Bitcoin Forum

I'm coming up to 81, and I'm a Bitcoin maximalist. I've rejected most of the current and other controls that try to restrict my lifestyle. I'm now living in a converted van, and I love the freedom. I'm considering a Raspberry Pi based installation to manage my Bitcoin node, and maybe do a bit of mining. Although I'm living primarily offgrid, I'm still a member of conventional society, and utilise thosed facilities that are useful to me. I'm monitoring the current banking changes, and hoping to increase my use of Bitcoin.
So, is there anyone else here that is questioning the current political and banking changes, and moving to an independent offgrid lifestyle?

Splitting hairs a bit but you are not 'off gird' at least by the conventional US way of thinking about it and describing it.
Here off grid, tends to mean, no internet, no computer, no phone and nothing like BTC, no power except what is 100% critical and not much else. It would be a cash / barter existence. Possibly an pre-paid flip phone for emergencies.

What you seem to be doing seems to be more of a no fixed location thing / nomadic thing. At least from how you seem to be describing it.
Again, different terms from different countries.

Using the nomadic description, I know a couple of people who do that.
Both retired living on pensions and such. Get up whenever they feel like it, drive the camper to wherever they want and then do whatever seems interesting at that point in time.

The seem to enjoy it, but it's not something I could do. My idea of 'roughing it' is a hotel with only basic cable and minimal free breakfast bar.

Neither of them are into crypto, but if they were 20+ years younger (my age) I could see them using BTC. But for now, that would involve trading and buying and using and that would interfere with their whatever / wherever lifestyle.

-Dave

I envy you Jetcash it not easy to live such a lifestyle (offgrid independent) In between I hope where ever you are is safe too.

Acknowledging that you are part of the conventional community even in crypto-currency, but you also must have to acknowledge that mining bitcoin has also grown and become very much sophisticated both in the software and hard ware aspect. Where do one stand using such tools you have with the ever competitive mining system.

I don't know of any questioning the total independence of bitcoin. The government can not manipulate activities around it, from the developers, node / miners everyone aspect independent and no overlapping in rules. You are good with the freedom living offgrid  ;D

Its probably technically not off grid but its very very close.

My understanding of being off grid is pretty much as you describe as well as being
self sufficient in terms of food but its very difficult to not be connected in some way
or another.


Using solar panels and batteries to generate energy is also linking anyone to
conventional society IMO. Off grid could technically mean  travelling back to pre industrial
revolution to shun all technology, then again what is technology? everything we have
used since our existence is technology.

@ Jet Cash - this year I hope to take a big step closer to being partially off grid,
clear my debts and take a step away from politics and banking. I have already
started the process!

True offgrid style? You won't be able to mine Bitcoin, how will you power your asic miner? Since you are living in a van you must be traveling around a lot or moving from one place to another so you won't be able to mine Bitcoin and I am not sure it's safe running in a van, you can mount a solar panel on your van roof, someone I knew in the U.S did this but that's for GPU mining algorithm coins like Ethereum. Asic miners generates more heat than Graphic cards and they also consume a lot more power than graphic cards.

You are better off running Bitcoin nodes with Raspberry Pi like you said, they are better for someone like you, you only need your own mini power station to use electricity in your van, watch TV and run your Nodes.

I've been living the vanlife the past 4.5+ years, and living on the road the past 3.5+ years ever since I retired thanks to Bitcoin. Though I mean I use the internet and have a mail forwarding service and have a phone and have a bank...so while my home is off-grid I wouldn't describe my life as off-grid, as DaveF said. Better description is nomad. Off-grid would be like living in the woods fully self-sustained with no need for the services of society.

I never seen the definition of offgrid but how I see it is finding a way to live by yourself, with the least Third Parties you can have in your life, without having to rely on pretty much anyone.  Jet Cash is very close to how I see it, but this may of course be different from culture to culture or from mind to mind.

I do know of some people living similar to you, Jet.  I am moving closer and closer to that as well and I think much of the conventional life style is a waste.  Of time, money and other very precious resources.  This includes fashion, trends, having new cars, more luxury houses and other stuff like this.  After all, unless you are a fashion model, no body will ever care how you dressed 1 year ago in the mall let alone 5.  No one will ever care you own a Porsche rather than a Renault.  And so on.  Life does not tighten down, does it.  You are coming close to 81 and you know this more than most of us.

Of course.  One may argue my life style is a waste too.  I am spending a lot of time and resources finding new ways to become invisible to 2023s tracking and surveillance technology when I could live a normal life and not care about this at all.  But if I could stop spending time and also not be monitored like a house arrested criminal I would be grateful and would gladly stop caring so much.  Life choices, right.

If I think about it.  If there are any Bitcoiners living off grid like you or even more to the extreme (least technology possible in their lives).  I think very few would spend their time writing posts on Bitcoin Talk unless it is a thing they like to do.

Also.  To me, living off grid is much like a luxury.  Not every one can make this change.  Well done to you for doing that.

I understand where coming from, technology would be nothing without the current exciting elements so natural and some man made.
Nevertheless technology is harnessing those elements and converting it to useful product for our use, those elements can exist but with technology to harness them it would mean nothing.

So anyone who has higher technology to harness things get the largest share and so is it with bitcoin mining.

I really want to be like that, free from politics or banking, but for now it's very difficult for me except that I have settled all debts and can also find Bitcoin transactions that can be done P2P without involving banks at all because I receive fiat from selling Bitcoin in cash.

It seems that everyone has a different understanding of living off the grid but is it possible to really live off the grid?, because I've watched a news story about a Japanese woman who actually lives off grid and the source of electricity is only sunlight but finally changes it because global warming makes her can't live without an air conditioner and go back to using electricity for her daily life, and it seems I'm not someone who can live off grid and salute to see there are people who are able to do it.

First of all good to see how you enjoying your freedom and living life of your own dreams. I don’t know but it seems that you are truly making the use of bitcoin and it’s on chain presence this avoiding everything that can expose your identity mate. For example no documentation at all and no banking visits at all.

I would be straight with you I have not seen anyone who is living such off grid life and neither I have ever thought of this. I think you are 81 and you truly know the power of being free from everything.

For example, I’m way younger than you and I can’t really live a day without my devices, hand held copies of documentation requiring for banking, taxation and what not. I will always have my smartphone with me, cant even work without written SOP in my office. So yeah dam, I can’t go off grid at all.

It would take me guts to live such life. Definitely I salute you for what you have achieved so consistently.

I'm actually a born Nomad who is preparing for that sort of thing with a bunch of people or small community that hopefully will grow big.
My kind of offgrid world will be something that perfectly suit my Nomadic lifestyle... everything has to be mobile and easy to move around when necessary. I'm also considering motorhome for moving around our stations, spreading the Goodnews and saving lives. I hope to design the interior myself and possibly keep things mobile/modular, easy to move around and adjustable to possibly fit in as many people as possible when necessary. Not sure I will allow any rigid/stationary object inside the vehicle. And I want it to be as light as possible.

In my opinion, this kind of lifestyle is how you know true Bitcoiners or Crypto enthusiasts. It's a lifestyle of living a life that's independent of the system and joining an offline/online community that uses Bitcoin/crypto as currency to survive the coming crisis.

I really want it to be like that but it's impossible for me to do so especially at a place like where I live but there is a small mountain where I can live but the problem is the internet and the budget if I want it to happen if I want to run a node. How I see with your situation is much like living offgrid since you are not in one place.

Living in a van and having the freedom to travel everywhere is tempting to do especially if you are single. But with kids like the Didi family, seem to be extreme to get the kids out of the town where they go to school and have friends.

If there is a certain level of being offgrid that I want to also do if ever I'm just single is to live in a boat. Ofc there will still be internet yet I can catch fish wherever I'd be.

To those who lived a single life or have no responsibilities anymore, this will be a dream lifestyle.  :D I agree with others it's not an off-grid kind of life.
Not like the one portrayed by John Malkovich as Marvin of the Red 2 movie who literally lives in the jungle beneath the soil. No phones, maybe hacked internet, and the thought of every move he makes is being monitored by the government. Cash basis for every transaction too.
The powering of the mining rig might be the biggest problem here, if not you will add more budget for the expensive solar panels but you literally need a lot of it. I do always question the political changes especially here in our country, and I don't have a bank account but I don't think I am ready to live that kind of life.

The idea to live off grid and just in nature first occurred to me the many years ago when I read about how  Henry David Thoreau  lived for two-years in a hut in the forest and was self-sufficient. He did so as a form of civil disobedience. Now, my heart is gladden because I see Jet Cash doing going it.  Sadly, I can't do so in my own country for security reasons but it is my goal that someday, I am going to amass so much bitcoin that would give me the power to migrate to a country and live off the grid too being self-sufficient and 90% dependent on bitcoin.

If you are interested in reading more about Henry David Thoreau, you can read the free version of his book, Walden; or, Life in the Woods
by Henry David Thoreau (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/205/205-h/205-h.htm)

If we are using banks, fiat currencies we must observe what are happening with them. You are living and moving around with your converted van but you still use other facilities and products from society. Others who have life like yours surely must know what's happening with banks etc.

Only if you are living a life with a farm and you can have almost everything you need for your life to survive except medical care, you will not have to think too much about bank system.

In addition, you must have survival skills to do things in your life by your own with offgrid lifestyle which requires more skills than usual.

Yes, a lot of us who value BTC. I think whenever someone comes to understand BTC so well and appreciates how it works and gives us freedom, questioning the current banking and political system is inevitable, because you would then understand that what the banks and governments are doing is just to use people's money and control them for their own good and not yours; but BTC takes you out of that bondage.

---

I am decades and decades away from getting to 81, that's if i would be alive by then, but living off-grid does not look like something i can survive doing, to be cut out from the outside world is really a brave thing to do, and it may be popular in some cultures, but rare in mine. Probably when i get very older my ideas may change, because i believe age may have something to do with people moving off-grid, though i am not so sure of that. Right now i just want to use BTC, live amongst the people in the society, use the public utilities provided and enjoy my life with my family.

This is really nice @Jetcash, the peace and privacy you will be have will be unmatched, but unfortunately I feel that although many people will like to be in your situation that is living off-grid, it is not possible to some people for many reasons;

(1) Marital status: Unless your spouse wants exactly the same, it will be very difficult to convince them to live off-grid with you.
(2) The age of the person: Older people can easily take this decision.
(3) The region in which the person is, is it safe a safe region or not?

This is something unparalleled, and everyone would wish to live such a life, but for a variety of reasons attached to it. As much as I oppose the present political and banking changes in my region, I have no choice but to rely or obey them and not try to live on my own; going off-grid is not an option for me in this point in life. Living off-grid at this point in my life and in my place will do me more harm than good.
You're a huge bitcoin fan, and you're still quite interested in it to this day. I admire and respect your dedication and loyalty to its use, especially at this stage in your life.

I think it’s almost impossible to completely live off the grid in today’s world where everyone is holding their phone cameras everywhere. To achieve total freedom from society, one would have cut off social media, the internet and for emergencies use only a burner phone or a fax machine. Even at that, you still can’t live in a place for too long  to move around a lot to avoid prying eyes. It’s a lot of work and big many people can do this, it’s easier for someone your age to cut off social media but the younger people will find this impossible to do because they were born in this era.

It depends on what you call an offgrid lifestyle.

Personally, with my wife, we live in full autonomy regarding to electricity, water, fruits and vegetables.
We still use 4G to access the internet, still use banks and online banking, and we also pay some taxes.

We try to reduce our dependence on the government and institutions as much as possible. It is not very difficult as here, the government is like non-existing. We live without having to buy gas, because we don't need a car, and we buy very few things.
But of course, when we have to travel to other countries, we depend on planes, trains or buses.
I don't think we live totally offgrid, but it is very close.
Like you, I would like to be able to do more with Bitcoin, which for me is currently more of a storage value.

I loved this post once I saw its topic.
It has and still is my dream to live in an own discovered and solemn space. In the forest, past the trees and swampland, to a spot which looks exactly like what I have in mind.
I would love a wooden house with an old trailer cabin furnished and well soothed to my taste. Here I can pen down clear thoughts, construct creative artefacts, paint, trade Bitcoin without being too easily distracted.
This is how I envision living off-grid. Even though I love a bit of solitude right now.  One step in the right direction though.

Wow, it sounds very interesting although I don't know actually what kind of obstacles that you have been facing so far. But living offgrid like that and being so simple and freedom are really interesting. This freedom may give you what you exactly want.
But, once more, thus will depend on how people are living im certain area, what kind of activities and living that we have.
For me personally, I cannot do it this thing. And this will be probably difficult to stay or live such free, bank and goverment are still the most powerful. Whatsmore is that BTC is still ilegal as paymenrt. Moreover many pros and cons are here about crypto. So, this may not work on me
 

Thanks for the replies, mand the support and encouragement. I agree that I'm not living completely offgrid. Right now I am sitting in an Asda cafe (English supermarket ), and I'm using thir free WiFi. I'm paying the rent by buying a cup of coffee for £2.30, but I get a free one after I have bought 7. :) They are unusual in that they don't have power points for customers, most of the other supermarket cafes offer free mobile and laptop charging. I recently bought a Huawei Matebook, and that seems to have good battery life, and charges via an USB-C port. My HP netbook and notebook computers require 19 volt charging. This means I need a mains socket or an inverter in the van.

I've spent most of my life fighting, mainly various legal battles, and I decided that I would stop and enjoy my "retirement". I'm no longer fighting the system, and that includes the banks and the government. I'm now registered as "no fixed abode" with the council, so I am able to vote, and take advantage of various government programmes. I have a friend who is anti-bank, and refuses to pay anything until the last minute. He is always fighting late payment fines, and usually loses. I pay early, and take advantage of any promotions going. For example, I've made about £30 from a recent Nationwide promotion. All I had to do was to use my debit card instead of my credit card when purchasing groceries in various supermarkets. £30 is not much, but its free money for no effort, and by taking advantage of these and the many other offers around, such as loyalty cards when purchasing petrol and diesel, I would estimate that I pick up an extra £2,000 to £3,000 per year. Even more if you include the current government "cost of living" handouts that the UK is paying pensioners.
I've got a few principles that I have adopted recently.
- Don't fight the sytem, use it
- Keep you freedom, and enjoy it.
- Stay away from doctors and pharmaceuticals, and preserve your health.
- Respect nature and the environment, and avoid environmentally damaging trends like electic vehicles.

There are a load more, such as learning about hedgerow cooking.

independant lifestyle
- jetcash income is government social security benefits

off the grid
-jetcash still pays energy companies(diesel)
-jetcash still registered to vote
-jetcash uses debit cards that trade his purchase history for rewards

questions banks and politics
-still votes
-still uses debitcards
-still leaches off social security

i agree you are a nomad.. not a digital. just a normal nomad like a traveller, gypsy, pikey wannabe
you have yet to escape reliance on fiat handouts to survive. you are yet to be a bitcoin maximalist, independant, self sufficient

you have made the same claims years ago but not evolved your lifestyle. i bet you are still microwaving diseased fish you find floating around
if you think charging your phone at asda(walmart) is independence. you have much to learn

i too travel. but i dont limit myself to a county. i like boats, planes and trains. right now im not in england and so i dont have to pay council tax, i dont claim benefits and i am self sustainable via bitcoin

have you ever thought that with all your legal battles you fought, might be where you have been causing crap and stress to your life, beyond whats needed.

as for your friend fighting those fights it seems you and them went down that stupid "freeman" rabbit whole fantasy rhetoric that went viral years ago

have you not learned the methods to escape your county and actually travel the world in a true non domicile way of all tax laws. learned how to actually be truly financially independent instead of dependant on supermarket cafe's just to keep you fed and charged

i know people that use a basic skill like window cleaning. they go travelling and approach farmhouse shops and offer to wash all their windows in exchange for prime steak a £10 steak in exchange for 30 minutes work
they go to independent petrol stations and make the same offers for fuel or confectionery, living the cash in hand life

if after so many years of utilising bitcoin you have yet to sever your ties to needing social security handouts, and steal leaching electric from cafe's. you have yet to reach the potential life you pretend to aim for.

dont get me wrong i fully enjoy the same freedoms of travel and lifestyle as you. but with you scrapping by, dependant on still so much, you are still prisoner to your own surroundings

being stuck living in a prison the space of a van is not true freedom. its just a different prison. yes it has wheels. but so does prison transport vans.
this morning i woke up in a kingsize bed. looked out on the balcony as the sun rose and then went for a dip in a pool
i dont need to worry about making the bed or doing the laundry. maids get paid well for my habits

i didnt have supermarket coffee. nor microwaved fish..
for me it was a british breakfast in a non british country cooked fresh, i had beans on toast, sausage bacon, a glass of orange juice and a hot chocolate(the real kind) and never needed to use my debit card this week. (thank you bitcoin)

heck with luggage fee's these days. and laundry costs. its cheaper to just buy new clothes in each destination. thus less baggage to clutter my life and ends up cheaper too

one day you should try to escape the sights and smells of england and broaden your views, dont be stuck in the system

    -   What do you mean you live in a converted van? Do you mean a van that you modified to be like your home with a bed, food, solar and others, so no matter where you go you won't have a problem sleeping, it's like a camping van, right?

Don't you have someone to do that with, mate? It seems like what you're doing is fun, you're enjoying your freedom and at the same time you still value bitcoins? Then you ask I can say that I rarely see an offgrid lifestyle bitcoin enthusiast like you,

Yes, there are certainly Bitcoiners who are living offgrid and embracing a more self-sufficient lifestyle. For many, Bitcoin represents a way to escape the constraints of traditional financial systems and take greater control of their own lives. By using Bitcoin, they can conduct transactions without relying on banks or other intermediaries and they can store their wealth in a way that is resistant to government control and inflation.

I think I like this to, Living offgrid can also be a way to reduce reliance on centralized systems and infrastructure, and to pursue a more sustainable and environmentally conscious way of life. While it may not be for everyone, for those who value independence and autonomy, Bitcoin and offgrid living can be a powerful combination.

I like the follow-up that Jet Cash wrote, at least partially. Fighting the system can be difficult, and people should decide for themselves whether it's worth it. I must say that from the initial post, I've imagined a different approach.
It's important to realize that we need to choose our battles and let go of some things. Banks aren't my battle, and neither is the centralized Internet, corporations and stuff, so I agree about using the system. The only point I disagree with is staying away from doctors, at least not in cases of emergencies or illnesses that can be treated well with modern medicine. I appreciate the freedom that Bitcoin brings, but I also don't want to make my life overly difficult by refusing to use bank accounts or something like that.

I don't question the current political and banking changes because it is useless. We can never win against people who have already put it all together.

And I am impressed by the principle you adopted. And it's true. We can only use it as best as possible for our benefit. As long as we can enjoy our freedom, we must enjoy it and not complain about other freedoms because we must follow the rules.

I agree to care for our health because health is the most important. When we are healthy, we can use the resources we have as much as possible and maybe it can provide something better for us. But when we are sick, we cannot do anything and miss all the best opportunities we have ever seen. The most important thing is to balance our life and not think about something that hasn't happened yet because it will trigger negative thoughts.

Living Offgrid and at the same time is making the banks have a hard time by only using bitcoins in most of his transactions is such a hero and hoping to see more people like that in the future to counter these banks' hostility against bitcoins and cryptocurrencies. they are not publicizing their hatred against bitcoins but I'm pretty sure that they are the ones who are funding these groups that are creating negative articles about bitcoins especially the mainstream media that always have confuse descriptions of bitcoins in their headlines. If we were to use bitcoins in most of our transactions, it will be a slapped in their face.

No offense mate, but I'm imagining you somewhat of a character in Red, a movie which stars Bruce Willis. I'm seeing you as the John Malcovich character there, Marvin, who's living on the van and trying to live off-grid because he is afraid that the FBI or whatever agencies are trying to track him and their group.  ;D.

The only bitcoiner that I know from this forum who's trying to go off grid is Elwar, (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=554) ‘seasteading’ in Thailand but faces lot of challenges.

Maybe "offgrid" is not the most apposite word. I'm a true Gemini, so I don't want to be divorced from society. Also, I enjoy many of the advantages of modern living. I just want to free myself from the anti-social restrictions and health hazards that are being forced on the current governments. For example, there is no way that I am going to allow free spike proteins to be injected into my body, and I reject the mad just towards the incredibly environmentally damaging electric vehicles. I'm becoming very cautious about food production and reatiling, and I'm starting to ferment vegetables myself. I'm also increasing my hedgerow cooking, and frying the off road kill pheasant.
I started a thread about running a full node which being a van dweller, and that looks quite promising. So far I haven't found any other Bitcoiners amonst the van dwelling community. In fact most of them seem to be quite rude and mocking about Bitcoin and crypto. Maybe I should try to organise a national get together. :)

Van dwelling is not for everybody, but before knocking it, you need to step back and review tha advantages. Some years ago I owned 3 houses that I lived in, one was on the outskirts of London, one was by the sea, and one was a former farm. This created quite a lot of stress and expense, and I had the constant worry of breakins and theft. I came to realise that you don't own property, property owns you. So I decided to enjoy life for a change. When I was in Oxford, I met an old tramp, and he had an interesting malapropism - keep treading the windmill! This seems to sum up the lives of most people.

I totally agree with keeping and enjoying the freedom, however I don't see why preserving your health implies staying away from doctors and pharmaceuticals. The health care system is really different from country to country and in my case, for example, it is mostly useful and helpful. Besides, regardless of the conditions, health care system can be used like any other system, which corresponds to your first rule.

Moving to an independent off-grid lifestyle would be very difficult, especially if you adhere to the general meaning of being "off-grid"- not dependent on any public utilities such as water, sewage, gas, and electrical power grid. You are relying on yourself to provide for yourself, mining Bitcoin would be the last thing on your mind. In your current experience, you are a digital nomad, not someone off-grid.

Even if I question the current political and banking changes, moving to an off-grid lifestyle seems like a nuclear option lol People have become reliant on the conveniences of modern life and people will fight for it to progress, or if not, protect their status quo. But in reading your experience, being a digital nomad also has its perks.

Wow man that must be a fun lifestyle, I was recently talking to a guy who does what you do, but also has a sailboat and he goes between the doc to the van and moves around wherever he wants to go. I met him at the boat show in West Palm Beach about a month ago or less. What are your main struggles with that lifestyle, just curious. What would you say is your favorite part about it? What do you enjoy doing the most?

Also, do you utilize solar to power your bitcoin node? Way to be off grid, I don't think a lot of people can say that. Did you also say that you're 81 years of age?!

This lifestyle must be fun, to be honest. Living in a van and being a Bitcoin maximalist, like a true Bitcoiner is obviously insane. I'm pretty sure you're generating electricity from renewable energies, most likely solar energy, which is really good. But one more point - did you say that you're 81? Hat off to you! I've never seen someone at that age interested in crypto, as far as I know. The majority of people who are older than 60 don't know much about crypto, so it's surprising that you're into it at your age!"

I think you might be one of the oldest Bitcoiners in this forum. You would probably be among the top 100 in terms of age.

Keep it up, and good luck in your life!

As an individual residing in a van, what power source do you depend on for mining?

It's my dream to live in a passive house that doesn't rely on any utilities. At the moment I live in a hybrid system that has its own well, a backup generator, a fireplace with heat distribution, so it can heat up both the living room and bedrooms upstairs, but the main heating system is based on natural gas. It's just convenient at the moment to use it and I can't heat up water any other way.
I wish I had a new house that can rely on solar panel water heating, but getting my old house to work this way would cost me too much, as the slope of my roof is oriented to the West and it won't generate enough heat to make installing panels worth my time and money.

Bro c'mon we can't be ruling how someone lives his life based on technicalities. Come on man.

In my book as long as you're from the outskirts of civilization and are not living the conventional lifestyle, maybe even living in your van/vehicle in a secluded part of the country you're already off-grid. Doesn't have to be no cellphone, no internet, none of that bullcrap. As for electricity for mining bitcoins I'm pretty sure he's got that taken into account otherwise I don't see the logic behind him thinking about mining bitcoins in the first place. Just doesn't sit right with me. Although yes, out of all of that I'm pretty dubious about him using a raspberry pi to mine bitcoins. I don't think that's going to be profitable.

^ Probably a Solar energy source?
I am right here because using a generator will probably be too loud upon using it but probably it is a generator too.
It is great to see that you are exploring new options and considering how to live more sustainably and independently which is called offgrid. I now start wondering how you will able to survive that kind of lifestyle. It should be you have a backup plan for your resources.
However, I respect the OP's decision, good luck with your new journey and if you have time just please update us here on your experience and how do you survive.

I don't believe that you are 81 years old. Can you prove it? ;D
I guess that you aren't living offgrid completely. You are trying to live outside the fiat money grid. That's impossible for me and I don't find any reason to do such thing. What's the point of sacrificing your own convenience just to brag about "living offgrid" here and there? ;D
I mean, do you want somebody to give you a medal or something? Who cares that you live in a converted van? It's your life and you live it the way you want to.
What "banking changes" are you talking about? Do you mean the situation around Signature bank and SVB? This is old news. I don't think that there are going to be any significant "banking changes".

Offgrid? It is my dream to like that too but I think it is nearly impossible to live like that. How do you produce your water and electricity? In where I live it is not even completely legal to produce my own electricity. They won't care if my consumption is low (less than 1MW) but if they figure out that I am not connected to their grid and using only my own electricity which I get from the solar panels and windmills, then they will fine me. The limit is as I said earlier, 1MW which is not bad but the key factor here is that they also want me to pay for their grid. It means I should stay connected to their grid and pay them a monthly fee even though I don't use it. That alone kills the offgrid fantasy.


Vans are a different story. You can do whatever you like in a van in my country but then it will be hard to find a parking place. Sooner or later it is going to be a problem.

Wow - lots of great replies guys - thanks for those.

What power source do I use? My primary source is Will Power. :) I have a petrol generator, but I rarely use it. The vehicle alternator keeps mobile phones and power banks charged. As mentioned, I also use the electricity provided for customers in various restaurants and cafes.

We English are quite hardy individuals, and that is why we bred so many of the world's greatest explorers. I've never really felt the cold, and as a kid I used to roll naked in the snow I believe, I've probably build a healthy supply of brown adipose tissue, so as long as I keep eating the correct food, I'll probably maintain that. Heat is more over a problem. The van has a plastic roof, and it can become very uncomfortable on a hot summer day. I've recently bought a Fiamma roof ventilator, so I hope to rectify that soon. Damp from condensation is another problem, and I'm about to install a Chinese diesel heater to overcome this.

A couple of clarifications. I'm not mining Bitcoin at the moment, but I would like to if I can work out a way to secure solar panels on a van with a plastic roof. I refer to the van as a conversion, but this is a fairly optimistic reference. It is what is commonly called a "no build conversion". This means you get hold of a few bits of furniture, throw them into the van, and then move in. I've been experimenting with various options for a few years, and now I am prepared to customise the van to suit my anticipated needs.

I have a Volvo 740 saloon car which I use as a daily driver, so the van is really becoming a moveable house. I also have a high spec Volvo 740 estate, and I plan to use that as a show vehicle at various classic car meetings.

A lot od English words seem to have changed their meanings recently, and I think "offgrid" is one of them. Other example are "burglary", originally it meant housebraking during the hours of darkness, but now it seems to mean any form of housebreaking. "Gay" is another useful word that we have lost from the general vocabulary.  The Americans seem intent on removing "ensure" from general usage, and replacing it with the financial word "insure". Buying a remote hill farm in Wales used to be an example of offgrid living, but now it seems to refer to any lifestyle that doesn't have a dedicated connection to the utilities. It is this expanded definition that I use, mainly because I hope to pick up some extra revenue from a Youtube side hustle.

@Mindrust You electricity situation sounds pretty bad, and I hope we will never come to that. It's difficult to understand how it could be applied to van dwellers though. Maybe they will try to force us to use environmentally damaging electric vehicles, and force us to charge them with the electricity they generate by burning fossil fuels and ancient forests.