Posted on by AskCathy

My Gypsy Nomadic Lifestyle -#LivingFree

   
My Gypsy Nomadic Lifestyle:
#LivingFree
#BirthdayWishes
#SimpleLifeRVing 
 
Sep.  6, 2019
 
by Cathy Harris, Syndicated Columnist
  
 
Happy Birthday To Me
 

I have always had a ‘wandering spirit’ ever since I was in the military. So for my 63rd birthday on October 6, it was my plan to move into an RV and sign up for an RV class to learn more about RVs. However, since the classes are filled until next year, I won’t be purchasing an RV at this time. 

I can write a book in a week, make a man’s tuxedo for a sewing project in a few hours, take great photos and videos, crochet beautiful items, shoot a weapon perfectly, but when it comes to fixing stuff or being mechanically inclined, I barely know the difference between a phillips and flathead screwdriver. 
 
And as a #GirlyGirl, I am not really trying to learn these skills at this point in my life. So at 63, unless I have #TravelBuddy accompany me to take care of RV repairs, I decided to wait on purchasing an RV for now.
 
Oh there were plenty of offers or volunteers to ride along with me (believe me), but I wanted to get back on the road as a ‘solo female’ to renew my mind, spirit, and soul and connect with other women on the road, since my #TargetAudience for my empowerment and publishing business, AngelsPress.com, is #Women. 
 
Cars vs. RVs
 
After starting my RV research appropriately 7 months ago, it took me months to figure out that many in the RV industry also call a generator – an “inverter.” They both work hand-in-hand. The main difference between ‘inverter generators’ and a ‘conventional generator’ is the noise levels.
 

Amps, batteries it’s all confusing to me. I even have a #SisterBook (two parts) on cars “A Woman’s Guide to Buying a New or Used Vehicle: Everyday Secrets You Should Know”(Part I and Part II). 

I really wrote these books because of how I personally have been cheated in the past by mechanics so I thought the books would help others — especially women — maneuver in this ‘uncharted territory’.
 
Part I of this book provides everything you need to know about buying a “new” or “used” vehicle. 
 
Part II of this book deals specifically with maintaining and caring for your vehicle once you buy it — so it will have a ‘good retail value’ when and if you decide to sell it or trade it in.
 
According to car experts, African American women pay on average at least $6,000 more for a new car than others — African American men pay $4,000 more — White women pay $2,000 more — while White men pay $2,000 LESS. This book will level the #PlayingField for anyone looking to buy a new or used vehicle – especially all women. 
 
 
So I have dabbled in trying to figure out the car industry, but the RV industry — it’s a totally different ball game. They make these cheap RVs and don’t even check them before they come off the line. They just shipped them to a state and then they go on the lot for sale. 
 
Cars get recalled too, but RVs are not regulated like cars so they can end up being a #MoneyPit. Unlike the car industry where cars are made in Germany and Japan, there is NO COMPETITION in the RV industry so they are free to do what they want. So again, I don’t want to rush into any decision to buy an RV or at least not until I feel comfortable that I can fix certain things.
 
I might also wait on this purchase to see how Camping World’s bankruptcy will play out over the next few months so read my article again “The Truth About the RV Industry – What You Need To Know About Camping World.”
 
Why I Will Also Be #CarCamping
 
The good thing about being a ‘Nomadic Gypsy Wanderer’ is being adjustable to make changes. I wanted to go ahead and educate you on another important topic before moving into an RV — living in a car or van. I wanted to make sure you were well-informed on living life as a Normad, Gypsy, and Wanderer in either of these.
 
As an #InformationJunkie, my mind is always working and coming up with GREAT IDEAS to put out in the universe. So what will I be doing after my one-year lease is up at my Senior apartments in Orlando, FL in October 2019, I will be moving into my car – #CarLiving and/or #CarCamping along with staying with family, friends (couchsurfing.com), and at hotels — as I travel west (#GoingWest) to Bob Well’s or CheapRVLiving.com
–  Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR) in Jan. 2020.
 
 
 
I am so looking forward to my #NewAdventures on the road. Living in a Car, Van or RV can be a wonderful life. I want the experience of doing all three – #CarDwelling, #VanDwelling, and #RVing (SimpleLifeRVing.com). 
 
And remember this will be my first time driving to the west coast — so I am so excited. By the time the RTR gets finished in January 2020, I will decide if it will be #TeamVan or #TeamRV.
 
A lot of you have seen me do some challenging things since being on my mailing list in 1998 and at 63, this might just be one of the most ‘out-of-the-box’ decisions I ever made — to #CarCamp.
 
But remember #LeadersLead by example. Leaders venture into ‘uncharted’ territories and help others transcend boundaries and create options. And that is what living in a Car, Van or RV is all about – #Options and building a #Kind and #Brave movement.
 
Just know when I do #CampCamp, I will be doing it with a ‘sound mind and body’. It can be hard on building relationships especially if you live in a Car or Van, but remember these are #YourAdventures, you are not on this earth to please anyone else.
 
Many individuals are loving this lifestyle, saving money, eating organic foods and seeing some wonderful sites and making great friends along the way. What a life!!!
 
And I do have two daughters up north in dwellings that I can visit — especially when I feel like I need to relax in a bathtub. However, I will be getting a hotel probably weekly — just to recoup from my travels. 
 
I have an 800 credit score so I can go out tomorrow and move into another apartment complex, condo, duplex, townhouse or even buy a house. But none of those are what my desires are — at least not at this time in my life. So again, understand up-front, I will be #CarCamping of ‘sound mind and body.’ 
 
This should be no issue for me because of the following: 
  • I was born in the deep woods of rural Georgia as a #Survivalist. As a ‘black-sheep‘ child with 8 siblings, I grew up as a ‘loner’ for the first 17 years of my life and nature was indeed my friend. We did not have running water in the house until much later on and we never had an indoor bathroom. I had to learn to defend myself early on in life not just from society, but from my own family.
  • I am ex-military, which means I am used to traveling.
  • I carried a weapon for over 25 years on my job and was an ‘expert shot’.
  • I drove a government vehicle for over 20 years on my job so I enjoy driving.  
  • I traveled around the country by car to 15 states for one year in 2013 and stayed at hotels, with family and friends, so I am used to traveling.   
  • I go to the gym 4 or 5 days a week so I can still squat, bend and lift stuff. 
  • I am 5’8′ inches in height and usually sleep balled up on my right side so I can deal with cramped spaces.
  • I just lived in a Studio/Efficiency apartment for one year so I should be okay living in a small space. 
  • As a Holistic and Natural Healer, and Non-GMO Health Expert, I haven’t turned a stove on in 12 years so preparing meals in a small space should be easy for me.
What I want to do before I buy my first RV is to show my audience — YOU GUYS — how you can successfully live in a car or van and be TOTALLY HAPPY with your life’ choices. 
 
My Nomadic Lifestyle – #BeFree
 
Camp camping for me could be a way for me to conduct research for a new book on #CarDwelling or it just could be a way to show others how to survive.
 
I always wanted to be one of those persons that were a ‘ray of sunlight’ or a ‘beacon of hope’ for the downtrodden – #Humanitarian. After all — without hope, what do people really have?
 
For those who can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, I want you to know that your life will indeed turn around for you again. You just have to get out of bed everyday and put one foot in front of the other and first and foremost – #EmbraceChange and #ChaseHappiness. Just remember, however, that change starts with you.
 

Remember, even though I will be #CarLiving and/or #CarCamping as I #GoWest, I will be spending a majority of my days OUT OF THE CAR. My goal is simply to connect to #GoodPeople and nature again. My mind, body, and soul have been missing both for far too long. 

What I really would like to do is help Bob Wells from CheapRVLiving.com – who is around my age, create a #KindMovement. Not just a #KindMovement, but also a #BraveMovement.
 
Like Bob what I believe is — if we don’t get back to a more ‘primitive style of living’ or living a natural or #HolisticLifestyle, we all are going to perish off this planet. And that has been my message from day one — throughout all my platforms – AngelsPress.com, CathyHarrisInternational.com, SimpleLifeRVing.com.
 
I will be holding Strategy Meetings, Think Tanks and Masterminds for women as I travel from Orlando to California for the next 90 days. Reach out if you want me to stop in your city and work with your group.
 
I will also be seeing some beautiful sites while meeting some great new people and seeing my family and old friends along the way. 
 
 
 
Join me as I #HeadWest and start ‘Teaching From the Road’ in my NEW PLATFORM at SimpleLifeRVing.com.
 
I am what they call a true #Nomad, #Gypsy, #Wanderer, with a ‘freeing’ and ‘caring’ spirit. It’s actually in my blood. I will be showing you ‘first-hand’ how to live ‘The Good Life.’
 
You can follow me at the below links and make sure you share these with all your family members, friends and others that you truly care about. I appreciate all your support. Love you, love you, love you.
 
Facebook Page: 
Instagram:
Cathy’s Patreon Subscriber Page: 
YouTube Page:
 
 
Cathy Harris is a #VanDweller living ‘The Good Life.’ Her blog website is SimpleLifeRVing.com. She is also an Empowerment and Motivational Speaker, Advice Columnist at DearCathy.com, Non-GMO Health and Wellness Expert, Business and Love Coach and Self-Publishing Expert and the author of 26 non-fiction books at www.AngelsPress.com. Her books cover topics such as family and community empowerment, health, youth and adult entrepreneurship, writing/publishing, workplace discrimination, whistleblowing, government, law enforcement, domestic and international traveling, politics, media, beauty, car buying and selling for women, aging/retirement – just to name a few. She offers seminars, workshops, and consultations at www.CathyHarrisInternational.com.