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Speaking as someone who lives in his minivan because he is homeless, I’m hoping this will turn out to be a net zero for me. Since oil is going down, gas prices

Speaking as someone who lives in his minivan because he is homeless, I’m hoping this will turn out to be a net zero for me. Since oil is going down, gas prices are going to be much lower, but I’m afraid food prices, which is my only commonly purchased thing, are going to be much higher. I have purchased several things that I might need in the future including a new 200 watt solar panel and a bunch of extra parts for my van. (My old solar panel is dying.).The one thing I have left to buy is an alternator, and possibly a larger solar battery. This is how everyone living in poverty should be investing right now.

PaulRobinson 2y ago
So many questions, but first off the bat: how are you getting onto HN, and what are you getting from this community to help you as a homeless guy in a minivan? What does your rig look like? If you've got solar panels and battery and able to live somewhat comfortably, where would you draw the line between homeless and "van living"? Hope your fortunes improve and that you ride this one out OK, godspeed!
- FollowingTheDao 2y ago
  Oh, I’m in a pretty sizable town right now, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I live in a 2001 Dodge grand Caravan and only have portable solar panels, and you’re right, I don’t know if I should call myself homeless most of the time but I’m homeless in the conventional sense where I don’t have a fixed address where I can get mail. Thanks for the thoughts about my future, but I just don’t think about it and that’s the best thing to do for everyone I feel.
greenavocado 2y ago
You can get land with water in America for under $1000 an acre. Strongly recommend investing in land with water. Electricity can be pulled in via solar, trucked in with diesel fuel for generation, starlink can be arranged, sewage can be collected in containers and disposed of periodically (worst case), but having a place to stay legally with a water connection shouldn't be underestimated. I lived in a van I converted to solar too for six months before finding employment in a city and consequently a cheap apartment. This was before remote work was more accepted.
- FollowingTheDao 2y ago
  Thanks, people always tell me about this, but I can never find a way to do it. Do you have any links or ways to find these pieces of land? Every time I look, there’s always a catch.
  - greenavocado 2y ago
    Find a parcel near a river or with an aquifer underneath it https://dashboard.waterdata.usgs.gov/app/nwd/en/ https://dashboard.waterdata.usgs.gov/app/nwd/en/ Right sidebar, Hydrology -> Aquifers -> ON Then check local ordinances to see if there are prohibitions against living in an RV on your property. Typically you want to stay away from properties which specify "Covenants and restrictions apply" because they typically prohibit RV living. $99 Down + $149 closing fee and $75 monthly for 35 months: https://www.landwatch.com/ozark-county-missouri-recreational-property-for-sale/pid/422079019 https://www.landwatch.com/ozark-county-missouri-recreational...

PaulRobinson 2y ago

So many questions, but first off the bat: how are you getting onto HN, and what are you getting from this community to help you as a homeless guy in a minivan? What does your rig look like? If you've got solar panels and battery and able to live somewhat comfortably, where would you draw the line between homeless and "van living"? Hope your fortunes improve and that you ride this one out OK, godspeed!

FollowingTheDao 2y ago
Oh, I’m in a pretty sizable town right now, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I live in a 2001 Dodge grand Caravan and only have portable solar panels, and you’re right, I don’t know if I should call myself homeless most of the time but I’m homeless in the conventional sense where I don’t have a fixed address where I can get mail. Thanks for the thoughts about my future, but I just don’t think about it and that’s the best thing to do for everyone I feel.

greenavocado 2y ago

You can get land with water in America for under $1000 an acre. Strongly recommend investing in land with water. Electricity can be pulled in via solar, trucked in with diesel fuel for generation, starlink can be arranged, sewage can be collected in containers and disposed of periodically (worst case), but having a place to stay legally with a water connection shouldn't be underestimated. I lived in a van I converted to solar too for six months before finding employment in a city and consequently a cheap apartment. This was before remote work was more accepted.

FollowingTheDao 2y ago
Thanks, people always tell me about this, but I can never find a way to do it. Do you have any links or ways to find these pieces of land? Every time I look, there’s always a catch.
- greenavocado 2y ago
  Find a parcel near a river or with an aquifer underneath it https://dashboard.waterdata.usgs.gov/app/nwd/en/ https://dashboard.waterdata.usgs.gov/app/nwd/en/ Right sidebar, Hydrology -> Aquifers -> ON Then check local ordinances to see if there are prohibitions against living in an RV on your property. Typically you want to stay away from properties which specify "Covenants and restrictions apply" because they typically prohibit RV living. $99 Down + $149 closing fee and $75 monthly for 35 months: https://www.landwatch.com/ozark-county-missouri-recreational-property-for-sale/pid/422079019 https://www.landwatch.com/ozark-county-missouri-recreational...