van or stuff first?

[MaximumRide]

nods<br>

 

[Big]

Max, can you keep a cat outside of a house in the area of Australia where you live?<div>You can put curtain rods above the windows and close the curtains at night for privacy, or get window "tint", there are all kinds of ideas on here about covering windows...</div>

 

[MaximumRide]

Cats with out collars or microchips here are considered as strays, picked up by the pound, kept for a while then euthanised.<br><br>So cats are aloud to roam the streets if a collar is viable. But I think that the public would react very badly to seeing a cat in a car.<br><br>I have thought of both of your tint and curtain idea. planning to do them when i have a van and a mate is going to look after my cat until I have a van.<br><br>

 

[judycmomx6]

<P>Sorry, I realized that just after I posted! Wish it were hot here!</P>

 

[Seraphim]

I'm In Australia, It's freaking hot outside!

<br><br>They do everything backwards in Oz.... lol<br><br><br>

 

[MaximumRide]

I'm In Australia, It's freaking hot outside!

<br><br>They do everything backwards in Oz.... lol<br><br><br>

<br><br>that's cause we are cool.<br>

 

[Seraphim]

Thought you were hot - temperature wise?

 

[MaximumRide]

Thought you were hot - temperature wise?

<br><br>ok, so really Ozzie's are just here to mess with your mind. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>

 

[4x4tour]

Van first, cheap airbed, cheap 2-inch memory foam topper, and a nice sleeping bag / down comforter setup and then the <b><u>smallest</u></b> coleman&nbsp;catalytic heater they make. &nbsp;You'll be very cozy. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Craigslist will have everything u need (aside from the topper) lol &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Happy new year....</div><div><br></div><div>AJ</div>

 

[Ryan24]

I would get the van first. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[akblack10]

Van first, then stuff! &nbsp;Would buy furniture for your "house" before you have a house...lol...just saying!<div><br></div>

 

[WanderingRonin]

My choice would also be buy the van first.<div>I put a futon foam on mine and then just collected things later as they became available. Basic idea is just to make yourself comfy first and warm. When you have achieved that, you can look for other things as you need them.</div>

 

[ice_maiden]

van first if you have a choice.... but till then don't pass up any good deals on stuff you know you are going to need.&nbsp; You can collect some of the smaller stuff without being to obvious.&nbsp; be picky though... you don't want to collect a bunch of stuff you won't use... example....if you see a butane camp stove at a garage sale for 5 bucks... if it is in good shape ... by all means... get it ... you know you have to feed yourself...but keep it simple.<br>

 

[MaximumRide]

I like the idea of collecting the stuff first, which is what I have been doing as I can hide it away easily and I've not got a huge income at the moment. Hiding stuff is very important for me right now as I am living next door to my parents, and they&nbsp;defiantly&nbsp;would not approve of this idea.

 

[angeli]

If you've got a huge income at the moment, congrats to you!&nbsp; Normally, I'd agree with other folks that you want to get your van first, but you already have a wagon you say you can't be rid of.&nbsp; Then you may want to just convert your wagon to live in it for awhile and save your money so that you can have more options.&nbsp; The 'stuff' you need is really minimal.<br><br>I stayed in my Ford Focus wagon for awhile, and it was fine.&nbsp; But now I'm taking my dogs with me and need to upgrade to a van.&nbsp; If it is just you and your cat, I'd think a wagon would be big enough.&nbsp; As long as you can find a place for the box!&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br><br>It sounds like your thing is moving out away from your folks.&nbsp; Good luck however it works out!&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">I would buy the van first, but if finances allow, there are some things you can buy before hand.&nbsp; I accumulated some groceries, a luggable loo toilet, etc. before doing much converting.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">The reason I say to accumulate a few things is purely psychological.&nbsp;&nbsp; Showing progress helps motivate you.&nbsp; Just be careful to save receipts because you may need to return a few items here and there. I had to even after buying the van!&nbsp; Great ideas don't always pan out.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Do buy a couple of small things, even if just a dish towel or a pot holder from the dollar store.&nbsp; It makes you feel good to know you are moving forward.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">V.T.</p>

 

[MaximumRide]

Ive got everything I need to run my little flat. So I'm covered there. Though a pastry brush would be nice. LOL<div><br></div><div>My to buy list for a van is:</div><div><ul><li>fridge</li><li>'water drum'</li><li>solar pannel</li><li>camp shower</li><li>camp toilet</li><li>mini gas stove</li><li>jerry can</li><li>gym / pool membership</li><li>tub for a sink</li><li>air mattress</li><li><br></li></ul></div>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Max,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I am slowly accumulating the basic stuff I will need, build-out materials as I can snag them. I have a&nbsp;layout&nbsp;plan for my first choice van, and will modify if need be for what I ultimately get.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Have you ever considered building a Vardo? There are a lot of DIY build plans&nbsp;and for sale&nbsp;examples on the internet to look over, I like the layout&nbsp;of this one:</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font></p><p style="margin: 0px;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri"><a href="http://www.tonkecampers.nl/en/travel/campers/fieldsleeper_1/interior" target=_blank>http://www.tonkecampers.nl/en/travel/campers/fieldsleeper_1/interior</a></font></p><p style="margin: 0px;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri"></font>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Calibri">Bob</font></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font></p>

 

[MaximumRide]

It is getting colder in Oz. That's why I'm not keen to make the move right now. Since &nbsp;moving in here and not having to pay for utilites&nbsp;separate, I've gotten used to having a heater... bad move.<div><br></div><div>I'm only 23, so I have minimal belongings. Nothing really to sell, I have also had to be minimalistic because on&nbsp;average&nbsp;over the last 4 years I move every 6 months.</div><div><br></div><div>Our version of Creig's list is gumtree</div>

 

[PYSCHOWard]

How COLD, is cold in Oz ?<br>Since it is cold i would save a little at a time till you have the rest of what you want. I would only live in what would Fit what i want, living without a few luxuries is Boring and would make you not enjoy it.<br>