Get rid of as much as possible before starting!

[Dingfelder]

Downsizing is the toughest thing I've ever attempted. Just feels like I'm about to turn off the last light switch and life fades to darkness..........

OK, that's a bit much.

You are, on your old life.
Saying goodbye is a big deal.
But you still have the rest of your whole life left.  It's going to be a different one though.  But who knows, it might even be a pretty good one.

 

[LivGolden]

You are, on your old life.
Saying goodbye is a big deal.
But you still have the rest of your whole life left.  It's going to be a different one though.  But who knows, it might even be a pretty good one.

Yes!

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

I'm glad I viewed this thread. I identify with a lot of what this thread says. I spent the past seven days getting rid of things. I'm now down to the "nitty gritty." I'm definitely not ready to leave with nothing, but I do know I have to make some fast decisions as to what not to keep from this remaining pile of stuff in my living room.

I have a homemade camper/tiny house already in the works. The amount of stuff I will keep is just right for it but bordering on too much for my car.

If I had more time -- and courage -- to experiment with "nothing" I would. I feel I let go of all I am capable of letting go of at this time.

Sent from my RS500 using Tapatalk

 

[waldenbound]

Ok, you want to hear the insanity upgrade-itis can bring?

First, i get a travel trailer. I have no more household stuff because that all got downsized.
Trips to Bed Bath and Beyond, over and over, ok im stocked now.

It’s boring here, the inside needs painting. Off to Home Depot for paint.

The mattress is way too big and heavy. What dope thought it was a good idea to put a 10 inch mattress in a tiny travel trailer?

Order a better, thinner mattress. Cut up 10 inch mattress, take to dump.

Kitchen gear needs redoing. Throw out stainless steel, (too heavy), and buy lightweight GSI cook pots. Much better. Don’t like my Light My Fire mess kit. Each piece gets thrown out in favor of Sea to Summit delta plates.
Ahh, I can eat better!

It’s hot in here, the windows need tinting. Go to Home Depot, buy film, install.

These hiking pants are too thin and uncomfortable, go to REI for better hiking pants.

I have one nore story but that one needs to be told over a campfire.

 

[QinReno]

Talk about getting rid of stuff to get more stuff. See what CamperVanKevin has in his new van build after just a few weeks. And he's just getting started. See how it works. LOL.

Check at 4:30 in the video. 

 

[Jack]

The more I research, the more I realize that I'm going to actually have more stuff than I have now in my apartment.  In an apartment, it's very easy to downsize and live with very little.  But, living in a van, I'll end up getting all kinds of camping equipment, a cooker, a fridge, solar stuff, toilet, tools, etc.,  I don't like owning a lot so actually increasing my "stuff" is going to be a little stressful.

 

[becida]

Your going to get more than you have in an apartment? I don't see it but I guess having done it is really different from those spending time planning on it...

 

[becida]

Stuff for Jack...

I didn't know if I should do this at walmart.com or Amazon so I moved around. It can all probably be for locally. Actually local second hand shops are a real good place to look.


Cot-https://www.amazon.com/Trademark-Innovations-Portable-Folding-Camping/dp/B009S3BA4K/ref=sr_1_8?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1536525743&sr=1-8&keywords=cot

Airmat- https://www.walmart.com/ip/Intex-Twin-8-75-Classic-Downy-Inflatable-Airbed-Mattress/20449351

sleeping bag-https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-10-Degree-Adult-Down-Packable-Sleeping-Bag-Blue-Purple/41474519

butane stove-
https://www.amazon.com/GS-1000-Port...8&qid=1536525968&sr=8-4&keywords=butane+stove
or
https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Bott...6035&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=butane+stove&psc=1

TV tray- I'd look at a local second hand store
Lawn chair- I'd look at a local second hand store

Porta potty- this size & style, I have found them local for less money  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Thetford-Campa-Potti-MT/21094600

head lamp- cheap & simple, they have them on Amazon & walmart.com for less than $10
I would look for a cheap pack of those small led flashlights too, I got 6 for $5 at walmart

coffee pot/tea kettle- I'd look at a local second hand store
cooking pot-I'd look at a local second hand store
frying pan-I'd look at a local second hand store
plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork & spoon for potlucks if nothing else.

jack for the car

wrench for the lug nuts - (Sears for a 6 pint socket that fits your rig & harbor freight for a breaker bar for the socket, at least 1/2 drive on both. Then put them away with the jack)

jumper cables- The best you can afford, don't be afraid to look at second hand stores

harbor freight lithum jumper- $80,  https://www.harborfreight.com/lithium-ion-jump-starter-and-power-pack-62749.html

tow strap & shackles- so someone can pull you out, the shackles are to attach the strap to the vehicles
folding shovel

Can of fix-a-flat

small tool bag for the hand tools.-https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-wide-mouth-tool-bag-61467.html
pliers

6 way screwdriver

needle nose pliers, - https://www.harborfreight.com/5-34-in-needle-nose-pliers-63815.html

Long needle nose pliers- https://www.harborfreight.com/11-inch-long-reach-needlenose-pliers-with-straight-jaws-39538.html

electric tape
duct tape

multi-meter- Harbor freight has been known to give them away- https://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-63604.html

manual for your van (I prefer Haynes because they usually have some sort of wiring diagram.

plug in with USB charger to keep your phone charged up

Get a plastic tub to keep your clothes in.

 

[Jack]

Jenkies! That's more stuff than I own now. I really do live simply - a bed, a desk, a chair, a lamp, a phone, a few books, and a laptop. Other than that, it's basic necessities like clothes, toiletries, and kitchen supplies. If anything ever happened, I could pack a backpack with a couple changes of clothes, toiletries, a little food, my bible and walk out the door.

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to post all that. Info taken.

 

[QinReno]

If you're going to boondock, you have to be prepared to fix things yourself so the rangers don't find just some dried out bones out there.

Smart people also have an extra emergency kit with a redundant permanent set of all the necessities, and some people have what's called a "Bugout Bag" for making a quick escape if need be. Google it.

 

[becida]

Jenkies!  That's more stuff than I own now.  I really do live simply - a bed, a desk, a chair, a lamp, a phone, a few books, and a laptop.  Other than that, it's basic necessities like clothes, toiletries, and kitchen supplies.  If anything ever happened, I could pack a backpack with a couple changes of clothes, toiletries, a little food, my bible and walk out the door.  

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to post all that.  Info taken.

Sorry, must have been a different Jack that said  "I realize that I'm going to actually have more stuff than I have now in my apartment."

I figured someone could use the list....

 

[max+sophia]

See what CamperVanKevin has in his new van build after just a few weeks.

Thanks for posting Kevin's video. It has an extended interaction with the Wolf Pack.

I used an idea he showed in his video, as he cooked breakfast in his cast iron pan.  He cuts onions ahead of time, and keeps them in a jar of water for convenience.  I began cutting onions ahead, but put them in a jar of pickle juice. No more trying to wrap a partially used onion to keep it from smelling up the fridge.

 

[Jack]

Sorry, must have been a different Jack that said  "I realize that I'm going to actually have more stuff than I have now in my apartment."

I figured someone could use the list....

When I read the list of stuff you listed, it confirmed what I said... That was a sensible list you gave me.  It's more than I currently own!  That's why I said I'll have to own more stuff when I live in a van than I own living in an apartment!  I just find it funny because everyone else is trying to get rid of stuff!  

 

[becida]

If it's not on the list don't take it with you.

 

[Jack]

If it's not on the list don't take it with you.

Again, I really appreciate it.  I showed it to my best friend last night and he said, "You need to hang onto that list, he knows what he's talking about."

 

[Dingfelder]

The more I research, the more I realize that I'm going to actually have more stuff than I have now in my apartment.  In an apartment, it's very easy to downsize and live with very little.  But, living in a van, I'll end up getting all kinds of camping equipment, a cooker, a fridge, solar stuff, toilet, tools, etc.,  I don't like owning a lot so actually increasing my "stuff" is going to be a little stressful.

It's stressful to me now.  

Outside a few simple things, I always used to be able to use other people's tools.  No longer.  Now I had to buy them, and deal with both their weight and the space they take up, as well as the cost.  I never needed a shade tent before, but realistically speaking, my trailer is unbearable without A/C during our very hot summers here, which can remain at or near 100 degrees for months at a time  Did I need a water filter?  The water here isn't great, but where I'm now, the tap water is so bad my dog won't drink it.  I've never needed tire chocks, or water hoses, or an RV power cord extension, something to help me cook outdoors,  bug screens, all sorts of clips and bungee cords, a shovel, winterizing doodads, or the space to keep them.  And there's plenty more ...

Do I truly "need" all that stuff?  Not all of it.  But not having most of it would have put me in a much worse spot in case of any sort of breakdown or maintenance problems, or made daily operation awkward at best, and not having other parts of it would have made a major difference in the quality of life, sometimes for both me and my dog alike.  He feels the heat even worse than I do, and I can make do with disgusting tasting water that he's smart enough to turn away from ... but he still needs water.

Getting rid of my old stuff is hard, but it's almost impossible not to buy quite a bit of new stuff.

 

[Jack]

Dingfelder - When my personal belongings become too many to fit in a carry-on suitcase, I'm uncomfortable.  I don't even consider myself a minimalist.  I just plain old don't like "stuff."

But I see it as a trade-off.  I'll own a few extra necessary items and deal with them in exchange for the freedom of my time, which is everything to me and the number one reason I'm doing this.  The second reason is that I just don't see the sense (for me) to pay someone else $1,000+ a month for somewhere to sleep when I could save more money putting it into something I will actually own.  The money spent on repairs will be spent improving a home that no one can take away from me.  I won't be trapped next to horrible neighbors.  If I don't like them, I can just move.

The better part of folk's days are spent at a full time job (not being home) so they can hopefully get the weekend off, or two weeks off a year for vacation, to have fun.  So, what do most people do at home?  Sleep.  And they're tied to a lifetime mortgage for the privilege.  Miss your tax payment and it can be taken from you.  No thanks.  Never wanted to own a home.  

So, if I have to buy a Black and Decker 6 Tool Combo set for $180, I'll survive.  At least I don't have to have a lawnmower.  

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

I think for me I just my dwelling place no matter how small to feel like home. A place to sleep with a personality. I've also got plenty of emergency stuff though. Now, I'm off to my uncle's house to store some things I don't need in my car right now. In 2-3 weeks, I hope my new "home" will be ready to go.

Sent from my RS500 using Tapatalk

 

[Dingfelder]

Dingfelder - When my personal belongings become too many to fit in a carry-on suitcase, I'm uncomfortable.  I don't even consider myself a minimalist.  I just plain old don't like "stuff."

I definitely love stuff.  I think that's something very hard for me to shake since I spent most of my life feeling like I was making do with very little.  Everything I got felt hard-won and was treasured.  But I've long felt confined by stuff too.  I actually dislike quite a bit getting more of it even while I'm trying to get rid of it!

Unfortunately, a trailer takes more maintenance and probably a bit more risk than a van,so some of this stuff is just prudent to have.

But I see it as a trade-off.  I'll own a few extra necessary items and deal with them in exchange for the freedom of my time, which is everything to me and the number one reason I'm doing this.  The second reason is that I just don't see the sense (for me) to pay someone else $1,000+ a month for somewhere to sleep when I could save more money putting it into something I will actually own.  The money spent on repairs will be spent improving a home that no one can take away from me.  I won't be trapped next to horrible neighbors.  If I don't like them, I can just move.

That's basically the way I look at things too. I don't know about the freedom of time thing though, as I expect to be working regardless, having yet to retire and not looking forward to a comfortable retirement.  But the costs of rent and home ownership continue to rise dramatically while job opportunities do not and look instead to be moving in the opposite direction.  I could easily see being in a place I can afford but then one year no longer being able to afford it -- and then where would I go?  What would I do?  Getting started on living in a vehicle can start providing the answer to those questions before a crisis arises.  And in the meantime, it is virtually certain to save me money.

The better part of folk's days are spent at a full time job (not being home) so they can hopefully get the weekend off, or two weeks off a year for vacation, to have fun.  So, what do most people do at home?  Sleep.  And they're tied to a lifetime mortgage for the privilege.  Miss your tax payment and it can be taken from you.  No thanks.  Never wanted to own a home.  

So, if I have to buy a Black and Decker 6 Tool Combo set for $180, I'll survive.  At least I don't have to have a lawnmower.   

Owning a home is definitely like owning a prison and paying to put yourself in it.  And yeah the stuff you have to own to take care of it can be considerable.  Especially around here where we have to chainsaw trees and keep the forest from taking over again.

 

[Dingfelder]

I think for me I just my dwelling place no matter how small to feel like home. A place to sleep with a personality. I've also got plenty of emergency stuff though. Now, I'm off to my uncle's house to store some things I don't need in my car right now. In 2-3 weeks, I hope my new "home" will be ready to go.

Sent from my RS500 using Tapatalk

Me too.  My trailer is only a 16 footer.  It feels plenty big enough for my comfort, as in a house or apartment I can only live in one room at a time anyway.  And at any point in time, I'm only taking up a few square feet of space.