Living in a van for a year to save $?

[JEDI]

Just curious if this is doable/practical for a single person w/no kids?

showers @ gym. (my gym is $10/month)
microwave + hotplate for meals.
panera bread/mcdonalds/starbucks/etc for bathroom + free internet.

lets say you save $700/month in rent + $100/month in utils (gas/electric/water) = $800/month = ~$10000/yr in savings


edit:
Converting a van into a mini-RV
http://cheaprvliving.com/howtoconvertavan.html

Kitchen:

 

[Newbian]

Don't forget to write "Free Candy" on the side of it.

 

[SandEagle]

i can see this working out in the warmer states.

 

[lxskllr]

I'd absolutely do it. Walmart is accommodating about parking lot campers. If you wanted to spend a little cash, you could stay in a state park/campground, and have some friends. There's people that live in RVs as their only home. They get tired of a locale, they move on, and see something else. Not a bad way to go imo.

 

[Mean MrMustard]

I could only see this working if you parked it down by the river.

 

[preslove]

edit :'(

Goddamnit, I took too long. Thought I could get the first reference

 

[JSt0rm]

from your link

The only thing I have concerns about would be when #2 comes out in a liquid form (diarrhea). I think the best advice
there is to buy good trash bags to line the 5 gallon bucket with. I plan on lining the bucket all the time for ease of
dumping the waste. The other strategy is doing a sawdust toilet or using kitty litter in the bucket. This will allow both
wastes to be done in the same device. Using a plastic garbage bag liner is still easier as the 5 gallon pail device doesn't
seal totally so scent may get out. I really like the kitty litter idea.. Use scented kitty litter and dump it when needed..
Easy, fairly cheap compared to a true "port a potty" and easy to dispose of the waste as it will all be a solid..

Plan on being single for a LONG time.

 

[guyver01]

if you're gonna do it... at least get a mobile camper/van

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Doable is really relative. Considering that for most of our history humans have been cold, wet, and hungry, sure it's doable. Would I live that way to save 10k a year? No way.

 

[shortylickens]

I lived worse in the Navy.
But since I'm older I think I'd rather spend the money and stay some place thats truly habitable. I dealt with tiny studio and one-room apartments for a long time, thats OK cuz I got my own oven, fridge, and crapper. And seriously you are NOT gonna wanna rely on public restrooms for a whole year. Showering at the gym I could do for a while.

 

[grohl]

Nominated for worst idea of 2012.

 

[Doppel]

I saw on tv a while back a guy who was doing this. No, it was online, but it had pics and he was a grad student IIRC. It's definitely doable. I'd hate it, but it's up to you as to how much it would suck.

 

[shiner]

Make sure and setup a camera so we can see your sweet throws.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I could only see this working if you parked it down by the river.

They'll be plenty of time for him to park down by the river... WHEN HE'S LIVING IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER! Favorite skit of all time : )

 

[Joseph F]

I once thought about doing this... How much would it cost to convert a van, and what's a good vehicle to start with?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I was just thinking about this last night. To me, a roof over my head, especially in California, is both overrated and overpriced. I need to sit down and figure out the costs. A private bathroom and a small kitchen are important to me though, as well as not being permanently stuck out in the sticks.

 

[lxskllr]

I saw on tv a while back a guy who was doing this. No, it was online, but it had pics and he was a grad student IIRC. It's definitely doable. I'd hate it, but it's up to you as to how much it would suck.

On 60 Minutes this Sunday, they had an article on the worlds greatest professional(?) free climber. He lives in his van, and drives from cliff to cliff to climb. He's 26, or was when the show was shot.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

A private bathroom and small kitchen is easy with a small RV, which is a better route if you're planning on actually living in the thing.

 

[mmntech]

So... you'd basically be living in a trailer? I'd say it's perfectly doable, and so is your cousin.

 

[lxskllr]

I once thought about doing this... How much would it cost to convert a van, and what's a good vehicle to start with?

If you're mechanically inclined, an old air cooled VW Westfalia would set you up right away. They're slow, and finicky, but super easy to work on, and you can't beat the classic style.

 

[Gillbot]

I'd absolutely do it. Walmart is accommodating about parking lot campers. If you wanted to spend a little cash, you could stay in a state park/campground, and have some friends. There's people that live in RVs as their only home. They get tired of a locale, they move on, and see something else. Not a bad way to go imo.

I've thought about this myself but....

Doable is really relative. Considering that for most of our history humans have been cold, wet, and hungry, sure it's doable. Would I live that way to save 10k a year? No way.

This ^

I'd rather be comfortable....

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I saw on tv a while back a guy who was doing this. No, it was online, but it had pics and he was a grad student IIRC. It's definitely doable. I'd hate it, but it's up to you as to how much it would suck.

i saw it in the newspaper
this college kid used the college bathroom and shower and was allowed to park at the college. lol

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Make sure and setup a camera so we can see your sweet throws.

napoleon dynamite:thumbsup:

 

[SKORPI0]

On 60 Minutes this Sunday, they had an article on the worlds greatest professional(?) free climber. He lives in his van, and drives from cliff to cliff to climb. He's 26, or was when the show was shot.

The ascent of Alex Honnold - Oct 2011

Mountain climber Alex Honnold seems to defy gravity, scaling sheer, steep rock faces with no rope and apparently no fear. Lara Logan reports.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011...4487.shtml?tag=currentVideoInfo;videoMetaInfo

 

[0roo0roo]

its all good until you get robbed or hassled by the cops