I take a few game plays to get started, but invariably begin looking for ways to get a serious PC built right away.

So far without loading the DLC's (I got the "Ultimate Edition", which ain't so ultimate considering it didn't come with a paper map) I am refining the following method:

Directly behind the general store in Goodsprings is a trailer. Inside are two metal boxes that are safe to stash items in - they don't disappear. In front of the store are several crates marked with XXX, IGNORE them.

Go between the store and the saloon and you find a reload bench, and a workbench. Just past them are more crates marked XXX that are not considered stealing if you loot them.

PICK THEM UP AND CARRY THEM TO THE TRAILER. You can line them up against the inside wall of the trailer, and you then have a perfect safehouse. Nothing put in them will disappear.

Go straight east across the desert, and pass the NCRCF on the north side of it - you will find Primm Pass - go through there to Ranger Station Charlie and north to NOVAC, once you have BOONE as a companion you'll be set for some major wholesale looting and shooting.

* anything Boone kills counts as XP for your PC

When you have Boone - THEN go back to Goodsprings and south to Primm right away.

You want to collect 3 Scrap Metal, 2 Sensor Modules, and a Scrap Electronics (worse comes to worse do part of REPCONN until you find the scrap electronics)

Break into Primm far enough to go to the Mohave Express Office and repair the EYEBOT

You now have TWO packmules, two safehouses (one in NOVAC), and a pair of extra eyes and weapons users.

Why do you need storage that early? Besides you can get to Novac in like 15 minutes - possibly less - if you want to (get the Stealth Boy in the abandoned school, go north out of Goodsprings past the Cazadores using it, then travel north then east then south east to get to Novac). Once there then do Dusty McBride's nightkin quest (usually I found the nightkin stood around even during the day) and then get the room for free from Jeannie May.

Once you're at Novac, it's easy to get to the Gun Runners and other places to sell weapons so there isn't much need for packmules either. Personally I don't tend to use companions.