Want to downsize but has anyone had second thoughts?

[TrainChaser]

I don't expect any fairly major change to be easy or simple.  That's just not how life works.  New job?  New relationship?  There was some tension there, right?  Sudden freedom and a different way of life isn't going to be any different.

Cooking & cleanup:  Would  you mind sharing what kind of meals you were making?  (I'm more curious than any cat!)  Don't do elaborate stuff, at least to start.  At home, if you were cooking meat, two vegetables, soup, salad and dessert, you need to simplify, at least until get your feet under you, and things become more familiar.  It's hard to beat one-pot meals: simple fix, easy clean up.  If this is new to you, get a small book on the subject and collect your basic seasonings.  Cleanup:  Empty the pot, add water & detergent, wash your dishes in it, then wash the pot, and rinse, set on a towel to dry.

Even at home, one new thing I've learned in the last two years will help me IMMENSELY when I hit the road:  home-canned meats.  I usually do skinless/boneless chicken breasts, and the pot-roast types of beef.  I do the 'raw packs', where you just cut the meat into fairly large chunks (half a chicken breast makes about 5 pieces unless they're gigantic), put them in the jars, put the lids and rings on, and put them in the pressure canner (NOT the same as a pressure cooker!).   People shy away from the name 'raw packs' because it sounds scary & toxic, but it's  not; when the meat is taken from the canner (75 minutes), it is completely cooked.  It beats any store-bought canned meat.  Just don't take any shortcuts, and use pint  or half-pint jars for one-person convenience.  

If you've got a friend who cans, ask her/him to walk you through the process -- it only takes once, even for a badly A.D.D.-afflicted person like me.  

Once you've got a supply of meat (safely packed & padded in boxes), meal prepping is simple:  Dump the meat (automatically comes with natural juices if raw-packed) into a pot with some flour and a little water for gravy, add canned veggies and some seasoning, heat to bubbly and it's ready.  Or mash with a fork, add mayo, and spread on bread for a nice sandwich.  In a hurry?  Fork some out of the jar, daub on a bit of mayo and eat it cold.  Your imagination is your only limitation.

Reliable info:
National Center for Home Food Preservation (govt): http://nchfp.uga.edu/
Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving (basics):  https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Blue-Book-Guide-Preserving/dp/0972753702  ($9)
Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving:  https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Complete-Book-Home-Preserving/dp/0778801314  ($15)

And for how-to instructions on HOW TO DO IT ALL WRONG, check out this article about a Seattle State Attorney (Mr. CollegeDegreeDoesn'tMeanSmart) who gave himself botulism poisoning:  http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/was...botulism-from-improperly-canned-food-02102015

 

[OutdoorFT]

I haven't transitioned to FTing yet, but I've started my journey towards it. I went camping for 2 days for my "honeymoon". We stayed at a KOA, so it was nice to see the variety of campers from Class A to an older couple in a van. We stayed in one of their 2 room cabins, since we currently do not have a tent/RV. Without bringing my 5 cats, we felt so relaxed being there. We didn't do much cooking, so we can't really comment on that portion of living. However, we can do well in smaller spaces. My wife is not materialistic and she is just as excited about it as I am.

However, everyday (even if for a few minutes) I take time to think about if it would still be a good choice for us vs staying in a permanent dwelling. I always come up with a new reason why it'd be a positive to go full time.

Also, I try to throw out stuff everyday (or multiple times a week at least) to declutter the crap to find the stuff worth money. It really does feel good to get rid of it..even stuff you thought you'd want around. If I haven't used it in 2016, I probably won't miss it. Of course, everyone is different and your lifestyle may be different than myself. I will say one thing, I'm not a huge people person (read as: not outgoing). Not to say I'm mean to everyone I meet, I will greet everyone with a smile. So, I liked being far from high traffic areas and around the like minded, even if they only camp on weekends/holidays.

 

[JeriLynn]

Hi,

I'm looking for ways to simplify my life and came across this site. I think it would be fun to full-time and less stressful than owning a house. I own a house so I don't have payments to worry about, but it is way more space than I need.

I have a little teardrop that I love. I plan to take a 2-3 week trip with it next month to see if it is feasible for longer durations. I thought about a van but my knees bother me when climbing up and down steps whereas with the teardrop I just sit down and put my feet up like a bed.

My question is to those in smaller vehicles does it ever get you down living out of a car or teardrop? Even though I'd be doing it by choice I wonder if sometimes I would begin to think what has my life come to.

Right now my plan is to start getting rid of unnecessary stuff from my house and spend more time in my teardrop. Maybe even sleep in the backyard occasionally in it because it costs much less to cool that than my whole house. Then if my job goes away (which it might next year) I will be prepared. By then I should know better what I need to be comfortable.

I would appreciate any feedback you can give me. Thanks

Hi Kate,
I am in the same boat thinking about downsizing. I took a trip and spent one night in my van which was very instructive.  I learned just how important going potty is in the middle of the night. My next trip will be with two people for a few days and then after I get whatever rig I decide upon, I will take a trip for a few weeks to scout out the desert.  It might be helpful for you to take your teardrop on some test runs if you have not done so already.  Good luck and happy trails.
Jeri