Field Tech Forum

I mean that in the most literal sense. This is the hardest part of being a field tech, right? Jobs are most scarce, you have to find something to do to hold you over until the spring season gets going? Are you working, laying low? What's the best way to approach the "lean months" of winter?

I have a pretty fortunate situation in that my parents are cool and easy to live and get along with. They run an antique shop (and they have for most of my life) so I can manage it pretty easily. I stay with them and I give them a break from work so it works out well for all of us. I don't feel any shame about living with them for a couple months out of the year and they don't give me any reason to. If that's an option for you then I'd seriously consider it. Remember, getting into this lifestyle full time requires disregarding a lot of society's conventions and expectations. You're not in this to be showing off your wealth. You're likely to need some help along the way.

Similar to what Todd says, I just chill with my folks but I help out around the house. A lot. Basically a live-in cook/maid. Again, no shame. I'm proud of my skills. Someone mentioned before that being able to cook for your crew is a great skill, so trying stuff out cooking for a big group is a good way to practice.

No way man. You can do this and still be independent. I'm laying low in Arizona. Get as far south as you can and just do dispersed camping in national forest and BLM land. You don't need to spend any money except what you need for basic food and a bit of gas, which won't be much as long as you don't move around too much. Assuming you've saved up a little bit before you started. Go into town and check your e-mail or look for jobs on your phone or at the library. The point of all this is to be outside! You can spend all day just being in nature. Weed is legal in Arizona! As long as you've got some good gear (one time investment for most of it and it seems like you already do outdoors stuff anyway) you won't be uncomfortable. I mean, you need to be able to handle a little bit of discomfort if you're really committed to doing this. Plus we're talking about places where the lowest lows in January are like 40 degrees. Read some books, listen to some music, just chillll out. You'll see, you won't be that eager to get another job.

Staying with friends - traveling and slumming around. Staying as long as they feel like having me. Providing the benefit of my great company.

Fortunate to have a friend who's a small business owner. A small cafe specifically. Always looking for seasonal help and there's high turnover so they can always find a place for me. It's also not as annoying as serving at a bigger place. Do you know any business owners who could use a hand? Shops, bars, anything like that?

Oh gosh, I put the reply I meant to put here in the other thread I started. Sorry. Maybe you can reply to me here? Anyway, this is what I wrote:

I'm really appreciative of all the great advice offered so far. Unfortunately, I don't have the type of relationship with my parents that would maker it convenient or comfortable to be spending that much time with them every year. Its not like were estranged or anything, I'm just not particularly close with them. And also not really knowing any business owners or whatever, but still a lot of good things to think about.

Has anybody had luck with month to month apartment rentals without having a job? Is there some kind of unofficial or under the table way to arrange something like that?

Also I'm pretty experienced with camping but not at a professional level like some of you seem to be. Haven't ever done it for long periods of time or lived out of a car, but this might be my most feasible option. Any tips for that?

omsweetom wrote: ↑December 14th, 2023, 4:12 pm Oh gosh, I put the reply I meant to put here in the other thread I started. Sorry.

For future reference you can edit your post for a certain amount of time after you post it (30 or 60 minutes). If you post something by mistake and it's within the window (or you decide you want to take down what you've posted for whatever reason) you can just edit your post to read "delete" or "mods please delete." For now I am the mods.