money

[akrvbob]

Credit cards are much safer, and if treated right are great. Unfortunately, there are a huge number of people simply can't resist the siren call of easy money. Once you head down the road of carrying a balance it is incredibly easy to run up huge bills that you literally will never pay off by paying the minimum payment. The cards and card companies aren't to blame, we do it to ourselves, no one forces you to use them. But lives are ruined nonetheless. I think some people are better off without credit cards. The problem is you may not know if you can handle credit cards or not until it is too late. Bob&nbsp; <br>

 

[Les H]

Hi Pondputz, ( cooolll name!)
Twice I have tried work for living arrangements. Both times, I put way more into it than I got. If I had just worked, period, and payed a respectable rent, I would have been much better off. With the cost of things so high, I can only see that getting worse. For example , in '05/'06, I did the equivalent of $20k in a year and a half for a 2 br 1 bath uninsulated 3 season cabin . In the winter, I used $400 in propane every 3 weeks. I would think twice or more before accepting a situation like that again, but did not have many options at that point. Mabye it works better for smaller things, when I got married the first time in '92, I built an arbor and trellis in exchange for professional photos, both valued at about $400. That wasn't so bad. I still have the pictures, but haunt looked at them in over 10 yrs.

Haunt?!? Typo or subliminal message? I ment haven't, as in have not..

 

[akrvbob]

Probably subliminal!<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"> Bob<br>

 

[Guest]

MONEY SHIELDING, RFID SHIELDING and a SIMPLE FARADAY CAGE

You can make a simple packet out of aluminum foil (a basic faraday cage), double wrapped and be sure it is completely encased (all seams folded over onto each other).
If you're into duct tape (who isn't?) and are creative, plenty of websites have do-it-yourself Anti RIFD wallets for licenses and other cards where the magnetic strip on back containins personal and/or identifying info.
Or - you can Google it and purchase RFID blocking wallets, cases and boxes.

Mine are small metal boxes, lined with double foil inside and I keep whatever I have inside wrapped in foil. My license, bank cards, store cards in one box. My money in another and my laptop computer in a third.
If you think the story of the Highway Patrol and cash is scary, you really, really need to protect your laptop from seizure.

 

[Guest]

I just keep my money in a foil packet hidden under the foil that lines the inside of my hat...that way I am double or triple protected....<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/sneaky.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>Bri<br><br>

 

[Reddo]

<span id="post_message_1266671526">The Walmart gift card seems like a good idea.&nbsp; Especially if you're not a fan of banks, like me.&nbsp; At 7-11 yesterday I saw a pre paid Visa you could put money on that probably works the same way.&nbsp; Better than the ol can in the tool box.&nbsp; We only dare stash enough for gas emergencies, but I am soooooo mad at the banks!&nbsp; It pains me to be forced into using them.</span>

<br><br>Vanofgypsies...I felt the same way about the mega-monster banks that acted so irresponsibly. There is an alternative...if you go to <br>www.moveyourmoney.info&nbsp; <br>you can plug in a convenient zipcode and find a community-based, or regional, bank or credit union nearby. These have been prescreened so that you'll know you are not supporting lavish bonuses, predatory lending, or other forms of corporate malfeasance. <br><br>I personally belong to BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union) from the time I lived in the Seattle area. They don't have nationwide branches, but you can find 6500 affiliated CU branches to do fee-free business with at www.cuswirl.com<br><br>As has been said, direct deposit of income streams and asking for cash back from debit transactions makes things pretty simple.<br><br>

 

[twokniveskatie]

I just keep my money in a foil packet hidden under the foil that lines the inside of my hat...that way I am double or triple protected....<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/sneaky.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>Bri<br><br>

<div><br></div><div>Hey! HEY!&nbsp;</div><div>you never showed me your hat!&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>you knew i'd steal it, didn't you?</div>

 

[twokniveskatie]

<br><br>I personally belong to BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union) from the time I lived in the Seattle area. They don't have nationwide branches, but you can find 6500 affiliated CU branches to do fee-free business with at www.cuswirl.com<br><br>

<div><br></div><div>reddo, this is great info. i belong to a credit union, and have been reluctant to switch to one of the banks with national branches because of the personal service given by people that know me at the CU. i am going to check this out, because it would increase my options when banking on the road....</div>

 

[Guest]

Katie, I can't tell you everything!<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>Bri<br><br>

 

[polecat77]

<p>I carry used to carry about $1000 at all times when I drove truck I was an O/Op. So had to pay for tires or towing out of my pocket. I kept it in something that thieves would pass up taking (used up stick deoderant) held 10/$100 bills nicely. Now I have a small lock box that I bought at office depot for $15 its small enough I can carry it in a Backpack. So I can take it with me anyplace I need to. I also keep a $100 bill in my pocket in a chapstick tube it will hold 2 bills. My Mom gave me this Idea when I was younger(she used lipstick tube).In the semi I have had as high as 10k with me. So I bought a money belt (which can be made). I now carry a McD card to eat on if I want. And a walmart card and home depot. Use my debit card for buying at other places. I use a prepaid visa for internet purchases. Had my account used once. The bank gave me back the money, but it took 2 months.Hope this helps someone.</p>

 

[Seraphim]

<P><FONT size=3>Kind of kicking this back up but:<BR><BR>Credit union with free checking - actually used to work there. Being non-profit, no fees for transactions, will do transactions by phone or computer, over-the-phone signature loan if emergency. (Never use it).<BR><BR>Pay everything by debit card with a credit card backup. Carry minimal cash. RV fires are known to happen and burnt/stolen cash can't be replaced. Police need a reason to search a vehicle. If they ask, just politely say 'No'. Mostly they're looking for drug mules who traditionally used large vehicles. Signs of eating and&nbsp;sleeping&nbsp;in the vehicle is an indicator, as drug mules don't want to stop overnight somewhere. Large amounts of cash in a society rapidly become mostly electronic - but they have to search the vehicle to find the cash, unless the poster above did something to give them probable cause. It would be SOP on a traffic stop for a state unit to ask permission to search a vehicle. They can always ask, and if you give them permission... &nbsp;FYI, you can always retract permission at any time.<BR><BR>The credit union will automatically transfer a set amount of money to other accounts - I had better mtg rates elsewhere, so they transfered X amount of dollars to that bank every month. They transferred x amount of dollars to our liquid &nbsp;savings funds. Evrything else is paid via the computer from that checking account. I don't like automatic payments, in case there's a reason I don't want one made.<BR><BR>DW carries a bit of mad money with her - I'm never sure how much exactly. Probably less than $50. She won't tell me. I rarely have any cash at all. I just make sure the restaurant will take a credit card before I order lol. If not, they don't want my business bad enough.</FONT></P><BR><FONT size=3>Only had trouble getting ATM cash once, and that was in the UP. Only wanted it because we wanted to try a particular restaurant which was 'cash only'. DWs mad money covered it. I wish I knew where she hid it...<BR><BR><BR></FONT>

 

[Guest]

&nbsp;Fire proof&nbsp; "black Box Safe"&nbsp; Welded to the Van,&nbsp; well&nbsp;&nbsp;hidden&nbsp;. Dont&nbsp; trust&nbsp;&nbsp; banks&nbsp; anymore , pay in&nbsp; cash&nbsp;, or UPS /&nbsp;Western union&nbsp; cash. Have one 500 limit&nbsp; credit card . Just&nbsp; for&nbsp; Hotels&nbsp; and such.&nbsp;Use UPS mail box for mail. <BR>&nbsp;Will install a covert&nbsp;Go Track&nbsp; GPS when&nbsp;&nbsp;I hit&nbsp; the road&nbsp; in case&nbsp; the van is stolen .&nbsp;&nbsp;(&nbsp;which is very&nbsp;doubtfull )&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<A href="http://www.gotrackinc.com/16/home.htm" target=_blank>http://www.gotrackinc.com/16/home.htm</A>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>

 

[sl1966]

I read on another full timers blog that he buries stuff out in the desert. Mostly non-essential stuff so that he can save on storage. This could be extended to cash as long as you're smart about the whole thing. I don't know that I would, but might were the circumstances right.<div><br><div><br></div></div>

 

[WanderingRonin]

Buried treasure! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum...<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif">

 

[VanTramp]

I read on another full timers blog that he buries stuff out in the desert. Mostly non-essential stuff so that he can save on storage. This could be extended to cash as long as you're smart about the whole thing. I don't know that I would, but might were the circumstances right.<br>

<div><br></div><div>You wouldn't see us doing that, especially in the desert. I have spent plenty of time with a metal detector looking for nuggets there and I know others do to. Of course the desert is huge, but relying on obscurity as security has never been an idea I would feel too confident in.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Jim]

Be&nbsp;careful&nbsp;in&nbsp;Tennessee.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div><a href="" target="_blank"></a></div><div><br></div><div>To many people want my money, even the cops but I still prefer to have cash. However Seraphim brings up a good point about fires. Lots of things to consider if I ever get mobile.</div>

 

[WanderingRonin]

One of the disadvantages of burying treasure is at some point you have to return to the same spot to recover it. I don't want to be needing that cash when I was far away.

 

[WanderingRonin]

Thanks for the useful tips (I also buy when things are "on sale"). Out of curiosity... how much did you spend the whole year to get $400 back?

 

[VanTramp]

One more thing you can do to avoid save a bit of money is not to shop at Walmart for shirts when you can get them and other clothes at much better prices at local thrift stores. I picked up 4 really nice, heavier weight chamois type shirts (button up) that normally run over $40 at sporting goods stores for $5 each. They were flawless. I don't do thrift stores much, but there are some things they really are great for.&nbsp;

 

[Seraphim]

For localis -and I'm assuming Ionfu is near me - stores like Krogers are great for fuel. Once a month we fuel up generally save $.40 per gallon because of our food purchase the previous month.