Staying warm in my van when it's only 2 degrees

I've run out of money - not enough income - and so I voluntarily said I'd move out of my apartment. I love my apartment, the location, my neighbors, and my landlord, but without money I can't stay. It's the right thing to do and I'm not going to do anything to hurt my nice landlord. I'm paid up until Feb. 14 so I am racing against the clock to get as much stuff sold and given away as possible, store what I must keep for a brighter future (I'm hopeful), and get my cargo van insulated and packed with what I need. Having lived in my van for 4 months this summer I know what I do need that I didn't have last time, and what I don't need that I brought and didn't use.

After emptying and cleaning this place, my cat and I will be in our cold, cold van. I don't want to rely on candles or propane which are dangerous not only because accidents can happen, but also because of the potential for carbon monoxide. Electricity would be ideal and I'm willing to pay for it: up to $.16 an hour (check your elect./hydro bill for your rate) so I can use my little box heater, my little hot water heater, and have power to recharge my laptop, cell phone and radio. PS I'm economical. My monthly electric bill for fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer, lights and office equipment is under $33.50.

I asked my single neighbor if I could park in his unused parking spot and pay his entire electric bill each month - his usage and mine- and he said he'd "think about it." I'm pretty sure that's a no. Another woman in my community said if I parked my van at her house her neighbors would call the cops. Easy remedy: I'll introduce myself to the neighbors when I arrive. I can also put some lettering on my van sides that tells who I am: "The Kindness Experiment (book project), my phone number and my blog address. That might help. But really I think it may be a case of NIMBY... "not in my back yard."

The way we started communicating: she needs book cases for her school. I have 4 books cases I'm willing to sell cheaply so I have some cash and don't have to lift/move/store them. She wants the book cases for free and is willing to reject them rather than offer me a place to park and have access to electricity to keep warm. I'm fascinated and astonished because my door is always open to people in need.
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I wish people could understand: I'm not an alcoholic or druggie, nor mentally ill; I'm just broke and trying to find a way to drastically reduce my expenses while working to earn money to pay my debts and be financially responsible for myself without expecting anyone else to be financially responsible for me. I see myself as resourceful, honorable and courageous. Is it possible that so many people don't want an honorable, resourceful and courageous woman anywhere near them?
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Back to keeping warm. I will also insulate my van before I fill it with the items I'll live with: that's something I couldn't do in the summer because I had no place to park where I could take everything out of the van while I did the work and let the adhesive cure for a day or two. This time I will use adhesive Velcro on the Relectix insulation (inside roof and sides) and I'll put linoleum on the floor under the carpet that Casper likes to use for scratching. This may help to keep any heat in longer, which means I could reduce my electricity consumption. 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off.

Next post will be about my Handy Ande essay contest.

Andrea

PS Valentine's Day is coming up fast. Be prepared. Buy my ($3.95) mini-ebook, Cheap Thrills: 65 Low-Cost, No-Cost Romantic Activities. Whether you're a couple or single like me you'll have plenty of ideas to make the day fabulous and you'll help me put a few gallons of gas in the van!

How kind are you? Take my Kindness Quiz

12 Questions to determine how kind you are to neighbors, friends, co-workers, suppliers, mentors, etc. who are experiencing financial crisis.

I've posted this on my website as a survey. You are not required to give your name or email address unless you choose to. Your responses - collectively - are important to me for an article I am writing. It may also become a chapter and if you are willing to be quoted I may include your comments.

http://www.crisisbrainstorm.com/kindnessquiz.php

Andrea

(Yes, I changed my mind about Dec. 2's post being my last one. It's my prerogative as a woman to change my mind.)

My last post to this blog

I'm feeling far more happy and content with life and am rebuilding the consulting practice I had to abandon ten years ago after the home invasion, stalker and necessary invisibility, and the oppressive and frightening environment in the condo I bought. I'm picking up the pieces of where I was before my ten years of intimidation and bullying. I'm fighting back with strength and optimism.

So this will be my last post to this blog. Feel free to subscribe to my personal blog, Starting Over at 59, and to my business blog, Your Wisdom is Worth a Million!

New blog for consultants: Your Wisdom is Worth a Million!

Today I have resurrected my blog, Your Wisdom is Worth a Million!. If the idea of transforming a body of knowledge you possess, because of a personal passion or unique experience, into a lucrative enterprise, you may find this new blog interesting and personally motivating.

Follow my daily blog posts, ask questions, and build your own one-person practice/advice empire. I may incorporate some of my answers to your questions in the special report I'm writing which is due to be completed January 14. (Reserve your copy now and save $100.)

The Kindness Experiment, The Speech

I plan to turn my experiences over the past 10 years and this blog into a speech to be presented to audiences of teachers, realtors, lawyers, journalists, physicians, etc., some of whom have been known to be aggressive toward people who have been bullied and oppressed. I have some stories about professionals I've encountered that will curl your hair.

My presentation, The Kindness Experiment, will leave you wide-eyed, open-mouthed, and motivated to make changes for the good in your own profession, company or association. I'd like to start with schools first. Just because I was a teacher and kids are such wonderful audiences.

So I am accepting bookings to speak for January 2, 2009 and after. And yes, I offer finders fees for recommendations that lead to paid bookings.

The Kindness Experiment: When given a choice do you choose kindness or contempt?

I'm deleting the 7 responses today

I am so weary of having to explain what happened to me in St. Catharines and to prove that the mistreatment I received at the hands of the condo board and the hired property manager was not justified. I will do that - in my book, but not here. The point of this blog was to ask people to show kindness toward me... and only a few souls along the way have been unwaveringly kind. The rest, I'm sorry to say, have treated me as though I were a criminal - that's called blaming the "victim". (I hate the word victim; I prefer "target of aggression".)

I told everyone I was writing a book about how people treat me and it seems that many people actually WANT to appear in the book as bullies and people without hearts. They knew up front about this blog and about the book I am writing - about them - but they still acted as though they were filled with contempt and hatred of me.

Isn't that just beyond comprehension! Why would anyone want to take the low road and choose to be seen as a villain when they were offered a chance to be portrayed as a hero in my book? Beats me.

So I'm deleting the comments that pushed me to have to state more facts. And I have published comments that suggest to me that I should have abandoned my integrity and good character, and that I should not strive beyond mediocrity. That's not what I teach... and maybe this society is too accepting of mediocrity.

I would not have published any comments in the first place but I was getting so much pressure to publish all the comments - I've published only the tamest of them - that I gave in. Wish I hadn't. But I am deleting them today. If you want to know the whole story of what happened to me, I'll ask you to place an advance order for my book - third in a line of three.

I would consider that to be a great kindness.

Andrea

I've started another blog

Not about kindness, but this time about my personal progress in starting over and upgrading my life, work, social life, physical condition, and finances as a mature woman. You can read my 10 goals, and there's even a way you can earn some cash by helping me increase my income. You can earn a minimum of $250, and up to $2500 from referrals - not leads - that result in new clients and speaking contracts for me. You can also earn smaller amounts for referrals that result in book sales. See the sidebar on the new blog.

Visit: http://StartingOverat59.blogspot.com