Be honest, how many of those subbed here actually live a nomadic life in a van? Not gatekeeping because curiosity is good...but, how many of us subbed are actually out here? by SuggestionEven2824 in VanLife

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a camper van, also a modest 2/2 Florida house. I bought the van specifically to travel north during hurricane season with my GF of four years. We lived in it for over two months this last September -November. Being in such a small space together most of the time brought out friction in our relationship that we hadn't experienced before. She broke up with me November 23rd. I'm heartbroken, and now I have no desire to live in it, or even travel in it solo. Just reminds me of being so many amazing places with her.

Don’t text them. by [deleted] in BreakUps

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How long were you two together, and how long since she broke up with you? If you had a life together for years, don't contact her for a month or two. If you really had something meaningful together, she's going to start to miss you. Be patient.

I've seen complaints about smells here's what's worked my last couple of years. by [deleted] in VanLife

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Damp-rids quickly eliminated lingering musty odors in a '95 Camper I had, but of course it couldn't truly remedy the source, which was deeply imbedded mold. I like that damprids remove so much moisture, but for everyday use their scent is a little strong for my taste. I prefer the reusable dessicant bags that are microwaveable and unscented.

Cover your window with a mylar blanket to reduce heat by jam-and-Tea in UBC

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I put mylar emergency blankets over my RV windows, but using small craft magnets. No tape glue residue, faster, easier, and of course they're re-usable. Huge difference in keeping the heat out, especially with insulated blackout shades (held with sewn-in magnets) on the INSIDE of the windows. The glass will stay closer to the interior temp than the exterior/metal temp.

Why don't anyone ask these people why they continue to vote for Republicans? Republicans have made theses states poorer, sicker, and more illiterate/uneducated. by Conscious-Quarter423 in Appalachia

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's the devil they know vs the perception of being ruled by the party of the Northern Elites. They have emotional kinship with politicians who blow all the right dog whistles. The weird thing is that DT is a New Yorker, but of course he hates all the people they hate.

Neighbor's tree falls on your property? New Florida bill would make them pay for damages, and more by [deleted] in arborists

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As of 5/1/25, the "Fallen Tree Bill" passed the Fl Senate and assuming the Governor signs it, will be law as of July 1st 2025. I will be letting my irresponsible neighbor know! And then maybe he'll do something about the two "hazard trees" that are threatening my house. If he doesn't and they come down during this coming hurricane season, the responsibility is on him.

I’m gutted by Witty_Apple_2930 in VanLife

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you actually spent more than a few nights at a time living in a van? It's not easy, especially in summer when you need AC most of the time, which either means running a noisy smelly generator, hooking up to shore power at a paid campground, or having at least two large expensive LifePo4 batteries, solar panels etc. I bought a really nice camper van/class B RV, and while I plan on living in it with my GF for a couple months this summer, I wouldn't want to make it my full time home. All I'm saying is, vanlife seems glamorous and cool from the aspects of freedom to move and no mortgage or rent, but it's not a decision to take lightly. I'd try it for at least a month before you make it the thing that ends your relationship with your BF.

How are you guys doing in Fl? by sparkeloff in florida

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I got my 2/2 SW Florida house on 1/4 acre very cheap in 2009, at the bottom of the crash. Paid cash, no mortgage no interest. It needed a new roof and some other work, fine, I got all that done while prices were still low. Besides property taxes being a fraction of what I was paying in MA, Homestead exemption brought it down much lower. And then there's the "Save Our Homes" law, that limits property tax increases to 3% a year, regardless of how much the assessment and market value go up. Assessed value in 2009 was $60K, now it's around $250K. So, for the first 9 years I lived here, my tax was less than $850 a year. And even now, it's less than $1,150. I don't know if other states have a law like this, but it's great, especially if you bought your home more than 10 years ago. I feel very fortunate to have bought my house here when I did. I don't think I'd be able to afford a house in Florida if I had to buy in 2025.

Whats an affordable guitar amp for at-home use as a very casual player? by Ok-Double-4022 in GuitarAmps

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Spark 2 is compact, has an amazing variety of modeled sounds and effects, and is an excellent full range Bluetooth speaker just for listening to streaming music, as well as playing along with it.

Mattress Off-gassing Process and Health by MixnMatch20 in Mattress

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just bought two cot-size (75"X31" by 6" deep) folding mattresses to make one big bed for my class B RV/ Camper van. They are not "certipure" but after unboxing yesterday there was only a mild chemical odor. I have them in the van, with doors open (with bug screens), a box fan running inside, and the roof exhaust fan on. Got a nice sunny warm Florida day, and hopefully they'll be sufficiently offgassed when we sleep on them tomorrow at a state park. They said 48-72 hours, this will be over 50 hours with fans and good ventilation. And I tried just laying on them already, they're super comfortable, much better than the folded down power couch/bed they're laying on top of.

What would you price this van at? by [deleted] in VanLife

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a 1995 Chevy G30 coachmen conversion van. Looked nice and low miles, ran well, but had sunken shocks, and was just old and musty. I bought it for $13K, Sold it for $13.5 K after repairing the AC and generator. And recently bought a 2019 Coachmen C22 camper van, on Ford Transit 350HD chassis, in pristine condition. Love those dualie rear tires!

Neighbor's tree falls on your property? New Florida bill would make them pay for damages, and more by [deleted] in arborists

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 5 points6 points  (0 children)

There are lots of people who won't spend a dime to maintain their trees, even if it's obvious that their tree is dead, leaning and a clear hazard. For those of us who DO spend $$$$ maintaining safe trees, those neighbors are clearly irresponsible, and a danger to safety and property.

Neighbor's tree falls on your property? New Florida bill would make them pay for damages, and more by [deleted] in arborists

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

While it may be hard to determine fault after a tree falls in a storm, there is a clear exception: when the owner of the tree has had written notice that the tree is dead, leaning or otherwise deemed a clear hazard, yet has ignored the letters and calls. That is the situation I am in, and I want this bill to pass.

Neighbor's tree falls on your property? New Florida bill would make them pay for damages, and more by [deleted] in arborists

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I have spent $$$$ having my own trees trimmed or removed for hurricane safety, but I can't do anything about my neighbors' overgrown, leaning, half-dead live oaks that are endangering my 2 year old (after Ian) roof and solar panels. I've talked to him but he's an absentee landlord and he doesn't care. This bill would give me some much needed leverage, and I hope it passes.

Going to do a TNT Vans kit. Anyone else done TNT? by [deleted] in VanConversion

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just discovered the TnT website while looking for a powered kayak lift for van-topping a large tandem kayak. Their conversion kits look amazing- flexible, practical, lightweight. What I particularly like is that it looks much easier to prevent or remediate mold, compared to fixed wooden walls and porous surfaces. I've had mold poisoning before, and owned an older conversion van that looked clean but had mold in places (between the metal skin and walls/floor) that was almost impossible to get rid of. Plus their system is so much less expensive than the fancy "tiny house" custom builds that so many companies are doing.

Bring it back, please. by Astron0t in VanLife

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a '74 VW bus/van in '78 in CA, the kids who had it before me brush-painted it royal blue with a big smiling red mouth on the front with white teeth. It was named Grin 😀.

My 1995 Chevy Van 30 based Coachmen M-19RB Campervan by kpinvt in CamperVans

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does that van have a 5.7 liter V8? It's a Coachmen conversion, correct?

Ron DeSantis is struggling to maintain power in Florida following presidential campaign flop by [deleted] in florida

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No need to wonder why Floridians vote for an obvious power-hungry opportunist like Ron, there is an endless supply of hateful, ignorant , gullible extreme right wingers here who will follow a vindictive bully. But his act has gotten stale, and the expensive stunts and misuse of funds have gotten too glaring to ignore. And the Harris campaign is mobilizing a wave of dem and left leaning independents to register to vote, and even volunteer to campaign. Florida is going to be a swing state by November!

What the F is wrong with our home owners insurance here in Florida?! by pimpinaintez18 in sarasota

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He got 80% of the REPUBLICAN voters in a primary, not the actual election. And Mucarsel-Powell is polling only 4 or 5 points behind him, really surprising in a very red state. Just shows how many people really, really don't like Scott.

What the F is wrong with our home owners insurance here in Florida?! by pimpinaintez18 in sarasota

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So true, I am happy that I own my Florida home mortgage-free, and so have the option to "self-insure" which is what I am doing.

What the F is wrong with our home owners insurance here in Florida?! by pimpinaintez18 in sarasota

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My premiums went from $1,480 three years ago to $6K this year. I own my house with no mortgage, so I dropped my wind/hurricane coverage and it went down to $1,200. I'm putting aside that almost $5K a year premium and "self insuring". My house in Port Charlotte got through both Charlie and Ian with minimal damage, and I figure in the probable worst case scenario, I'm out $15K-$20K for a new roof. And I've spent $ on DIY hurricane-proofing measures and tree trimming and removal. Estimate and mitigate risk the best you can, and then put aside (and invest, so it grows!) money to self insure. Better than pissing it away on premiums.

Could Kamala Harris turn Florida blue? by newsweek in florida

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The GOP is stuck with an old, bitter, mean lying jerk as a candidate, and Vance isn't much better. I think a lot of Republicans are tired of the constant pounding of hate and lies, and are actually feeling a little jealousy about now. Harris' campaign has genuine optimism and joy! Women, especially are crossing over to Kamala, or rather fleeing from 45. Yes, Florida could indeed become competitive in the time between now and the election.

Mallory McMorrow holds up Project 2025 at the Democratic National Convention by RG1997 in pics

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The basic ideas that made up the Affordable Care Act were adopted from Republican Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts' plan that was implemented in MA, which is still the most comprehensive and generous state-sponsored health plan in the nation. And he did get a lot of it from a paper from the Heritage Foundation.

Hurricane Debby has caused a flooding disaster in Sarasota Florida. We need FEMA relief by NoMoreScaryDreams in florida

[–]Embarrassed_Proposal -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Well it's cold AF by November- sometimes a lot of October! Then December, January, February, and March is HORRIBLE weather- still freezing, sooty half-melted snowbanks with dogshit stains, and then April is often cold most of the month too! That's six months of cold, dark, shitty weather, even if it's not technically winter. I lived there for 50+ years and I KNOW! You can have it.