By Joe K.
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Nomad in a Minivan
I love my 1999 Chevy Venture mini van. It is comfortable, economical, and
looks very nice.I take good care of the van and keep it clean, change the oil,
check the lights every day, and it has been trouble free for me. I have used
this van for living purposes on several occasions for as long as 2 months
without any real problem.
Modifications and Additions:
Parking:
At night, parking the van is very easy. I often park at Walmart, among the
shoppers, my mini van blends right in, plus the rest room is not far away if
needed. I park wherever there are alot of cars parked. I will usually spend 2
nights a week in an actual RV park but I look for the bargains and seldom
spend more than $20-25 dollars per night. During those campground nights I
will generally do laundry or use the pool and showers. Most days when not in
the campground, I am bathing in the gulf of mexico at day break or soon after
when there are few if any people out there. Some might complain at the
bubbles and I even hate the thought of polluting the water, so I am careful with
the amount of soap and shampoo I use. I like Florida the best because of all
the beaches and parks in every area and also the warm clean water.
Budget:
I lead a simple life and I have limited funds to live on. I have about $1000 per
month to live on for everything which seems to be plenty for me. I tend to stay
in one area for about a month and usually can get by with 2 tanks of gas per
month. Thats about $120-150 depending on current price. Then I spend about
$200-250 per month using the campground twice a week, $150-200 per
month for food, $150-200 for saving and the last $200-300 covers everything
else. If I know I am going to stay for an entire month, I will look for a camp spot
to rent for a monthly rate, but sorta ties me down and generally don't do this. I
shop the yard sales on Saturday mornings for clothes if needed or for
whatever Im needing at the time. I will look for a second hand item before
paying retail everytime.
Nomad:
I have family and friends in several different points around the country and like
to visit them every few months and will usually stay with them for at least a
month or maybe even two months before going somewhere else. This means
for about 6 months out of the year, I am living indoors and six months out of
the van. It works for me. I know its a bit of a nomadic lifestyle and not
everyone could be comfortable living as I do, but it is fun and I get to go to
such wonderful places and meet different people and I have made friends
along the way and never have regretted my choices. I am planted in eastern
North Carolina for the holidays, but I know that come January, I'm gonna be
putting together my next trip, currently, destination unknown.
looks very nice.I take good care of the van and keep it clean, change the oil,
check the lights every day, and it has been trouble free for me. I have used
this van for living purposes on several occasions for as long as 2 months
without any real problem.
Modifications and Additions:
- The van is white and has factory tinted rear windows as most do, but for
added privacy in the rear, I have a simple curtain that encircles the
interior from the rear of the front chairs to the back. Its just a black velvet
curtain but it does a good job of giving added privacy. - I have a small TV that will plug into the lighter and I have a lap top and a
small power invertor along with my digital camera and cell phone, all my
electronic needs are met with very little space. - I had bad luck with the donut spare that came with the van so I bought a
full size tire and rim and carry it in the rear of the van. To utilize the
space it takes up, I have built a small box around the tire as it lays on
the floor of the van. It works well as a table for many things and there is
even a small space for stashing stuff in the rim.It can be moved to any
spot in the van. I used to carry it on top with the luggage rack, but a
stolen tire taught me that lesson. The box seems to work ok without
cramping me. I would rather have the full sized tire just in case I have a
flat somewhere far from a garage and have to rely on a donut for a long
stretch. - I have a thin single mattress in the van along with sheets and a
comfortor and several pillows. - I carry one suit case in the back of the van, its a old style suitcase, it
opens opposite of the way a typical one does. Anyhow, I am a warm
weather person so clothing is easy, 20 pair of shorts, 1 pair of jeans
and 1 pair of dressier pants, 20 t-shirts, a few nicer shirts, undies and
socks and Im set. It fits fine against the back door. - Next to it, I have a cooler. I generally carry lunch meats and cheese,
peanut butter and jelly, maybe some beef or steaks if that sounds good.
Alot depends on how long I want to wait before going shopping and
sometimes will go daily or every other day. Nothing fancy, but my small
Coleman gas grill still cooks up a great meal. I do most of my cooking
in the day time at local parks with picnic tables, every town has them
and most are free to enter.
Parking:
At night, parking the van is very easy. I often park at Walmart, among the
shoppers, my mini van blends right in, plus the rest room is not far away if
needed. I park wherever there are alot of cars parked. I will usually spend 2
nights a week in an actual RV park but I look for the bargains and seldom
spend more than $20-25 dollars per night. During those campground nights I
will generally do laundry or use the pool and showers. Most days when not in
the campground, I am bathing in the gulf of mexico at day break or soon after
when there are few if any people out there. Some might complain at the
bubbles and I even hate the thought of polluting the water, so I am careful with
the amount of soap and shampoo I use. I like Florida the best because of all
the beaches and parks in every area and also the warm clean water.
Budget:
I lead a simple life and I have limited funds to live on. I have about $1000 per
month to live on for everything which seems to be plenty for me. I tend to stay
in one area for about a month and usually can get by with 2 tanks of gas per
month. Thats about $120-150 depending on current price. Then I spend about
$200-250 per month using the campground twice a week, $150-200 per
month for food, $150-200 for saving and the last $200-300 covers everything
else. If I know I am going to stay for an entire month, I will look for a camp spot
to rent for a monthly rate, but sorta ties me down and generally don't do this. I
shop the yard sales on Saturday mornings for clothes if needed or for
whatever Im needing at the time. I will look for a second hand item before
paying retail everytime.
Nomad:
I have family and friends in several different points around the country and like
to visit them every few months and will usually stay with them for at least a
month or maybe even two months before going somewhere else. This means
for about 6 months out of the year, I am living indoors and six months out of
the van. It works for me. I know its a bit of a nomadic lifestyle and not
everyone could be comfortable living as I do, but it is fun and I get to go to
such wonderful places and meet different people and I have made friends
along the way and never have regretted my choices. I am planted in eastern
North Carolina for the holidays, but I know that come January, I'm gonna be
putting together my next trip, currently, destination unknown.