Travel Advises

Useful advises for general travelling.

Here we start with some tips before we go through the essential steps on how to prepare yourself and your vehicle to live a comfortable life off-grid and on the go, either part-time or full-time:

• Save money:

You can't do anything without some cash first. But you don't need to always save. A few pesos can go a long time if you budget, and it will at least get you started. It is part of the organisation.

• Only the essentials:

Give away or sell most of what you have. There are many websites where you can sell your second-hand things, or you can start with your closest circle of friends or family. If you have things that you really can't part with, rent a garage or storage room. They are much cheaper in small towns than in big cities. Or find someone who can take care of your things. In case of renting, incorporate your monthly rent for each place in your budget.

• Plans:

Create a general itinerary. Find out about the public lands you are visiting on the Internet, and if you call or write, they will send you a flood of information for free. Think about a certain period of time, say a month, six months, or a year, and plan and budget for it.

• Budget:

The moment you start deviating from your budget, it will only get worse, the downward spiral will begin, and you'll be broke and desperate in no time. I allowed so much money for each month, and when I'm out, stay put until the next month starts. If that means another week or two in the same boring place, go for it. The longer you stay in a place, the more you like it. Stay a month and leaving will be like moving out of your house.

• Quality vs. Quantity:

What you take with you is what you are going to use every day, what is going to give you the weight on your back, or in the means of transport you have. Choosing well, and buying quality things (if possible) is the most important thing. Sleeping bags must be rated below zero; synthetics tend to be more durable than down and still work when wet. Stick with plenty of woolen clothing, blankets, tarps, and ropes. Keep in mind that cotton has no insulating value when wet, unlike wool and synthetics, so you should carry non-cotton versions of all garments with you. Bamboo mats are nice and great to lay out. Sleeping on the floor will wear you out quickly - get thick foam pillows or an inflatable mattress. And if you have space, a futon mattress is worth its weight in gold.

• Follow the Plan:

You hit the road, the trails or the river, whatever the case. Relax, stay organised, respect your budget and your plans. Always get to the campsite well before dark, or you will end up on paid campground territory. If camping is part of your monthly budget, that's fine ... arrive early and enjoy it for a full 24 hours. But if you end up getting last minute campsites due to poor planning and decision making, you'll be back in town in no time and back to work.

• Water:

Make sure there is a major water source wherever you want to go, be it a stream, lake, river, or hot springs. You are going to need to bathe, wash dishes, do laundry (if you're a fan, most people use laundries), drink water, possibly edible plants, etc. Not only is water where all life is, it's where most food is as well. Wild fruit trees feed very well on water, and aquatic plants such as cattails abound. Bathing daily will root you in this lifestyle like no other. The greatest luxury is the hot springs.

Another option when looking for water, if you are in cities or towns, find gyms or hotels where they allow you to take a shower at low cost. In Europe, many people subscribe to gyms that are located in several countries, so while traveling one can go to the gym to train or simply to clean up.

• Apps and information:

Even in densely populated areas, you can find a free place to spend the night by joining these clubs online: Boon-dockers Welcome, Harvest Hosts, RV Golf Club, and Overnight RV Parking. A full year membership is generally less than the cost of a night at a camp.

• Eat well:

You can cook whatever you want on the fire. Try cast iron skillets and bake in a Dutch oven. Stromboli, cinnamon rolls, lentil stew, grilled pancakes, fire-roasted yams, everything is possible. Everything tastes better cooked over a fire, and considering your Spartan lifestyle, you'll love every bite. Your appreciation for life and all it offers will increase 1000%. You can even dry fruits to make leathers and smoke your own jerky. If you don't pamper yourself at mealtime, you will start to yearn for the life on the inside and will inevitably collapse. A well-organised kitchen is the most important thing for a globetrotter.

• Learn about edible plants:

There is an astonishing abundance of wild foods, if you just look around and get the most basic knowledge of edible plants. Incorporate everything you find in your diet; This will easily cover the nutrients you want with your limited access to fresh food. It will also connect you to the earth and generate some independence. However, make sure you eat sustainably, leaving some of the plants behind.

Always use the universal edibility test or something similar to make sure the plant is safe to eat. Here are some ideas that you can search on the internet:

• Try to slow down and enjoy life:

This is more difficult than it sounds. See how to relax. Find things to do besides play and do nothing. For example: Working on primitive handicrafts, such as cordage, vine baskets, mats, coconut bowls, sandals, etc. Make a basket of pine needles.

Try beading and sewing a pair of loafers. Start building a primitive shelter, like a thatched roof hut. Paint some of the fantastic scenes you come across, if you are an artist. The small galleries are very open to local work. An income from this could go a long way towards maintaining your minimalist lifestyle. Take some time to read literature and philosophy, and try to get a "big picture" idea.

• Climate and seasons:

Nothing will destroy your enthusiasm for this lifestyle like the cold. Go where it is hot and move according to the season. There is simply no reason to be cold and sit in the truck. In summer go to cold places, in winter closer to the equator. • Work seasonally. When you have little money, go do more for a while. Do something new and interesting. Tourist areas are always hiring outsiders during their peak tourist period, and jobs run the gamut. You can also earn money collecting and selling wild mushrooms, or grapes at harvest time. For example, you can sell lobster mushrooms for $ 15 / lb to chefs at high-end restaurants, and it's a lot of fun to collect them.

You can even earn money collecting seeds like 'desert willow' to sell to companies for reforestation. There are endless opportunities to earn some money and regroup; you don't have to be tied to a job / career to survive.

A great tip is to find out about seasonal fruits and vegetables, so you can guide yourself to what kind of fields you could guide your job search.

• Document your experiences:

Keep a journal of everything that happens, as well as your thoughts and moods. Take lots of pictures. It will become a precious record of one of the most important moments of your life.

• Leave the place better than you found it:

Respect the environment that is your new temporary home so that natural beauty is preserved for those who come after you. Do not contaminate water sources by bathing or washing dishes with soap, not even biodegradable ones. Be competent in the manufacture of latrines and cathodes for human waste, do not damage the vegetation: move your tent every two days or you go every day to allow the grass to recover or stay on a more durable surface.

• To be sure:

While most globetrotters are friendly, you'll be miles away from passersby, the police, or locked doors. Stay friendly and calm but alert, and know how to defend yourself if the need arises. You may want to carry pepper spray or some form of personal protection in an accessible location.

• Try not to hurt yourself:

Those without health insurance may have their trip interrupted by a visit to the emergency room. A first aid kit is always essential in your luggage.

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Last updated 3 years ago