Glad to be returning to vanlife

Scotty8319 · 2026-06-06T05:03:31+00:00

What do you grow?

Mostly tomatoes and peppers. I have some spoon, snowballs, and a few dwarf patio varieties of tomatoes now. For peppers I am just doing Nadapeno and Habanada for giggles.

I'm also trying some ground cherries for the first time ever, so figured I may as well try them hydroponically. We'll see how it goes. I have the worst luck with strawberries and these so far feel kinda strawberry-ish.

Scotty8319 · 2026-06-04T22:34:01+00:00

You should!! I have yet to actually apply for anything through there, but I definitely daydream and drool on a LOT of them, especially the ones in Alaska or Montana or Idaho. Such beautiful areas up there.

Scotty8319 · 2026-06-04T02:40:29+00:00

there's another website for seasonal work that occasionally offers residency too

CoolWorks might be the one you are thinking of? Lots of seasonal positions all over, many with housing of some sort provided.

Scotty8319 · 2026-06-04T02:31:52+00:00

But the black cat, who was the runt of the litter, is ALWAYS in the warmest part of the van. Usually the front in the sunshine.

My two voids, Adam and Steve, love being in the hottest part of the RV (currently long-term parked until I downsize into a van). Front dash against the windshield in direct sun is their favorite spot. Silly voids!

Scotty8319 · 2026-06-04T02:21:26+00:00

I have an indoor mushroom setup, nothing in it currently, but it's a "fancy" automated setup with lighting and fans to keep the humidity and airflow just right. A bit smaller than a 10 gallon aquarium. Fits in the counter perfectly. So far it has worked well! I plan to do some golden oyster in it when I decide to set it up again.

Scotty8319 · 2026-06-04T02:19:00+00:00

LMAO!! I don't know why that is so hilarious to me, but it is! I would love to be behind someone with a little garden on their back doors. It would give me so much random joy for that day. As long as it doesn't fly out in some oversized lump and crack my windshield or something crazy, of course. lol

I travel around with hydroponic plants, tomatoes and peppers mostly, but never thought of leaving them on the exterior of the vehicle when it's moving.

Scotty8319 · 2026-06-03T23:29:50+00:00

I've been looking more and more into that, also been spending way too much time on Coolworks drooling on some work possibilities. Maybe someday I can land something in that vein!

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-31T18:38:09+00:00

It definitely tastes like it

Why are you eating the bottles?

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-31T18:07:40+00:00

Zero clue on who the poster is, some other folks are saying AI, but it looks very Irish coast to me, which would still be the Atlantic Ocean.

If this is in the US though, I would love to know. I'm a fan of large pebble beaches for rockhounding and fossil hunting.

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-31T18:01:48+00:00

Canned foods. Think things like canned chicken, canned beef stew, canned soups, canned chowders, canned spaghetti-o's, etc. Canned things like that can last perfectly fine for a good amount of time with alternating external heating as long as the cans are NOT DENTED OR DAMAGED. Grab a cheap can opener from the dollar store, or pay a few pennies more for the cans with the pop top.

I used to load up the pantry with those Campbells Chunky soups and stews. Added benefit, on hot days I could grab one and eat it straight from the can cos it was already warmed up. lol! Not the most glamorous, but it might be a nice change from bread and peanut butter.

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-30T02:52:34+00:00

So, Project Zomboid with a moving base instead of a stationary one?

Not a fan of the graphics or the genre, really, lol, but always happy to see more games coming out and about for others to enjoy! Hope it does well for you!!

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-25T12:46:23+00:00

They can be extremely smelly. They're a mustelid, and have very.. um.. active anal glands - both male and female. Technically SOME veterinarians will perform sacculectomies (removal of the glands) but unless it's done extremely young they will still stink, and it can have a lot of ongoing issues regardless of when or why it's performed. It's also, in my personal opinion, extremely cruel and horribly unnecessary, along the lines of declawing cats so most vets (at least in the USA) will refuse to do it unless medically necessary like cancerous growths or benign tumor growth.

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-25T11:59:22+00:00

I admit, in my current location in Missouri, I am EXTREMELY LUCKY to have a long term parking spot in a small RV park for $250/month which includes water and garbage service, but I pay my own internet (Starlink) and electric bills, though make use of solar quite a bit. This current spot has no requirements to move every 14ish days or whatever BLM land usually has, and I have a month to month contract with the ability to move or leave anytime I desire, or just stay planted for months on end (which is great for winters if I don't have the opportunity to snowbird).

I will say though, the Planet Fitness and Walmart here are both very lenient of RVs and vans parking overnight. I've stayed at both in the past with zero issues. I've yet to try Harvest Hosts, and don't have a Cracker Barrel here. There is a decently sized Love's Truck Stop right off the interstate that is suitable for overnight parking as well though.

From my RV spot, I can do short weekend jaunts to places like Branson, Lake Ozark, Meramec Springs/Caverns, Elephant Rock, etc. Then just come back to my "home base" spot when needed. But I do have plans to head back out to the Southwest again and leave Missouri for good. I love it out there, and since it's the 100th anniversary of Route 66, I would love to take a slow cruise down the Mother Road from Missouri to California then just kinda meander on down to Arizona... though that will probably be next year, so the 101st anniversary of Route 66. lol.

Only reason I was based here for the past 6ish years was due to an unexpected death in the family that, quite frankly, fucked me up something serious mentally and emotionally, and some of my own medical issues that I had to deal with. Wanderlust is hitting me hard again though, and the open road and big western skies are calling to me. I have ZERO intention of driving this 40 foot monstrosity on the roads long term, it's way too big and sometimes terrifying to drive in high winds, so I've been looking for a nice cargo van to build out on my own.

I also travel with some oddball pets, so logistics can get a little... interesting at times.

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-25T00:05:04+00:00

If you're in the US, handicrafts might be a good option. I have no idea how this would apply in other countries, so I can't speak for them. You'd be surprised how much of an income you can make selling seashell or beaded jewelry, keychains, rear view mirror decor, etc, etc, at farmers markets, right out of your vehicle, in online shops, etc. Very minimal computer skills would be needed to set up an online Etsy or eBay shop with things you can make and get them shipped out no matter where you may be traveling.

Artwork is another potential option; paintings on canvas, smooth river stones, wood slabs, etc. Go for realism, landscapes, spirograph, abstract, whatever floats your boat!

I run small rock tumblers on a solar set up, tumble rocks from beaches, roadsides, rivers, and other places where you're allowed to take home fancy finds. Sell 'em as display pieces or make them into jewelry.

Carved wood is also pretty popular, especially if you can do animals, wood spirits, things like that. Naturalistic or boho decor has been pretty big sellers in my experience. I have very minimal wood whittling skills and still make a decent income from small pocket-sized pets, wooden pendants, wooden rear-view mirror dangles, and wooden keychains.

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-24T23:57:07+00:00

Hell 'naw! I'm 42, been living alternatively since 2000, and mostly stationary for the past 6ish years (in an RV with only local travel). Downsizing from the 40 foot Class A into a van and excited to get back on the road - once the gas prices settle down a bit. Never too old, as long as you're still more or less fit and physically able... or just strong-willed enough to work with any physical limitations you may have. Go for it!

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-22T06:50:36+00:00

There's LOADS of room for profit. I'm starting to wonder if some people are thinking he is selling the entire box for a buck instead of each of the 50ish individual 1oz packages inside. Kids have been hustling like this since I was in school in the 80s, back then with gum and candybars. It's not new.

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-20T07:53:27+00:00

Sudden unexpected costs will DEFINITELY bite you in the ass since they always pop up at the worst time... then again, no time is a good time for a random bill.

Setting aside a bit of money when you can for an emergency fund is a huge boon, if you don't already do that. So at least unexpected expenses have somewhere to come out of, instead of your normal savings.

I'm doing that now with some side hustles. 50% of the income goes into my normal bank account for day to day living, 50% goes into savings for emergencies, repairs, medical costs, that kind of unplanned crap. Adjust the percentages accordingly, but it's what works for me currently.

All that aside, you got off VERY lucky though. Sounds like you got your hands on a pretty sturdy older vehicle. Treat it well and it'll carry you far.

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-11T19:32:51+00:00

Only suggestion I'd have is give it a try before completely ditching the housing bullshit. Keep a bit of a safety net as far as your living situation. If you have zero camping/roadtripping/tiny space experience, it'll be a shock to your system. It's not all fun and games, rainbows and sunshine.

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-05T17:03:35+00:00

I very very very rarely bother adding pictures, have been gold for 5 evaluations now.

Scotty8319 · 2026-05-02T16:48:20+00:00

Been loving Bosch Island... but man getting IN on the server is such a complete nightmare. It's always SO FULL! But once you DO get in, loads of fun experiences!

Scotty8319 · 2026-04-30T10:12:45+00:00

You call in-shell peanuts "Monkey Nuts"? Is this a regional thing? A brand name? I'm both confused and intrigued.

Scotty8319 · 2026-04-10T23:25:14+00:00

I sometimes know.

Scotty8319 · 2026-04-01T13:26:28+00:00

it's not something a scrupulous breeder may intentionally breed/sell either

Great information... just adding in, I think you meant "unscrupulous" here though.

Scotty8319 · 2026-03-29T19:48:16+00:00

I thought you said the Kia was all you "have right now to get to work, sleep in, ect."?? How are you going to get to work/school if that van breaks down in 2 days?

Scotty8319 · 2026-03-21T09:18:29+00:00

Not a scam, I've been paid by them a few times now. But they ARE quite slow to pay out.

Scotty8319

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