#the only vehicle that i’m regularly inside of is the bus for school

[cordlessdrill20volt]

i have never flown on a plane but that makes them more mystical to me . they’re like big beasts that you’ve only heard stories of . it also makes them really hot

[freckleslikestars]

I got my wallet seven years ago last week from a tiny little shop in Italy, and it was perfect, because it was small and robust but could hold all of my cards and loose change - men’s wallets never seem to have suitably sized loose change pockets, and to get a women’s wallet with enough slots for all my cards, you have to get one of those stupidly long ones that are impractical. Now this wallet is perfect. It’s yellow and it’s rainbow inside and it’s been run over by at least three big construction vehicles (I have a habit of leaving it on the roof of my car when I pay for fuel - don’t judge me it’s the adhd) and like…yeah it no longer closes. And the zipper’s broken. And all the card slots are falling apart because they’re overstuffed, but if you take cards out the leather’s so fatigued that everything falls out. But it’s my baby. My dad bought it for me. It holds pictures of me and my brother from when we were kids. It’s got my school bus passes in it. It’s got business cards of businesses that went out of business at least four years ago in it. And like…despite it being plain yellow on the outside I weirdly get a lot of compliments on it (usually along the lines of “oh my gosh I love your wallet it’s the perfect size where did you get it?”)

Anyway, it’s kinda…given up the ghost. It’s reached the point where it’s no longer practical to use. Bare in mind that this wallet took over a year of searching to find it because I’m picky about wallets. I literally said when I finished my GCSEs two months before my 16th birthday “I need a new wallet because my current one has fallen apart” and didn’t get this one until my seventeenth birthday.

Well, today, folks, is a momentous occasion, because today is the day I replace my trusty old wallet. And oh my god is the new one cute or what? It’s slightly longer than I’d usually go for, but not so much that it’s impractical, and it’s got the spines of classic sci-fi novels on it and oh my gosh it’s adorable. And like. I’ve been saying my old one needs replacing for about two years now, but I’ve only actively been looking for a new one for about two weeks and like. To have already found one? Incredible.

Anyway, the whole point that I’m actually trying to come to is that I went through all my cards and took out the ones I don’t need to carry regularly/the ones that are dead/the ones that I just keep for sentimental value (first debit card, bus passes from school and college, uni bursary cards) and uhhh…there were 32 cards that I carry around with me that I don’t use.

In my defense, a lot of these are ones I have duplicates of because the name on them changed, and I just never took the old one out. But like…yeah it makes sense why my old wallet was so sad.

[thatisonecrappyapple]

Cats and Dogs

James (Logan) Howlett AKA Wolverine / Original Character

Summary: A young mutant girl runs away from a bad situation and finds solace in a passing stranger. 

A/N: Okay so this piece is very old and hella embarrassing. This is probably quite obvious but I wrote this when I just started watching anime regularly, so you know, when I was going through my obsessive phase. Hence the cat ears. I thought I’d post this one just because it’s one of the few shorts I actually finished. Also I have no idea why I decided to call this cats and dogs but I’m not going to judge past me anymore than I already have. Hope this gets some laughs?

The January air was crisp and violent, its strength enough to cause the young girl to sway with it. A light dusting of pearly snow crunching beneath her worn sneakers, a stumble every now and again. This was not how she had foresaw her future; sad, freezing, and alone with only the two thin layers of her peach pyjamas and her white sweatpants struggling against the harsh winter weather. It hurt to inhale through both her nose and mouth at this point, her cheeks an angry red and her fingertips practically numb. She had them curled lazily into her small chest. A habit she had developed over the years as an attempt to keep her nails from others and herself, even if unneeded. She was hurting, in more ways than one and rapidly losing hope. Minutes continued to pass and finally the familiar sound of tires on road reached her covered ears. Looking over her slim shoulder her brown gaze widened at the white truck slowing toward her. She wasn’t used to not hearing vehicles before she saw them, the girl guessed it was because of her grey toque and her worsening state. Weakly moving her long shaggy brown hair away from her face she watched wearily as the man in said truck looked at her. He motioned for her to open the door to the passengers side with a stern expression, she eventually did but with a noticeable fear taking over. Plopping down onto the dark seat and slamming the door shut with a pathetic force, she sighed at the warmth that followed. The young teenager jumped at the sound of the large burly man moving, he reached to grab a thick coat and handed it to the girl.

“Jesus kid, how long you been out there?” His voice was deep, gruff and only caused her anxieties toward this strange man to grow. 

“A-awhile,” the man noted how frail her whispered answer had sounded. It was his turn to watch her, albeit curiously, as she slowly covered herself with the warm material like a blanket. Once she had finished a silence fell over the pair. He was very aware of how terrified the teenager was, and he was at a bit of a loss on how to comfort the stranger. 

“So, where yuh headed?” 

“Dunn-no,” she reluctantly turned to face the person beside her. Big eyes stared into smaller ones, “Wh-where are you going? If-f you don’t mind me as-asking?” 

Looking back at the bright white road, he placed his rough palms back on the steering wheel and started his journey once again, “New York.” Another silence washed over them though this time with less of a tense. The man had so many questions but chose to tread carefully, “what brought you to the side of the road, hm?” 

Sinking into the warming seat further she answered with little confidence, “my parents arh-aren’t too fond of meh-e anymore.” 

“Any specific reason?”

“They just aren-aren’t the best of people.” 

Having been who he is for far too long, he had a guess or two as to what this young girl was obviously not telling him. That in mind as well as her still prominent fear, his right hand let go of the wheel. He presented his larger hand with his knuckles facing her questioning gaze, and with little thought three shining claws pushed to the surface. And just like that they were gone and his hand was back on the wheel. He was expecting something, a gasp, an awe even, but he was greeted with silence once again. Glancing at his passenger he quickly realised that maybe that wasn’t the smartest course of action. She was scared. Maybe he thought wrong? Was she not a mutant?

“Sorry ‘bout that. Just wanted to show you that you don’t have to be scared to tell me anything. I don’t want to hurt you.” 

“You-you’re a mutant?”

“Yeah, are you?”

For a good few seconds he really thought he screwed this up, but finally, after a minute or two, he heard rustling. Glancing at the girl and back in front of him several times, he watched as she moved her thin hands to her head and removed her toque. He was greeted with feline-like ears, the same colour as her hair, minus the white inside. 

“Yes,” he noted the lack of stutter and raised a brow once he saw her move her hands far away from her face. Her nails very slightly seemed to grow, yet they had definitely sharpened, “I had a stupid night terror so I got s-sloppy. They ran in and saw for the first time. They weren’t too happy.” Her last sentence was much quieter. If not for his enhanced hearing he wouldn’t have been able to hear it. She placed her now warm hands on top of his large coat and he watched as her claws changed back to her more human ones.  

“How long’ave they been developed now?”

“Since I was about six. I’m thirteen now.”

His eyes widened at that, “damn.” 

“My parents were alw-ays very bus-sy and when they got home they would just go straight to bed. We never really saw each other mu-ch.” 

“What’s your name, kid?”

“Robin, yours?”

“Logan.”

“It’s very nice to meet you Logan. Thank you for letting me in your truck.” 

A genuine smile overtook her features, an infectious smile, “don’t mention it. Now tell me, have you heard of Charles Xavier?” 

“I haven’t.”

“Well, the guy runs a school for mutants. Happens to be in New York too,” Logan’s gaze slightly sparkled when he noticed Robin’s delighted surprise. 

“A whole school? But I don’t even have a place to stay in New York, how would I get accepted into a school?”

“All you need to get in is a mutation, and you would live there with other students.” 

“Can you take me there?” As they had been talking he took note of how her volume was getting slightly louder and her words more rushed as she continued. Now she was finally speaking at a normal level and her nervous stutter was long vanished. 

“Kid, you didn’t even have to ask.” 

[grell-writes-stuff]

Interlude Excerpt

Which is sadder in context, but happy when you look at it alone this way! (Unless you’ve read the first 8 chapters - then it’s still sad).

Tag List: @fenfaerie @arieswriting

We were in middle school. Seventh grade. Before the band, before any and all feuds, during my first therapy stint where I was seeing Kelley regularly, among the carnage and self-destruction brought upon by a divorce, an impromptu two-thousand-mile move, and preteen hormones. Travis and I took the same bus to school, and so, that day, since I felt stable enough to traverse the impossible task of waking up in the morning, dragging myself out of bed, and getting ready, we met and waited at the same stop on the vehicle’s pre-planned route through the mountainous third quadrant of Woodland Hills.

I was dressed in a similar, non-invisible camouflage, but the temperature could justify a hoodie, so no remarks were tossed at me, not that Travis would have gone to that length anyway. Teasing was his specialty, but he somehow always knew, as if it were an instinct programmed into him, what was off-limits. My fragile mental health in a time of such ridiculous crises was legitimate and valid in his eyes and, therefore, a ban on mocking applied to it.

That day, we boarded the bus, him in front of me.

In middle school, Travis was exactly the same. Perhaps exactly is a stretch. His face was the same, if still losing some roundness and sharpening in the transition from child to teen. He was still just growing his hair out for the first time, so it wasn’t long, just shaggy enough to make my mom jokingly complain on a regular basis. Still, inside, he never changed.

I apparently haven’t either. After a long lapse of being okay again, I’m still the same depressed, cynical asshole. That jumped out as Seventh Grade Travis continued to proceed through to the second half of the bus, heading toward the back and right into the line of fire of the eighth graders.

“Dude, no,” I told him, stopped in my tracks in contrast to his struts of sheer determination.

He paused for a moment, flashing the smirk I’d seen a billion times before. “Come on, Morgan,” he said. “Trust me. What did they say in the movie we watched last night, huh? ‘Don’t dream it, be it’. Let’s be the guys who sit in the back of the bus. Prime real estate.”

I felt the need to be stubborn about it, but I chose to think of it as a realist perspective, not the pessimism that Travis decided to see. I gave him a look like he was being absolutely crazy, because I was sure he’d gone insane. I was about a minute away from finding him a straightjacket.

“Trav, we can’t,” I retorted. “Eighth graders sit there. We’ll die.”

He only addressed the first part. He fixated on the can’t. “Yeah we can.” And then, he resumed his pace, not at all annoyed by the pause I’d inflicted.

I followed a few steps only because holding up the line of kids already pissed off about having to wake up in the morning seemed like a worse alternative.

“Taht tuoba erus oot mees uoy.”

His head turned enough so I could see the look in his eye, the grin he held with confidence running through every blood vessel in his body. “Erus ton m’I. Evitisop m’I.” And, just like that, he dropped into the back seat, and shot me this expectant and brave look, like an invitation. An invitation to get my ass kicked by eighth graders right by his side – but slightly more tempting because it was coming from him.

So I took the empty space next to him.

And nothing bad happened on that ride. In part due to Travis’ winning charisma which gave him the skill to carefully talk down a couple of eighth grade kids who were, in fact, about to kick our asses for stepping into their territory. He was an excellent influencer. By the time we got off the vehicle, Travis was friends with the guys. I don’t remember saying anything other than yell-whispering to him that he was an idiot the second they called us out for being in the wrong place, but he took everything in stride. Even if I wasn’t there, he moved on, and always helped me catch up after.

Like at lunch that day.

I’d already missed some school, and what I did attend up until that point pretty much all took place early on in September, and I was unfocused anyway. That same day, after his show of boldness with the intimidating eighth graders, he led me to the cafeteria – another feat I was dreading like a punch to the throat. I complained, not particularly loudly, but certainly out loud, as he dragged me.

“Anywhere else,” I begged, fighting the tempting voice telling me to just go limp.

“Come on,” he urged. “Everyone eats in the cafeteria.”

“Precisely.”

He looked at me, ambition abound and smile as big and bright as always. His eyes practically twinkled. “What are the cons if we go? What’s the worst that can happen?”

I couldn’t believe he had the gall to ask such a dumb and stupid thing.

But it was hard to come up with an answer that he wouldn’t be able to refute. If I said “People will stare at me,” he’d say “No, they won’t,” and he would be right, and I would hate it, but relent. If I threatened to puke – something I’d been doing quite regularly due to my fucked up mental issues – he’d call my bluff, and it wasn’t really something I could do on command. It just happened. And I wasn’t prepared to think about the divorce and my dad’s move deliberately to force myself into blowing chunks all over a lunch table. That would certainly defeat my stay-under-the-radar approach to middle school.

“And,” he continued when I stayed silent, “I can tell you a pro right now. Come on. There are some guys I want you to meet.”

“If they’re eighth graders, I’m killing you before they do.”

He chuckled as he led me in.

A school cafeteria is a step away from a prison cafeteria (and I can definitely tell if it’s above or below), and the one inside of our middle school was no exception. Packed with kids at just about every long, standard table with attached benches – the kind that can be folded, and wheeled elsewhere, but that were permanently stuck in the massive room – not to excuse the horror that is the food. I kept my head down, and fought the urge to flip my hood up to hide myself away. I’d tried that earlier, and Travis had tugged it right back down anyway. There was no way he was letting me sit in my camouflage and pout.

I followed him to the end of one of the long, standard tables with attached benches which was already occupied by three other kids. One of them looked inhumanly tall – maybe already five-foot-eight, even sitting down – but still like he had a ton of growing to do to fit the massive size of his awkward proportions. The one directly across from him was tiny with a mop of light brown curls. The last sat at the small one’s side and looked up at us behind dark hair with blue eyes.

Then two more pairs of eyes followed his and I felt like I’d been shoved into a spotlight and expected to perform Mozart on a fucking bassoon. I’d missed enough school that I was basically a degree away from being a completely new kid arriving part way through a year that had already begun. I became the one thing I wanted to avoid when I already felt like enough of a freakshow: a spectacle.

Just as I felt my stomach reach the middle of my esophagus, the curious stares moved aside.

“S’up, Trav,” the tall one said.

“Hey, man,” he greeted back, plopping down onto the bench like it was familiar, normal, a routine. They bumped fists.

And I felt like an outsider seeing that. Like he’d found these new friends in my absence because he had to – I gave him no other choice. It stuck to the front of my brain: the fear that I would easily be shut out. I was debating just leaving, and going to eat elsewhere like I’d wanted (the list ran through my head: among the stacks of books in the library, in a deserted hallway…). Then, with no effort, no tell to those around us that he’d done it, he kicked me in the ankle, not hard, but just enough.

In the end, he would always, eventually and inevitably, end up going for the ankles.

I swallowed back my gut quietly and took the bench at his side.

The eyes flew to me again.

“Gentlemen,” started Travis with this comic formality peaking out in his cheerful voice, “this is Morgan Scott.”

The tall one shot me a nod, his floppy hair bouncing off his forehead. “S’up, Scott.”

“Uh, hey,” I responded.

Travis’ pointed finger swept around the table as he continued, “This is Cole, Matt, and Bryson. You’ll like them. They’re cool.”

[loveissupernatural]

                                        “The Man Behind the Mask”

                                                            pt 2

Peter Parker x reader

Warnings: none

Summary: You’ve recently moved to Queens, New York after your father finds a new job with the U.S. government handling alien affairs in the city. You’ve grown up in a small town, and it’s your junior year of high school; culture shock takes a whole new meaning when you’re saved by the famed new web-slinging Avenger - and when you meet a new group of friends at Midtown High that seem to always be hiding something. But things quickly get personal.

Masterlist / pt 1

Your masked hero had only just disappeared behind the rooftops and evening glow when multiple blaring police cars skidded to a stop in front of you. The officers hauled ass out of their vehicles before their eyes settled on you, shaken but safe, and the incapacitated criminal glued to the alley wall. When their eyes settled on the webbing, an obvious calling card of Queens’ knight in shining armor, the urgency left their steps. With a slightly annoyed, but mostly relieved smirk, an officer pulled you aside and wrote down your assessment of the incident while a medic slid a silver shock blanket around your shoulders. They referred to Spider-Man as a suspect as well, but you insisted that he’d done nothing wrong, and that he was the only reason you were alive and breathing. The police officer looked like he’d heard this before, and you’re sure he had – he also looked like he’d much rather be anywhere else, like he personally couldn’t care less whether Spider-Man had been there or not.

Two officers escorted you back home, earning shocked and concerned looks from your parents. As soon as one of the men explained to them what happened, your mother hugged you to her like you were about to blow away with the wind, wailing. Your father almost collapsed against the kitchen counter, leaning on it for support as he squeezed your shoulder. You tearfully welcomed your parents’ affection, suddenly feeling extremely guilty for the way you had been treating them.

Although you never wanted to experience your life flashing before your eyes again, in a weird way, you were thankful for the harrowing experience. Something about staring at death down the barrel of a gun tends to remind one of the important things in life. Arguing with your parents over the move suddenly seemed so stupid and trivial. You were all together, you were all happy and healthy, and that’s all that really mattered. You would get to graduate high school, go to college, and live your life all thanks to a man in red and blue spandex.

Your mother was heartbroken to learn that there was no way to contact Spider-Man, desperately wanting to thank him for saving her only child’s life. Reporters hounded at your door for the rest of the night, begging for an “inside scoop” on the famous rumored Avenger, but you turned them all away. Sharing every detail of your rescue with millions of viewers seemed like some kind of violation to Spider-Man’s privacy, and part of you wanted to keep the deeply personal experience for yourself. Your mother shouted a final “Thank you, Spider-Man!” at a TV camera before you slammed your front door shut for the final time that night. You hoped that whoever he was, wherever he was, Spider-Man would somehow see your mother’s tearful thankfulness. After all, how do you accurately express to someone how you feel about them saving your life? There are no words.

When your parents finally released you from their grasps, and apologies peppered with “I love you”s had been exchanged at least one hundred times, you finally went to bed. With a fond smile, you sat the bruised, pitiful apple on your dresser as a momento. You knew you’d have to get rid of it eventually. No momento, no matter how special, was worth the flies and worms that would invade your room.

You kept your eyes trained on the faint outline of the fruit in the darkness of your room and thought of Spider-Man’s interestingly lensed eyes as you drifted into a restless sleep. The next day was your first day at Midtown High School as a junior; your parents asked if you wanted to hold off after your life-threatening experience, but you insisted on continuing life as usual.

Your fitful sleep was plagued with strange dreams – the barrel of a gun, a plague of red and blue spiders, showing up to your first day at the new school with  articles of your clothing magically disappearing.

The repetitive ring-ching of your cellphone’s alarm woke you out of an odd dream involving a flying elevator that would transport you anywhere in New York. You bolted up so quickly that you were dizzy, the stickiness of the dried sweat on your neck and back reminding you of your restless night. You rubbed crusty sleep from your eyes as you swung your legs over the edge of your mattress, groaning loudly.

As you trekked to the kitchen, bare feet cold against the tiled floor, you were surprised to see your mother already awake, sitting at the granite island wearing her glasses and sipping coffee. You muttered a greeting as you walked by her toward the refrigerator, but her outstretched arm stopped you. Without a word, she pulled you to her side tightly and rubbed soft circles into your arm. You sighed against her shoulder, deflating. She kissed your head, then suddenly shooed you away, failing to hide the few tears that were escaping her eyes.

After gulping down a cup of Yoplait, you shuffled back to your bedroom. With eyes still halfway closed, you flipped on the light and pulled open your curtains.

A shiny, fresh red apple was waiting on your windowsill.

You just stood there for a moment, staring at it, your sleep-deprived brain struggling to catch up to the events of the night before. As you stared at the thing like you couldn’t believe it was there (which you couldn’t), what this meant hit you like a wall. Not only had Spider-Man saved your life twice and remembered what was in your grocery bag, but he had followed you home after all, and he was still thinking about you. The apple obviously hadn’t been there long. If you’d woken up five minutes earlier, would you have caught Spider-Man hanging out on your fire escape?

You opened your window and allowed yourself a short girlish giggle, hugging the apple to your chest. All traces of tiredness were gone in an instant. Did the heroic guy regularly leave gifts on the windowsills of his damsels in distress? You may not be special. But something told you it wasn’t a regular occurrence.

With a goofy grin, you added Spider-Man’s little gift to your lunch bag, pleasantly surprised to find a sticky note from your dad, who’d already left for work. Your father hadn’t left you a note like that in your bag lunch since you were 12 years old, but you were thankful. A sudden rush of emotion washed over you. You were glad that you’d let your parents know how awful you felt for making the move so difficult, especially your father.

Your mother rushed you out of the door an hour later, your primping almost causing you to miss the bus. Your outfit was meticulously put together, your hair and makeup done as flawlessly as you were able to achieve. A positive mindset was what you focused on the most, knowing that having a welcoming and friendly demeanor would improve your day more than anything else. You were primed to make good first impressions.

You hoped.

The blonde girl you sat beside on the bus seemed fairly uninterested in you, but wasn’t mean, which you were thankful for. You sat in a somewhat-comfortable silence after exchanging pleasantries.

As soon as you walked through the front double doors into the hallway, however, it was a different story.

You were catching eyes without meaning to. Boys smiled at you, shamelessly stared, or an odd combination of both; you were equally flattered and uncomfortable. Some girls smiled, some just watched you, others paid you no mind. After the stares started to bother you a bit, you kept your head down. This was the unfortunate result of being the new girl – you’d be the talk of the school for at least a few days.

Per instructions emailed to your mother days beforehand, you found the principle’s office and retrieved your schedule and a map of the large high school. The amount of students at this school had to be, at least, three times the amount of students in grades K-12 in your former school district. You felt beyond overwhelmed. The crowds navigating the hallways were chaos, but only to you. Everyone else seemed to have some kind of integral understanding of how to step around each other without causing spilled binders and stepped-on backpacks. Your nose was buried in your map, tears starting to sting the corners of your eyes as you walked down the same hallway for the third time. As you looked down at the paper once again, tracing your path with your finger, you ran into someone’s back with so much force that you almost fell backward. Before the person even turned around, before you saw a face, you were already apologizing over and over, your cheeks burning.

“Oh, it’s okay, don’t worry about it,” came a forgiving voice, and you looked up to see a large boy with dark hair and kind eyes. He extended a hand to you, obviously excited to see a new face. You shook it and you were surprised by his gentle grip. “You look new.”

You grimaced. “Is it that obvious?”

He shrugged, grinning at you. “No offense, but you kind of have that look in your eyes. Ya know, the look of eternal fear?”

“You’re not wrong. I have no idea where I’m going.“

“Here, let me see,” the boy said, looking over your shoulder at your map. He scoffed. “Oh, you don’t need this. We have the same homeroom. Just follow me.”

You stuttered out a thanks as a you struggled to follow him without bumping into one of the hundreds of other students that were circulating around you. You learned that his name was Ned. He’d lived in Queens his entire life, and according to him, once you realized that New York City was just a giant grid, you’d never really get lost. It didn’t take you long to learn that Ned was a talkative guy, and as long as you laughed and nodded in the right places, you didn’t have to carry the conversation.

“I’ll introduce you to some of my friends at lunch,” he said, then he hesitated. “Well, friend. Peter. And maybe Michelle… if she even talks to us today.”

Your brows furrowed. You laughed uneasily. “What?”

“Oh, it’s not important,” he said quickly. “Look, here’s homeroom!”

You’d both made numerous turns and you had no idea how you’d gotten there, but there was your homeroom indeed. Eyes followed you as you walked behind Ned, trailing him to some empty desks in the back corner of the room. A few “heeeyyyy”s were thrown your way by some guys on the other side of the room, but Ned just looked at you pointedly and told you to ignore them. You grinned uneasily but heeded his word.

After an awkwardly forced introduction at the front of the classroom encouraged by your homeroom teacher, you sat back down with burning cheeks. Ned continued chatting with you, your nerves slowly subsiding as you tried to focus on his quickly changing topics.

“Yeah, so Peter and I are meeting up after school today to work on a folding/steaming machine for robotics class,” he rambled. “I mean, Peter’s already done a lot of the internal programming so far, but we still have a lot left to do. Oh, you’ve got to meet Peter! He’s awesome, we’ve been best friends for forever. He’s wicked smart. I can’t give him all of the credit, though, I’m not too dumb myself.”

You grin at him.

“Don’t worry, new girl, I’ve got your back,” he nodded, pursing his lips in a comically confident way as he patted your back. You were thankful. Ned knew your name, but “new girl” seemed to be what he liked calling you. It was your first day and someone in this giant high school had taken you under their wing – you didn’t care, at this point he could call you whatever he damn well pleased, you were just glad that you weren’t alone.

Ned was quirky and awkward, and by the end of homeroom, you’d realized that he wasn’t considered ‘popular’ by his classmates, particularly some of the punks who had catcalled you when you’d first walked in the room. His cheeks flared a deep pink as some of the guys gave him a hard time. You glared at them.

“No, no, don’t worry about it,” Ned said quickly, almost begging you to recede your boiling glare. “I’m used to it.”

“They’re always like that?” you asked incredulously.

“Pretty much,” he shrugged, almost a little embarrassed. Your eyes widened. “No, it’s fine, really. Ya know why? Because they’re peaking in high school. When we’re grown ups, out in the work force, I’ll be their boss.” His smile had grown smug and he wiggled his brows. “I’ll be making all the money.”

You laughed. Ned was an optimist and his joy radiated to you. “That’s a really cool way to look at the world, Ned.”

“Thanks,” he smiled.

Ned led you to your next two classes, but he didn’t share them with you. You felt pitifully clingy, but you didn’t care – he was the only lifeline in the swimming sea of unfamiliar faces and nearly-identical hallways and staircases. Ned practically pushed you into your rooms, despite your dragging heels. You were a four year-old clinging to your mother’s skirt on the first day of preschool.

Without fail, every single teacher made you stand in front of the classroom to introduce yourself – some allowed you to mumble your name and sit, others prolonged the torture and wanted you to share ‘fun facts’ about yourself. Public speaking normally didn’t bother you, but few things were quite as humiliating as talking about yourself in front of strangers that really couldn’t care less. Most didn’t even bother to feign interest.

You jumped out of your desk and ran toward the cafeteria the very moment the bell released you, eager to escape curious eyes digging into the back of your head. The uncomfortableness of day one was now halfway over. You found your locker after struggling for a bit, unloading your heavy books onto the small metal shelf. Your backpack was now wonderfully lighter, and you walked toward the lunchroom with your bag lunch in hand.

The room was buzzing with conversation, hormones, and gossip (some of which was no doubt about you). Your eyes desperately scanned the long room full of tables, searching for Ned. The last thing you wanted to appear to be was the lonely new girl desperate for someone to sit with.

“Hey, Y/N!” came a friendly call, and your panicked eyes fell on Ned near the back of the room, standing and waving at you. You sighed in relief.

Your eyes drifted to Ned’s side as you came closer, and the first thing you noticed was a handsome, friendly face and curly brown hair. You did your best not to stare, but the guy was cute, and as his eyes shifted from Ned to you, they widened. At first you felt flattered, but as you sat down at the table with a nervous grin, you realized that his wide eyes seemed nervous, almost uneasy. It didn’t leave a positive feeling in your stomach.

“You found us!” Ned said cheerily. He turned toward his friend, who looked even more uneasy than he had on your way over. You kindly smiled at the attractive boy, hoping to seem easy to talk to and friendly. “Y/N, this is Peter Parker, the guy I was telling you abou—”

Ned didn’t get a chance to finish before Peter quickly muttered something about having to go, avoiding your eyes and shooting out of his chair, his lunch left untouched. You opened your mouth to speak, but nothing came out as you watched his quickly retreating figure disappear into the hallway. You’d barely met the guy and he was practically running away from you – what could you even say to that? Was there an unkind rumor circulating about you? Did you have something in your teeth?

“Uhh, um…” Ned stammered, his eyes darting around as if he was looking for an explanation somewhere in the room, “Peter – uh – he has this internship. Super demanding. This internship with Tony Stark. He just remembered that he had to go pick something up for him—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” you held up your hands, “Tony Stark? He works for Iron Man?! The Iron Man?”

Ned scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, yeah, pretty cool, huh? He does this all the time, running off out of nowhere…”

You narrowed your eyes, looking at the spot where Peter had disappeared only moments before. “Are you sure…? I mean, it wasn’t me — it wasn’t something I did, was it?” you asked slowly. How could it be? You hadn’t spoken a word to the guy. But the way he looked at you…

“No, no, Peter… sometimes Peter, uh, gets nervous meeting new people, yeah,” Ned explained, wringing his hands. “But he just had to go get something for Mr. Stark; I mean, how could it be you? That’s crazy. You guys have never met. Nope, never.” He chuckled and immediately became very interested in the food on his plate. “Pizza?” he suddenly offered, smiling a toothy grin as he held it toward you. A piece of pepperoni slid off and landed on the table with an awkward splat.

“Uh, no thanks, I’m okay,” you said, watching Ned suspiciously. He stuffed food into his mouth and stared at his plate. You unloaded your brown sack, taking out your sandwich, chips, and bright red apple. You placed it on the table with pride, separate from your other food, looking at it fondly and letting out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding. Ned eyed it.

“Do you, uh, like apples?” he asked awkwardly, and you tried to meet his eyes, but he wasn’t having it.

“Yeah, I do,” you said slowly. You could cut the tension with a butter knife. Suddenly feeling the need to make conversation, not used to awkward silences around Ned, you started rambling. The last thing you wanted to do was lose a potential friendship before it started because of your lack of conversational skills. “I really like this apple though because Spider-Man gave it to me.”

Ned dropped his fork noisily. It clanged against the plate.

“Spider-Man?” he asked, and his voice was a few octaves higher. You grinned in triumph – if Spider-Man wasn’t a worthy conversation topic, then what was? You felt bad for betraying the promise you made to yourself to keep the experience private, but it’d popped out before you could stop it.

“I kind of almost got… mugged last night,” you whispered, leaning in conspiratorally. Ned’s discomfort radiated off of him in waves. “I mean, I had a gun pointed between my eyes and suddenly, Spider-Man was there. He saved my life.” You couldn’t hide the dreamy look in your eyes. “Long story short, I kind of dropped most of my groceries… and I woke up this morning with this—” you lifted the apple “—waiting on my windowsill.”

“Wow, cool,” Ned said, but something was lacking in his tone. “What a crazy and unique story that I’ve definitely never heard before!”

You laughed, now feeling as uncomfortable as Ned looked. “What, does Spider-Man make a habit of leaving presents for girls he’s rescued?”

“Uh, yeah, that’s it,” Ned grinned. He suddenly seemed relieved. “Spider-Man definitely does leave presents for girls. Ya know, so I’ve heard. Not that I’d know.”

Your heart dropped into your stomach, burning, and you were surprised that Ned couldn’t hear it.

“Oh, really?” you asked, trying to seem disinterested. “That’s cool of him. I guess. What guy in his right mind wouldn’t take advantage of all of the thankful women, right?” You tried to laugh.

“Ha ha, right,” Ned said, almost to himself, “he’d be insane not to. He’s… insane.” If you didn’t know better, you’d say that disbelief and disappointment laced his tone.

The rest of lunch was just quiet chewing and occasional blurbs of conversation. You didn’t see Ned again for the remainder of the day. You couldn’t help but feel that it had something to do with Peter’s sudden departure. Maybe, for whatever reason, Ned’s best friend didn’t like you, and that made Ned decide that you weren’t friend-material? But why wouldn’t Peter like you? You’d done nothing to him. Maybe he had a girlfriend and he thought you were staring too much? No, that wouldn’t make sense.

Discouraged and lonely, you boarded the bus and sat alone near the back. You played on your phone, avoiding eyes and conversation, counting down the stops until the yellow vehicle neared your apartment building. You hopped off the bus, running toward the towering building as if it were a protective parent waiting to envelope you with a hug.

Peter Parker was on your mind as you unenthusiastically ate dinner, chewing the same bite of food for at least five minutes straight. You skillfully avoided your parents’ prying questions about your first day, giving vague answers. After a while they stopped trying.

You couldn’t stop replaying the interaction with Peter in your head in slo-mo, over and over again. You reanalyzed every tiny look, word, step. Maybe Ned was right, maybe he just had to run off for his internship with Mr. Stark – but then why was Ned suddenly so awkward and almost cold with you? Was Peter’s sudden departure his seal of disapproval of you? But you didn’t do anything wrong! Your head was going back and forth, back and forth. If someone didn’t like you, then you wanted to know why, and they better have a damn good reason because you were freaking delightful.

In that moment, you’d decided. Tomorrow, you were talking to Peter Parker, whether he liked it or not.

Pt 3

[artskoolie]

The Idea, The How, and The Road Trip

Hello! Welcome to The Art Skoolie!

This post is going to be an introduction to the journey my partner and I have had so far in taking steps to convert a school bus into a tiny house. Our goal with this blog is to give interested folks a chance to see the steps, the logistics, the materials, and the methods we are using for our construction process. I will include separate posts that only have links to the appliances, materials, and businesses we are utilizing for our build. I will also mention that this post is not about convincing people to build or otherwise get into tiny houses. We are assuming that you are already excited about the idea, and want to know more. Bear in mind, also, that we are sharing what has worked for us, and we encourage you to use materials or methods that work better for you.

Alright. Anyway, my name is Hannah. My partner’s name is James. We live in Denver, Colorado in a 700 feet squared apartment with our black cat, Grace. We both had accepted a long time ago that we would probably just be paying rent for the rest of our lives; either as rent-rent, or as a mortgage. It is a lifestyle that most Americans have, and it is growing more difficult by the day for the vast majority of us to secure that kind of lifestyle. Owning a condo or a house was the best we thought we would ever be able to do.

I had been struggling to find work for a few months, and we were trying to think of ways that we could consume less. Our electricity bill is calculated by averaging the electricity use of every other tenant in our building. We have so much stuff just lying around, taking up space, that we are really only keeping around in case we might need it sometime in the future if we ever decide we felt like doing it. And, even if we do, we spend forever and a day organizing stuff (again!) so we could just figure out where the one thing is. Our bathroom has a ton of counter space and floor space for the size of apartment that we have, and neither of us spends a ton of time in there. Not to mention the donated goods, garbage, and recycling we generate by making purchases thoughtlessly, and either it rotting or us deciding that we never wanted to do the thing to begin with. Purchasing food more intentionally, cooking more, and not making as many trips to the kitchen equipment section at the thrift store were a start, but still didn’t make the difference we were looking for.

But then, I remembered tiny houses.

I’d heard about tiny houses for years, over the various forms of social media, and thought it was the craziest thing I’d ever heard of. “That sounds like living in a shack!” I thought. “Why would anyone do that?” Strangely, in the last couple of months, YouTube’s algorithms had spat out tiny house videos into my feed, so I checked them out. They highlighted all of the benefits of having fewer, better quality possessions that you use regularly, and not even having room to accumulate crap you’ll never use. At that point, I thought it looked doable, even appealing. “Sure, but only rich people can do that. Look at how much those things cost!” That obstacle was discounted when I saw people building dwellings for $5000 or less. I started thinking about the idea more seriously. I had all sorts of questions that each got answered with relative ease, significantly pruning my initial wariness. (e.g. where will we shower? where will we store everything? how will the bed not be right next to the toilet? where will we wash our clothes? etc.) (Answers: In the shower we install on board; In cleverly placed drawers, cabinets, and on shelves and hanging storage; It doesn’t necessarily have to be; See answer #2)

I was initially scared to bring the idea up to James, because he is such a pragmatist, but the more videos and blogs I saw, the more I realized that people were doing this successfully. Almost all of them had some kind of help in creating their homes, but who in the world never needs help?

Then I saw a video about a couple in/from Australia (I think?) who had bought the man’s childhood school bus and used all salvaged materials to create a little home that suited all of their needs. The two pieces that caught my attention the most were that everything on the bus had been salvaged or built with salvaged materials; and that they had lived on the bus full time and traveled in it for seven years. That was what made my mind up.

When I first floated the idea of living in a tiny house with James, he was skeptical, as I had suspected he might be. However, I showed him some of the content I had seen online from people who had built tiny houses, and answered all the same questions from him that I had had, and he was on board.

Before I go any further, I think this is a good time to acknowledge that building a tiny house is not financially feasible for many people. Most of the stories we have seen involve people who have a large property, or have friends or relatives with a large property, and friends with construction experience or have it themselves. The materials, knowledge, and time required are not something everyone has, and is not the answer for everyone. We both come from relatively privileged backgrounds. Both of us have/had parents with steady jobs that allowed us to grow up in middle-class, relatively safe communities, and we are both white. Not to mention, James’s mother had a job as a younger woman which accrued retirement money; and when she passed away, she left James $30,000. So, what I’m trying to say is, as a result of our socioeconomic backgrounds, we found ourselves in a better position to undertake the cost of building a home. As you will find out, or may already suspect, it is not cheap. It’s much cheaper than buying a house outright in Denver, but it is definitely not cheap.

When we were initially thinking about it, we researched vacant lot prices for building, or parking, a tiny house on. We quickly realized that would be out of the question in Denver if we wanted to have a house on whatever lot we chose. We were stumped.

But then, I remembered the video about the Australian couple who had made a tiny house on a school bus. They had raised the roof, created two sleeping lofts for themselves and their two children, and they even had a kitchen and a place to lounge. It didn’t look cramped at all. In fact, it looked like as reasonable a size as the trailer bed tiny houses we’d been looking at more seriously. James told me about how his parents had had a Volkswagon Vanigan when he was a child, and he used to play around in it and pretend it was his house; so a bus seemed even more appealing.

We thought, “If we can salvage the materials, and spend any money we have on new appliances and lumber for the structural stuff, we could build a house inside an existing bus, which can move around independently while we save money on daily living costs and build up enough money to buy the land we want to build another tiny house.” It was perfect. We were going to convert a school bus.

We started heavily researching construction methods, the process others were using to convert their buses, seeing what people did for water, heat, electricity, choosing a bus that was the right size. We didn’t want one that was too small, as we didn’t want to feel too cramped; but we also didn’t want one that was too long, because it would be more difficult to maneuver, and there would be fewer places to park. We estimated that we would probably find the best size-to-functionality ratio in a school bus twenty-four to thirty-two feet long. We wanted to have the build completed by winter 2019, so we wanted to get started as soon as possible. We were going to be flying to New York to visit my mother in the first week of January, and we figured we could work on finding a bus after we got back from the trip.

We checked out Craigslist for buses in our area, but all of the listings we found had buses that either needed serious mechanical work done or didn’t move at all. Trying not to get discouraged, I checked eBay, figuring there might be some viable listings. Almost immediately, I found one for a 2003 International thirty-foot school bus (DT466 EE engine), with its mechanical work all up to date, being sold from an hour south of where my mother lives. The seller had one hundred percent positive feedback. Growing up with my mother selling her art on eBay for a living, I knew how difficult and important it was to have one hundred percent positive feedback. We contacted the seller and found out that no one had made an offer yet on the bus. Feeling like we’d lost our minds, we made arrangements to meet up with him the following Friday, when we would be in New York. Our plan after we picked up the bus was to drive it home to Denver at the end of our visit. So far, this seemed like the beginning of a long joke.

We flew to New York, touched base with our seller, bought insurance for the bus, and had a whole ordeal with the New York DMV that I will get into in another post. After finding out firsthand how underfunded the New York Department of Transportation is, we drove to our seller’s house, picked up our bus, and drove it to my mom’s, where her landlord was kind enough to let us store it until we left.

On the trip back, both of us quickly got comfortable with driving the bus. The main thing to keep in mind is that, since it is such a large vehicle, it would take more force and more time to maneuver and stop; meaning, keep a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, check mirrors religiously, and start breaking pretty far away.

About three hours east of Denver, we broke down. The worst thing about this situation was the fact that a nasty snow storm started blowing in a few minutes before, and we were miles from the nearest town. However, we started learning a lot of things about the bus’s engine really quickly, Googling like crazy to figure out what the problem could be. We contacted our seller and told him what happened, and he said that in engines of the type we have, if the oil level got low enough, it would automatically shut off. We were able to get roadside assistance through our insurance after a while (the snow was bad enough that they were delayed in getting to us), and the mechanic who helped us (who is amazing, and I will link his shop at the end) spent an hour hooking our bus up to his tow truck, put oil in the engine, tried and failed to get it to start, and towed us an hour west to Limon. He replaced our fuel filter the next day, it still wouldn’t start, and then towed us to a diesel mechanic ten minutes south of where we live in Denver. (Joe, you are a diamond)

One thing we did not take as seriously as we should have was that our fuel gauge was broken. It was stuck on “Full”. Even though we kept track of the mileage and fueled every three hundred fifty miles or so, we apparently did not fuel often enough. The diesel mechanic, after confirming that the fuel line was functioning properly, was able to determine that we had run out of fuel. Now, I am the first to admit that this situation was completely avoidable and kind of hilarious; but I am also incredibly grateful that we had the help that we did, and that something worse was not wrong.

Anyway, we have a bus now. I will provide more details in the next post about our plans and materials in the future.

Thanks for reading! Please share if you found this post enjoyable or helpful. Feel free to send a message or leave a comment if you have any questions.

My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MustBeSilly?ref=search_shop_redirect

The bus that clinched it: https://youtu.be/aq7DmqXDXUY

The angel mechanic from Limon, Colorado:

George’s Repair Shop

199 Main Street

Limon, CO 80828

719-775-8828

Ask for Joe! Tell him James and Hannah from Denver sent you.

[unsung-heroines]

Pearl Cleage was born on December 7, 1948 in Springfield, MA, but she grew up in Detroit, MI. Her father, Albert B. Cleage, was a church pastor who ran for governor of Michigan in 1962. Her mother, Doris Graham, was an elementary school teacher. Both parents were active in the civil rights movement; thus, Cleage was exposed to civil rights issues at a young age. As Cleage was growing up, prominent civil rights leaders passed through her home on the way to rallies and protests. Cleage began her college education at Howard University, majoring in playwriting and dramatic literature. She then moved to Atlanta in 1971 and graduated from Spelman College with a bachelor’s degree in drama.

Cleage has one daughter, Deignan, from her first marriage to Michael Lomax and is now married to Zaron Burnett, Jr. She lives in Atlanta, GA, and is a contributing writer to a daily newspaper, the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Cleage is a prolific writer; she has five published novels, a dozen plays, and one book of poetry. Her essays can be found in various collections of her works, including Why L.A. Happened and Deals with the Devil: and other reasons to riot. The issues she writes about concern black life and culture throughout history with an emphasis on the experience of women.

Cleage’s Essays

Deals With the Devil: and other reasons to riot focuses on many issues—such as racism, sexism, and violence, and like the majority of her work, this collection of essays is centered on black women and black communities. For example, in “The Other Facts of Life,” Cleage tells of “facts of life” that are true for women but which “your mother didn’t tell you, because she probably didn’t want to scare you” (13). The real-life threats of violence and rape are presented in this essay: “In America, they admit that five woman a day are killed by their husbands, boyfriends, ex-husbands, ex-boyfriends, or lovers… In America, thousands of women a day are raped and/or tortured and abused by men in as many ways you can think of” (13). Cleage makes sure the reader believes that these threats are real, not merely something they think will happen to someone else.

In the final essay of her collection, Cleage writes about an overheard argument from next door. She tells the reader that she steps into the shower to try and drown out what she hears. But, as she says, “the rushing water doesn’t drown out the woman’s question: ‘why you always gotta hurt me?’ It’s January 1, 1993, and I still don’t know the answer. But I’m working on it” (207). Cleage admits she doesn’t have all the answers, but what is important to her is that we don’t give up looking for them.

In Deals With the Devil, Cleage writes about many things, but most regularly about violence, racism, and sexism. These essays present a sort of microcosm for the themes discussed in all of Cleage’s work.

Cleage’s Plays

Cleage’s career as a playwright flourished in the 1980s with puppetplay (1981), and Hospice (1983), which won her five Audelco awards for outstanding achievement. These plays were followed by Good News (1984), Essentials (1985), Porch Songs (1985), and Come Get These Memories (1987). Her most recent collection, Flyin’ West and Other Plays (1999) is a compilation of five penetrating plays, including the title play, Flyin’ West (1992), as well as Blues for an Alabama Sky (1995), Bourbon at the Border (1997), Chain (1992), and Late Bus to Mecca (1992). All of these incredible plays reflect the difficulties of African Americans with particular focus on the experience of women, from the period of the 1860 Homestead Act to the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s to the Freedom Summer Project of 1964 to the present day. Cleage tells each story in a personal and influential way that ensures her audience a closer look at the problems her race and sex have been forced to deal with since before the turn of the 20th century. Through the theater, she reveals a perspective on both past and present American history which is rarely seen in the history books.

Cleage’s sensitivity as a writer is particularly revealed through her characterization of women. She points out her protagonists’ strengths, such as leadership and their strong bonds with other women, while celebrating them as the “sheros” of their stories. She emphasizes sisterhood and refuses to exclude the controversial or the uncomfortably taboo (i.e. , the lives of prostitutes and crack-addicts. Flyin’ West opens, revealing the kitchen-dining area of a simple house out in Nicodemus, Kansas in 1898. The minimalist set reflects her characters’ lifestyle and allows the audience to quickly focus on the complexity of the characters on stage. This minimalist format is seen in her other plays as well, for few have set changes. Blues for an Alabama Sky takes place in the Harlem Renaissance and deals with the clashing morals of the industrialized North and the rural South through the charming southern “gentlemen-esque” character of Leland and the modern New Yorker, Angel. Her most shocking play, Chain, is the psychological journey of an adolescent crack-addict, chained by her father inside the family apartment, the only place where she won’t be influenced. Her monologue becomes a learning experience for the audience, as we see exactly how addiction overpowers morals and self-value.

In “Motion of Herstory: Three Plays by Pearl Cleage”, Freda Scott Giles writes about Cleage’s Bourbon at the Border, Blues for an Alabama Sky, and Flyin’ West. She writes, “Cleage demands that we air the festering wounds of our history…so that we can begin to clean and heal them” (Giles 3). Giles explains melodrama as “ a familiar structure of the well-made play, subtly subverting what appear to be stock situations and characters to invoke new ideas” (2). She sees that it is through melodrama that Cleage engages “the violence of the past, the violence our nation has yet to come to terms with,” a violence which gets “manifested in the present, directly and indirectly” (Giles 3).

This theme maybe clearly seen in Cleage’s Bourbon at the Border, a play that follows Charlie and May, two survivors of the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project of 1964. In “Redefining the ‘60s Gap,” Douglas Langworthy describes this play as one that “explores how difficult it has been for the history of that heady period to integrate itself into the lives of those who lived through it” (1). In an interview with Cleage, he asks her about this generation gap; she ultimately replies that “it gets harder to sustain a commitment to social change and community as you get older” and that “young people today feel a certain frantic fear about the future, but there isn’t a place where there are 100 other people talking about the same issues”(Langworty American Theatre 1997).

In her plays, Cleage deals predominantly with issues like teenage motherhood, AIDS, and violence against women. These issues make her critics uncomfortable, thus many of them resort to attacking the vehicle in which her message rides: melodrama. Cleage writes for humanity, and she writes with both passion and vision. In a video made by Darby Carl Sanders in the New Georgia Encyclopedia Online, Cleage furthers her argument by saying, “I really feel that unless those of us that can see a different way to live together can begin to put those ideas out as strongly as the people who think war makes sense, then we’re gonna die.”

Cleage’s Novels

Cleage’s first novel, What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day, was published in 1997, and it was selected by Oprah’s Book Club. Samiya Bashir argues that “Cleage has firmly cemented her place in African American literary history as a woman of many talents and a strong vision for social change” (16). Cleage isn’t afraid to write about the truth because truth is key to her “vision for social change” (Bashir 16). For example, Cleage depicts images of motherhood in different ways and isn’t afraid to show that motherhood can be a struggle. In this novel, Imani is an infant who is abandoned by her mother but who is cared for by members of the community. Bernadette Adams Davis comments “unlike some images depicted in mainstream media, Cleage is careful to provide balance to the image of Imani’s biological mother by showing younger moms who are trying to make a difference in the lives of their own children” (48). Through this novel, Cleage creates characters that aren’t perfect human beings. By creating imperfection, Cleage shows duality in motherhood: Joyce is able to raise her adopted daughter, but she is also a free woman, one who does not conform to the rules and regulations society has made for her. In this novel as in other Cleage novels, characters create their own families, thus emphasizing the importance of community and of making a family out of friends. This community-building allows people to have security through strength in numbers as well as through the family that they create for themselves.

Cleage defines families as more than a mom, a dad, and two kids. She writes, “a cousin, for example, is simply a cousin, whether first, second, or third. A neighbor may take in a child and become more ‘Mama’ to that child than its own kin.” This familial belief allows readers to connect with Cleage and to feel that no matter the situation, they are part of a family. In short, a family is simply a community that is strengthened by its members.

Emphasizing violence, love and community throughout her novels, “Cleage successfully renders the urgency faced by our communities [as] too often disproportionately affected by drugs, poverty, and self-destruction, in a romantic story that will easily appeal to all ages” (Bashir 16). Critics were a bit skeptical of Cleage’s second novel because her first novel had done so well with audiences. However, built upon the same themes as her first novel, I Wish I Had a Red Dress became a success, both commercially and artistically.

I Wish I Had A Red Dress revolves around three central themes: love, violence, and grief. The most prominent theme is love, and it touches every character that the reader meets. First, the reader meets Joyce, who for the first time in a while is learning to let the love of others surround her and to be truly happy with herself. However, she is frightened to let love in, for she believes that she may be betraying her dead husband’s memory. She says, “I feel like I just betrayed my husband in such a terrible way, I whispered hoping I wasn’t going to cry” (183). These are Joyce’s thoughts and words as she begins to let the idea of sex once again creep back into her life. Love also surrounds many of the young people in the story. Once believing that they were in love, these individuals took risks that left many alone and often with a child to support. It is apparent in I Wish I Had a Red Dress that love is a very tricky thing, turning some into victims and leaving others blissfully happy.

Joyce also finds more than her fair share of grief in a short time, and at times it overpowers her: “sometimes when I think about the fact that I am only forty-something and there is a very real possibility that I might never make love again, I can’t breathe” (7). Grief also comes in the form of lost relationships. Many girls have had their hearts broken when the fathers of their children deny them support or abandon them, leaving them without a way support themselves. Everyone faces grief, and everyone deals with it in a unique way, no matter how it appears to each person individually.

Violence is a rampant problem in Idlewood, the setting of I Wish I Had A Red Dress, and it is a problem impacting nearly the entire population of young people. Many have grown up in abusive homes, and in one case, the eldest child murders his father in front of his brothers and sisters. Something like this is sure to have a lasting impact on everyone. Take the character of Nikki, whose brush with violence has tragic consequences: “She tried to outrun him, but the faster she went, the faster he went until she took a curve too fast. Her car left the rode, flipped over twice and hit a tree” (278). Cleage stresses that how we deal with these violent incidents is what truly matters, for she wants us to overcome them and to become better and stronger instead of letting them destroy us.

Her novels discuss themes such as the struggle to obtain values, morality and family. Another main theme for Cleage is the ability to say “no,” emphasizing empowerment for women over their own lives. This theme not only allows women to gain power for themselves, but also for their families. In the article, “Learning to Say No,” Cleage creates six questions to ask herself every time she is asked to do something, hoping the answers will allow her to be an individual, and most importantly, herself. She writes, “Learning to say no is a process that can take a lifetime. The good news is that it gets easier the more you can practice. I can testify to that” (127). As a result, Cleage hopes that other women will consider her beliefs and start change in their lives.

Tara Roberts, a writer for Essence magazine, points out that “sisters took her ruminations to heart and photocopied that book for other women and the men in their lives to read and discuss" (90). Both Cleage and Roberts strongly believe and encourage all women to communicate freely with one another. Cleage reaffirms in an interview that “we have to get stronger and not let people slide” (135). This ever-present theme of strong communities of women appears throughout Cleage’s work. In I Wish I Had a Red Dress, Cleage creates a group of young women who name themselves “The Sewing Circle”. These women come together to find strength within themselves and each other. Cleage stresses that only when black women come together can they truly be at peace and make a difference in the world, and their lives.

The strength of women is prevalent in the majority of Cleage’s writing, and in both her novels and her plays, women are the ones who take responsibility. In an interview about her recent novel, Babylon Sisters, Cleage explains how she portrays this: “Writing Babylon Sisters and exploring the way women can connect with each other by protecting each other’s children helped me channel those feelings into words” (“Pearl Cleage” 135). Cleage relates the way that women are able to connect to each other in order to be able to find ways to help each other and to support the children in their lives. It is clear that Cleage cares deeply about the issues her writings present. These issues of racism, sexism, violence, and the empowerment of women, fuel Cleage and her determination as a writer. It is her goal to empower and educate her readers and viewers, so that they do not stand idle when faced with the issues raised in her writings, and in their lives. Cleage asks us to make a change.

[purplesurveys]

266

Have you ever tried to walk on a moving vehicle and fallen over? I don’t recall that ever happening, buuuuuut I probably did on the school bus several times. I could be a naughty kid and the idea of me walking around an already-cramped van seems completely possible. What is your favourite kind of bread? Is there any of that in your house? White bread and brioche bun is fine. We’re not really a big bread country so those are the only ones I get to eat a lot. Pan de sal is a classic. We always have white bread, but not the other two. Do you own any equipment to make cocktails, like jiggers or shakers? Nah my parents don’t condone drinking so no alcohol other than the occasional wine has actually made it inside this household. How many times have you seriously injured yourself? I can only remember two times - an infection on my foot and a bloody eye. When was the last time you were a passenger in a car and sat in the back? Yesterday. When my parents drive, I’m always seated in the back.

Did you attend Sunday School as a child? We don’t have that, but I wouldn’t have wanted to attend anyway. What is the longest your hair has ever been? It’s reached my waist a couple of times before. Mostly in high school when I just didn’t bother to visit the salon for more than a year. What about the shortest? (not including being a toddler or baby) Up until I was 7 (and briefly when I was 10) my mom made it her life’s mission to have my hair up to my ears. I got teased for it nonstop. Consistently. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? Never. I don’t even want to be near one. Are/were you in the school band, and if so, what instrument did you play? We never had ‘school bands,’ that’s not a thing here. There were independent bands formed in high school, though; they’re the ones that competed in battle of the bands within the school and in other schools. I was never in one, but I was friends with people who were. Who does the grocery shopping in your household? My mom. What is the best thing you’ve ever bought at a thrift shop? Not sure. I don’t know if I’ve even purchased something from a thrift shop. Would you dye your hair blue for $10,000? Hell yeah. It has to be a nice shade and not a cartoony blue though. Have you ever ordered an unusual drink at a bar? What counts as ‘unusual?’ What is your favourite thing about summer? Well while I’m still a student, I like that I get to stay at home and not socialize for two months. I’ll hate everything about summer once I finish school, I know it. It’s hot, it’s humid, and it’s the only time of the year I sweat a lot. It’s disgusting. When was the last time you went to your local library? We don’t have a local library because the government doesn’t prioritize the country’s needs of a strong arts and literacy program :-----) Do you have any friends who work in retail? No. None of my friends work just yet. Can you do a proper cartwheel? Nope. Have you ever been pulled aside by security at the airport? No but the ones in Shanghai held my mom back for a while when her bag was checked. Nothing too violent, the guard just insisted that there was like metal or whatever in her luggage and we couldn’t find it. The x-ray made it hard to portray what the thing was, too. Her accent and rapid, broken English made her sound like a bitch (or maybe she really was) so that added to the stress that we already had for stalling the line. It turned out to be something insignificant like a pen or a keychain or something idk. Are you a fast-thinker or a slow-thinker? Depends on what I have to think about. I’m not a good problem-solver, but I’m great at stating facts and other memorized data and using them to come up with an answer, for example. Do you watch The Simpsons regularly? I used to when we first had cable and Fox was fun to watch. They kept showing the same reruns though so I stopped. If you were to donate to charity today, what would you donate to? PAWS. It’s an NGO for animals. My sister got her cat from there and I accompanied her to their office once, fell in love with it completely. What is your favourite card game and when was the last time you played it? Angela taught me one last year but I’ve since forgotten what it was called and how it was played. Would you consider yourself to be good at spelling and grammar? Yeah, I’m very particular with both especialy when it comes to academics.

Who was the last person you cuddled with? My girlfriend. Have you ever spoken or performed on stage in front of a large audience? Large for me is anything more than 50, so yep. More times than I could count. Did you ever go to summer camp when you were younger? No, I was a very shy kid. What is your favourite seasonal candy? (only available at certain times) I dunno, I don’t usually play along with those gimmicks. Are there any television shows you own in entirety on DVD or VHS? Well not me, but my parents probably did. How far away from your house is the nearest gas station? It’s a 10-minute drive, but 9 out of those are spent driving out of the huge ass subdivision I live in. Do you know anyone who is fluent in a second-tongue? Me. English is my second language. What is the scariest movie you've ever seen and who did you watch it with? The Shining, 2001: A Space Odyssey, or Eraserhead. I watched all by myself, but the worst was watching 2001 at 3 AM in the dark. Why I decided that was a good idea I will never know. When was the last time you had a bubble bath? August. I don’t get a lot of bubble baths. Have you ever been pressured into doing drugs? Did you say yes or no? I never have.

[georgeycowell]

Van? RV? School Bus? 6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home on Wheels

We've all seen photos of the perfectly manicured home on wheels: the reclaimed wood-lined walls, the occupants dreamily sipping coffee and watching a sunrise. People of all ages (including me) are asking themselves, "Can I do that too?" 

When I first saw the van that would one day be mine, I thought it was perfect for me. The 1986 GMC Vandura had a comfy bed, turquoise cabinets and twinkle lights that made me weak in the knees.

But a mobile life can involve just as much work as a stationary one - sometimes even more. You won't have to pay a mortgage, but you might need new brakes. You won't have to rely on neighbors to water your plants when you travel, but you will have to keep a tiny space organized and livable on the road.

If those things don’t scare you off, the rewards can far outweigh the work. Here are some important questions to consider first.

Which home is right for you?

There are various names for homes on wheels and recreational vehicles.

The RV is a self-contained, manufactured home on wheels. It typically contains a bathroom and a kitchen, and depending on the version you choose, it can be driven or towed. If you own a vehicle with towing capacity, a towable RV allows you to park and move around more freely.

Camper vans are more compact but offer fewer amenities. They might have a small kitchenette but rarely contain a bathroom. If you're willing to rough it on the road, the camper van can be a more affordable option.

Then there are the more creative approaches to mobile living. People have converted school buses and vintage Airstreams into living quarters. Choosing the vessel for your life on wheels is an important decision, so weigh your options carefully.

How will you use it?

Previously, people bought mobile homes when they retired. These days, the options for remote work allow more people to embrace a mobile lifestyle, with many variations. Some people want to travel regularly, while others park their homes and only occasionally switch locations.

My motivation for buying a van was the freedom to spend month-long stints on the road and rent out my house whenever I left. As a freelance writer, I often travel in search of stories, and this seemed like a perfect way to do so. I could have the comforts of home and the freedom of wheels.

However, since dropping $5,500 on the initial purchase and about $1,000 in repairs, I've landed a full-time job. It's now more of a weekend camping vehicle than a home. The extra headspace that once seemed luxurious now feels cumbersome, especially when I'm driving over windy mountain passes and spending $60 to fill up my tank. Also, the $80-per-month insurance feels extra expensive, now that I'm paying for something I don't often use.

I'll travel regularly in my van someday, but my experience illustrates the importance of knowing how your van will facilitate the life you wish to lead. Where will you go, how often will you go and what will you do? Looking back, I would have gone for something a little smaller and lower maintenance.

Freedom can become debilitating if you don't know how you'll use it.

Where will you park?

Campgrounds, RV parks, Walmart parking lots and city streets have all become temporary homes for people who live on the road. But you must consider parking laws, safety and cost - every single night.

RV parks and many campgrounds offer hookups for electricity and water. If your home is designed to accommodate those amenities, they're nice to have. It helps to research campground details before you hit the road. 

If you're freeing yourself from rent or a mortgage, you might not want to dump that money back into parking each night. National forests offer free camping, as long as you're 100-200 feet away from any road, trail or water source. Ask local ranger stations about access to dispersed camping and local regulations. 

While mobile life is often celebrated with a backdrop of ocean beaches or beloved national parks, cities are something to consider too. They just require a little extra consideration.

Vans have a leg up on bigger, flashier RVs when it comes to cities, especially if your van doesn't look like someone lives in it. 

The most important piece of advice when considering where to park: Do your research. Reserve a spot when heading to popular parks, call ranger stations for information about parking in the area, join local forums, and always collect information ahead of time so you you're not searching for a place to sleep in the middle of the night with no service.

How much does it cost?

Paring down your belongings can be a great way to save money. But mobile living isn’t always cheap.

First, there's the cost of your vehicle, which can vary considerably. Conversions - van, Airstream, school bus, etc. - can be expensive, even if you’re doing the work yourself. For example, this stylish Sprinter van conversion cost $54,120. You'll see a huge range on RV prices as well, from several thousand to millions of dollars.

Once you find a home that’s right for your budget, you'll need to consider living costs too.

Camping fees are about $20 per night, which can be alleviated by free parking. But you won't get water and electrical hookups unless you pay for them.

Vehicle insurance will add a few hundred to several thousand dollars in yearly costs. Comprehensive auto insurance, while more expensive than bare-boned liability plans, will protect your home and belongings from vandalism and theft.

I learned the hard way that an RV insurance plan is required of any vehicle that's been converted into a living space. Even though my van isn't technically an RV, AAA initially refused to tow me when I broke down in Seattle because I didn't have RV insurance. I've since upgraded, which has been worth it for the peace of mind. 

Depending on the age and condition of your vehicle, you'll also need to factor in regular repairs. And don't forget gas money! You'll spend a lot more on gas for your mobile home than you will on filling up your regular car. And the more toys you carry with your mobile home, the more your gas bills will climb.

Where will you go to the bathroom?

Unless you're able to find a mobile home with a built-in shower and toilet, personal hygiene can be a challenge on the road. But there are plenty of creative ways to make it work.

A membership to a gym chain with locations across the country, like Planet Fitness or L.A. Fitness, will allow you to access showers and bathrooms - not to mention a workout, which can be vital when your living space only allows you to walk a few feet in either direction.

Campgrounds and truck stops also provide facilities to the traveler looking to freshen up.

If you don't have a toilet, you'll likely find yourself using truck-stop and cafe bathrooms. But a late-night bathroom break could mean toilets aren't available, and you'll have to settle for whatever is around.

Can you work on the road?

Remote work opportunities have freed many people from the constraints of a typical office job. But working from a mobile home is much different than a home office.

First, consider how often you'll need to work and where you'll be able to do so. It might be helpful to stay close to developed areas where there are plenty of establishments offering free Wi-Fi.

If you can work comfortably inside of your mobile home, you can use your mobile device as a Wi-Fi hotspot or purchase a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot for $100-150. Whichever option you go with, you’ll need to sign up for a service plan with data. Check on the coverage area of service providers before you pick one - they're no use when you're in a dead zone!

Working from the road also means you'll need electricity, which is nice to have for other uses, too, like charging your cell phone or running a fan to stay cool when your engine is off.

Solar panels are a convenient, rechargeable and environmentally friendly energy source. 

I can see my van parked on the street from the window of my house right now. I'm still not entirely sure what a mobile life will look like, but figuring it out is half the fun.

Related:

This Converted Van Is a Tiny Home on Wheels

6 Yurts That Will Have You Dreaming of Your Next Adventure

This School Bus Is a Tiny Home … to a Family of 6!

Originally published September 2017.

from Home https://www.zillow.com/blog/home-on-wheels-tips-220828/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[nofeeslender]

Van? RV? School Bus? 6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home on Wheels

We've all seen photos of the perfectly manicured home on wheels: the reclaimed wood-lined walls, the occupants dreamily sipping coffee and watching a sunrise. People of all ages (including me) are asking themselves, "Can I do that too?" 

When I first saw the van that would one day be mine, I thought it was perfect for me. The 1986 GMC Vandura had a comfy bed, turquoise cabinets and twinkle lights that made me weak in the knees.

But a mobile life can involve just as much work as a stationary one - sometimes even more. You won't have to pay a mortgage, but you might need new brakes. You won't have to rely on neighbors to water your plants when you travel, but you will have to keep a tiny space organized and livable on the road.

If those things don’t scare you off, the rewards can far outweigh the work. Here are some important questions to consider first.

Which home is right for you?

There are various names for homes on wheels and recreational vehicles.

The RV is a self-contained, manufactured home on wheels. It typically contains a bathroom and a kitchen, and depending on the version you choose, it can be driven or towed. If you own a vehicle with towing capacity, a towable RV allows you to park and move around more freely.

Camper vans are more compact but offer fewer amenities. They might have a small kitchenette but rarely contain a bathroom. If you're willing to rough it on the road, the camper van can be a more affordable option.

Then there are the more creative approaches to mobile living. People have converted school buses and vintage Airstreams into living quarters. Choosing the vessel for your life on wheels is an important decision, so weigh your options carefully.

How will you use it?

Previously, people bought mobile homes when they retired. These days, the options for remote work allow more people to embrace a mobile lifestyle, with many variations. Some people want to travel regularly, while others park their homes and only occasionally switch locations.

My motivation for buying a van was the freedom to spend month-long stints on the road and rent out my house whenever I left. As a freelance writer, I often travel in search of stories, and this seemed like a perfect way to do so. I could have the comforts of home and the freedom of wheels.

However, since dropping $5,500 on the initial purchase and about $1,000 in repairs, I've landed a full-time job. It's now more of a weekend camping vehicle than a home. The extra headspace that once seemed luxurious now feels cumbersome, especially when I'm driving over windy mountain passes and spending $60 to fill up my tank. Also, the $80-per-month insurance feels extra expensive, now that I'm paying for something I don't often use.

I'll travel regularly in my van someday, but my experience illustrates the importance of knowing how your van will facilitate the life you wish to lead. Where will you go, how often will you go and what will you do? Looking back, I would have gone for something a little smaller and lower maintenance.

Freedom can become debilitating if you don't know how you'll use it.

Where will you park?

Campgrounds, RV parks, Walmart parking lots and city streets have all become temporary homes for people who live on the road. But you must consider parking laws, safety and cost - every single night.

RV parks and many campgrounds offer hookups for electricity and water. If your home is designed to accommodate those amenities, they're nice to have. It helps to research campground details before you hit the road. 

If you're freeing yourself from rent or a mortgage, you might not want to dump that money back into parking each night. National forests offer free camping, as long as you're 100-200 feet away from any road, trail or water source. Ask local ranger stations about access to dispersed camping and local regulations. 

While mobile life is often celebrated with a backdrop of ocean beaches or beloved national parks, cities are something to consider too. They just require a little extra consideration.

Vans have a leg up on bigger, flashier RVs when it comes to cities, especially if your van doesn't look like someone lives in it. 

The most important piece of advice when considering where to park: Do your research. Reserve a spot when heading to popular parks, call ranger stations for information about parking in the area, join local forums, and always collect information ahead of time so you you're not searching for a place to sleep in the middle of the night with no service.

How much does it cost?

Paring down your belongings can be a great way to save money. But mobile living isn’t always cheap.

First, there's the cost of your vehicle, which can vary considerably. Conversions - van, Airstream, school bus, etc. - can be expensive, even if you’re doing the work yourself. For example, this stylish Sprinter van conversion cost $54,120. You'll see a huge range on RV prices as well, from several thousand to millions of dollars.

Once you find a home that’s right for your budget, you'll need to consider living costs too.

Camping fees are about $20 per night, which can be alleviated by free parking. But you won't get water and electrical hookups unless you pay for them.

Vehicle insurance will add a few hundred to several thousand dollars in yearly costs. Comprehensive auto insurance, while more expensive than bare-boned liability plans, will protect your home and belongings from vandalism and theft.

I learned the hard way that an RV insurance plan is required of any vehicle that's been converted into a living space. Even though my van isn't technically an RV, AAA initially refused to tow me when I broke down in Seattle because I didn't have RV insurance. I've since upgraded, which has been worth it for the peace of mind. 

Depending on the age and condition of your vehicle, you'll also need to factor in regular repairs. And don't forget gas money! You'll spend a lot more on gas for your mobile home than you will on filling up your regular car. And the more toys you carry with your mobile home, the more your gas bills will climb.

Where will you go to the bathroom?

Unless you're able to find a mobile home with a built-in shower and toilet, personal hygiene can be a challenge on the road. But there are plenty of creative ways to make it work.

A membership to a gym chain with locations across the country, like Planet Fitness or L.A. Fitness, will allow you to access showers and bathrooms - not to mention a workout, which can be vital when your living space only allows you to walk a few feet in either direction.

Campgrounds and truck stops also provide facilities to the traveler looking to freshen up.

If you don't have a toilet, you'll likely find yourself using truck-stop and cafe bathrooms. But a late-night bathroom break could mean toilets aren't available, and you'll have to settle for whatever is around.

Can you work on the road?

Remote work opportunities have freed many people from the constraints of a typical office job. But working from a mobile home is much different than a home office.

First, consider how often you'll need to work and where you'll be able to do so. It might be helpful to stay close to developed areas where there are plenty of establishments offering free Wi-Fi.

If you can work comfortably inside of your mobile home, you can use your mobile device as a Wi-Fi hotspot or purchase a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot for $100-150. Whichever option you go with, you’ll need to sign up for a service plan with data. Check on the coverage area of service providers before you pick one - they're no use when you're in a dead zone!

Working from the road also means you'll need electricity, which is nice to have for other uses, too, like charging your cell phone or running a fan to stay cool when your engine is off.

Solar panels are a convenient, rechargeable and environmentally friendly energy source. 

I can see my van parked on the street from the window of my house right now. I'm still not entirely sure what a mobile life will look like, but figuring it out is half the fun.

Related:

This Converted Van Is a Tiny Home on Wheels

6 Yurts That Will Have You Dreaming of Your Next Adventure

This School Bus Is a Tiny Home … to a Family of 6!

Originally published September 2017.

from Zillow Porchlight https://www.zillow.com/blog/home-on-wheels-tips-220828/

[feamproffitt]

Van? RV? School Bus? 6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home on Wheels

We've all seen photos of the perfectly manicured home on wheels: the reclaimed wood-lined walls, the occupants dreamily sipping coffee and watching a sunrise. People of all ages (including me) are asking themselves, "Can I do that too?" 

When I first saw the van that would one day be mine, I thought it was perfect for me. The 1986 GMC Vandura had a comfy bed, turquoise cabinets and twinkle lights that made me weak in the knees.

But a mobile life can involve just as much work as a stationary one - sometimes even more. You won't have to pay a mortgage, but you might need new brakes. You won't have to rely on neighbors to water your plants when you travel, but you will have to keep a tiny space organized and livable on the road.

If those things don’t scare you off, the rewards can far outweigh the work. Here are some important questions to consider first.

Which home is right for you?

There are various names for homes on wheels and recreational vehicles.

The RV is a self-contained, manufactured home on wheels. It typically contains a bathroom and a kitchen, and depending on the version you choose, it can be driven or towed. If you own a vehicle with towing capacity, a towable RV allows you to park and move around more freely.

Camper vans are more compact but offer fewer amenities. They might have a small kitchenette but rarely contain a bathroom. If you're willing to rough it on the road, the camper van can be a more affordable option.

Then there are the more creative approaches to mobile living. People have converted school buses and vintage Airstreams into living quarters. Choosing the vessel for your life on wheels is an important decision, so weigh your options carefully.

How will you use it?

Previously, people bought mobile homes when they retired. These days, the options for remote work allow more people to embrace a mobile lifestyle, with many variations. Some people want to travel regularly, while others park their homes and only occasionally switch locations.

My motivation for buying a van was the freedom to spend month-long stints on the road and rent out my house whenever I left. As a freelance writer, I often travel in search of stories, and this seemed like a perfect way to do so. I could have the comforts of home and the freedom of wheels.

However, since dropping $5,500 on the initial purchase and about $1,000 in repairs, I've landed a full-time job. It's now more of a weekend camping vehicle than a home. The extra headspace that once seemed luxurious now feels cumbersome, especially when I'm driving over windy mountain passes and spending $60 to fill up my tank. Also, the $80-per-month insurance feels extra expensive, now that I'm paying for something I don't often use.

I'll travel regularly in my van someday, but my experience illustrates the importance of knowing how your van will facilitate the life you wish to lead. Where will you go, how often will you go and what will you do? Looking back, I would have gone for something a little smaller and lower maintenance.

Freedom can become debilitating if you don't know how you'll use it.

Where will you park?

Campgrounds, RV parks, Walmart parking lots and city streets have all become temporary homes for people who live on the road. But you must consider parking laws, safety and cost - every single night.

RV parks and many campgrounds offer hookups for electricity and water. If your home is designed to accommodate those amenities, they're nice to have. It helps to research campground details before you hit the road. 

If you're freeing yourself from rent or a mortgage, you might not want to dump that money back into parking each night. National forests offer free camping, as long as you're 100-200 feet away from any road, trail or water source. Ask local ranger stations about access to dispersed camping and local regulations. 

While mobile life is often celebrated with a backdrop of ocean beaches or beloved national parks, cities are something to consider too. They just require a little extra consideration.

Vans have a leg up on bigger, flashier RVs when it comes to cities, especially if your van doesn't look like someone lives in it. 

The most important piece of advice when considering where to park: Do your research. Reserve a spot when heading to popular parks, call ranger stations for information about parking in the area, join local forums, and always collect information ahead of time so you you're not searching for a place to sleep in the middle of the night with no service.

How much does it cost?

Paring down your belongings can be a great way to save money. But mobile living isn’t always cheap.

First, there's the cost of your vehicle, which can vary considerably. Conversions - van, Airstream, school bus, etc. - can be expensive, even if you’re doing the work yourself. For example, this stylish Sprinter van conversion cost $54,120. You'll see a huge range on RV prices as well, from several thousand to millions of dollars.

Once you find a home that’s right for your budget, you'll need to consider living costs too.

Camping fees are about $20 per night, which can be alleviated by free parking. But you won't get water and electrical hookups unless you pay for them.

Vehicle insurance will add a few hundred to several thousand dollars in yearly costs. Comprehensive auto insurance, while more expensive than bare-boned liability plans, will protect your home and belongings from vandalism and theft.

I learned the hard way that an RV insurance plan is required of any vehicle that's been converted into a living space. Even though my van isn't technically an RV, AAA initially refused to tow me when I broke down in Seattle because I didn't have RV insurance. I've since upgraded, which has been worth it for the peace of mind. 

Depending on the age and condition of your vehicle, you'll also need to factor in regular repairs. And don't forget gas money! You'll spend a lot more on gas for your mobile home than you will on filling up your regular car. And the more toys you carry with your mobile home, the more your gas bills will climb.

Where will you go to the bathroom?

Unless you're able to find a mobile home with a built-in shower and toilet, personal hygiene can be a challenge on the road. But there are plenty of creative ways to make it work.

A membership to a gym chain with locations across the country, like Planet Fitness or L.A. Fitness, will allow you to access showers and bathrooms - not to mention a workout, which can be vital when your living space only allows you to walk a few feet in either direction.

Campgrounds and truck stops also provide facilities to the traveler looking to freshen up.

If you don't have a toilet, you'll likely find yourself using truck-stop and cafe bathrooms. But a late-night bathroom break could mean toilets aren't available, and you'll have to settle for whatever is around.

Can you work on the road?

Remote work opportunities have freed many people from the constraints of a typical office job. But working from a mobile home is much different than a home office.

First, consider how often you'll need to work and where you'll be able to do so. It might be helpful to stay close to developed areas where there are plenty of establishments offering free Wi-Fi.

If you can work comfortably inside of your mobile home, you can use your mobile device as a Wi-Fi hotspot or purchase a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot for $100-150. Whichever option you go with, you’ll need to sign up for a service plan with data. Check on the coverage area of service providers before you pick one - they're no use when you're in a dead zone!

Working from the road also means you'll need electricity, which is nice to have for other uses, too, like charging your cell phone or running a fan to stay cool when your engine is off.

Solar panels are a convenient, rechargeable and environmentally friendly energy source. 

I can see my van parked on the street from the window of my house right now. I'm still not entirely sure what a mobile life will look like, but figuring it out is half the fun.

Related:

This Converted Van Is a Tiny Home on Wheels

6 Yurts That Will Have You Dreaming of Your Next Adventure

This School Bus Is a Tiny Home … to a Family of 6!

Originally published September 2017.

[danielgreen01]

Van? RV? School Bus? 6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home on Wheels

We've all seen photos of the perfectly manicured home on wheels: the reclaimed wood-lined walls, the occupants dreamily sipping coffee and watching a sunrise. People of all ages (including me) are asking themselves, "Can I do that too?" 

When I first saw the van that would one day be mine, I thought it was perfect for me. The 1986 GMC Vandura had a comfy bed, turquoise cabinets and twinkle lights that made me weak in the knees.

But a mobile life can involve just as much work as a stationary one - sometimes even more. You won't have to pay a mortgage, but you might need new brakes. You won't have to rely on neighbors to water your plants when you travel, but you will have to keep a tiny space organized and livable on the road.

If those things don’t scare you off, the rewards can far outweigh the work. Here are some important questions to consider first.

Which home is right for you?

There are various names for homes on wheels and recreational vehicles.

The RV is a self-contained, manufactured home on wheels. It typically contains a bathroom and a kitchen, and depending on the version you choose, it can be driven or towed. If you own a vehicle with towing capacity, a towable RV allows you to park and move around more freely.

Camper vans are more compact but offer fewer amenities. They might have a small kitchenette but rarely contain a bathroom. If you're willing to rough it on the road, the camper van can be a more affordable option.

Then there are the more creative approaches to mobile living. People have converted school buses and vintage Airstreams into living quarters. Choosing the vessel for your life on wheels is an important decision, so weigh your options carefully.

How will you use it?

Previously, people bought mobile homes when they retired. These days, the options for remote work allow more people to embrace a mobile lifestyle, with many variations. Some people want to travel regularly, while others park their homes and only occasionally switch locations.

My motivation for buying a van was the freedom to spend month-long stints on the road and rent out my house whenever I left. As a freelance writer, I often travel in search of stories, and this seemed like a perfect way to do so. I could have the comforts of home and the freedom of wheels.

However, since dropping $5,500 on the initial purchase and about $1,000 in repairs, I've landed a full-time job. It's now more of a weekend camping vehicle than a home. The extra headspace that once seemed luxurious now feels cumbersome, especially when I'm driving over windy mountain passes and spending $60 to fill up my tank. Also, the $80-per-month insurance feels extra expensive, now that I'm paying for something I don't often use.

I'll travel regularly in my van someday, but my experience illustrates the importance of knowing how your van will facilitate the life you wish to lead. Where will you go, how often will you go and what will you do? Looking back, I would have gone for something a little smaller and lower maintenance.

Freedom can become debilitating if you don't know how you'll use it.

Where will you park?

Campgrounds, RV parks, Walmart parking lots and city streets have all become temporary homes for people who live on the road. But you must consider parking laws, safety and cost - every single night.

RV parks and many campgrounds offer hookups for electricity and water. If your home is designed to accommodate those amenities, they're nice to have. It helps to research campground details before you hit the road. 

If you're freeing yourself from rent or a mortgage, you might not want to dump that money back into parking each night. National forests offer free camping, as long as you're 100-200 feet away from any road, trail or water source. Ask local ranger stations about access to dispersed camping and local regulations. 

While mobile life is often celebrated with a backdrop of ocean beaches or beloved national parks, cities are something to consider too. They just require a little extra consideration.

Vans have a leg up on bigger, flashier RVs when it comes to cities, especially if your van doesn't look like someone lives in it. 

The most important piece of advice when considering where to park: Do your research. Reserve a spot when heading to popular parks, call ranger stations for information about parking in the area, join local forums, and always collect information ahead of time so you you're not searching for a place to sleep in the middle of the night with no service.

How much does it cost?

Paring down your belongings can be a great way to save money. But mobile living isn’t always cheap.

First, there's the cost of your vehicle, which can vary considerably. Conversions - van, Airstream, school bus, etc. - can be expensive, even if you’re doing the work yourself. For example, this stylish Sprinter van conversion cost $54,120. You'll see a huge range on RV prices as well, from several thousand to millions of dollars.

Once you find a home that’s right for your budget, you'll need to consider living costs too.

Camping fees are about $20 per night, which can be alleviated by free parking. But you won't get water and electrical hookups unless you pay for them.

Vehicle insurance will add a few hundred to several thousand dollars in yearly costs. Comprehensive auto insurance, while more expensive than bare-boned liability plans, will protect your home and belongings from vandalism and theft.

I learned the hard way that an RV insurance plan is required of any vehicle that's been converted into a living space. Even though my van isn't technically an RV, AAA initially refused to tow me when I broke down in Seattle because I didn't have RV insurance. I've since upgraded, which has been worth it for the peace of mind. 

Depending on the age and condition of your vehicle, you'll also need to factor in regular repairs. And don't forget gas money! You'll spend a lot more on gas for your mobile home than you will on filling up your regular car. And the more toys you carry with your mobile home, the more your gas bills will climb.

Where will you go to the bathroom?

Unless you're able to find a mobile home with a built-in shower and toilet, personal hygiene can be a challenge on the road. But there are plenty of creative ways to make it work.

A membership to a gym chain with locations across the country, like Planet Fitness or L.A. Fitness, will allow you to access showers and bathrooms - not to mention a workout, which can be vital when your living space only allows you to walk a few feet in either direction.

Campgrounds and truck stops also provide facilities to the traveler looking to freshen up.

If you don't have a toilet, you'll likely find yourself using truck-stop and cafe bathrooms. But a late-night bathroom break could mean toilets aren't available, and you'll have to settle for whatever is around.

Can you work on the road?

Remote work opportunities have freed many people from the constraints of a typical office job. But working from a mobile home is much different than a home office.

First, consider how often you'll need to work and where you'll be able to do so. It might be helpful to stay close to developed areas where there are plenty of establishments offering free Wi-Fi.

If you can work comfortably inside of your mobile home, you can use your mobile device as a Wi-Fi hotspot or purchase a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot for $100-150. Whichever option you go with, you’ll need to sign up for a service plan with data. Check on the coverage area of service providers before you pick one - they're no use when you're in a dead zone!

Working from the road also means you'll need electricity, which is nice to have for other uses, too, like charging your cell phone or running a fan to stay cool when your engine is off.

Solar panels are a convenient, rechargeable and environmentally friendly energy source. 

I can see my van parked on the street from the window of my house right now. I'm still not entirely sure what a mobile life will look like, but figuring it out is half the fun.

Related:

This Converted Van Is a Tiny Home on Wheels

6 Yurts That Will Have You Dreaming of Your Next Adventure

This School Bus Is a Tiny Home … to a Family of 6!

Originally published September 2017.

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[roanne543fortnite-blog]

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How Fortnite Captured Teens’ Hearts and Minds

The fad to the third-man or woman shooter recreation has factors of Beatlemania, the opioid disaster, and feeding on Tide Pods.

How to Get V Bucks Without Paying

It was having late in Tomato City. The storm was closing in, and meteors pelted the bottom. Gizzard Lizard experienced produced his way there after plundering the sparsely populated barns and domiciles of Anarchy Acres, then by keeping away from the Wailing Woods and preserving the storm just off to his left. He spied an enemy combatant on large ground, who appeared to have a sniper’s rifle. Inside of a hollow underneath the sniper’s perch was an deserted pizzeria, with an enormous rotating sign up the shape of a tomato. Gizzard Lizard, who experienced immediately crafted himself a redoubt of salvaged beams, reported, “I think I’m about to assault. That’s one of my main difficulties: I need to start being far more aggressive.” He ran out in to the open up, pausing ahead of a thick shrub. “This is really an extremely great bush. I could bush-camp. But naw, that’s what noobs do.”

Two Males enter, one particular man leaves: the fighters closed in on each other. In the online video video game Fortnite Fight Royale, the late-recreation section is often one of the most frenetic and remarkable. All of a sudden, the sniper released himself into a close-by discipline and began attacking. Gizzard Lizard unexpectedly threw up another port-a-fort, amid a hail of enemy hearth. The goal is always to obtain, or make, the superior floor.

A minute later on, Gizzard Lizard was lifeless—killed by a grenade. Afterward, he replayed the ending, from many vantages, to analyze what had gone Improper. For being so near successful and still appear up shorter—it was discouraging and tantalizing. 1 wants to go again. The urge is powerful. But it had been time for my son to do his homework.

I used more time as a kid than I care to remember looking at other Little ones play video video games. Room Invaders, Asteroids, Pac-Guy, Donkey Kong. Typically, my friends, in excess of my objections, chosen this to enjoying ball—or to other well-known, if significantly less edifying, community pursuits, such as tearing hood ornaments off parked cars. Each individual so generally, I performed, much too, but I had been a spaz. Insert quarter, video game over. Once gaming moved into dorms and apartments—Nintendo, Sega—I realized that I could just depart. But sometimes I didn’t. I admired the feat of divided focus, the knack that some fellas (and it was always fellas) looked as if it would have for being alive, both equally in the game and within the battle of wits about the sofa, as if they were being the two actively playing a sport and doing “SportsCenter” at the same time.

I thought of this one other day when a buddy explained viewing a group of eighth-quality girls and boys (among the them his son) hanging all-around his apartment participating in, but mainly observing Some others Engage in, Fortnite. A single boy was enjoying on a considerable Television set screen, that has a PlayStation four console. The opposite boys were being on their own phones, possibly enjoying or observing an expert gamer’s Are living stream. And the girls ended up enjoying or seeing by themselves phones, or hunting in excess of the shoulders of the boys. On the list of women informed my Mate, “It’s pleasurable to begin to see the boys get mad when they lose.” Not a soul stated Considerably. What patter there was—l’esprit du divan—came from the kids’ little screens, in the form of the pro gamer’s mordant narration as he vanquished his opponents.

Fortnite, for anybody not a teenager-ager or even a dad or mum or educator of teenagers, may be the third-particular person shooter match which has taken in excess of the hearts and minds—and the time, both of those discretionary and otherwise—of adolescent and collegiate The us. Produced last September, it is actually at the moment by many actions the preferred video sport in the world. From time to time, there are greater than a few million men and women participating in it directly. It has been downloaded an estimated sixty million moments. (The sport, available on Laptop, Mac, Xbox, PS4, and mobile units, is—crucially—free, but a lot of players pay for additional, cosmetic attributes, which include costumes called “skins.”) Regarding fervor, compulsive behavior, and parental noncomprehension, the Fortnite trend has things of Beatlemania, the opioid crisis, and the ingestion of Tide Pods. Parents converse of it as an dependancy and swap tales of plunging grades and brazen screen-time abuse: beneath the desk at school, in a memorial service, in the lavatory at four A.M. They beg each other for alternatives. A buddy sent me a online video he’d taken one particular afternoon when endeavoring to stop his son from actively playing; there was a time when regularly contacting 1’s father a fucking asshole would've brought about significant hassle in Tomato Town. In our house, the massive risk is gamer rehab in South Korea.

Sport fads arrive and go: Rubik’s Dice, Dungeons & Dragons, Angry Birds, Minecraft, Clash of Clans, Pokémon Go. What persons seem to concur on, whether or not they’re seasoned avid gamers or dorky dads, is the fact that there’s one thing new emerging about Fortnite, a sort of mass social gathering, open up to the Substantially broader array of folks when compared to the video games that arrived right before. Its relative not enough wickedness—it is apparently largely freed from the misogyny and racism that afflict a number of other online games and gaming communities—can make it more palatable to a broader audience, and this appeal equally ameliorates and augments its addictive electric power. (The sport, in its standard mode, randomly assigns players’ skins, that may be of any gender or race.) Prevalent anecdotal evidence suggests that women are playing in extensive quantities, the two with and with no boys. There are actually, and probably ever shall be, some gamer geeks who gripe at these types of newcomers, equally as they gripe when there isn't any newcomers at all.

A colleague whose 13-year-outdated son is deep down the rabbit hole likened the Fortnite phenomenon for the Pump Residence Gang, the crew of ne’er-do-well teenager surfers in La Jolla whom Tom Wolfe happened upon inside the early nineteen-sixties. Instead of a clubhouse over the beach, there’s a Digital world wide juvenile hall, where Youngsters Acquire, invent an argot, adopt alter egos, and shoot one another down. Wolfe’s Pump Residence Children went on beer-soaked outings they called “destructos,” in which they might, at area farmers’ behest, demolish deserted barns. Now it’s Juul-sneaking small homebodies demolishing Digital partitions and houses with imaginary pickaxes. Children everywhere are swinging absent at their entire world, tearing it down to outlive—creative destruction, of a kind.

Shall I reveal the game? I must, I’m scared, Despite the fact that describing movie game titles is just a little like recounting desires. A hundred gamers are dropped on to an island—from a flying college bus—and struggle one another to the Loss of life. The winner is the last one standing. (You could pair up or type a squad, much too.) This is certainly what is meant by Struggle Royale. (The initial Model of Fortnite, introduced past July, for forty dollars, wasn’t battle on the Demise; it is the new iteration which includes caught fire.) A storm encroaches, little by little forcing combatants into an ever-shrinking region, in which they need to destroy or be killed. Alongside the way, you look for out caches of weapons, armor, and healables, even though also gathering developing resources Additional reading by breaking down current constructions. Hasty fabrication (of ramps, forts, and towers) is A necessary element of the sport, which is why it is often called a cross between Minecraft plus the Hunger Game titles—and why aggrieved mother and father have the ability to explain to themselves that it's constructive.

Right before a sport commences, you wander around inside a style of purgatorial bus depot-cum-airfield waiting until eventually the subsequent hundred have assembled for an airdrop. This is a Odd position. Players shoot inconsequentially at one another and pull dance moves, like actors walking aimlessly about backstage practising their traces. Then appear the airlift along with the drifting descent, by means of glider, into the battleground, with a mild whooshing audio that's to your Fortnite addict just what the flick of the Bic is usually to a smoker. You could land in a single of 20-a person places to the island, Each individual using a cutesy alliterative title, some suggestive of mid-century gay bars: Shifty Shafts, Moisty Mire, Lonely Lodge, Greasy Grove. In patois and in temper, the sport manages to become both dystopian and comedian, dim and lightweight. It might be alarming, in case you’re not accustomed to this sort of points or are attuned into the information, to hear your darlings shouting so merrily about head pictures and snipes. But there’s no blood or gore. The violence is cartoonish, at least relative to, say, Halo or Grand Theft Vehicle. These types of will be the consolations.

The island alone has an air of desertion although not of extreme despair. This apocalypse is rated PG. The abandonment, precipitated from the storm, which has both killed or scattered most of the planet’s inhabitants, appears to are already current and comparatively fast. The grass is lush, the canopy entire. The hydrangeas are abloom in Snobby Shores. Properties are unencumbered by kudzu or graffiti and also have tidy, sparsely furnished rooms, as if the inhabitants experienced only just fled (or been vaporized). Evidently, Everybody over the island, in These prosperous pre-storm instances, shopped in a similar aisle at Target. Each time I check out a player enter a bedroom, whether it is in Junk Junction or Loot Lake, I Take note the multicolored blanket folded through the mattress. People cobalt-blue desk lamps: are they available for sale? Maybe sooner or later They are going to be.

[briefbouquetcreatorlove-blog]

Insurance wants to total my car?

"Insurance wants to total my car?

We got rear ended couple of days ago, some bumper damage and chipped paint. According to the repair shop there is no internal or inside damage to it. Nether the less it would cost about $1000-1500 to fix it (bumper would be replaced). I have 1995 Toyota Corolla DX, and it drives great. I really love it, and didn't plan on getting rid of it. The garage is saying that once we submit the claim, chances are Very high that the insurance company would just total it, because the car is old and has 277.xxx miles on it. We wouldn't get a lot for it, not enough to buy another car for sure. And to drive it with the cracked/dented bumper I don't want either. What to do so insurance will not to total it? We just have done some work to it, and all that money would be wasted too! I'm so lost!!!

BEST ANSWER:  Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://freecarinsurance.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr 

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I'm about to get my license, how much is it to add me (16) to my parents car insurance? Don't give me anything like, It's different for everyone. I know. Just tell me what you are paying, or what you used to pay.""

What insurance do you have ?

we are looking for a good family insurance that could have dental coverage and eye care coverage as well as health any suggestions ? (ps family of four)

""Motor Trader Insurance Regulations, what are the rules?""

I currently work for a company and drive a modified vehicle for them. It is not modified for speed but for a specific purpose. Anyway I would like to steal their idea and have tried to look for insurance for a similar vehicle (which I would construct). My insurance quote has come back as almost 4000, but I have discovered that they use motor trader insurance to cover themselves. So what are the rules with motor trader insurance, do I need to buy and sell some cars? do I need to be a registered LTD company? What would qualify me for motor trader insurance? UK Answers only please (as the rules are likely to be different in different countries). Thanks SPAMMY PEOPLE SHOULD BE KILLED IN A HUMILIATING AND PAINFUL WAY. IF YOU SPAM THIS QUESTION I WILL REPORT YOU.""

Prior proof of insurance?

I just got progressive car insurance. They want me to send prior proof of insurance from my old company. Do I just send in my old insurance card?

Insurance adjusters... how much can I expect to get for my car?

My car was stolen and I don't expect it will be recovered. I was curious about how much I can expect to get from my insurer. The loan is paid off, so I will receive 100% of the total offered by my insurer. Please see the car details below: 2002 Dodge Intrepid SE, 4 door 104,000 miles V6 automatic power doors, windows, driver seat cd player a/c I know I won't get the retail value. I feel a fair private seller price is about $4500. My research shows the trade in value is about $3600. I feel I should get something close to the private seller value as I know I won't get the retail value but should get more than trade in value. Is this a reasonable expectation? Input from actual insurance adjusters is appreciated. Given the car and miles, how much do you think I'll be offered?""

North Carolina Health Insurance?

Right now I have blue cross and blue sheild insurance. It's becoming ridiculous to pay each month and deductibles are through the roof! I'm a healthy 25 yr old female. I need to know, what are some insurance companies in the state of North Carolina that are cheaper, but are still helpful with doctor's visits and prescriptions. What health insurance do you have and what's the cost? Any help or opinions about would be great! thanks:))))""

Why do health insurance companies care what type of doctor you see?

My health insurance is awful. It doesn't cover anything I need and I wonder why they'll offer so much to pay for one type of specialist, but none for another type. If they are willing to pay the money for one type of care, why does it matter if you want a different type of care, worth the same amount. Why does it matter what care you're getting? If you're sick, and need help, isn't that what insurance is for? Right now I need to see two doctors to treat bipolar disorder, but it's not covered at all. But if I see a doctor about my physical health, they'll pay 80%. My physical health is fine, all I need is payment for mental health therapy and medication. They don't pay for mental health medicine either. I've had the same insurance for many years before having this issue. I never actually used it, and now that I need it doesn't help me at all.""

Proof of insurance for a road test?

i have a road test and the dmv requires a proof of insurance i don't have insurance so does the person im supposed to go with, only my dad has an insurance on the car but he will be away on that day. Can i just go to the dmv and show them my dad's insurance without him being there?""

After tax and national insurance deductions how much would i come out with a month if i was on 14500 annual?

After tax and national insurance deductions how much would i come out with a month if i was on 14500 annual?

Car insurance is thrice than payment! Suggestions?

Hi, I have recently moved in Detroit midtown, and am thinking of buying a vehicle. I am looking at buying a Ford Fusion 2008 model with around 8K. However, every insurance quote (comprehensive) I have got so far is around $300 per month. Some have asked as much as $600. I am an immigrant who came to the US three years ago and so obviously do not have a long driving record. This is my first car. I do not have any driving tickets or violations. I am looking to use finance as my credit scores are good. Any body help me with some advice on this? Why on earth the car insurance would be thrice than the car payment?""

How do insurance companies categorize cars?

How do they determine which cars is going to cost more than others... Which factor of a car means you're going to have to pay 1000 more than another... And why so expensive? After a while surely you've paid more than the cars worth?

Best insurance companies for 18 year old passed my tes?

ok ive pased my test a month on friday and i gettin a car this week and i need some insurance on the car obviiously lol, well basically whats the cheapest car insurance all you 18 year old have and who is it with, please :)""

How much does it cost to insure a 2008+ kawasaki ninja 250?

im thinking of getting one to use to ride back and fourth to work on to save wear and tear on my car. the 250cc ninja's are pretty cheep and i dont go on the hwy so thats not an issue. im only 18 and have a clean record. How much do you pay for in insurance?

Insurance wants to total my car?

We got rear ended couple of days ago, some bumper damage and chipped paint. According to the repair shop there is no internal or inside damage to it. Nether the less it would cost about $1000-1500 to fix it (bumper would be replaced). I have 1995 Toyota Corolla DX, and it drives great. I really love it, and didn't plan on getting rid of it. The garage is saying that once we submit the claim, chances are Very high that the insurance company would just total it, because the car is old and has 277.xxx miles on it. We wouldn't get a lot for it, not enough to buy another car for sure. And to drive it with the cracked/dented bumper I don't want either. What to do so insurance will not to total it? We just have done some work to it, and all that money would be wasted too! I'm so lost!!!

Where can we find cheap life insurance?

Where can we find cheap life insurance?

Insurance for 1998 Corvette for 18 Year Old Male?

Okay, so this question is one of those, if you have to ask you can't afford it type of questions. Now I have loved Corvette's since I was old enough to identify cars. I have always dreamed of owning on, and the opportunity is upon me. After selling my car, and saved money, and saved funds, I can afford a 1998 Corvette Silver Automatic. Now it's a V8, and is pushing over 300HP easy. Insurance is ridiculously high, even with 2 and a half years of perfectly safe driving. (I hate the stereotype of just because I'm young, I'm an unsafe driver. Alas, all the idiots ruin it for us safe young adults.) Anyway the Vette clears out and is mint shape, no accidents, and is selling for $14,900 with 74K miles, a steal if you ask me. Anyway I have over $16,500 saved up, which leaves me with an issue. I can afford the car no problem, but I just know the insurance will be through the roof. However I was wondering if any of you have any idea on the cost. I have Metropolitan if you were wondering.""

Car insurance. What a cheek!?

Got renewal yesterday for 449 up 10 on this years, when I go directly to the insurers website as a new customer my quote comes out as 279!! Can I cancel my insurance upon renewal and then take out another policy with them?""

What reputable health insurance companies are out there?

My mom doesn't have health insurance and my job doesn't give insurance to family members. I would like to pay monthly to a health insurance company so my mom could get health check up when she needs it. Do you know any health insurance companies that can accept low monthly payments since I don't get paid that much?

How much does insurance cost for your first car?

How much does insurance cost for your first car?

What can I do about my car insurance?

My son wrecked my 2007 Dodge Ram1500 6/23/09. My mother offered to apply the truck to her insuance for lower rates. I ask the agent for full coverage because it had a lien on it with collion, now the insurance won't pay because they saud I have libility w/no collion, I'm sick, so it's a battle what can I do, please help""

How reliable is erie auto insurance?

How reliable is erie auto insurance?

What is a semi fast car that has a semi cheap insurance rate for a 16 year old new driver?

I am trying to find a car that is fast enough that i can have some fun in but im not going to be spending a lot for insurance. I also want to have a car htat would be good to hook up.

Is there a safe and accurate way to search online for auto insurance quotes...?

Don't want to enter social security number or actual home address for that matter. Using age, driving record, general home address (city and state) and of course the required car info...Is there a site that would give you an accurate range of what it would cost to insure a vehicle in NY state? Personal experience is best , but all knowledgeable info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!""

Where is the cheapest car insurance in the UK?

Looking for a really cheap car insurance quote in UK? Trying to shop around a little and wanna know if anyone has any ideas

How Much Is Car Insurance? Please Help?

Ok See im 16 and i have a 1990 Pontiac Firebird and I have a Junior License Year: 1990 Make: Pontiac Model: Firebird Trim: Engine: 6-Cylinder V-6 Trans: Auto Fuel: Gasoline Color: Black Interior: Grey Miles: 170000

How much is the average travel trailer insurance rate?

I am interested in getting a modern (2005 +) travel trailer approx 25-28'. I wanted to know what the average rate would be to insure it. Also, is it a requirement to get it insured? Thanks.""

Where can I buy good Health insurance?

Anyone know where I can buy health insurance. Im an independent contractor who needs good, cheap rates.""

Can i get insurance on my name...but my boyfriends car?

Registration is coming up, for my boyfriends car. He has a DUI on his record, so he's unable to drive as it is, I'm the one who drives his car. I was wondering if I could get my insurance to cover his car since I'm the one who drives it even though I'm not the registered owner. And would DMV (in california) acknowledge it?""

Temporary car insurance california?

So im spending my summer in california, my unbcle lives here and has a car and maybe ill hae the chance to drive it. I was thinking that I need an insurance, I come from france and only have an international drivers license, so I was wondering is it possible to get an insurance in here? Thanks, no mean answers plz""

Can I suspend my car insurance?

I am 18 years old, male, clean driving record, good student, going to college. I will only be going home for occasional weekends, and vacations, and I would like to be insured so I can drive my car (saturn 2000 sl) around. I want to have coverage when I need it, but don't want to pay for a whole year of car insurance. I do not know a lot about car insurance but, Is it possible to just call up my car insurance company (MetLife) whenever I want and suspend or unsuspend my car insurance? This way I don't have to pay for a whole year of car insurance when i am only using it for weekends, week breaks, or winter and summer vacations (probably 5 months per year). Is this a normal practice? Thanks!!""

Cars that come with cheap car insurance. Thank you?

Cars that come with cheap car insurance. Thank you?

Which stae has the cheapest car insurance.? I know Jersey has the highest.?

Which stae has the cheapest car insurance.? I know Jersey has the highest.?

How do you switch insurance on your car if you get another one?

1) How much paperwork is involved. I drive a 92 Lebaron that is not too far from dying. I would like to buy a car within the next year and make monthly payments. 2) Is it really just a phonecall with my agent? 3) Do I get to keep my license plate? 4) What happens to my excise tax?--Do I have to inform my town hall of my new vehicle? Do I still get billed for my old car?

Car Insurance Policy When Not Vehicle Owner?

Can anyone help? My boss has bought me a car but because Renault were unable to put the finance agreement in the company name it had to go in his name, which meant that the ownership of the vehicle did too. Not the problem I have is insuring this car as insurance companies won't insurer me as the driver if I am not the car owner unless the car is owned by a spouse etc...so, I am assuming that the only way round this is for my boss to be put as the main driver and me as an additional driver...if this is the case what will happen if I have an accident or conviction, or he does? Also what about No Claims Discount as I previously built up 3 years on my old car. Please help I really don't know what to do! Thanks""

Where can i get information on the popularity among savings insurance vs health insurance?

I would like to know which is higher on the premium you have to pay for savings and health insurance? savings or health insurance is higher? how can i get info on this?

Who has the cheapest renters insurance in california?

Who has the cheapest renters insurance in california?

How many Health Insurance Companies in Sault Ste.Marie?

How much would they charge ? My brother is going to Algoma University this year, the University asks them to buy a Health Insurance, but the University's health insurance is too expensive. So, is there any other health insurance companies in Sault Ste.Marie ?""

Medicare or other affordable health insurance?

I live in NYC, just moved here and need to find relatively affordable health insurance. Up till now was covered by plans through employers. Is Medicare decent coverage? Is it very different from others?""

""How much is your full coverage insurance cost? 19 year old, 2 speeding tickets, live in WA, for Celica GTS?""

I know it varies from place to place, based on driving record, car, etc, etc etc. Im just looking to get average insurance costs. I am 19 years old, I have two speeding tickets (both 30 mph over), student, live in WA, insuring a clean title 2003 Toyota Celica GTS. What are you paying on average for similar discriptions.""

Insurance wants to total my car?

We got rear ended couple of days ago, some bumper damage and chipped paint. According to the repair shop there is no internal or inside damage to it. Nether the less it would cost about $1000-1500 to fix it (bumper would be replaced). I have 1995 Toyota Corolla DX, and it drives great. I really love it, and didn't plan on getting rid of it. The garage is saying that once we submit the claim, chances are Very high that the insurance company would just total it, because the car is old and has 277.xxx miles on it. We wouldn't get a lot for it, not enough to buy another car for sure. And to drive it with the cracked/dented bumper I don't want either. What to do so insurance will not to total it? We just have done some work to it, and all that money would be wasted too! I'm so lost!!!

What types of insurance would a spin cycling instructor require?

exmaple public liability, and why would they need these types of insurance""

Motorcycle Insurance in Ontario(re asked)?

Hello, I am a 20 year old female looking for motorcycle insurance for a Honda CBR 250r with an M2. I have never owned a bike before and have a clean driving record. Like most people my age it is nearly impossible to get insurance that is affordable if you are under the age of 25. If anyone knows of an insurance company/brokerage that would give a quote below 2.5k a year please give me any way I can contact them. I live in the Ottawa area if that is any help as well.""

What would be the best car for a 17 year old in the UK?

(Has to have low insurance & fairly cheap to buy secondhand)

Has anyone else's car insurance increased this year for no apparent reason (UK)?

Our insurance renewal came through this week and it has increased by 400 to 1,450 for third party cover even though nothing has changed! We went on all the comparison websites and they were all quoting a lot higher too - one quoted us 3,500!! We've actually managed to get it down to 1,300 fully comp with Tesco (Third party quote was higher for some reason?) but I still find this to be a lot considering we are both 24 and my partner has 4 years no claims and has been driving for 5 years and I have been driving for 3 years. Has anyone else found that their insurance has increased this year?""

Is car insurance cheaper in the US compared to UK?

Is car insurance cheaper in the US compared to UK? wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't since you are allowed to start driving at the age of 16 in US.

Cost estimate of motorcycle insurance for female?

I'm 18, female, live in Colorado, with a clean driving record and no bike yet. I'm thinking about a Kawasoki Ninja or Sportster. I cant find insurance estimates! Can someone help me figure all this stuff out? What I need to get and how much its going to cost me?""

Motorcycle insurance in MA ?

Hi i have called several insurance companies about insurance for a motorcyle in MA. i havent found one that offered it. Geico, even nationwide and allstate dont offer it. i dont understand how Allstate doesnt offer motorycle insurance in all states but any suggestions or cheap insurances for a single 18 y.o in MA would help. thanx""

Will my son be turned down for insurance?

I have an autistic son, and I have decided he needs better hospital insurance than what he has (I have regular health insurance, but his hospital coverage is not great). So I applied for extra hospital insurance. Aside from being pretty severely autistic, he's physically a pretty healthy kid, no major problems, no ongoing treatment. However, recently he needed to have a dental procedure, and they decided it was best that it be done in the hospital, and that he be fully knocked out. A few years back, he also needed to be knocked out for an MRI (he had a seizure, but none since). Anesthesia is expensive, and when he had the dental procedure, it maxed out the hospital coverage on my current plan and I got stuck with a $9000 bill. Hence, the decision for better hospital insurance. When applying for health insurance, they do 5 year medical records check, and those two things are going to come up. What's going to happen... Will I have higher premiums? will they refuse to cover anything they deem is caused by his autism? Or will they flat out reject him? Or will it not be a problem?""

Which 5 R the best health insurance companies in India?

In terms of claim settlement ratio and efficient service

Can my dad by a motorcycle and put it under his insurance for me to drive?

ok im conused about this whole thing i know for a 16 year old motorcycle insurance is crazy. So how would this work my dads been driving all his life(Harley-Davidson) and his insurance is cheap, now for me its gonna be alot of money so can he buy the bike and put it under his name then i just drive it so then it wont be so much $ on me? can this work or is that illegal for me to be driving someone elses bike? is there anyway like i stated above to make my insurance cheaper if this doesnt work?""

Has anyone bought car insurance that deals with people who have points?

I am 20 years old turnin 21 next year march. And I got 6 points in january. Now its impossible for me to get car insurance on my ford fiesta 1.3 2002 plate, they are askin me to pay 6000 pound for insurance. I was woundering if there are any car insurance companys that deal with people that have points?""

I am a first time driver with a pass plus..aged 24. any tips for getting cheapest insurance on second hand car?

please consider the engine size, car model make etc""

Does every state require auto insurance?

Does every state require auto insurance?

Do I need to mention car insurance claims when going for motorbike insurance?

Title says it all really! I have a car insurance claim against me which I want to know if I have to declare when applying for motorbike insurance. Hopefully not, because motorcycling is quite different to car driving..?! Thanks!""

Insurance change? Nissan 350z to Pontiac GTO?

Alright, Well I have a 2005 Nissan 350z 35TH Anniversary edition, And I am going to trade it in on an 05 Pontiac GTO. What would the changes in my insurance be you think?""

How expensive is taxi insurance?

I am thinking of running a taxi for the first time. How much more expensive is it to insure a taxi than a family car. I have full no claims bonus and a standard 5 seater car. I pay about 400 for a peugeot 406 as my family car

Insurance question?

When setting up your insurance online does the company know how many years NCB you have? if not could you lie?

What's the cheapest insurance i can get?

I live in NYC, i'll be 18 in feb next year and i want to know how much i would have to pay for it. I can't be under someone else's insurance. I don't even have a car yet but it probably won't be anything over 7000 and probably 1990's or early 2000's. Thanks.""

Best health insurance for a 63 year old male?

My dad retired at 62 and a half... to make a long story short, he was promised continuing health insurance from his employer but now they are saying they will only be secondary- meaning they only pay if he buys a primary. What would be a good option for health insurance for him? Unfortunately, he is a smoker and had a stroke... he is 63 and a half right now.""

How do i get health insurance?

How do I get health insurance for myself? My work doesn't offer health insurance. My husband and all his younger siblings (over 18) are now covered under my mother-in-law's insurance from her work.

Good first car? insurance?

ok well i wanted an eclipse but they are classified as a sports car so im wondering about the dodge neon not the srt 4 just a normal neon, like are those considered sports cars? im looking for an 04 or newer because im gonna buy my first car sometime and i dont want insurance through the roof so if you can tell me i would appreciate it""

Car crash not my fault. Will it affect the cost of my insurance?

A guy crashed into me the other day, admitted it was completely his fault. I contacted a legal firm who talks to my insurance company and the other guys insurers. He has said I did nothing wrong and it was completely his fault. Will the cost of my insurance go up because of this? Or will there be no change as I was not at fault?""

California insurance testing help!!! Please! ?

I've been studying for the California life health and accident license and I haven't been able to pass. I'm rescheduling and I wanted to know where I could find more information or ways to study. Where can I find tests similar to the actual one and so forth. Please this means alot and hopefully I can finally pass.

What is the best and most affordable whole life insurance i can get for my mother who is 77?

what's the best and most affordable whole life policy i can get for my mother who is 77 and has numerous health concerns?

Can a Body shop employee compare quote of Insurance and body shop? to make sure body shop didn't miss anything

Insurance quote was more expensive than body shop Insurance quote of repairs quater panel repl qual recy parts lt quarter panel +25 add clear coad repl lt inner panel door blnd lt door shell r&i belt w strip r&i mirror assy r&i lt handle outside laser red r&i lt r&i trim panel estimate 1700 minus 500 for dect. Body shop quote stripe assembly lt part/partial repl mldg rocker panel pnl, front door oute lt blend refinsh mldg,front door belt lt r&i assembly stripe front door l lt r&i assembly mirror, outer r/c lt r&i assembly cyl,front door o lt r&i assenmly handle, front door o lt r&i assembly mldg,roof drip lt r&i assembly panel,quater lt repair panel,quarter lt refinish mldg,quarter belt l/f r&i assembly stripe,quarter lower l/f labor/partl repla pnl,quarter inner l/f repair pnl quarter innder l/f refinish duct, quarter panel l/f r&i assembly pnl, inner qtr trim taillamp assembly r&i assembly rear bumper cover r&i addnl labor oper corrosion protection refinish cover car exterior r""

Insurance wants to total my car?

We got rear ended couple of days ago, some bumper damage and chipped paint. According to the repair shop there is no internal or inside damage to it. Nether the less it would cost about $1000-1500 to fix it (bumper would be replaced). I have 1995 Toyota Corolla DX, and it drives great. I really love it, and didn't plan on getting rid of it. The garage is saying that once we submit the claim, chances are Very high that the insurance company would just total it, because the car is old and has 277.xxx miles on it. We wouldn't get a lot for it, not enough to buy another car for sure. And to drive it with the cracked/dented bumper I don't want either. What to do so insurance will not to total it? We just have done some work to it, and all that money would be wasted too! I'm so lost!!!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/way-get-affordable-car-insurance-17-year-old-eulah-rosenda"

[gamerestart]

My Personal History with Electronic Games: 4 of N

Previously on Game Restart: [it’s a series]

The thing about arcades is that arcades are expensive. 

Adjusted for inflation, a quarter in early 80s money is approximately 63¢ in today’s money at the time of this writing. Most people probably aren’t used to spending money after the initial investment in the console and then the game for their home, but imagine spending that for every three tries, lives, or continues.

And some games in the 1980s were 50¢ (or $1.25 as of 2018). Many remember Dragon’s Lair (I certainly do), one of several LaserDisc based games which rocked arcades back in the day, and games like these certainly commanded a pretty high price. I have to admit, my total investment in that particular bit of entertainment probably amounts to no more than $1.50 in 80s money. Nine lives all ended in failure, and then the bank was broke.

I didn’t investigate any of the others, though I was morbidly fascinated by the gory bits present in the attract mode for Bega’s Battle standing in the entryway to the base exchange in Yokota.

Still, on occasion, I’d spring for Pac-Man, but since most of these games demanded a lot more than home console versions, they tended to end pretty quickly. I was more keen on spending my video game money on books, specifically game books, specifically, books, like, for example:

Among others. Modules were $5.50, rulebooks for the Moldvay/Cook Basic/Expert were $6.00, and I want to say boxed sets were something like $12, but that included dice and sometimes another module, too. The hardcover books ranged from $15 to $18 (for the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Masters Guide). I was also into Star Frontiers and paperback game books like Joe Dever and Gary Chalk’s Lone Wolf series.

Arcades got a little play, but I spent much less time in them than I spent in libraries. And clearly, I could certainly kill some time gazing at the books at the Stars and Stripes bookstores over the summers (or at Waldenbooks, stateside). 

When it came to money, what I wasn’t spending on Zoids, I was saving for books, which frequently came to me used. I spent a lot of time amassing my collection of role playing game materials, and most of it I’ve kept since those days. Virtually everything else, like the video games, Commodore 128, and toys, were either lost or sold somewhere along the way. Moving a lot meant regularly purging; I purged books absolutely last and only if it was absolutely necessary. I did my best to keep the books, but the Vectrex and Atari 2600 never properly belonged to me anyway.

Moving was big, and was done every two years without fail—even if it was literally down the street on base. Once our stuff was packed up and shipped out, we had a short empty stay in our former residence—always as empty as it was whenever we first arrived two years prior—and then either drove or flew out to the next destination. Often, there would be extensive road trips regardless, because that’s when the vacations would be timed: between Dad’s assignments, over the summer so we missed as little school as possible.

May, 1984 involved a trip to pick up some cousins and we hied forth to Orlando and Disney World and—with the greatest possible anticipation by myself—EPCOT Center. I might play games in medieval-styled fantasy worlds, but at heart I’ve always been a futurist, and this marvelous new place promised to speak eloquently to me of better futures.

I voraciously consumed science fiction in print and whatever I could get on television or in theaters and home video. Star Wars at the drive-ins had been a favorite of mine since I was seven. The Empire Strikes Back made a greater impact, but was more downbeat, and I’d seen Return of the Jedi only the year before in an outdoor theater in Antigua. Anything else was delayed to home video. Living abroad often meant missing or being otherwise behind whenever it came to pop cultural stuff. Base TV (AFRTS) also didn’t have commercials, so we only saw local programming, not the stuff people were being subjected to stateside.

I was more a fan of our space program, and NASA. My elementary school in Antigua was named after the astronauts of Apollo 1 (Chaffee, White, and Grissom), and there was a small mural of the astronauts inside the building. 

Heck, it was a small building, holding grades 1-4 in one room, and 5-7 in the next. There was a small library—read Watership Down for the first time from there—and a few bathrooms and closets but that was it for the most part. It was a very small school. Eighth graders were sent elsewhere, I forget where, but it was moot in my case, since I would be repeating seventh grade when I got to Japan. Being held back for “developmental reasons” always struck me as bullshit. I could have been out of school one year earlier. I got back at everyone by failing the ninth grade, but that backfired and I was moved into the tenth grade on Adak anyway. I may have honestly earned a bit of my opposition to establishments which practice hypocrisy back then. The world of adults made no sense, and they were too inconsistent with the rules to be trusted.  

But this was a trip to remember, and I was looking forward to it.

Apart from the long drive with cousins, there was always entertainment. Reading in a moving vehicle was still something I could do at that time, so I did that a lot. There were also a very few portable electronic games. Crazy Climber (from Bandai), a “Monkey Business” wristwatch (also by Bandai), and an VFD (vacuum fluorescent display) game I’d resurrected from dead—purchased for about a dollar at a yard sale on Antigua. It came with considerable battery corrosion from four AA batteries, and I actually spent a lot of time trying to recover it to a working state. Some soldering was required (my Dad helped with that part) and I was able to get it working again. It was Star Hawk by Mattel, the first electronic game I would ever fix. Anyway, these saw some use, but these would be mostly forgotten when we arrived at the campsite.

KOA campgrounds were all over the US (near as I could tell), and we’d spent a lot of time in them, driving all over the country, saving money (I assume) on hotel bills. We set up tents, visited bathrooms, gazed at the swimming pool,  and … and then …

And then it rained like a swimming pool poured through a sieve for almost the entire week. I didn’t care: Disney World/EPCOT were too nearby to feel anything but slightly dampened anticipation.

The only dry spot was the KOA laundry and check-in building where the snacks and vending machines were and—

And there it was. One arcade console by Atari—still close enough to the heyday to inspire excitement even in a jaded, dampened, and world-weary twelve-year-old—and no mere upright cabinet console this, and certainly not the blocky-chunky pixels of the Atari 2600 home console but the clean vector graphics I would later associate with the Vectrex; this was a cockpit to climb into to save the rebel alliance from the Death Star. (And it had some early voice samples from the film itself.)

Star Wars was fifty cents to play. Half a dollar. Cripplingly costly. 

Objectively I knew I needed to save money for the Disney experiences which were the entire basis for the whole trip, but I also must needed to play it. It’s one thing to grab a friend’s X-wing (er, with permission—I never had my own), and run around the playground like a lunatic blowing up the enemy, one gets tired of that kind of exercise. Also there are compromises like Luke technically being unavailable so a Micronaut Time Traveller had to step in and save the day, but imagination is as fierce and unyielding as it is malleable.

This was the summer of 1984, and I probably spent 70% of my budget into that damned machine. The parents did not object. It was rainy, and we had been holding out for better weather, and it was warm and dry nearer to the glow of the screen. X rays are like that. And what was I going to do otherwise? Go swimming? That was like walking.

The rain relented slightly, and I had a fabulous time at EPCOT and Disney World (adventures to recount later), and it turns out, even after coaxing one last play before we packed up camp and left, I was unable to end the Death Star. That fight would have to continue later.

Back to 2003, at a Tacoma Fred Meyers, I wander into electronics, just to see if there was anything new. I may have been killing time for the next bus home. Fred Meyer doesn’t seem to do this any more for home consoles, but they had a video game kiosk set up for the Nintendo GameCube.

Nintendo. I’d heard of them. Why not. The demo is playing Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II. I grasp the controller, and feel my way around playing for a bit.

And I’m back in 1984, sitting in the cockpit of an X-wing, trying to ‘splode the Death Star.

In 1995, graphics like this would have been mind-blowing. But I regularly used SGI hardware far more capable than any video game console, and there wasn’t that much difference between this and the PS2. Perhaps the GameCube was better overall, but that’s not the whole experience. Running down TIE fighters and crashing into walls is.

I bought the game. I bought the GameCube (Indigo, because, reasons). I bought a copy of Luigi’s Mansion. And I bought a wireless Wavebird controller all on the same day.

It would take a few months, and I certainly didn’t know it at the time, but this machine would put dust on the Sony PS2.

[garynsmith]

Van? RV? School Bus? 6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home on Wheels

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We've all seen photos of the perfectly manicured home on wheels: the reclaimed wood-lined walls, the occupants dreamily sipping coffee and watching a sunrise. People of all ages are asking themselves, "Can I do that, too?" Myself, included.

When I first saw the van that would one day be mine on Craigslist, I thought it was perfect for me. The 1986 GMC vandura had a comfy bed, turquoise cabinets and twinkle lights that made me weak in the knees.

But a mobile life can involve just as much work as a stationary one - sometimes, even more. You won't have to pay a mortgage, but you might need new brakes. You won't have to rely on neighbors to water your plants when you travel, but you will have to keep a tiny space organized and livable on the road.

If those things don’t scare you off, the rewards can far outweigh the work. Here are some important questions to consider, first.

Which home is right for you?

There are various names for homes on wheels and recreational vehicles, along with more unique and specific categories like Westfalia campervans.

The RV is a self-contained, manufactured home on wheels. It typically contains a bathroom and kitchen and, depending on the version you choose, it can be driven or towed. If you own a vehicle with towing capacity, a towable RV allows you to park and move around more freely - without dragging the kitchen sink.

Campervans are more compact but offer fewer amenities. They might have a small kitchenette, but rarely contain a bathroom. If you're willing to rough it on the road, the campervan can be a more affordable option.

Then there are the more creative approaches to mobile living. People have converted school buses, vintage Airstreams and even a mail truck into living quarters. Choosing the vessel for your life on wheels is an important decision, so weigh your options carefully.

How will you use it?

Once upon a time, people bought mobile homes when they retired. These days, the options for remote work allow younger people to embrace a mobile lifestyle, with many variations. Some people want to travel regularly, while others park their homes and only occasionally switch locations.

My motivation for buying a van was the freedom to spend month-long stints on the road and rent out my house whenever I left. As a freelance writer, I often travel in search of stories and this seemed like a perfect way to do so. I could have the comforts of home and the freedom of wheels.

However, since dropping $5,500 on the initial purchase and about $1,000 in repairs, I've landed a full-time job. It's now more of a weekend camping vehicle than a home. The extra headspace that once seemed luxurious now feels cumbersome, especially when I'm driving over windy mountain passes and spending $60 to fill up my tank. Also, the $80-per-month insurance has come to seem extra expensive since I'm paying for something I don't often use.

I'll travel regularly in my van someday, but my experience illustrates the importance of knowing how your van will facilitate the life you wish to lead. Where will you go, how often will you go, and what will you do? Looking back, I would have gone for something a little smaller and lower maintenance.

Freedom can become debilitating if you don't know how you'll use it.

Where will you park?

Campgrounds, RV parks, Walmart parking lots and city streets have all become temporary homes for people who live on the road. But you must consider parking laws, safety and cost - every single night.

RV parks and many campgrounds offer hookups for electricity and water. If your home is designed to accommodate those amenities, they're nice to have. It helps to research campground details before you hit the road. 

If you're freeing yourself from rent or a mortgage, you might not want to dump that money back into parking each night. National forests offer free camping, as long as you're 100-200 feet away from any road, trail or water source. Ask local ranger stations about access to dispersed camping and local regulations. 

While mobile life is often celebrated with a backdrop of ocean beaches or beloved national parks, cities are something to consider, too. They just require a little extra consideration.

Vans have a leg up on bigger, flashier RVs when it comes to cities, especially if your van doesn't look like someone lives in it. Urban van-dwellers go to great lengths to keep their living quarters quiet to prevent curious visitors and theft.

The most important piece of advice when considering where to park: do your research. Reserve a spot when heading to popular parks, call ranger stations for information about parking in the area, join local forums, and always collect information ahead of time so you you're not searching for a place to sleep when it's dark and there’s no cell service.

How much does it cost?

Simplifying your life by paring down your belongings can be a great way to save money. But, don't be fooled into thinking that mobile living is always cheap.

First, there's the cost of your vehicle, which can vary considerably. If you go for a van, the Ford E series is a popular option. Donovan Jenkins, a nursing student and outdoors enthusiast bought his Ford cargo van for just $2,700 and spent about $2,500 more converting the bare interior into a cozy home. His carpentry skills allowed him to save big bucks on labor.

Conversions - van, Airstream, school bus, etc. - can be expensive, even if you’re doing the work yourself. For example, this stylish Sprinter van conversion cost $64,120. You'll see a huge range on RV prices as well, from several thousand to millions of dollars.

Once you find a home that’s right for your budget, you'll need to consider living costs, too.

Camping fees are about $20 per night, which can be alleviated by free parking. But, you won't get water and electrical hook-ups unless you pay for them.

Vehicle insurance will add a few hundred to several thousand dollars in yearly costs. Comprehensive auto insurance, while more expensive than bare-boned liability plans, will protect your home and belongings from vandalism and theft.

I learned the hard way that an RV insurance plan is required of any vehicle that's been converted into a living space. Even though my van isn't technically an RV, AAA initially refused to tow me when I broke down in Seattle because I didn't have RV insurance. I've since upgraded, which has been worth it for the peace of mind. AAA's premier RV insurance includes unlimited 100-mile tows, and once per year, you can have your vehicle towed up to 200 miles.

Depending on the age and condition of your vehicle, you'll also need to factor in regular repairs. And, don't forget gas money! You'll spend a lot more on gas for your mobile home than you will on filling up your regular car. And the more toys you carry with your mobile home, the more your gas bills will climb.

Where will you go to the bathroom?

Unless you're able to find a mobile home with a built-in shower and toilet, personal hygiene can be a challenge on the road. But there are plenty of creative ways to make it work.

A membership to a gym chain with locations across the country, like Planet Fitness or L.A. Fitness, will allow you to access showers and bathrooms - not to mention a workout, which can be vital when your living space only allows you to walk a few feet in either direction.

Campgrounds and truck stops also provide facilities to the traveler looking to freshen up.

If you don't have a toilet, you'll likely find yourself using truck-stop and Starbucks bathrooms. But a late-night bathroom break could mean toilets aren't available, and you'll have to make due with whatever is around.

Can you work on the road?

Remote work opportunities have freed many people from the constraints of a typical office job. But working from a mobile home is much different than a home office.

First, consider how often you'll need to work, and where you'll be able to do so. It might be helpful to stay close to developed areas where there are plenty of establishments offering free Wi-Fi.

If you can work comfortably inside of your mobile home, you can use your mobile device as a Wi-Fi hotspot, or purchase a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot for $100-150. Whichever option you go with, you’ll need to sign up for a service plan with data. Check on the coverage area of service providers before you pick one - they're no use when you're in a dead zone!

Working from the road also means you'll need electricity, which is nice to have for other uses, too, like charging your cell phone or running a fan to stay cool when your engine is off.

Solar panels are a convenient, rechargeable and environmentally-friendly energy source. And, this portable power station will let you plug in all sorts of devices.

I can see my van parked on the street, from the window of my house right now. I'm still not entirely sure what a mobile life will look like, but figuring it out is half the fun.

Related:

Wild Ride: Turning School Buses Into Homes on Wheels

RV Living in the City: Dodging the Rent Crisis

What It Really Costs to Live ‘Tiny’

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