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10 Rules for Minimalist RV Living

Items that can be used repeatedly should be considered over things that can only be used once

10 Rules for Minimalist RV Living

By Susanna Balashova

Getting an RV can be an exciting idea for people who are not too thrilled with the concept of staying in one place for an extended period. Despite the multiple benefits involved with living the RV lifestyle, a few restrictions come with occupying a small space. 

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Only through a minimalist approach can you genuinely enjoy the RV experience. Ten rules that can help with achieving minimalism include: 

Evaluate what you need

Examining every item twice to determine its actual value helps to identify what you really need. It's important to remember that when living in a confined space, less is more. Anything you bring with you should be an absolute necessity. 

Gauging the practicality of an item allows you to identify things to set aside. An object's size, power consumption, and what would happen if you didn't have it are issues to consider when deciding. 

Quality over Quantity

Items that can be used repeatedly should be considered over things that can only be used once. A cotton dishcloth, for example, should be chosen over rolls of paper towels. A dishcloth decreases the overall amount of garbage produced, reducing the disposal duties involved. regular plates are better than paper ones for the same reason. 

Frugality isn't a bad thing

When it comes to the daily routine in an RV, simple living is comfortable living. The cooking area will never fit everything you have in your home kitchen, so additional spices, extra pots and pans, and special cutlery should be left behind. 

Roy Blundell, an RV enthusiast and remote custom papers writer says that when it comes to storage space, never take anything you can get on the road. Content in the cabinets should consist of items needed every day and represent the basic essentials. 

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It's just stuff

Learning how to detach from material possessions is an essential part of minimalism. You have to stand firm when deciding what to leave behind. Realizing you don't need half of the things you use will make it easier to let go of simple luxuries. Remember, it's just stuff, and it shouldn't control how you live your life. 

Compromise is Key

Traveling with others means you will need to consider their needs as well as your own. Packing two suitcases, for instance, will reduce the storage space available for someone else. The same goes for anything that will have to be kept in a commonplace. Everyone will have to cooperate when dividing the available space altogether. Deciding how much room each person is allowed to take up beforehand is an excellent way to avoid future arguments on the road. 

Buy what you need, not what you want

An RV's mobility means you can regularly set up in different places. You are likely to encounter multiple opportunities to collect various souvenirs along the way. Fighting the temptation to add to your collection continually is essential. 

Keeping your spending to a minimum will ensure the RV remains clutter-free. Having to move souvenirs around to perform routine tasks continually can become frustrating after a while.  

Live on a Budget

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An excellent way of ensuring that you maintain a minimalist lifestyle is putting budgetary restrictions on your spending. Allocating specific amounts to different sectors like foodstuffs, snacks, and other items will regulate the number of extra things that take up additional space. Budgetary restrictions will also reduce the amount of trash needing disposal. 

Power is Precious

Anything that needs to be plugged in to function and is not essential should be left behind. The more power it uses, the more likely it's something you don't need. Most RVs come with a mini-fridge, microwave, and a small stove. 

Deciding to add extra appliances like a blender or coffee maker will increase the vehicle's overall power consumption. High consumption levels could drain the house batteries if you're dry camping (i.e., based on a site with no external power source). 

Appreciate the little things

Learning to be grateful for the small things, like the ability to take a shower, will stop you from missing the various perks available at home. Being thankful for easy access to water, for example, will keep your mind off the hour-long soaks you could enjoy in a house. It's essential to develop an appreciative attitude if you want to fully embrace the RV experience.  



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Sharing is Caring

A great way of reducing the things you bring along is by taking just one of anything that can be used communally. Carrying one charger, for instance, is recommendable as compared to everyone bringing their own. Sharing can effectively prevent clutter in the RV. 

Conclusion

Living in an RV can be a wonderful experience, but you have to be willing to adapt to the RV lifestyle. Trying to force a residential routine into a confined living space will only lead to disappointment. You should be ready to adjust your way of life to get the most out of the adventure.

About The Author

Susanna Balashova is known as the marketing guru, owing to her stupendous advertising and sales and marketing skills. She writes research papers in the marketing niche for a professional writer service and makes even the most challenging paper look easy. To unwind, she loves to sketch and paint. You can reach out to her on Twitter or Linkedin.

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