New here, a few questions

[Chris Hayden]

I've recently found Bob's videos and have become totally enthralled with the nomad concept.  I would love to outfit a vehicle and try going on some trips in the next year or so.  I plan on semi retiring next year and moving to the Phoenix area to be by my daughter.  I would love to fill some of my free time by becoming a part time member of the tribe.  I do have a few questions that I haven't found answers to as yet.
1. How much cash do you usually keep on hand when you're traveling?  Do you usually try and use credit or debit cards as much as possible ?
2. When you do need more cash, do you just go and get it from a common ATM?
3. What do you do to fill your days when you're boondocking for weeks at a time?  Coming from the "rat race" I sometimes wonder about getting board if I don't have anything to occupy myself.  
Thank you in advance for your replies!
Chris

 

[ratfink56]

Chris my suggestion is to go to the beginning of Bob's blog and start reading. Welcome to the forum.

 

[B and C]

Welcome Chris, glad you found us.

I carry less than a $100 in cash. This allows me to pay cash for gas or something else if the machines are down.

I generally get my cash from my banks ATM when passing through a town but have been known for buying something with a debit card and getting cash back. I generally use a credit card for any purchases that I can use it for though. Pay it in full at the end of the month.

I came from the rat race too. Slowing down is tough at first. I don't jump out of bed in the morning looking for something to do though. I generally wake up before dawn and make a pot of coffee. It takes me a couple of hours to drink it while sitting outside and watching and listening to nature wake up. Getting ready (4 S's, if I do all of them) for the day takes a little time. Then there is breakfast to cook and clean up after. It's then free time until lunch (if I eat one). Free time until dinner. This is usually my big meal of the day and takes a while to cook, eat and cleanup. Sometimes it is a pot luck with others. Free time until bedtime. It amazes me how fast the days go by. I have to go to town at least every two weeks as my black tank is full, need groceries as the fridge is getting empty. I sometimes spend one night in a campground to take care of all my chores, washing clothes, loong shower, dump and fill, groceries, etc..

I generally like to camp with others I know (not too close though). I did spend a couple of months last Summer in Alaska by myself. It's not how I fill my free time but how you want to spend your free time. What would you be doing at home base in your S&B to keep from being bored? A lot of hobbies can be done on the road. Go exploring the area as it is a new place to you. Read a book, get on the forum, watch TV, talk with others, work on the van. Fixing up the van is never done BTW. You need to plan for bad weather days too where you will be stuck inside all day. Do you drive to town to find something to do there? The world is your oyster. When you've done all you want at one place, move to another.

Hope this helps.

 

[lenny flank]

I try NOT to use my debit card very much. My bank has a habit of freezing my card and calling me to ask "did you know someone in [whatever state] is using your bank card?"

So I usually take enough out from an ATM near the beginning of the month to last me till next month, and I pay cash for nearly everything.

What to do? There's plenty. First, I work on the road, so I spend 3-4 days a week (especially if it's raining) in a mall or library or wherever I can get wifi, doing my job. The other 3-4 days a week I spend at museums, zoos, parks, historical sites--whatever there is to see. And about once a month I move to a different city to start all over again. I figure I have enough places to see to last me at least another 10-15 years.

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome Chris to the CRVL forums! To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you. highdesertranger

 

[Riverman]

Welcome to the forum Chris, it's great to have you here.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Welcome, Chris! 

I'm way new to nomadism ... technically not really even there yet.  I just sold [almost] everything I own and am about half way through my RV build.  I made the decision to jump on December 7th of last year [a day that will live in infamy!], listed my Colorado home and all of its contents for sale, sold it all, and then hit the road on February 24th, heading for Quartzsite, AZ and then to Blue Jay, CA to complete the build.  I'm still in Blue Jay.  I'm traveling with my oldest daughter.

I'm almost completely unqualified to reply, but, I thought I'd chime in to offer what thoughts I have anyway ...

1) - The trip from Colorado was all on my card ... I used cash once because the ATMs at gas pumps were not working ... ~$50.  I currently keep about $150 cash in my pocket, and it's been there since I arrived in Blue Jay a month ago.  Everything has been paid by card.

2) - My bank is in Colorado, and a bit inconvenient to get cash from directly, so any cash I get is from a common ATM.

3) - I've only been actually "boondocking" for about three days since my launch.  But, I was busy all of those days working on our camp [cleaning, cooking, shoring up tie downs, etc], maintaining the chronicle of our exodus from "speed hungry rats"  , visits to town for groceries, water and ice cream, visiting with my son who popped out to camp with us ... the days went very fast. Going forward, my "rig" will not be 100% complete when I leave Blue Jay to head north for the summer, so I will be working on the details to make our trailer as efficient and comfortable as any home would be.  My daughter and I are both creative types and we plan to do crafty, artsy, things for fun.  We'll be in some beautiful places and be hiking .. exploring ... photographing.  I plan to continue the chronicle.  Then there's the usual day to day household chores ... honestly, I've been busier since I retired! LOL! 

Hope the above helps ...

 

[tx2sturgis]

A dog is good company!

 

[Chris Hayden]

Thank you all for the wonderful insights into your lifestyle! And the advice replies, too.
For now I will be lurking in the background until I get everything in place to start my adventure as well, hopefully around this time next year.
Safe travels to you all!