Resupplying on a budget

Todays blog is about getting supplies spending next to no money. I had someone reach out to me with questions because we live in the same area. I figured if he has these questions others might too. I am going to make this blog about getting supplies on a budget. Cooking ideas and like where to get grey water etc.

Where can I charge devices? 

Where to charge devices is a good and common question. The only devices I travel with are my phone and my laptop. I am going to break this down into a couple part answer. I have seen people go to the library and charge phones and laptops. You can also charge those devices at like Starbucks and a lot of other fast-food places. 

Right but where can I charge power banks?

Right now I work at Burger King, I have seen people come in the restaurant buy food and have them in a backpack. Then they just put them under there table with a cord running out of the backpack to the outlet. Its basically like stealth camping. I would also say get a study room at the library. It has a little more privacy to charge devices while you are using your laptop or phone.

I also have some more ideas you may of never of thought about. Go on google and look at parks in your area. If you can reserve pavilions or parts of the park, they almost always have outlets. A low key come up is parking lots with light poles. Some of them have outlets. In my experience I have been to community centers that let people charge devices and power banks. Another option if you have a big power bank that is obviously for camping use it to your advantage; call around to like auto parts stores or places that sell rv parts. Tell them you are just passing through and you would like to know if they can charge it in case you need it for an emergency. 

How can I get food free to cheap? 

    I have done an experiment in a couple of different cities in 3 states. I went to a food pantry. I explained I lived in my car, so I had no way to cook. They gave me quite a bit of like veggies, instant oats, and some good stuff. I also noticed there were people willing to trade me for like the meat and stuff that has to be cooked. And as far as what I keep in my car to eat, I keep like old fashioned oats, rice, protein bars and things that do not have to be cold. I bought 2 airtight 5-gallon buckets to store food in to cut down on bugs and possibilities of mice/rats. 

But where can I cook and prep food?

In the past I have used mason jars to cook things in. Some examples are overnight oats then added yogurt and fresh fruit then let it sit overnight. You can get by with as minimal as a plate, bowl and a couple of cups with lids and silverware.  Keep in mind I do not have a camping stove. For those who do I have someone who asked me where he can cook food. If you have a propane stove keep in mind cooking in a car may trap toxic fumes.  We live in a world where everyone is a streamer YouTuber or blogger. You can always ask like bass pro, Walmart or grocery stores if you can stream from there parking lot off in an area not real heavy with others. Tell them you are a product tester and you're making a video of food prep and testing your cooking product. Same can be said for parks, church parking when they are closed. Typically, if confronted I would just say you needed a place for a demo and the apartments you live in does not allow you to cook outdoors.

Where can I get greywater?

Greywater is a bit tricky to get free or easy. In my experience if you find a state park like the one, I was at this week if you go super late at night or before 6 am and they have no gates you can get into the park free. Then you just where rv hook ups are. Alternately you can also just drive right up to the bathrooms and use the sinks. I have also seen people come to where I work bring in backpacks with the bladders in them. They go to the bathroom and fill them in the sink single person bathrooms are good for that. I have noticed that here, because it is the desert most places as long as you buy something they will let you fill jugs. 

I also have seen people who go to neighborhood parks and dog parks. Sometimes that is a bit further to walk. I have even just knocked on the door of a random person and ask them if they would fill a couple jugs of water for me because my water is off at the moment in my unit and I need to wash dishes. Works better if you do this at apartments. I asked my friend who is refers to herself as a professional hobo. The answer I got made sense. You can go to a fire house and a lot of times they will give you water fill ups. 

What about ice though Fe? 

Ice is tricky but its not. I would use dollar tree ice packs or the lunch bag ice things. When you feel up a cooler with ice add these to the coolers to keep your ice trips more spaced out. The Burger King I work at gets homeless people in our store sometimes. I watch them a lot. I find you want to learn how to survive talk to them. Buy a drink. Take the cup fill it up with ice couple times to fill other container at a table with ice.