CONTENTS

HELLO!

PREPARE TO GET ON THE ROAD

Lifestyle

Vehicle Build

Power and Connectivity

Health and Safety

Mail, Work, and Other Life Admin

Budget

IMPROVE LIFE ON THE ROAD

Community and Connection

Activities and Entertainment

Navigation and Parking

Health and Safety

Saving Money

THE MAKE-IT-EASY PRODUCT LIST

HELLO!

I know all the how-to videos and articles out there can be a bit much, so I wanted to create a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get started with a better life on the road.

THIS HAPPY CAMPER CHECKLIST covers the basics of planning and some easy ways to make living in a vehicle even better. I made this for you so you can hit the road and stay there – happier and safer. It's my way of saying thanks for being a part of the Blue Wonder Lady channel!

AND, PLEASE, FEEL FREE to let me know how this checklist is working for you, and if you have any ideas for improving it. You can email me at BlueWonderLady@gmail.com. Now, let’s dive in!

PREPARE TO GET ON THE ROAD

What do you want your life on the road to look like? Answering these questions will help you get a clearer picture of what you want. This can save you time and money. Plus, you'll have more of what you need ready to go when you hit the road. The questions go from big-picture stuff to the smaller details. There are tons of other things to think about, but this should get you started.You can do it!

TO MAKE LIFE EASIER, when it is time to select products that work for life on the road, you can go to the Make-it-Easy Product List. You can also go directly to the Amazon Store (https://www.amazon.com/shop/bluewonderlady).

CHOOSE THE OPTIONS (or create your own) that best answer each question. You could jot down your answers so that you can see your entire plan at a glance (This will help when it is time to add up your budget as well).

Lifestyle

1. How soon do I want/need to get on the road?

1. Urgent/not urgent

2. Weeks, months, year or more

1. How much of the day will I spend in the vehicle?

1. Just a few minutes after waking

2. Just a few minutes before sleeping

3. About an hour

4. More than an hour

5. All day

6. More/less time on certain days of the week

7. More time when temperatures are comfortable

1. What situations will I be in?

1. Weather

2. Traveling by myself or with a companion

3. Part-time, full-time

4. Will/will not have a homebase

1. Where will I park to sleep?

1. Boondocking

2. Stealth in neighborhoods

3. Parking lots

4. Moochdocking (driveways)

5. RV parks

6. Campgrounds

7. BLM land

Vehicle Build

1. How much stuff can/should I keep in my little home on wheels?

1. Minimalism

2. As much open space as possible

3. Storage areas packed tight

4. Lots of personal items in sight

5. Maximum weight of things after the weight of the build (requires knowing the vehicles max cargo weight)

6. Essential items

1. Vehicle maintenance items

1. Tire inflator

2. Jumper cables or other way to start dead battery

3. Oil

4. Washer fluid

2. Emergency items

1. First aid kit

2. Cell phone extra battery

3. Yellow vest

4. Tire changing supplies

5. Water

6. Food

3. Mattress and linens

4. Toilet and supplies

5. Outdoor chair (s)

6. Outdoor covering, such as awning or screen tent

7. Toiletries

8. Water Back Up Supply (approx 2 gallons per person)

9. Tent for qualifying for certain camping spots (can set it up but stay in vehicle)

10. Portable toilet that qualifies for certain campgrounds (don’t have to use it, can stow it in storage)

1. What vehicle will I live in?

1. Already have vehicle

2. Purchase new

3. Purchase used

4. Lease

1. Built Out

2. Not Built Out

5. Basic Requirements

1. Need to stand / Ok to not stand

2. Physical abilities

1. Bed pull out or always set up

2. Toilet height

3. Height of step into and out of vehicle

3. Storage space

4. Space for cooking

5. Already built out

6. Easy to park in small parking lots

7. Easy to drive on curvy mountain roads

8. Easy to parallel park

1. What is essential about the Vehicle?

1. Vehicle condition

2. Vehicle service

1. History

2. Maintenance requirements

3. Ease of getting serviced

4. Cost of servicing

1. Who will do the build?

1. I will do all of it

1. Constructing

2. No-build build

3. A bit of both

2. I will do some of it

3. I will do none of it

4. I will design it

5. Professional upfitters

6. Carpenters

7. Electricians

1. What zones need to be in the build out?

1. Sleeping well - what is needed?

2. Toilet - what is needed, given how much of the day I will be in it and other factors.

3. Shower - am I open to using truck stops, recreation centers, gyms, bags, friends’ showers,  or other options? Could I do sponge baths to stretch the time between showers?

4. Storage - how much?

5. Kitchen - cooking with heat? Or just preparing food?

6. Pantry

7. Power station (if using power)

1. How will I eat?

1. Table

2. Kitchen

1. Built in stove, oven, and/or sink

2. Non-cooked meals

3. Cooktop that stows away

4. Food preparation area

3. Fridge

4. Canned, etc food

5. Food banks

6. Restaurants

7. Park tables and grills

8. Family and friends’ houses

1. How will I prevent mold?

1. Materials

2. Manage condensation from breathing

3. Moisture absorbers

1. Will I need extra storage beyond the vehicle?

1. Home/room

2. Friend/family

3. Storage unit - Where? How big? How long?

1. What temperature range do I prefer?

1. Day time temperature

2. Sleeping temperature

1. How will I manage temperature?

1. Insulation (buys time, does not permanently stop temp changes; choose from toxic, non-toxic, mold resistant options, such as wool, rigid foam, other)

2. Shade (Parking location, awning)

3. Ventilation (Open windows, exhaust/intake fan)

4. Heater - How would I run it? (Propane, Gasoline, Battery)

5. DC heating blanket or  heating pad

6. Fans (Roof vent, chargeable fans)

7. A/C - how would I run it? (Battery banks or direct from solar or Land Power)

8. Mattress material (Foam can become rigid and cold in cold temps, latex does not; cotton mat; air mattress; other)

9. Blanket and sheet material

10. Pajama materials

11. Head cover for cold temps

Power and Connectivity

1. Do I want to use a power station?

1. Inventory of electrical items

2. Wattage needed to charge items, such as phone

3. Wattage needed to run items, such as appliances and lights

4. Watt hours needed to run/charge items for length of time needed

5. Battery setup

1. Pre-made

2. DIY

6. Charging the battery

1. Plug into house or campground outlet

2. Plug into electric vehicle charging station

3. Solar panel

4. Alternator

7. CPAP appropriate batteries

1. How often will I need to have phone service?

1. Carriers vary in how well they cover locations

2. Dual sim

3. Booster

1. How often will I need the internet?

1. Hotspot on the phone (Booster with it?)

2. Hotspot device (Booster with it?)

3. Satellite

4. Starlink

Health and Safety

1. How would I defend myself?

1. Laws

1. Castle Defense states

2. Concealed weapon

2. Sprays

3. Knives

4. Guns

1. What health needs must I take care of?

1. Insurance

1. What will my existing policy cover/where?

2. Do I need a street address to receive health insurance?

3. New policy?

2. Prescription refill policies: Can all my prescriptions be refilled out of town, out of state, out of country?

3. Will I be moving around enough to warrant using a telemedicine doctor?

Mail, Work, and Other Life Admin

1. How will I get my mail?

1. Mail forwarding services

2. A friend

3. Family

4. PO Box

5. UPS Store

6. Amazon box locations

1. How will I generate income?

1. How to receive paychecks

2. How to receive social security benefit payments

3. Apply for Online jobs

4. Know what and where the seasonal jobs are

1. How can I insure my vehicle and its contents without a fixed address?

1. RV insurance

2. Travelers Insurance

3. Mail forwarding services

1. How do I register my vehicle without a fixed address?

1. Keep same if away part time

2. Check out Dakota if full time

1. What Social Services can I access without a fixed address?

1. What social services require I have a street address? This is best answered by contacting each social service you already or plan to use.

2. How long before I lose access to social services when I do not have a physical address? This is best answered by contacting each social service you already or plan to use.

1. How will I do banking?

1. Set up online banking with remote deposit feature

2. Setup electronic billing

1. How will I complete my taxes without a fixed address?

1. Mail forwarding services

2. Online tax services, such as Turbo Tax

3. Electronic deposit for tax refunds

Budget

If you have been jotting down your answers to the questions so far, you are well on your way to adding up the costs. Just write the estimated cost next to each item on your plan.

1. What will be my budget?

1. Insurances

2. Maintenance

3. Repairs

4. Tires

5. Purchases

6. Food

7. Entertainment

8. Storage

9. Camping fees

10. Lot rental

11. Phone

12. Internet

13. Clothing

14. Subscriptions

15. Memberships

IMPROVE LIFE ON THE ROAD

Now that you're out and about, are there things you wish were better? I'm all about helping everyone live their best life possible. So, I've come up with some ideas to tackle those common problems you might face on the road. This should get you started on making your life on the road even happier!

TO MAKE LIFE EASIER, when it is time to select products that work for life on the road, you can go to the Make-it-Easy Product List. You can also go directly to the Amazon Store (https://www.amazon.com/shop/bluewonderlady).

CHOOSE THE OPTIONS (or create your own) that best answer each question. You could jot down your answers so that you can see your entire plan at a glance (This will help when it is time to add up your budget as well).

Community and Connection

1. What groups can I connect with?

1. Online

1. Nomads Down the Road

2. Homes on Wheels Alliance

2. In-person

1. Meetups for any interest

2. Expos

3. Hobby conventions

4. Local environmental clean up groups

5. Camping groups

1. Sisters on the Fly

2. Others

1. How can I have guests who do not have a rig of their own?

1. Use a tent as a spare room

2. Rent a cabin in a campground

3. Rent an airbnb

4. Housesit (via a house-sitting app)

1. Where can I live in community for a while while living in my vehicle?

1. Some tiny home communities

2. RV park

3. Campground

Activities and Entertainment

1. What activities can I do?

1. State and national parks

2. Movie theatres

3. Cafes

4. Art classes

5. Concerts

6. Spiritual gatherings

7. Festivals

8. Observatory new moon nights

9. Parades

10. Conferences

11. Courses at adult learning centers

12. Special events at adult learning centers

13. Plays

14. Watch local sports

15. Join local hobby group

16. Library reading areas

17. Library puzzles

18. Library computers

19. Library private rooms - reserve for work

20. Library events, such as reading, movies, bingo

21. Recreation center. For swimming, sports, games,exercise

22. Gym membership

23. Sing, play instruments around campfire

24. Campfire potlucks

25. Volunteer at local organizations, such as animal shelter, homeless shelter, 2nd hand store, spiritual centers

26. Check local paper for events

27. Bicycle in neighborhoods

28. Go for walks on active main streets, gallery areas, scenic areas, etc

29. Swim in local lakes (check with health dept to be sure is algae free)

30. Rent a bike

31. Rent a kayak, canoe, Paddleboard or other boat

32. Shooting range

33. Golf

34. Pickleball (call recreation centers)

Navigation and Parking

1. How can I navigate to find the best roads for me and my rig?

1. Standard apps

2. RV apps

3. Truck apps

4. Print Maps

1. Where can I park during the day?

1. Library

2. Recreation center

3. Shopping mall

4. Strip mall

5. A friend’s house

6. A spiritual center

1. Where will I park to sleep?

1. Boondocking

2. Stealth in neighborhoods

3. Parking lots

4. Moochdocking (driveways)

5. RV parks

6. Campgrounds

7. BLM land

Health and Safety

1. How can I improve my health while on the road?

1. Shop organic foods whenever possible

2. Local farmer’s markets

3. Use meetup.com to exercise with locals

4. Go for walks, bike, boat with camping neighbors

5. Plan how to get medical attention if were ill or injured

1. How can I defend myself?

1. Self-protection methods (see preparing for life on the road)

2. During the day

3. While sleeping

4. Self defense classes

1. How can I take breaks from the vehicle life or weather?

1. Friends

2. Family

3. Rent a room in a shared house

4. Housesite (join an app that matches housesitters with houses)

5. Go out of country

1. Affordable countries

2. Travelers insurance

3. Expat areas

Saving Money

1. How can I save more money?

1. Insurances

2. Maintenance

3. Repairs

4. Tires

5. Purchases

6. Food

7. Entertainment

8. Storage

9. Camping fees

10. Lot rental

11. Phone

12. Internet

13. Clothing

14. Subscriptions

15. Memberships

16. Other

THE MAKE-IT-EASY PRODUCT LIST

The Make-it-Easy Product List is updated frequently. This is a list with links directly to the products that I have used or know that others have used. These are the products that make a big difference when living in a vehicle. I hope it is helpful to you! You can also go directly to the Amazon Store (https://www.amazon.com/shop/bluewonderlady)

THE BLUE WONDER LADY Youtube Channel has lots of videos about the products, and preparing for life on the road. Blue Wonder Lady - YouTube

THIS CHECKLIST SHOULD help you move closer to your best life on the road. If you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you.

Remember, you CAN do it.

Enjoy your journey!

© 2023 IISHANA ARTRA, Blue Wonder Lady. All Rights Reserved