keep money in the bank (see next one).
-Mom, dad, sister and their inner circle calling me crazy for calling the mathematically inevitable total economic collapse of all the fiat currencies and wealth instruments of the entire world which will happen sooner or later.
-Their treatment when it came to my projects, including woodgasification. With woodgasification I didn't ask for them to finance a penny, or spend a minute of their time helping me; just being able to build it on their land because it doesn't look like there will be enough time before the great fiat money implosion to save up, work for and acquire a few acres in the intermountain west.
-Mom and dad claiming my personality and body language are the reason I am still crying for boi love.
-The straw that broke the camels back: The disgusting attitude mom had about me seeing bob before he went, treating the expense like it could be put off like a new TV. Making not seeing Bob before he went out to be no big deal, replying "you can then go to his funeral after he dies". For the record, I didn't ask them to pay %100 of the cost; closer to %50 or one component of the trip (they pay for airfare/fuel/bus fare and I pay for food and lodging).

Not because:
"That they didn't pay MORE? That they bought you a van, but didn't immediately finance you ANOTHER trip? "

You don't know what kind of breaks you're getting. I think you should take off on your own so that you'll have to face coming back to your parent's driveway.

I am thankful for the breaks.

...
I grew up as an abused child. (Got the scars to prove it.)  I had a job on the farm at 4.  I had to feed 3,000 chickens, and collect eggs.  For spending money I planted a garden and sold produce to the egg customers.  I went to work washing dishes in restaurants at 10. (I have the Social Security records to prove that also.)  

Awww. I don't think the system would be happy with a 4 year old feeding 3000 chickens today... Such a life is considered "child abuse" today.

Because of those "negative experiences" I am the person I am today. I had cars and houses ~~~ property~~~ Almost everything I had was wiped out from being in an accident with an uninsured driver. 

I wonder how that happened? When was this?

I have no AC, no generator, no fridge and no bed in my van.  (Fan, started with batteries charged from alternator, ice chest, and I sleep in a captain's chair.)  I am almost at the point where I can buy the fridge, but medical bills keep my savings from growing as fast as I would like.  

You were miserable because you had no other choice, feel bad for you.

Sleep is most important for me so if I would be in that situation getting a bed in the van would be first.

While surviving on SSDI, I have traveled more than 3,000 miles each way to visit family and friends.  At the same time I was able to help out my kids with their emergency needs,

Please explain the hardship you had to travel 3,000 miles while living from SSDI, likely a yearly income of $7000 a year. Getting tired of people boasting how they live well while exploring the country on a $7000 a year income without fully sharing the other costs (how their average day is like, set-up costs, trial-and-error, time spent to achieve savings/discounts etc.) and any benefits that subsidize/offset the cost of living (like eating at the homeless shelter twice a week, subsidized healthcare, living with family, barter etc.).

I have read too many "savings stories" where everything was right the first time, hardships are downplayed or omitted, time costs are discounted/downplayed/omitted, person had social connections to get ________ for 1/3rd of retail, person had junkyard/second hand store/reclamation store within 20 miles of them, person pulled strings with someone he knows/knew at said junkyard/second hand store/reclamation store to get ________ for 1/3rd of retail, trial-and-error are downplayed/omitted, set-up costs (including any tools/equipment bought/rented for the project) are downplayed/omitted, bartering to achieve a milestone/accomplish the project is downplayed/omitted, extreme frugal tips person used to achieve monetary savings are downplayed/omitted, price comparison skills to achieve monetary savings are downplayed/omitted, negotiating skills to achieve monetary savings are downplayed/omitted, salesman skills to achieve monetary savings are downplayed/omitted, deal hunting skills to achieve monetary savings are downplayed/omitted.

rebuild the motor in the desert, and start installing solar.

Wow, you had the skill to rebuild the motor (or the top end of an AT) in the desert without having it blow up on you going into town! Not many people have those skills. Same for installing solar.

I appreciate what I have because I have lived without it.  

Mee too.

Learn to separate wants from needs. 

I have. Function before form. I want a killer sound system with thousands of watts of aural power, but it's a total want and will have to wait.

Learn to treasure the little things.  

Which little things? Like the variation in taste between different brews of FOLGERS coffee? Or the 1% difference in humidity between today and yesterday? Or the 3 cent CASH OUT slip from the R-something casino two blocks east of Fremont street in Downtown Las Vegas?

Or?:


Meet Paul:

This wulf puppy is who I imagine myself as. My expression can be either crying, laughing, yawning, screaming, or in awe. I am going to Bobs funeral, and already crying for it.

 

[GotSmart]

Mizerable??? Hardly.  I enjoyed every minute of it.  I would travel so far, then spend a few weeks camped out reading and enjoying myself.  My cat and I had a great time.  

Child abuse??? Reality for a million farm kids in the USA.  

My SSDI is more than 7K a year.  I was a top tradesman when I was hit by a meth stoned freak.  I was paying more than 1K a week in taxes.  The "I" stands for INSURANCE

That and a careful budget (no parties) lets me do what I want.  

The little things is the way the sky does this at dawn in Q, for one.

 

[debit.servus]

...
My SSDI is more than 7K a year.  I was a top tradesman when I was hit by a meth stoned freak.  I was paying more than 1K a week in taxes.  The "I" stands for INSURANCE

That and a careful budget (no parties) lets me do what I want.  

The little things is the way the sky does this at dawn in Q, for one.

So you had insurance to cover the damages? How did you lose most of your assets?

Careful budget? No parties? If I had to pick between EDC and Burning Man it would be Burning Man. Going to consider skipping EDC Las Vegas 2017 after EDC Las Vegas 2016, that'll save $400 just from the ticket cost alone.

I set bank account up to transfer $100 checking to savings each month for the next six months since I have enough tools, A/C, vandwelling appliances, and electrical goods. The van maintenance/repair fund is at $0.00, same for the insurance fund, replacements fund, food fund, fuel fund (since I don't have an cheap energy system decoupled from the oil monopoly), fun fund, big ticket fund, and the emergency fund. This needs to change ASAP as money always goes the farthest and is the best barter item.

Beautiful sunrise! Will be on the road very soon!

 

[TMG51]

The negative experiences include but are not limited to:
-Mom thinking I belong as a ward of the system in a locked up facility for the rest of my life because I am working to live a different life than they had (deep down I think mom and dad want to get their own rigs, rent out/sell the house to pay for it and travel the same places I do).
-Mom and dad treating me as a big spender because I put my money into tools, appliances and a night out or two (we don't go out as a family).
-Mom and dad calling the DODGE a "money pit", "old bunker", "piece of ----" (but they did finance the FORD which I am thankful for)
-Moms "2 week vacation" philosophy when it comes to life, work yourself to death for a 2 week vacation every year.
-Dad saying I won't ever be financially independent because I haven't decided on college due to me knowing college today is not the "sure bet" that it once was (if it ever was).
-Mom and dad say I am not a saver because I don't keep money in the bank (see next one).
-Mom, dad, sister and their inner circle calling me crazy for calling the mathematically inevitable total economic collapse of all the fiat currencies and wealth instruments of the entire world which will happen sooner or later.
-Their treatment when it came to my projects, including woodgasification. With woodgasification I didn't ask for them to finance a penny, or spend a minute of their time helping me; just being able to build it on their land because it doesn't look like there will be enough time before the great fiat money implosion to save up, work for and acquire a few acres in the intermountain west.
-The straw that broke the camels back: The disgusting attitude mom had about me seeing bob before he went, treating the expense like it could be put off like a new TV. Making not seeing Bob before he went out to be no big deal, replying "you can then go to his funeral after he dies". For the record, I didn't ask them to pay %100 of the cost; closer to %50 or one component of the trip (they pay for airfare/fuel/bus fare and I pay for food and lodging).

Apart from the philosophical differences in how life should be lived (working to vacation for two weeks vs living for adventure), their advice seems pretty spot on. And I'm willing to bet they would even be tolerant or accepting of your travel-life philosophy if indeed you actually LIVED that life, or even showed any indication that you were going to provide that life for yourself.

So far, you just babble about wood and various conspiracy theories and sit in your parent's driveway, and they pay for your trips occasionally. They are right to call you crazy on some of that and they are right to set limits on how far they enable you (no recent Canada trip after buying you a new van). This isn't meant to sound cruel or demeaning, but somewhere you need to get a reality check and all you do is make excuses to anyone who tries to help you with one, so forgive me for being direct. The job you had briefly was good. Go get another one.

-Mom and dad claiming my personality and body language are the reason I am still crying for boi love.

Let me guess.... The true reason is also someone else's fault somehow?

Didn't you once admit to not brushing your teeth?

This wulf puppy is who I imagine myself as. My expression can be either crying, laughing, yawning, screaming, or in awe. I am going to Bobs funeral, and already crying for it.

I can't load your video currently but since you put that out there, are you also a furry? No judgement, it's your life.

 

[Stargazer]

Debit,

SSI? Be aware that if you are out of the US (as in Canada) for more than 30 consecutive days, the benefit will stop. You will then have to be back for 30 days to restart it.

How will "they" know? I have no idea. But it's something to think about.

To everybody else, how Debit and his parents choose to live is their business. Do you really think he/they will change their family dynamic from what we may tell him? The best course of action here may be to leave him alone to figure things out on his own.

 

[GotSmart]

So you had insurance to cover the damages? How did you lose most of your assets?

Careful budget? No parties? If I had to pick between EDC and Burning Man it would be Burning Man. Going to consider skipping EDC Las Vegas 2017 after EDC Las Vegas 2016, that'll save $400 just from the ticket cost alone.

I set bank account up to transfer $100 checking to savings each month for the next six months since I have enough tools, A/C, vandwelling appliances, and electrical goods. The van maintenance/repair fund is at $0.00, same for the insurance fund, replacements fund, food fund, fuel fund (since I don't have an cheap energy system decoupled from the oil monopoly), fun fund, big ticket fund, and the emergency fund. This needs to change ASAP as money always goes the farthest and is the best barter item.

Beautiful sunrise! Will be on the road very soon!

Disability insurance.  Until it kicked in, I had to live off my resources.  Everything had to be liquidated to survive in CA.  Then I moved to MO. where the locals promptly ripped me off.  

RTR is my party.  

Insurance is always on the top of my priorities.   Automatic withdrawal to be constantly legal and protected. 

I do not understand where you say that money is a barter item.  Barter is the means of exchange without money. Money is the standard item for goods purchase.   I can barter any number of items and non items.  From unwanted tools, appliances, to specialized labor.  Many mechanics are scared to do plumbing or carpentry.   

The sunrise was at RTR  2016.  Click on it and see the diverse vehicles.  

Write out a budget to see just how far your $ need to go.  Then please try to have a talk with your parents as a MAN, not as a child.  (Boi should not even enter into the situation) Do not allow your voice to become raised.  Stick to current reality.  Doomcryers have been selling the collapse of society as long as I remember.  Don't go there.   

Until you act as a man, you will not be treated as one.

 

[GotSmart]

It is.  You can be qualified off of parental income.  This does not keep a person from trying and making some money.

 

[cyndi]

I've deleted more than a few posts from this thread.

[size=large]The thread or the forum is not the place  to question someone's health issues. Why or how the OP can collect SSI is none of your business. It's totally rude and completely disrespectful. I say this is s someone with more than one *invisible* condition, that gets judged on a regular basis.[/size]

It's your choice to participate in this thread. Please, keep your remarks and opinions to the OP's original topic: A 2001 E350.

If he invites your opinion or help with his disability and benefits then your free to offer helpful suggestions.

In case you haven't figured it out, there are a number of us with disabilities, both visible and invisible, on this forum. Your disdain and judgments are reprehensible and offensive.

 

[Txjaybird]

Overunity, AKA perpetual motion;


]Perpetual motion  is motion of bodies that continues indefinitely. This is impossible because of friction and other energy-dissipating processes. A perpetual motion machine is a hypothetical machine that can do work indefinitely without an energy source. This kind of machine is impossible, as it would violate the first or second law of thermodynamics. 


Whatcha smokin, and where can I find some?

Sounds like cat nip to me...........I know you know how it affects cats      TJB

 

[debit.servus]

Apart from the philosophical differences in how life should be lived (working to vacation for two weeks vs living for adventure), their advice seems pretty spot on. And I'm willing to bet they would even be tolerant or accepting of your travel-life philosophy if indeed you actually LIVED that life, or even showed any indication that you were going to provide that life for yourself.

So far, you just babble about wood and various conspiracy theories and sit in your parent's driveway, and they pay for your trips occasionally. They are right to call you crazy on some of that and they are right to set limits on how far they enable you (no recent Canada trip after buying you a new van). This isn't meant to sound cruel or demeaning, but somewhere you need to get a reality check and all you do is make excuses to anyone who tries to help you with one, so forgive me for being direct. The job you had briefly was good. Go get another one.

...
I can't load your video currently but since you put that out there, are you also a furry? No judgement, it's your life.

They think since I am not working every day of the week with little to no sleep I am a lazy asshole. I am so close to LIVING my dream life, need to get rid of the DODGE and fit out the FORD for full-time living. Then I move in and sleep, and use the computer in the driveway and go in their house for chores, meals and showers. Until I cut the extension cord this summer.

I don't spend 12 hours a day "babbling" or talking things up (Walk the walk not talk the talk, talk doesn't get me to CANADA). Woodgas is viable even with a diesel engine, and plan to get running on it after I secure a $5000 personal loan with single digit interest. $5000 should be enough for a shredder/mulcher/chipper/chunker to do the backbreaking work for me, a decent used large flatbed trailer (enclosed trailers are too expensive), and the parts/materials/tools to build or to buy someone elses system (woodgas system steals come up on a regular basis, prefer to buy instead of build); as I am not holding my breath for the release of groundbreaking underunity or better yet overunity devices to fuel the van.

Many of the "conspiracies" turned out to be true, like I was aware of the government surveillance agencies and their intentions long before Edward Snowden leaked NSA documents (The NSA is just the tip of the iceberg). Also, It doesn't take a economist to see the financial system for what it is, a global Ponzi & Pyramid scheme. No Ponzi scheme is immune to the laws of mathematics, and all Ponzi schemes inevitably collapse.

They don't pay %100 of my trips, mostly fuel costs. I will be going to Canada this summer, whether that is on fuel subsidy or on my dime. I AM NOT missing a 3rd Canadian summer! Please quote me where I made excuses, so I can correct the behavoir.

I still am a pedicab operator for EcoCityCycles, what I tried to say is the amount of events to work have gone down as the Hockey season is ending. Have no plans to lose or quit this gig/job, as it's much better than working for MCDONALDS.

Yes I do consider myself a furry boi, and attend this furry club event in San Francisco called Frolic.

Disability insurance.  Until it kicked in, I had to live off my resources.  Everything had to be liquidated to survive in CA.  Then I moved to MO. where the locals promptly ripped me off.  

RTR is my party.  

Insurance is always on the top of my priorities.   Automatic withdrawal to be constantly legal and protected. 

I do not understand where you say that money is a barter item.  Barter is the means of exchange without money. Money is the standard item for goods purchase.   I can barter any number of items and non items.  From unwanted tools, appliances, to specialized labor.  Many mechanics are scared to do plumbing or carpentry.   

The sunrise was at RTR  2016.  Click on it and see the diverse vehicles.  

Write out a budget to see just how far your $ need to go.  Then please try to have a talk with your parents as a MAN, not as a child.  (Boi should not even enter into the situation) Do not allow your voice to become raised.  Stick to current reality.  Doomcryers have been selling the collapse of society as long as I remember.  Don't go there.   

Until you act as a man, you will not be treated as one.

That's very bad, how long did it take until disability insurance kicked in?

I guess you see the RTR as the frugalistas party. I classify the RTR as a low-key vandweller gathering.

I perceive your definition process to be similar to the definition process socialists use for the words "liberty", "freedom", "prosperity" and "equalization".

Insurance is important too for this poor boi with almost no savings.

Money is not a barter item, but the most versatile thing to have to acquire what you want/need legally. With barter the other person has to want/need the item you're offering to trade, it's a clunky system. Money was invented out of the inefficiencies of barter, imagine taking home a carload of groceries, water and fuel as a paycheck. Some people act like barter is all that is, I ask them to try paying for groceries with a toolbox full of decent tools.

If I had the fuel I would have attended the 2016 RTR, I did attend the 2015 RTR for those also there. I saw firsthand all the diverse rigs people built and bought last year.

I know my current income of $7640 a year will barely support my dream life.
To stay in the black one needs to either:
#1: reduce spending
#2: increase income

I am working for the latter. As spending hours to save a buck is not something I desire to look back on at age 70.

This collapse is different as it's mathematically inevitable thanks to the fundamental design and operations of the system; being a mix of a Ponzi, Pyramid, Pump and Dump and Bubble scheme.

...I say this is s someone with more than one *invisible* condition, that gets judged on a regular basis.

It's your choice to participate in this thread. Please, keep your remarks and opinions to the OP's original topic: A 2001 E350.

If he invites your opinion or help with his disability and benefits then your free to offer helpful suggestions.

In case you haven't figured it out, there are a number of us with disabilities, both visible and invisible, on this forum. Your disdain and judgments are reprehensible and offensive.

Thanks

_____I am getting tired of people boasting how they live well while exploring the country on a $7000 a year income without fully sharing the other costs (how their average day is like, set-up costs, trial-and-error, time spent to achieve savings/discounts etc.) and any benefits that subsidize/offset the cost of living (like eating at the homeless shelter twice a week, subsidized healthcare, living with family, bartering for goods/services etc.). Then through very low standards say they're living comfortably (set the bar low enough and any standard of living can be defined as "comfortable") and share the good without the bad much like many people on Facebook.

_____Also, I have read some "savings stories", which are full of holes. Through my knowledge of true DIY costs (money, time, energy, skill, tools, cooperation etc.), know that the costs involved is not just money. Some "savings stories" read as glorified, cheery, best-case-scenario writings about a DIY project that ended up monetarily costing 1/10th or less than what a ready made or machine-shopped version would cost.


_____These "savings stories" have everything working right the first time, hardships are downplayed or omitted, time costs are discounted/downplayed/omitted, person had social connections to get ________ for 1/3rd of retail, person had junkyard/second hand store/reclamation store within 20 miles of them, person pulled strings with someone he knows/knew at said junkyard/second hand store/reclamation store to get ________ for 1/3rd of retail, trial-and-error are downplayed/omitted, set-up costs (including any tools/equipment bought/rented for the project) are downplayed/omitted, bartering to achieve a milestone/accomplish the project is downplayed/omitted, extreme frugal tips person used to achieve monetary savings are downplayed/omitted, price comparison skills to achieve monetary savings are downplayed/omitted, negotiating skills to achieve monetary savings are downplayed/omitted, salesman skills to achieve monetary savings are downplayed/omitted, deal hunting skills to achieve monetary savings are downplayed/omitted. Basically many of the DIY costs are downplayed/omitted.


_____Anybody else getting tired of hearing this?

 

[Canine]

Not involved in this discussion and don't want to be.Just curious.What the hell is a Furry Boi or Boi Furry?I've led a sheltered life.

 

[masterplumber]

Debit, there are many that live on as little as $500 per month, and a ton that live on $1000 per month. I don't think anyone is saying it's easy. but it can be and is done all the time. Most of those people don't go to things like Burning Man, and don't travel long distances like you want to. But they have found a way to live a reasonable comfortable life on their own terms. Usually if they want to visit family often they set up their life near family so they don't have to travel far. If weather is their highest priority they usually live somewhere in AZ so they can move up and down in elevation to stay comfortable without traveling far. There are options, they just may not be exactly what your looking for, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the life just the same. You have a great start on a good van - much better than the old Dodge. Now what you need to do is decide exactly what is important to you and work toward those things within your own monetary and time/skill limitations. That's what we all have to do, and yes, sometimes it sucks when we can't do all the things we want to. But that doesn't mean life can't still be good.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Not involved in this discussion and don't want to be.Just curious.What the hell is a Furry Boi or Boi Furry?I've led a sheltered life.

Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember seeing a TV show on it years back.  I believe it's when you and your partner dress up in animal costumes and do what ever two consenting adults do behind closed doors.

 

[NeedAnEscape]

Using your $5000 figure for the woodgas system and the 18mpg you claimed earlier, you could buy 22,000 miles worth of diesel at $4.00/gallon, or 30,000 miles at $3/gallon. If you keep your mileage under 500 a month, that could be 4-6 years worth of fuel. Is it really worth risking blowing up your very expensive to fix engine? Last time you messed with a fuel system you almost burnt your van. Even if your woodgas system was a success, it's unlikely that you'd be able to run on woodgas even half the time, especially if you stick to legal methods of acquiring wood and follow laws on transporting wood.

 

[debit.servus]

Debit, there are many that live on as little as $500 per month, and a ton that live on $1000 per month. I don't think anyone is saying it's easy. but it can be and is done all the time.

Most of those people don't go to things like Burning Man, and don't travel long distances like you want to.

But they have found a way to live a reasonable comfortable life on their own terms. Usually if they want to visit family often they set up their life near family so they don't have to travel far. If weather is their highest priority they usually live somewhere in AZ so they can move up and down in elevation to stay comfortable without traveling far. There are options, they just may not be exactly what your looking for, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the life just the same. You have a great start on a good van - much better than the old Dodge. Now what you need to do is decide exactly what is important to you and work toward those things within your own monetary and time/skill limitations. That's what we all have to do, and yes, sometimes it sucks when we can't do all the things we want to. But that doesn't mean life can't still be good.

It is possible, and a sparse life. Frugalistas act like there will always be time to build stuff, always be able to not pay retail (Law of Dimishing Returns applies here), they will never get to frail to DIY, and life will always line up for them to save every cent. Frugalistas are NOT cheapskates, as they put a small value on their time (they won't spend a week doing extensive internet research on how to replace a burnt out fan on their central air).

A lot of people have little or no desire to explore North America let alone the world, there is nothing wrong with that. But those not experiencing their desires to save a buck need to reconsider.

I don't desire to ping pong between the west and east coast, and at the same time don't desire to crawl 500 miles a year. I know my dream life will cost more than $10k a year and willing to work for it. Also, Arizona is NOT the USA, let alone the world; a lot of people speak of the American Southwest as the "Be all end all".

Do gas station employees get employee discounts on gas and diesel? If so, that is a job to look into. Fuel is the biggest expense in my dream life and as long as I am enslaved to the oil monopoly I need to minimize the cost of it (in money AND time).

Some people might think I am asking for too much, but I have reason to believe I am actually asking for too little. Why? A couple generations ago, the average person sold a lot less of their time (worked a lot less) for what matters: food, energy and housing. They had multiples more disposable income than the average person today.

I have no problem burning substances like pure veggie oil if it's cheaper per gallon than diesel, won't damage the fuel system and requires NO MODIFICATIONS to run on it. As long as the fuel gets the van and me down the road I don't care what it is. Which substances fit my criteria (excluding diesel fuel from the gas station)?

Again, Frugalistas are professionals at redefining a "good" life.

I do know this is the CHEAP RV living forum, and so most people on here are poor bois like me. Is there a "modest" RV living forum some where on the internet?

 

[highdesertranger]

veggie oil is more expensive than diesel go to Costco and check it out. you must be thinking about waste veggie oil and no you can't run it with modifications. highdesertranger

 

[GotSmart]

It is possible, and a sparse life. Frugalistas act like there will always be time to build stuff, always be able to not pay retail (Law of Dimishing Returns applies here), they will never get to frail to DIY, and life will always line up for them to save every cent. Frugalistas are NOT cheapskates, as they put a small value on their time (they won't spend a week doing extensive internet research on how to replace a burnt out fan on their central air).

:huh:   A week?  That takes an hour, perhaps two to do the entire job.

A lot of people have little or no desire to explore North America let alone the world, there is nothing wrong with that. But those not experiencing their desires to save a buck need to reconsider. 

I don't desire to ping pong between the west and east coast, and at the same time don't desire to crawl 500 miles a year. I know my dream life will cost more than $10k a year and willing to work for it. Also, Arizona is NOT the USA, let alone the world; a lot of people speak of the American Southwest as the "Be all end all". 

Where are you reading this?  Certainly not on this site.  We have members all over the globe, as well as all over the North Americn continent.  AZ happens to be the warmest place in January.  

Do gas station employees get employee discounts on gas and diesel? If so, that is a job to look into. Fuel is the biggest expense in my dream life and as long as I am enslaved to the oil monopoly I need to minimize the cost of it (in money AND time). 

Your lack of experience is showing. Pump jockeys make minimum wage, with no benefits or discounts.   

Some people might think I am asking for too much, but I have reason to believe I am actually asking for too little. Why? A couple generations ago, the average person sold a lot less of their time (worked a lot less) for what matters: food, energy and housing. They had multiples more disposable income than the average person today. 

In the past people WORKED and there was no SSI.  They walked.  You are in the same boat as everyone else today.  The only way to get ahead is to WORK.  Get an education.  Nobody is going to give you anything. 

Prove this point where you could work an average job in the past, and have even 3 times more disposable income. 

I have no problem burning substances like pure veggie oil if it's cheaper per gallon than diesel, won't damage the fuel system and requires NO MODIFICATIONS to run on it. As long as the fuel gets the van and me down the road I don't care what it is. Which substances fit my criteria (excluding diesel fuel from the gas station)? 

None that you are qualified to alter your van to run on.  

Again, Frugalistas are professionals at redefining a "good" life. 

I do know this is the CHEAP RV living forum, and so most people on here are poor bois like me. Is there a "modest" RV living forum some where on the internet?

"I do not think you know what that word means"

If I am happy, who are you to say I am wrong?  

You can not afford cheap, how are you going to afford modest?  :huh:

"The lady doth protest too much methinks".  Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2

 

[NeedAnEscape]

You have $400 income without doing anything. Take the $500/month budget listed on the homepage, remove fuel from it, and add $50 to whatever you think is low (i'd say van maintenance needs at least $25 more) and you could get by only working for fuel. Once you have the Dodge in a junkyard (pull the fridge and furnace out first) and the Ford paid off, you should easily be able to pick up temporarily jobs while traveling to pay for regular pump diesel. If you get an $8/hr full time job for a month, that's over 5,500 miles of diesel at $4/gallon and 18mpg, or at current North Carolina diesel prices ($1.999/gallon) over 11,000 miles of fuel. To save fuel, get a bike for short trips.