This is a post I should have started with and thought of while writing the last post. When you find yourself homeless and 300 miles from everything you own don't freak out. I have a few helpful ideas to help you along the way.
First off if like us you put what you can in storage, make sure you get the smallest storage unit you can for your stuff. Before becoming homeless cull everything you can that you know you can later replace. We lived 4 months in the old house just off the money I made from selling things on Craigslist. One thing to remember is not to over price what you are selling. Remember this is an object not a memory. Also if you store it what would it cost in storage and could it be nicely replaced later with a newer model cheaper then the storage cost of it.
When we packed the truck we packed one week's worth of clothing, two weeks worth of food, meds, toiletry, towels, pet's needs, medical paperwork, important documents for starting over and finding employment, and cooking items like and electric skillet and microwave so if need be we could plug in somewhere and cook. Also if taking pets remember they will need their shot records.
Now before we became homeless we knew about 3 weeks before that this was where we were going to end up by the end of the month. There was nothing left to sale and no one to go to for help. So at the beginning of March I started planning for life living in a tent or the truck. We started looking for other cities to live in because the town we lived in in North Carolina all the industry was gone and the town is dying.
I decided I would like to live somewhere flat and warm for medical reasons. See I have a list of medical problems and the doctor wanted me to walk a lot and that's hard when you live in the mountains and cold makes you hurt worse so we decided on south Georgia because I'm originally from the Atlanta area. See this is were a lot of people screw up. We were willing to relocate to where there were jobs not where we knew or where our family was. We ended up in Brunswick because it was one of 7 different cities we were looking at where there were jobs and the first to find a place to live.
After find our target city I then started planning on living in our truck or a tent. I start culling our stuff and selling the cheaper items to thrift store for one low price to buy camping supplies. Other stuff went in storage. I also went online to find boat docks where we could park our truck without being bothered by the police and shopping centers. Then I looked at camp grounds to check the prices of places to set up and tent because then I thought this was going to be short term and my husband would have a job within two weeks and we would be in an apartment. It doesn't happen that fast.
While checking camp grounds I discovered about the work camper program and came to understand that if you own and RV you can live in the campground for free in exchange for working there a few hours a week. This sounded great but we didn't have an RV so I contacted the campground where I am now about staying in a tent spot and explained about losing our home. Well my email wasn't returned so I went on planning to live in the truck with 3 dogs, 1 husband, and a cat. Then 2 days before climbing in our truck to live the campground called us and offered us one of their RV's to live in for free in exchange for work. This was a dream come true.
To find something like this first find your target city or cities that you plan to relocate to and then look for RV parks. Call and talk to the owners. Be honest about how you ended up in this situation and how you are trying to rebuild your life. There are no promises of an RV but they may let you stay in a tent location.
Once you get to your destination you will quickly realize all the things in storage that you need, like sheets, more clothes, food,... this list can go forever. Once again don't freak. We needed sheets and went to a local food pantry and didn't ask but told the lady that we needed this and to find out they had a set to give us. Mind you they didn't match but who cares when you are in need. As for clothing we found another church that had a clothing event for the needy and they helped us out. I was extremely happy about this because upon moving I lost of 30 pounds in 2 months.
Now it's time to rebuild and one of the quickest ways is to get to know your neighbors. In RV parks you will find 4 different kinds of people; the one's like you that can't afford anything else, the work travelers they stay long enough for a current job and then move as they job moves, the vacationers (these can be good or bad), then the Canadians (yes they deserve their own group and I'm not explaining why because not all deserve that grouping, just most). The first two groups are where you will get the most help. The ones down on their luck like you tend to know the area and where people are hiring but be careful of this group, a lot of these people are also vultures and thieves and will use you if you let them. The working group is great but most tend to stick to themselves. This group has the inside on jobs where they work. A lot also know of other companies hiring because more or less these are modern day gypsies and they move with the job.
Another source is the RV park office. You will find it tends to be a hangout spot for some locals and RV old timers. They tend to know somebody who knows somebody that knows somebody that's hiring. Sometimes they are hiring themselves.
Also I should note that you need to be prepared when moving to make sure you have all the tools you will need for the job you are looking for. If the job requires you to have tools they don't care if you are down on your luck and your tools are 400 miles away, because there are at least 10 other guys looking for that same job that have the tools already.
Good sources to also look for work are the local labor department, newspapers (online is best because more papers tend to be linked into the same source), Facebook (you will be amazed but there are pages for local employment), and Craigslist. Be the most careful about Craigslist because you don't know who is posting that ad so don't give out vital information online. Tell them that due to security risks you will provide that information during the interview. This also shows them that you are responsible.
As for finding local food banks and clothing banks look online for resources. Here are a few good links:
http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx
http://www.suntopia.org/
http://www.foodpantries.org/
you can also check with the local church and they may be able to help. Please remember not to abuse these services because there are so many people in need lately and when possible return to favor by giving to the people that helped you.
So now you have a roof and food you need furniture. Here is an unlikely source for furniture but believe me they can help you... Apartment complexes. I'm telling you because my sofa and dishes came from there. See people abandon apartments and tend to run owing money and they leave behind their items. Then by law they have to hold these items for so long encase the person comes back and then they throw the items away. I kid you not! We got our stuff in exchange for a little hard work. See the apartments pay maintenance men to clean out the apartments. We made a deal that we would clean it out for free in exchange for the stuff left behind and would throw the rest away. So we got what we needed and they got free labor. Most apartment complexes won't and don't do this but it doesn't hurt to ask.
We have also exchanged work for things we need too. Like cleaning someone's RV inside and out for groceries, driving people around town in our truck in exchange for gas money. There are ways to rebuild without being a blight on society. We have never gotten food stamps or rental assistance. I do get disability now but don't think that's they way to go because unless you used to make millions a years and paid in millions more then you aren't going to get enough to live on. Mine is enough to cover the doctor's bills most months.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Still storage crazy
When we lost our home on March we put everything in storage over 300 miles from here, loaded the truck and came here. Since then we've bought what we have to have because we can't afford to go get our things. Then we keep talking about what are we going to do with all that stuff?? We don't want to pay for storage for the rest of our lives and if we learned anything from losing our home and almost becoming homeless is this, possessions are just things and although you like and want them they do not control your life and you can live without them.
So yesterday while sealing off the old gas vents on the side of the RV we started talking about the back room of the RV. In there are a set of built in bunk beds, a small floppy table, two benches, and two small closets (one that is useless due to the tilt of the back of the RV unless you use baby hangers). We know the bunks have to stay because the lower bunk houses the water and electrical below it and the upper is wonderful storage. We also have to keep on closet because it's linked into the bathroom. We however don't need the rest.
So what we are thinking is to take out the benches, table, cabinets above the table and extra useless closet. In it's place we will put floor to ceiling shelving and a lot some room for my husband's tool cabinet since he needs his tools for work (Maintenance man). This will allow for more storage of stuff located in the storage until, ex.. extra sheets, clothing, junk!
As for the rest of the items we've already started finding them homes from 300 miles away because why would we keep a household washer, dryer, 2 deep freezers (we are keeping one), entertainment center... The are just fodder for a fire because they would never fit in an RV. The big plan is to get rid of what we can before moving the rest. Then bring the rest here and putting it short term in a storage building. Then we can go through everything and sort it out. Then sale what we can and give the rest to a mission here in town.
So yesterday while sealing off the old gas vents on the side of the RV we started talking about the back room of the RV. In there are a set of built in bunk beds, a small floppy table, two benches, and two small closets (one that is useless due to the tilt of the back of the RV unless you use baby hangers). We know the bunks have to stay because the lower bunk houses the water and electrical below it and the upper is wonderful storage. We also have to keep on closet because it's linked into the bathroom. We however don't need the rest.
So what we are thinking is to take out the benches, table, cabinets above the table and extra useless closet. In it's place we will put floor to ceiling shelving and a lot some room for my husband's tool cabinet since he needs his tools for work (Maintenance man). This will allow for more storage of stuff located in the storage until, ex.. extra sheets, clothing, junk!
As for the rest of the items we've already started finding them homes from 300 miles away because why would we keep a household washer, dryer, 2 deep freezers (we are keeping one), entertainment center... The are just fodder for a fire because they would never fit in an RV. The big plan is to get rid of what we can before moving the rest. Then bring the rest here and putting it short term in a storage building. Then we can go through everything and sort it out. Then sale what we can and give the rest to a mission here in town.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Here Come the holidays!
Before life in an RV I was all about the holidays. Starting the day after my birthday at the end of September. When we had a home I would go all out on Halloween decorations. Followed by non stop homemade gifts for Christmas of cakes, candies, knit scarves and hats, and crocheted blankets. Then the day after Thanksgiving is I was gun ho in Christmas decorations. Well I'll be darned if that's going to stop me in an RV.
Today I decorated (or started decorating) for Halloween. I have stuff all over the outside of the RV. My husband thinks it's stupid but I think it's fun. I still have to get my large plastic pumpkin up on top of the RV but there it time.
As for homemade gifts I really don't have anyone to give one to this year. I do plan on making some pies and cakes for a few people but nothing major. There just isn't enough room in the RV for that kind of stuff.
Then comes Christmas... There is no room in here for a tree and I'm not going to try. I would like to get one for outside but my husband frowns about that. I also keep joking about going trailer trash chic this year and putting lights all over the outside of the RV but I think the RV park would have a fit since we don't pay for the electric. We'll see and I'll post about it more.
Today I decorated (or started decorating) for Halloween. I have stuff all over the outside of the RV. My husband thinks it's stupid but I think it's fun. I still have to get my large plastic pumpkin up on top of the RV but there it time.
As for homemade gifts I really don't have anyone to give one to this year. I do plan on making some pies and cakes for a few people but nothing major. There just isn't enough room in the RV for that kind of stuff.
Then comes Christmas... There is no room in here for a tree and I'm not going to try. I would like to get one for outside but my husband frowns about that. I also keep joking about going trailer trash chic this year and putting lights all over the outside of the RV but I think the RV park would have a fit since we don't pay for the electric. We'll see and I'll post about it more.
Storage Crazy
This week I've been trying to come up with new storage solutions for the kitchen. So I decided to store the glass cooking pot lids with command hooks like I had seen online. The only problem was the example online they stored them on the inside of the cabinet doors but my most used lid was far to large so I decided to hang it on the blank wall beside the sink.
I did like the directions said and cleaned all the surfaces with rubbing alcohol. This was easy because I'm diabetic so there is always alcohol pads around here. Then it said to wait 8 hours and I did that. So the next day I hang my pot lid with satisfaction then was rudely awakened in the middle of the night as the glass lid slammed onto the floor. Thank you Jesus for not letting it break!
My husband wouldn't accept failure so today he put the hook back up and drove one inch screws through the buggers. They won't be falling again. Oh and to explain how you use the hooks for lids... you put one hook for below the lid and one on either side to support.
Since this I've gone crazy with command hooks. I know have two in the bathroom for our towels because there is no towel bar. I put another on the side of the fridge for my emergency radio, then crocheted a strap for the radio to hang by. Now there is something everyone should own. This emergency radio has a power cord and internal battery but it also has a place for AA batteries and a hand crank. Then it has a CB radio, flashlight, weather band, and charging spot for your cell phone. I love my little radio but I've now seen on Amazon ones with solar chargers.
My next project was something to hold the lids to my plastic storage containers. I again looked on Amazon but thought I could find something else locally and re purpose. So off I went to Walmart and I first looked in storage solutions but that was no good. Then I looked in stationary thinking a magazine holder would work but they are to narrow. So then I was a box they were throwing away. It's shaped like a magazine holder but wider. Well I didn't want the ugly box in the cabinet so I bought some paint. Finally! That useless art major was good for something.
So I get home and paint my box with two good coats and let it dry. Then I go to put it in the cabinet and it is to darn sticking long. Ugh! I have no idea at the moment what I will do with it but I find something. Now for the lids I'm thinking of one of those old fashioned slim bookends like you used to could find in libraries. Problem is I haven't seen them in years.
I did like the directions said and cleaned all the surfaces with rubbing alcohol. This was easy because I'm diabetic so there is always alcohol pads around here. Then it said to wait 8 hours and I did that. So the next day I hang my pot lid with satisfaction then was rudely awakened in the middle of the night as the glass lid slammed onto the floor. Thank you Jesus for not letting it break!
My husband wouldn't accept failure so today he put the hook back up and drove one inch screws through the buggers. They won't be falling again. Oh and to explain how you use the hooks for lids... you put one hook for below the lid and one on either side to support.
Since this I've gone crazy with command hooks. I know have two in the bathroom for our towels because there is no towel bar. I put another on the side of the fridge for my emergency radio, then crocheted a strap for the radio to hang by. Now there is something everyone should own. This emergency radio has a power cord and internal battery but it also has a place for AA batteries and a hand crank. Then it has a CB radio, flashlight, weather band, and charging spot for your cell phone. I love my little radio but I've now seen on Amazon ones with solar chargers.
My next project was something to hold the lids to my plastic storage containers. I again looked on Amazon but thought I could find something else locally and re purpose. So off I went to Walmart and I first looked in storage solutions but that was no good. Then I looked in stationary thinking a magazine holder would work but they are to narrow. So then I was a box they were throwing away. It's shaped like a magazine holder but wider. Well I didn't want the ugly box in the cabinet so I bought some paint. Finally! That useless art major was good for something.
So I get home and paint my box with two good coats and let it dry. Then I go to put it in the cabinet and it is to darn sticking long. Ugh! I have no idea at the moment what I will do with it but I find something. Now for the lids I'm thinking of one of those old fashioned slim bookends like you used to could find in libraries. Problem is I haven't seen them in years.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
When it rains it pours
Literally when it rains it pours. My husband thought he had gotten all the leaks in the roof fixed but alas we have two new leaks. They aren't bad ones and they are around the vents so they aren't causing major damage, just annoying. Now if the endless rain would stop so we can get up there and fix them. Other then that we've been to busy (or I should say my husband is to busy) to do any major projects right now.
I on the other I keep making honey do list for my husband. I've also been organizing and trying to figure out better ways to store things. To find out there is more room in here then you think if you just plan where to put things. Do to my husband constantly losing the remote control I've been doing home made projects too.
For the remote I took and shower gel bottle and cut it in half. Then I cut a dip in the front and had my husband screw it to the wall beside the sofa. Now it has a home but that's got me thinking of doing similar projects inside the bathroom cabinet for toothbrushes and makeup and such. Then again behind the kitchen sink for the sponge. I just drill holes in the bottle of that one. I also thought of putting another beside the bed for pens and crochet hooks since I'm always loosing those.
This one I didn't decorate because we plan to eventually paint the inside of the RV but future ones I will decorate. I'm a crafty person and know I can either paint them, mod podge them, or even glue fabric to them to match the curtains.
This is the identical to the bottle I used for my remote control holder. Just cut it in half.
It's a little hard to see since it's clear, but this is my remote control holder. It's screwed to the wall with two 2 inch screws.
I on the other I keep making honey do list for my husband. I've also been organizing and trying to figure out better ways to store things. To find out there is more room in here then you think if you just plan where to put things. Do to my husband constantly losing the remote control I've been doing home made projects too.
For the remote I took and shower gel bottle and cut it in half. Then I cut a dip in the front and had my husband screw it to the wall beside the sofa. Now it has a home but that's got me thinking of doing similar projects inside the bathroom cabinet for toothbrushes and makeup and such. Then again behind the kitchen sink for the sponge. I just drill holes in the bottle of that one. I also thought of putting another beside the bed for pens and crochet hooks since I'm always loosing those.
This one I didn't decorate because we plan to eventually paint the inside of the RV but future ones I will decorate. I'm a crafty person and know I can either paint them, mod podge them, or even glue fabric to them to match the curtains.
This is the identical to the bottle I used for my remote control holder. Just cut it in half.
It's a little hard to see since it's clear, but this is my remote control holder. It's screwed to the wall with two 2 inch screws.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
You can see some of the changes we have made. We took out the fridge cabinet to house a larger refrigerator. We removed the oven and hot water heater (neither worked) and put the washer dryer combo under the cabinet there. The table and benches were missing in the kitchen when we bought it so we put a foldable table there to hold our electric appliances. We also put a queen bed in a full bed's spot taking up walking space. The love seat is where the built in sofa used to be. Then we put in the coffee table. I'm not sure what was originally in it's spot but the tire well is there so we cut the back legs off a coffee table and screwed it into place there. The window above the coffee table also houses a window AC since the original AC doesn't work.
Future plans include putting in an in line water heater, taking out the shower and putting shelving there (we can use the bath house and the shower doesn't work plus my husband is to tall), and making some type of storage unit for the top bunk.
Not meaning to upset
I was messaged today and told I don't know what it's like to live in an RV because I have mine set up in a park and don't travel with it. I'm sorry but you are wrong. My husband and I lived in a tractor trailer with two dogs for a year. That is MUCH less space than any RV out there.
I can tell you this you can live cheap in a tractor trailer too if you have an inverter. We did and had a microwave under the bunk and used a electric skillet also. That's when you learn creative cooking. Like Rice a Roni, you can dice any meat and dump it in and let it cook together.
No I don't know everything about RV life but this is my story and my blog about my husband and I going from homeless to rebuilding our lives in and RV. I want to show people there is hope when they are facing homelessness. I'm not the only one doing this. A neighbor in the park is in a small converted van style RV. She's in there with her husband and four kids. The people next to us loss everything also and are in a nicer RV with the husband, wife, and two kids.
Me I was lucky I came up with enough money to buy and rebuild an old RV. As for traveling the RV is road worthy with a few repairs and some sway bars installed. It's why we bought it, because it means we will never be homeless again and looking for a place to park our truck for the night were we won't be arrested with our dogs (3 at that time) and our cat.
I can tell you this you can live cheap in a tractor trailer too if you have an inverter. We did and had a microwave under the bunk and used a electric skillet also. That's when you learn creative cooking. Like Rice a Roni, you can dice any meat and dump it in and let it cook together.
No I don't know everything about RV life but this is my story and my blog about my husband and I going from homeless to rebuilding our lives in and RV. I want to show people there is hope when they are facing homelessness. I'm not the only one doing this. A neighbor in the park is in a small converted van style RV. She's in there with her husband and four kids. The people next to us loss everything also and are in a nicer RV with the husband, wife, and two kids.
Me I was lucky I came up with enough money to buy and rebuild an old RV. As for traveling the RV is road worthy with a few repairs and some sway bars installed. It's why we bought it, because it means we will never be homeless again and looking for a place to park our truck for the night were we won't be arrested with our dogs (3 at that time) and our cat.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Pets in an RV (traveling or not)
For awhile my husband and I drove tractor trailers together and our pets went with us and now they live in our RV with us also so I wanted to give some tips for the animal lovers.
If you are traveling with you pet there are some important must that you have to have.
-Up to date vet records and shot history (I advice keeping it in a plastic sleeve)
-ID tags, both rabies and name and phone number tag (it's required in most states)
-Give your pets bottled water when on the go (due to mineral changes in water, local water can make them sick to their stomach)
-Puppy pads (no matter if they are trained or not you made need them in an emergency)
-No spill water bowls
-Dog bed and blankets
If you are living in your RV it's a lot easier. It's just like living at home but you need to know your RV parks rules and follow them unless you want a visit from the pound or to be kicked out.
Cats do great living inside an RV also but I wouldn't advice letting them be outdoor cats because of the number of strays you find in RV parks. This leads to your cat being picked up by the pound, diseases, and unwanted kittens if your cats not altered.
One thing I can recommend buying for your hat are window seats. RV's don't have window ledges but they sale cat seats that adhere to the window with suction cups that makes my cat very happy.
Another thing a lot of RV people do is to alter a lower cabinet for the cat(s). They put the litter box inside and then place a rubber flap in a cut out in the cabinet door for the cat to go through.
Exercising is a must for your dogs when living in an RV because you don't have much room. Luckily most RV parks have a dog walking area. One thing you need to watch out for is dogs with yellow ribbons on their leashes. This is a sign that the dog is aggressive but not many people know that.
If you are traveling with you pet there are some important must that you have to have.
-Up to date vet records and shot history (I advice keeping it in a plastic sleeve)
-ID tags, both rabies and name and phone number tag (it's required in most states)
-Give your pets bottled water when on the go (due to mineral changes in water, local water can make them sick to their stomach)
-Puppy pads (no matter if they are trained or not you made need them in an emergency)
-No spill water bowls
-Dog bed and blankets
If you are living in your RV it's a lot easier. It's just like living at home but you need to know your RV parks rules and follow them unless you want a visit from the pound or to be kicked out.
Cats do great living inside an RV also but I wouldn't advice letting them be outdoor cats because of the number of strays you find in RV parks. This leads to your cat being picked up by the pound, diseases, and unwanted kittens if your cats not altered.
One thing I can recommend buying for your hat are window seats. RV's don't have window ledges but they sale cat seats that adhere to the window with suction cups that makes my cat very happy.
Another thing a lot of RV people do is to alter a lower cabinet for the cat(s). They put the litter box inside and then place a rubber flap in a cut out in the cabinet door for the cat to go through.
Exercising is a must for your dogs when living in an RV because you don't have much room. Luckily most RV parks have a dog walking area. One thing you need to watch out for is dogs with yellow ribbons on their leashes. This is a sign that the dog is aggressive but not many people know that.
Turning an RV into a home
If you don't plan to move your RV unless needed then there are so many things you can do to it, like we did. For one, gone is the RV toilet and enter a porcelain goddess of a toilet.
The other thing is to make your own space and a lot of that will do with the RV park you are in. In this RV park half the park is dedicated to the "over nighters" and the other half is for extended stay renters. On the extended stay side there are people like us that just can't afford to live in a house. Then there are the short term one that are only here for the season or while working at a job locally.
We were lucky enough to get one of the back in spots on the side of the park. These are harder to rent because most people can't or won't back their RVs. The spot we have is a lot wider then other spots because of the trees which makes it perfect because it has a yard and a place for my chihuahuas to play.
In the RV there is just my husband and I but we are both large people living in a little space and after awhile it's stops becoming home and becomes the tin can. That's why outside we have a swing and a table and chairs. I jokingly call it the living room and the living room in the RV is the sitting area or TV lounge.
You really need to have some space for quiet and reflection away from your loved one or the marriage won't last in my opinion. This way I can use my laptop outside or in and crochet in both places too and it also gives my husband room away from me. It will be even nicer when we can get a awning for it.
To make it a home inside I recommend painting over those horrid printed walls or put up new panelling like a lot of the other RV'ers around here do. Also I recommend remodeling the kitchen like we did to make rooms for things you really need or use, like a larger fridge. Then decorate baby!
Another thing we plan to do is to remove the shower. I know it sounds crazy but my husband is to tall for it for one and for another it's already broken. In its place we are going to put more storage in the way of shelves and use the existing shower stall and put a shower curtain up to hide it all. This will be perfect for linens.
Another thing we plan to do is convert the second bedroom to storage. I know you are thinking "second bedroom?" but this is a 37 foot travel trailer not a 5th wheel so it has a second bedroom with bunk beds, two small closets, and a small table with bench seating.
We plan to keep the table and benches because it's a great place to do my crafts and the benches have storage. We also have to keep the lower bunk because of the electrical and tank below it, but we haven't decided how we want to make storage for the top bunk yet. Right now things are just crammed in there along with the kitty litter box.
The other thing is to make your own space and a lot of that will do with the RV park you are in. In this RV park half the park is dedicated to the "over nighters" and the other half is for extended stay renters. On the extended stay side there are people like us that just can't afford to live in a house. Then there are the short term one that are only here for the season or while working at a job locally.
We were lucky enough to get one of the back in spots on the side of the park. These are harder to rent because most people can't or won't back their RVs. The spot we have is a lot wider then other spots because of the trees which makes it perfect because it has a yard and a place for my chihuahuas to play.
In the RV there is just my husband and I but we are both large people living in a little space and after awhile it's stops becoming home and becomes the tin can. That's why outside we have a swing and a table and chairs. I jokingly call it the living room and the living room in the RV is the sitting area or TV lounge.
You really need to have some space for quiet and reflection away from your loved one or the marriage won't last in my opinion. This way I can use my laptop outside or in and crochet in both places too and it also gives my husband room away from me. It will be even nicer when we can get a awning for it.
To make it a home inside I recommend painting over those horrid printed walls or put up new panelling like a lot of the other RV'ers around here do. Also I recommend remodeling the kitchen like we did to make rooms for things you really need or use, like a larger fridge. Then decorate baby!
Another thing we plan to do is to remove the shower. I know it sounds crazy but my husband is to tall for it for one and for another it's already broken. In its place we are going to put more storage in the way of shelves and use the existing shower stall and put a shower curtain up to hide it all. This will be perfect for linens.
Another thing we plan to do is convert the second bedroom to storage. I know you are thinking "second bedroom?" but this is a 37 foot travel trailer not a 5th wheel so it has a second bedroom with bunk beds, two small closets, and a small table with bench seating.
We plan to keep the table and benches because it's a great place to do my crafts and the benches have storage. We also have to keep the lower bunk because of the electrical and tank below it, but we haven't decided how we want to make storage for the top bunk yet. Right now things are just crammed in there along with the kitty litter box.
Why I say living in an RV is cheap
When we lived in North Carolina this is what our bills cost for a two bedroom house:
Rent $475
Electric $140
Water $60
Cable $104
Cell Phones $90
Internet $80
Food $300
In an RV in an RV park:
Lot Rent $425
Electric included in rent
Water included in rent
Cable included in rent after $40 cable box deposit
Internet included in rent
Cell Phones $90
Food $300
See the almost $400 difference? Really we have it even cheaper then that thanks to the work camper program that pays our rent, electric, cable, and internet.
When you find yourself almost homeless like we did, this is the way to rebuild your life.
Rent $475
Electric $140
Water $60
Cable $104
Cell Phones $90
Internet $80
Food $300
In an RV in an RV park:
Lot Rent $425
Electric included in rent
Water included in rent
Cable included in rent after $40 cable box deposit
Internet included in rent
Cell Phones $90
Food $300
See the almost $400 difference? Really we have it even cheaper then that thanks to the work camper program that pays our rent, electric, cable, and internet.
When you find yourself almost homeless like we did, this is the way to rebuild your life.
Eating cheap when living in an RV
First off I refuse to buy propane. It's to expensive and a pain to change out tanks. The only propane we use is on the gas grill. So how do we cook? Electric baby! First off electric is included in the price at most RV parks so you are saving yourself a lot of money right there.
In our kitchen area the table and benches were missing when we bought the RV. Which saved us time because we would have ripped them out anyway. In it's place I bought a heavy duty folding table with plywood on top to hold all the items I put on the table.
On the table I have a standard size microwave, a toaster/convection oven, coffeemaker, and hotplate. All these items are electric. I bought a long plug in bar so they can all stay plugged in and not have to be moved BUT unless you want to blow your breakers don't use the larger items together. Also store in the kitchen is an electric skillet and an electric griddle. So really I can cook most everything I could have cooked in the stove except a turkey but I can cook a turkey breast.
As most women know you need to buy items when they are on sale and I still do. To store these items I have plastic shelves under the table and a tablecloth to hide it all. For more storage I have to largest fridge I could fit which is a smaller fridge but much bigger then and RV fridge or dorm fridge. This allows me to freeze more items. As soon as we can get an awning we will also move our deep freezer out of storage and put it under the awning.
So unlike a standard RV kitchen, there is no need for excessive eating out. My husband and I are poor and don't get government assistance for food. We have learned to eat very cheap and don't even use coupons.
In our kitchen area the table and benches were missing when we bought the RV. Which saved us time because we would have ripped them out anyway. In it's place I bought a heavy duty folding table with plywood on top to hold all the items I put on the table.
On the table I have a standard size microwave, a toaster/convection oven, coffeemaker, and hotplate. All these items are electric. I bought a long plug in bar so they can all stay plugged in and not have to be moved BUT unless you want to blow your breakers don't use the larger items together. Also store in the kitchen is an electric skillet and an electric griddle. So really I can cook most everything I could have cooked in the stove except a turkey but I can cook a turkey breast.
As most women know you need to buy items when they are on sale and I still do. To store these items I have plastic shelves under the table and a tablecloth to hide it all. For more storage I have to largest fridge I could fit which is a smaller fridge but much bigger then and RV fridge or dorm fridge. This allows me to freeze more items. As soon as we can get an awning we will also move our deep freezer out of storage and put it under the awning.
So unlike a standard RV kitchen, there is no need for excessive eating out. My husband and I are poor and don't get government assistance for food. We have learned to eat very cheap and don't even use coupons.
Trade for electrical work
In the RV park where we are located there is a gentleman that does electrical work for the owners in exchange for rent. Well my very smart husband bartered with him for electrical work. An 18 pack of beer and then a 12 pack of beer when the first ran out. Great deal right?!
So he comes to the RV and we are thinking this is going to cost a fortune. Then the guy says it's all due to the safety plug in the bathroom. You know the plugs with the breaker in them. So he works a few minutes and all problems are repaired. But I think he felt guilty for not doing more so he sent me to town for supplies and put us two more plugs in the kitchen area, where the table was supposed to be.
So if you have any problems with electrical this gentleman says always to check the bathroom plug first.
So he comes to the RV and we are thinking this is going to cost a fortune. Then the guy says it's all due to the safety plug in the bathroom. You know the plugs with the breaker in them. So he works a few minutes and all problems are repaired. But I think he felt guilty for not doing more so he sent me to town for supplies and put us two more plugs in the kitchen area, where the table was supposed to be.
So if you have any problems with electrical this gentleman says always to check the bathroom plug first.
Furnishing an RV with everyday furniture
When buying furniture for an RV measure 3 times and then let someone else measure twice but don't do like us and forget to measure the door!
When we bought this project my husband saw apart and removed the foul smelling built in sofa. We had a nice sofa and decided to just put it in it's place, or so we thought. After my husband removed the built in sofa we discovered the tire well and knew no sofa was going to fit there without being sawed in the back. The problem with our sofa was that it had two recliners on either end so we couldn't saw on it. So then my very smart husband decides to build a platform for the sofa to set on so it sets above the tire well. Problem solved? No
To find out our sofa was too long. So on the day we decide to move it in my husband and a friend were trying to figure out how to get it through this tiny little door. So when they flipped it over I saw it was all connected with two metal bars and suggested them taking them off. Then I suggested they remove the center section of the sofa and reconnect the two end recliners side by side and saw off the extra metal. Wala a love seat was made and fit perfectly.
So then off we go to the store to buy the largest fridge you could dream of fitting in an RV. See my husband took out the fridge cabinet area where the original fridge was to make room for a larger fridge. So once again he measures again and again and we order our fridge to be delivered the next day. Then we went and bought a washer dryer combo (that you see in RV magazines). So the next day my husband decides to put both in and realizes nothing is going through that door, even if you took the framing off. So here he's wondering where to buy a larger door and how to make room for it between the two windows and has an epiphany! He decides to take out the large window instead!
So then with the help or some neighbors he lifts the fridge and washer/dryer through the window and puts the window back in. But lets talk about the washer dryer combo. I will recommend anyone wanting a washer dryer in your RV to go with a stackable if you can spare the room. The problem with the washer dryer combo is it only does a very small load and take over three hours to wash and dry each load. However it does do a good job.
We ended up taking out the gas oven and gas hot water heater because they needed replacing. So where they were located in the kitchen area we put the washer dryer combo in their place. This way we could plumb right into the sink and drain and there is an outlet right there.
When we bought this project my husband saw apart and removed the foul smelling built in sofa. We had a nice sofa and decided to just put it in it's place, or so we thought. After my husband removed the built in sofa we discovered the tire well and knew no sofa was going to fit there without being sawed in the back. The problem with our sofa was that it had two recliners on either end so we couldn't saw on it. So then my very smart husband decides to build a platform for the sofa to set on so it sets above the tire well. Problem solved? No
To find out our sofa was too long. So on the day we decide to move it in my husband and a friend were trying to figure out how to get it through this tiny little door. So when they flipped it over I saw it was all connected with two metal bars and suggested them taking them off. Then I suggested they remove the center section of the sofa and reconnect the two end recliners side by side and saw off the extra metal. Wala a love seat was made and fit perfectly.
So then off we go to the store to buy the largest fridge you could dream of fitting in an RV. See my husband took out the fridge cabinet area where the original fridge was to make room for a larger fridge. So once again he measures again and again and we order our fridge to be delivered the next day. Then we went and bought a washer dryer combo (that you see in RV magazines). So the next day my husband decides to put both in and realizes nothing is going through that door, even if you took the framing off. So here he's wondering where to buy a larger door and how to make room for it between the two windows and has an epiphany! He decides to take out the large window instead!
So then with the help or some neighbors he lifts the fridge and washer/dryer through the window and puts the window back in. But lets talk about the washer dryer combo. I will recommend anyone wanting a washer dryer in your RV to go with a stackable if you can spare the room. The problem with the washer dryer combo is it only does a very small load and take over three hours to wash and dry each load. However it does do a good job.
We ended up taking out the gas oven and gas hot water heater because they needed replacing. So where they were located in the kitchen area we put the washer dryer combo in their place. This way we could plumb right into the sink and drain and there is an outlet right there.
Rebuilding the wreck starting with the water damage and leaks
The day we went and picked up the RV my husband was hot to buy it, and why not! He used to be in construction. Normally I'm the one to scream "I want it! I want it!" but this time that roll goes to my husband. I kept trying to point out all the problems and my husband was a kid in the candy shop. Paying the man without negotiating. Heck my husband agreed if they would blow up the two flat tires. Then we tried to get the wreck on the road and if the flat tires weren't bad enough, it also didn't have any brake lights. Throwing care to the wind we drove it back to the RV park in that state and my husband fighting it the whole way because it didn't have sway bars either.
The next day we got right to work. First off my husband repaired the damage to the wall and floor. It's not as scary as it sounds. There are wood studs in there just like in a real home and he had to remove some and replace them and seal the leak that started the whole mess.
Then he tackled the floor. He pulled up all the old carpet and linoleum. Then we put peel and stick linoleum tile in its place. Before you say "Ugh! Peel and stick flooring?" go look at Lowe's or Home Depot. They have some very nice tiles now. What we bought we were lucky to get on clearance for $.80 a tile with a lifetime warranty. If you go this route I recommend some VERY good knee pads because that part killed my husband's knees. Also don't cut towards your fingers and so my husband learned.
Next came the roof. Off my husband sends me (a clueless city girl) to the store to buy roof tar and Koolseal. Clueless me came home with wet patch and found the Koolseal at Walmart. To find out my wet seal mistake ended up being a blessing since it kept choosing to rain. But alas a few wet seal patched and two coats of Koolseal later the roof was back to normal.
The next day we got right to work. First off my husband repaired the damage to the wall and floor. It's not as scary as it sounds. There are wood studs in there just like in a real home and he had to remove some and replace them and seal the leak that started the whole mess.
Then he tackled the floor. He pulled up all the old carpet and linoleum. Then we put peel and stick linoleum tile in its place. Before you say "Ugh! Peel and stick flooring?" go look at Lowe's or Home Depot. They have some very nice tiles now. What we bought we were lucky to get on clearance for $.80 a tile with a lifetime warranty. If you go this route I recommend some VERY good knee pads because that part killed my husband's knees. Also don't cut towards your fingers and so my husband learned.
Next came the roof. Off my husband sends me (a clueless city girl) to the store to buy roof tar and Koolseal. Clueless me came home with wet patch and found the Koolseal at Walmart. To find out my wet seal mistake ended up being a blessing since it kept choosing to rain. But alas a few wet seal patched and two coats of Koolseal later the roof was back to normal.
How did we get in this mess?
We moved into an RV after the loss of our home back in March. It was quite an adjustment going from a two bedroom house into a very small RV. See we were very lucky and got on a work camper program were they allowed us to live in one of their RV's. To someone facing homelessness this was a true blessing.
The first RV we were in was a very old Winnebago. The toilet leaked and breakers blew every few seconds. Plus there was no hot water but it was a roof over our heads. Then after a month we asked the owners of the RV park if we could move into another one of their RV's. This one was a very old 30 foot travel trailer. Complete with window, door and window leaks. It also had a great view of the ground on each side of the RV where the walls were pulling free.
Here we lived until two weeks ago and this RV was our learning curb. The problem with this RV is it wasn't ours nor did the owners want to spend money on repairs. Then two weeks ago I found an old 37 foot travel trailer on Craigslist for $1400. Just let me tell you that you get what you pay for.
I will try to blog each update seperate for those wanting to know how to do these thing but I will tell you now everything that was wrong with the travel trailer when we bought it. The biggest problems were leaks in the roof and some poor prier leak repairs, rotted floor by the door in the main area along with major rotting in the wall above it, the rear door would not latch, the gas stove and water heater were rusted out, the toilet and shower handle were broken, it needed a mattress on the main bed and the bunk bed's mattress were gone, the fridge was missing, along with the microwave, the ac didn't work, and a breaker in the bathroom was shorting out all the electrical.
So why did we buy it? Easy we were technically homeless and this gave us a place we could fix up ourselves and call it home.
The first RV we were in was a very old Winnebago. The toilet leaked and breakers blew every few seconds. Plus there was no hot water but it was a roof over our heads. Then after a month we asked the owners of the RV park if we could move into another one of their RV's. This one was a very old 30 foot travel trailer. Complete with window, door and window leaks. It also had a great view of the ground on each side of the RV where the walls were pulling free.
Here we lived until two weeks ago and this RV was our learning curb. The problem with this RV is it wasn't ours nor did the owners want to spend money on repairs. Then two weeks ago I found an old 37 foot travel trailer on Craigslist for $1400. Just let me tell you that you get what you pay for.
I will try to blog each update seperate for those wanting to know how to do these thing but I will tell you now everything that was wrong with the travel trailer when we bought it. The biggest problems were leaks in the roof and some poor prier leak repairs, rotted floor by the door in the main area along with major rotting in the wall above it, the rear door would not latch, the gas stove and water heater were rusted out, the toilet and shower handle were broken, it needed a mattress on the main bed and the bunk bed's mattress were gone, the fridge was missing, along with the microwave, the ac didn't work, and a breaker in the bathroom was shorting out all the electrical.
So why did we buy it? Easy we were technically homeless and this gave us a place we could fix up ourselves and call it home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)