I am wondering… What would it be like to live in a tent for 6-12 months? In Oklahoma?
Now, before you think I’m crazy, hear me out…
Living in a 8′x10′x5′ canvas tent is not luxury, but mos def better than this. Here is some sacrifices living in a tent will afford:
- No Television (no cable bill)
- No porcelain toilet (no water bill)
- No A/C (no electric bill)
- No stove/heater (no ONG/Propane bill)
- No rent
In all actuality it wouldn’t be that much different than living in a small apartment, except for the fact that there is no shower and toliet which would mean doing these things at the gym or at work (if there is an emergency situation there is always this).
Here are two things that I would like to have…
- job related – I would need a wireless 3G card for the internets, having a card would allow me access to the webs while limiting my time spent wandering and wasting time online.
- living related – to bear the sweltering Oklahoma summer a solar-powered fan.
Why am I thinking about this… I guess there are some motivating factors that lead me to think about this adventure, to be honest many of you might not think these are valid reasons but for that I’m gonna ask for a little bit of perspectivism. One reason is this… I don’t plan on being single forever, so now is the time to be adventurous and live simply, as I don’t think many women would see a tent as a viable living option. So the moment is now.
Secondly, financially it is an awesome way to dig yourself out of debt and create some margin. I would be cutting out a significant portion of my monthly liabilities and be able to ferociously attack my student loan and credit card debt… not to mention my medical bills from my wrist surgery.
Thirdly, I think it is a stance against the status quo that spurs people towards the “American Dream” of owning a house and accumulating more and more things… Hear me out, I’m not saying it is bad to own a home and have stuff, but pursuing these things on credit or through credit just doesn’t seem responsible. So it would be an avenue to sacrifice in order to aggressively pay down debt… and when it is time to buy a house and a car, do it with cash – “Live like no other, to someday live like no other!” – Dave Ramsey
Fourth, it could be a fun way to promote “green living”. In order to do this effectively, I would have to set up my tent at least a couple miles from work, so that I could walk or bike, rather than driving my truck. Saving on gas money, while also saving the planet and shedding some extra pounds.
So here is what I need to make this a reality:
- A canvas tent
- A solar-powered fan… doohicky
- A land-owner in Edmond that would allow me live on their property (for freeeee!).
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I have been toying around with an idea that you might like. Building a wind turbine. http://bit.ly/2KcBxj and http://bit.ly/17lr3l were what I was going to use as a base line. Just kinda FYI.
I'm from Edmond and have friends and family there. What kind of land would you be looking for? Someone's backyard? Or an acre? Or farmland? and where is your job? How close do you need to be to your office?
I'm for it. and to cut costs for the emergency toilet…dig a 8 foot deep hole pour lime in it, and make sure it faces a direction that has a nice view. three tin walls and a tin roof will make for adequate privacy.
Given your already ridiculously low rent and the expense of purchasing a tent, fan, and other things you'd need for this dream, would you really end up saving money? That being said, regardless it would be a neat experiment/adventure.
well said… ive been in my tent since january and it is truly the best thing i have done with my life… check out Kelty's 6 person tents. mine is 10 x 10 and it tall enough for me to stand. i have a bed, a shelf, a chair, 2 led lanterns, and a clothes rack. make sure it is off the ground and then i would throw an extra tarp on top for extra rain protection. bro you should definatly do it, great time for prayer and meditation!
you also a copy of "Walden" by HDT
I think a property that is big enough that the house is not really close… so their is a separation of my tent living and the people living in the house. basically, i don't want to be a nuisance or a thought in the everday living of the people owning the property.
I work at LifeChurch.tv in Edmond on 2nd and I-35.
dude… i didn't even know. we'll need to talk. and soon.
I would recommend a tent like the one Skot recommended or the one I used. I used a Marmot Halo 6p and you're welcome to borrow it. The reason I recommend this is because insects can be suprisingly detrimental to your endeavors. Wall tents have no protection from bugs and, in the heat, you will not be able to just keep the doors open all the time. You'll want a tent that you can stand up in. I can stand up in my Marmot and stretch my hand straight up in the air before toughing the top. This will save you a ton of back aches. I used an air mattress. My tent was 1/4 a mile from where I parked my truck so I avoided carrying things like matressess out there at all costs. I survived the South GA heat with a Coleman battery powered fan. It takes D cell batteries and I never had to replace them. I rigged the fan up so that it hung direcly over my face all night. Makes all the difference in the world. I also found a small wall tent in my attic when we moved in. You're welcome to borrow that as well. It's much smaller than the ones at kamp which I think you would prefer.
I learned a million more "tactics" that I'd love to share with you if you'd like to hear them. I'm excited for you dude! Have fun and enjoy the simplicity
Check out this post for a little taste of my life in a tent: http://ndhoag.blogspot.com/2007/10/i-live-in-tent…
-Hoag-
Great post, really help me alot. Thanks.
Cheers,
Buat Duit Dengan Blog
Great post, really help me alot. Thanks.
Cheers,
Buat Duit Dengan Blog
genius. and we'll call it an out-house.
yeah… unless the big purchases are donated… it would be more an experiment adventure than a cost-saving strategy.