Friday, August 6, 2010

Vagabonds in the 21st century life style


There are many ways to live as a vagabond from roaming in that $300,000 RV to hiking the back roads with all your possessions on your back. I surveyed them all and selected something in the middle that was frugal enough to let me retire early and enjoy life while I still had my health. The simple life I live in a small bumper pulled trailer that minimizes my costs but still allows me to work those jobs designed for full time RVers. The life is simple and I have lots of time for the things I enjoy. Work is now a very small part of my life and living life as I want to is the objective.

Working
There are many ways to work and live in an RV. Trading work for a small amount of funds and or a campsite with utilities can be found in National Parks, National Forest, or Bureau of Land Management sites. You will get views that rival the best ones in the US. Volunteering can be done at many non profits that will provide you with a place to park your RV. Pick your favorite type of charity and don't forget habitat for humanity. Amazon and UPS hire Rvers to work the holiday rush for gifts and packages. They provide you a place to park and a good pay rate. Don't forget hosting at those private campgrounds. Trading days, flea markets, and other shows will hire temporary workers or you can sell your own creations there. There is work to be done and as long as you are willing, the compensation is sufficient to live as a vagabond.

Inexpensive places to stay
Overnight stays from 1 to 3 days can be found at Wal Mart, truck stops, rest stops, and city parks. Some city parks even have utilities. Many more places can be found where you can boondock or dry camp with only the utilities you bring with you. The National Forests allow boondocking that is called dispersed camping. The Bureau of Land Management( BLM) maintains long term visitor areas that are low cost with some utilities provided for your RV. BLM sites are also available for a 14 day stay with no cost but you have to be totally self contained because they don't have anything but a place to park. Some of the best views in this country are available to those who know where they can park for free.

Equipment
Whether you are boondocking or in a full service campground, additional equipment can make your experience more sustainable, frugal, or just easier. Thermal cookers help in many ways while power for boondocking can come from green sources like wind turbines and solar panels. Solar hot water heaters save on propane and solar ice makers can provide refrigeration on just ice for those cool drinks. Solar ovens minimize heating up your RV while reducing your fossil fuel use.

Hints
Experienced full time RVers have many hints to pass on like how to save money on hot water, managing your electric systems, and how much propane do you use. Learn how to barter, brew beer on the road, use a pressure cooker to save cooking time, or just the different types of lifestyles people live on the road. Don't forget the cooking equipment that makes your favorite meals like a good Dutch oven. Safety equipment from weather radios to personal transponders can make you feel more comfortable enjoying the quiet of that remote campsite.

Everyone can hitch a trailer to the vehicle from a small light weight teardrop to a 5th wheel on a full ton pickup. Figure out your budget, pick your home, and enjoy the life of a vagabond where enjoying life trumps making money.

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