Vandwelling & America's failing dollar

yamsack · May 9, 2011

Hi again everyone, Ok what I'm about to ask may sound paranoid to a lot of folks.  But, I think this may be a legitimate concern considering the current state of our weakening dollar. Part of the reason I'm considering getting a van and living in it is my concern about the possible collapse of the US dollar in the near future.  I don't make/have a lot of money and if the collapse should happen, I don't think I'll be able to afford to continue paying rent where I'm at.  I'm thinking that a lot of folks may end up being booted from their homes because most simply will not be able to afford their mortgages/rent. On the same note, I am currently in a very nice apartment and to give it up based only on a fear would be premature and foolhardy.  Furthermore, if the US does suffer some sort of economic collapse or major depression, wouldn't being on the streets be the last place you would want to be?  In a state of chaos and lawlessness, vandwellers would be easy targets for roaming looters/criminals looking for food, etc. What are your thoughts about this matter?  Any feedback from you all would be most appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

sl1966 · May 9, 2011

I honestly don't see things going to the level of lawlessness that you described. Not until the zombie apocalypse hits, and then anyone who's not a zombie IS the food.<div> </div><div>My plans are to hit the road sometime next year. I may stick around a little bit longer than that since I was hired on as a FTE in March. Since things have been so unstable, everyone can lose their jobs at any time. You're right to not want to leave your apt. if you're really not ready to go. Now if your income level does not change when you leave your apt. you'll save a fortune. Depressed dollar or not, you will do better in the van. </div><div> </div><div>I've placed myself in a state of readiness. My travel trailer is almost full time ready, and I've culled away nearly all of my unneeded possessions. The only things I have left now are the things I absolutely need for the apt. Those will either go into storage, be sold, donated, or trashed when that time comes. In the meantime I'm using the income I have now to pay off bills and save. Once the job is gone unemployment kicks in, but that only lasts so long. I am selling a few things which will allow me to survive for a long while. </div>

Guest · May 9, 2011

Hi yamsack, I don't worry much about what "might" happen but since you asked, I would say that Steve's take is more along the lines of what I think too. I am in the position of owning (free and clear) a home in a small town on the Rio Grande river. Personally I don't think you could do better than to own free and clear a small spot with available water and good weather. Since this group is not about that I don't mention it much but I feel quite secure here. I have a neighbor who lives entirely off the grid in an old rv park that they intensively farm right here in town. They also are in the process of learning as much as they can about the local vegetation and do a lot of gathering. More importantly than safety in some imagined apocalypse, what they are doing is the best thing they could do for the planet. Personally I think van or rv living during a collapse is dangerous and means you are trapped  if you can't get fuel... I think the most important thing you could do as a vandweller is to buy a piece of land that you can afford where you can put the van if the s--t hits the fan. Not only a piece of land, but a piece of land that has access to water...without water you are just screwed....a place to legally live and survive is the only answer I can see if things really get tough. Here's to a decent future..... Bri

Tara · May 10, 2011

I'm with Bri. I own a little land and a little cabin on a little river off the road system. When civ collapses you won't be able to get gas. Most people won't be able to pay rent, ad what are they gonna do, kick everyone out? They'll probly haul you off to jail for not paying your rent so they can have more prisons and tax money. Anyways, I still think you're probably better off in your apartment, for now. And hey, you should read Collapse (by whatsisname - Richrd maybe?) and Memoirs of a Survivor, by Doris Lessing.

sl1966 · May 10, 2011

Funny you guys should mention land. That's what I own and am selling right now Given how CA is leading the charge into economic desolation I'm selling it. The land is in the high desert so water is a bit hard to come by there. I've been eyeing property in AZ, NM, and TX. Nothing major, just a few acres close to water where I can grow veggies and near some game (jackrabbits) to hunt. At least that's where I"m going should things ever get as bad as people are describing here.

Guest · May 10, 2011

Hi Steve, I think that is wise....a guy doesn't need much. My neighbors have maybe 6 city lots on Holy Scrap Hotsprings: http://blog.holyscraphotsprings.com/ Just 2 more lots than I have and they are pretty well self-sufficient. They are in their early forties and have abundant energy for doing stuff and are uber-intellegent and well read and learned. They don't spend a lot of time thinking about what may happen but rather how they can do things right now. The main thing other than having water handy is having it paid for. Small and paid for is ten times better than large and not paid for, in my way of thinking. Our friend Nemo has a small piece of land in the hills near St. John, AZ. I don't know if he has water available but he owns it I believe.... Another Vandweller, Kathleen, owns land near Terlingua, TX. No  water but they use rain water collection technology and are not terribly far from the Rio Grande. I know we aren't about land ownership on here but to think having a van will help out much  if things get really bad, is just not good thinking, unless you have a place to put it when gas gets short.... whether from scarcity or economic downturn. Of course you can go to public land and that may work fine, but I sure feel better having a place that I know I can't legally be moved off of.... That is just me though....as usual, ymmv.... Bri

sl1966 · May 10, 2011

I shopped for land in Terlingua last year. I may buy there still given that 20 acres goes for about 9k. However I've had my eye on some property up in the hills in eastern AZ too. They're smaller plats of land and the homes use rainwater collection as well. I majored in anthropology in college and spent most of that time focused on southwestern natives. Something about the desert personally draws me to it and I wanted to learn how a people could survive in such harsh conditions. The mystery of why I was drawn to the desert and took to it so well was later explained by my father to me. He said that's where our people come from in China. I'm the descendant (a few gens removed) of the yurt people and Mongolians (which explains my strange urge to want to break down walls).

Guest · May 10, 2011

Steve, Very good! You certainly come to your nomadism honestly! There are some good buys on remote homesites and acreages  In the Datil and Magdelena area  west of Magdalena, NM. I think it is another one of those things like in eastern Arizona where someone buys a big ranch and subdivides into 10 and 20 acre pieces... I sure know what you mean about the desert areas....I really love them....even though I grew up in the northern states and forests... Heavy forest and gray skies now give me a claustrophobic feeling. Nothing I love more than sitting in the desert in front of a small greasewood and mesquite fire. I love it..... Bri

Dust of the Sun · May 19, 2011

I'm kinda surprised at the consensus of owning some land, having a land base etc. from this group, must admit. However, the more I read about collapse that is happening right now, the more I think I understand. Gasoline will become scarce and extremely costly...all one has to do is read how the rest of the world is manuevering away from accepting dollars for trade and especially for oil, which will make our  reserve currency more like the Zimbabwe dollar and their TRILLION dollar bills which won't even buy a loaf of bread. And crime  will expand greatly. So I relocated to a small town with farms away from the city. An excellent base to put an rv on my property. A full-time van dweller might form an alliance with a farm to basically provide a presence to deter crime, especially with many farmers getting up in years, they might like the company and exchange a campground setting for chores and added security just by being there. I'm looking for an older Dodge Explorer Class B now. Curious on thoughts as to how to approach farms or rural property owners with such a proposition?? This plan for those with not enough money to buy their own land OR family who have suitable property. Just wonderin'....

Guest · May 19, 2011

Hi D.O.T.S., I just want to be clear that I am not advocating land ownership...I was just answering Yamsack's OP regarding vandwelling as an option if there is a complete collapse of this economy or the s hits the f. I think vandwelling would infinitely better than a rental of any kind. I was also saying that a better solution for me...is owning a spot near water....("paid for" owning) That said, obviously, tons of people do not have the ability to do that for whatever reason.   I have a good friend who has bought a number of small tracts of land, usually by asking the owner if they wanted to sell it and every one of the plots he bought were unusable for building much on. He sometimes builds small shanties on them and one he has put a small truck camper, but the idea is intriguing since I don't think he gave more than $5K for any of them...I know he has about 6. Most in the Duluth area of MN but several are in NM.  Just an idea...look for tiny pieces of land that are affordable....One of his is right on the rocky ledge of a sweet little reservoir. Anyway..pardon the font, my stupid Ubuntu loaded computer is doing things on it's own... Bri

sl1966 · Jun 17, 2011

In regards to the topic ... has anyone here heard of Gerald Celente? He's been persistently accurate about many things that have come to pass. I even remember reading a quote of his which alluded to the ingenuity of people who found a way to live off grid and survive during these difficult times.

vonu · Jun 17, 2011

sl1966 said:
In regards to the topic ... has anyone here heard of Gerald Celente? He's been persistently accurate about many things that have come to pass. I even remember reading a quote of his which alluded to the ingenuity of people who found a way to live off grid and survive during these difficult times.

<div> </div><div>His website is http://www.trendsresearch.com and he is a frequent guest on Alex Jones' show.</div>

Guest · Jun 18, 2011

"I'm thinking that a lot of folks may end up being booted from their homes because most simply will not be able to afford their mortgages/rent." I don't know where you're at...but the above statement has been going on, large scale, for over 4 yrs in many states. Google the homeless population of any state and know that the number you're looking at is only about 30% of the truth. Because of the huge homeless population here, FL now has some of the strictest laws against being homeless or helping out homeless people. Here in SW FL, entire neighborhoods of new and brand new (never lived in) homes sit abandoned, vacant or squatted in.  Homes and entire developments (commercial and residential) were abandoned by the builders back in 2006, when the economy crapped out. New and brand new (never lived in) houses sit rotting and filling with black mold in the tropical heat and humidity. They've been long since vandalized and I mean completely stripped of appliances, carpet, cabinets, plumbing/lighting fixtures, a/c units, well systems, hurricane-rated windows, doors and garage doors, even the landscaping stolen - whatever people could steal to make money to feed their families. There haven't been any jobs here for a long time. Everywhere you go there are hookers. Even the post office parking lot! Their rates are down to $5-$20. And I'm not talking crack whores. I'm talking middle class soccer moms, grandmothers, aunties. Violent crime here is unbelievable, but since FL relies heavily on money from tourism and snowbirds - they will never allow media to tell the truth. There are over 30,000 homeless people living in the woods around Disney World in Orlando. That makes you want to bring the kids, huh? While you're worried about your "nice apartment", be thinking about the 29 million people and counting, who are unemployed and how 15 million and counting are no longer getting unemployment and have zero income. Be thinking of what millions of starving, pissed off, desperate people will do to survive and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

vonu · Jun 18, 2011

yamsack said:
Hi again everyone, Ok what I'm about to ask may sound paranoid to a lot of folks.  But, I think this may be a legitimate concern considering the current state of our weakening dollar. Part of the reason I'm considering getting a van and living in it is my concern about the possible collapse of the US dollar in the near future.  I don't make/have a lot of money and if the collapse should happen, I don't think I'll be able to afford to continue paying rent where I'm at.  I'm thinking that a lot of folks may end up being booted from their homes because most simply will not be able to afford their mortgages/rent. On the same note, I am currently in a very nice apartment and to give it up based only on a fear would be premature and foolhardy.  Furthermore, if the US does suffer some sort of economic collapse or major depression, wouldn't being on the streets be the last place you would want to be?  In a state of chaos and lawlessness, vandwellers would be easy targets for roaming looters/criminals looking for food, etc. What are your thoughts about this matter?  Any feedback from you all would be most appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

<div> </div><div>I quit a good paying job ($600/week) in the mid 80's and moved into the first of the three vans I've lived in since, from a nice condo.</div><div>History tells us that an economic collapse will eventually occur, the question is when.  My move was made because of a untenable boss rather than a layoff.</div><div>Bob Chapman says that this will be a deflationary collapse like the Great Depression was, except this one will be deeper and maybe longer.  We are already at the peak unemployment rate of that time, but because of all of the entitlement programs, the pain hasn't begun, yet.  He suggests that one put all of ones assets into precious metals and go long, then buy what you want when everything is pennies on the dollar.  You can listen to him, among other places, online monday, wednesday, and friday at  http://discountgoldandsilvertrading.net/</div>

Butternut · Jun 19, 2011

Yeah, I'm with Steve and Bri on this one. While things may be tough I don't see the US collapsing like that any time soon. I met a guy in Florida who had moved into his truck with the idea that, when the country imploded, he would be better prepared than the rest. A fine line but I think that, in general, you're just better off being mobile no matter what the future holds -Ash

vonu · Jun 19, 2011

Tara said:
I'm with Bri. I own a little land and a little cabin on a little river off the road system.

<div> </div><div>If you own the land, you won't have to pay property tax on it, but under Agenda 21, you'll have to pay for all the water you use, even if it falls out of the sky.</div>

Guest · Jun 22, 2011

Between the government taking over every single thing Americans do, think, say and 'own' (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/un_agenda_21_coming_to_a_neigh.html"></a>) - or -  Pick Your Apocalypse: Aliens, Zombies, MegaRobots, Godzilla, Tidal Wave, Civil Revolution...whatever. A piece of paper saying you "own the rights" to making payments and paying taxes on something for the rest of your life, is going to be worth less than toilet paper and a bar of soap. That piece of paper means nothing is a SHTF scenario, where <a target="_blank" href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/un_agenda_21_coming_to_a_neigh.html"></a>possession will be 10/10ths of the law. As far as it never happening? Srsly? American Politicians have been preparing for it for a loooong time - <a target="_blank" href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/un_agenda_21_coming_to_a_neigh.html">Agenda 21</a>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rense.com/general34/takeover.htm">Patriot Act 2</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Establishing_martial_law_in_the_United_States">Executive Order 12919</a> give the gov the right to do all sorts of evil and unacceptable things in any situation they decide warrants it: establish Marshall Law, shut off/control electricity, gas, travel/roadways and food & water supplies, medical care/access -  any way they feel like it. *For our own good*, of course. So vanDWELLING may be possible, but vanTRAVELING - maybe not so much. Not saying freak out, panic and do anything stupid or rash. Just sayin': Be aware, Pay attention to what's going on (besides the celebrities nonsense, 'reality' tv, video games and social web sites), Have a plan. Have a back up plan. Have a worst case scenario plan. Can't hurt.

sl1966 · Jun 23, 2011

Also, keep a shotgun handy in case of zombie apocalypse. Better to have and not need, I'm just saying.

Guest · Jun 23, 2011

and don't forget : 1. Always Double-Tap, make sure they're dead. 2. Keep up on your Cardio, fat people get eaten first. 3. Twinkies DO have an expiration date. <img src="../images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0">

sl1966 · Jun 23, 2011

That was pure Win! <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">

Vandwelling & America's failing dollar

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