A Whole Slew of Questions

[Kevin H]

I have to compliment you on your writing. &nbsp;I would never have suspected your intro was written by a 17 year old. &nbsp; Good on ya!<br><br>As to what to do - I'll share one of the best things that ever happened to me - my father kicked me out at the age of 18. &nbsp;I was no where near as responsible as you sound and my father had had enough.<br><br>I immediately enlisted in the Marines. &nbsp;Best thing I ever did. &nbsp;Would I suggest that for you - Well, I love the Marines but I understand that it is not for everyone. &nbsp;Were I to do it again and wanted to stay as close to the homeland as possible, I'd choose the Coast Guard. &nbsp;They have some terrific spots to be stationed. &nbsp;I can't say for sure but I suspect you could take your van with you. &nbsp;Could you live in it? &nbsp; Probably not but you could certainly camp and travel on your time off and during leave.<br><br>Good money, great benefits, excitement, personal reliance and FUN. &nbsp;Plus you can learn a trade or perhaps have a full career with exceptional benefits at retirement should you stay in.<br><br>Obviously, there are risks with the military but it is also a somewhat protected environment. &nbsp;Someone always has your back. &nbsp;No matter what happens you have 'three hots and a cot' and a paycheck.<br><br>Think it over - I know it is not the dreamy vagabond vandwelling existence you are considering but the two could possible meld.<br><br>Hope this helps - let us know what you decide, we're all already interested!<br><br>-- &nbsp;Kevin

 

[kidiekat]

Welcome.&nbsp; Here is a site I found for Florida mentioned by Marshall in the introduction section.<br><br>http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/xweb protecting and restoring/recreation<br><br>They mention lots of free sites for camping in florida.&nbsp; Maybe something will look familiar to you. <br><br>http://www.floridastateparks.org/findapark/district-northwest.cfm<br><br>Every one here is helpful and encouraging.&nbsp;&nbsp; Happy van dwelling.<br><br><br><br>

 

[Freedirt]

Kevin, the military was actually in the plan a while ago. MEPS wouldn't even see me as I have a childhood history of asthma. I tried for a medical waiver twice and was denied both times. The forces have had eugenics-level standards as of late. In light of this new medical development, I can kiss any chance I had remaining goodbye.

The resources I've been receiving have given me a lot to think about. Has anyone had experience WOOFing?

 

[James AKA Lynx]

There has been many people who's medical condition eased when they went on the full time Van/RV living. So many factors contribute. Much worse than when I was growing up. I was taught the way to protect yourself from a Nuclear Bomb attack was to hide under your desk. My heart beat was so weird that I could not get a BP until I reached my 20's. Fine now.<br><br>Just for general good practice. Don't smoke. Eat mostly fresh or frozen green veg's. Quit drinking. No drugs. No perfumes. No diary. Eat a light dinner. Any of these can cause heart problems. Lose weight so that your waist and bellybutton is the same around. Some more but these are the basics. <br><br>Give us a direction for your travel wants and maybe we can help.<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[Zil]

A few years on the road is a good experience. Mine didn't start until I was over 25. (I did have marketable skills.) Don't lose sight of getting an education. Walk away from trouble.

 

[Kevin H]

Sorry to hear about the asthma and military.<br><br>I gotta say - your writing is pretty impressive. &nbsp;How about trying some sort of literary work? &nbsp;Freelance writing may be write (ugh.) up your alley. &nbsp; Your prose is way better than a lot of us 'year challenged' folks. &nbsp; It sounds natural to you. &nbsp;What a skill that you could capitalize on.<br><br>Here's a suggestion: Hit the road for a couple days. &nbsp;Take notes and pics if you can. &nbsp;Put together an article and send it to some travel magazines. &nbsp;See what happens. &nbsp;Don't forget the women's weeklies like Women's World and such. &nbsp;Any success in getting printed is a feather in your cap and portfolio. &nbsp; Reader's Digest too. &nbsp; Go to the library and/or Barnes &amp; Noble and look at the magazines to see what all is out there and where to submit.<br><br>I think you have a real talent that could support a mobile lifestyle very well. &nbsp;Getting a start will be hard. &nbsp;You may end up eating a lot of Ramen Noodles for a while but the rewards could be exactly what you are looking for.<br><br>Good Luck - keep us all posted!

 

[havingfunnow]

About medications -- many of the big box stores have pharmacies now, and often they have a list of meds that they sell very cheaply or sometimes even dispense for free. Look around online, or call them and ask; each one includes different meds on their lists. Generally you have to sign up. If nobody has the med your doctor prescribed, take a copy of the blood pressure meds offered by each to your doctor and ask if your prescription can be changed.<br><br>If the store is a national chain, even better, because you can have the prescription filled at any store in the chain. For example, right now KMart will fill one of my prescriptions for 1/4 of the regular cost (I save almost $200/month on this) and I can get my refill at any KMart in the country.<br><br>Your blood pressure problems may just be reflecting the big life change coming up and all the major decisions you have to make. Mine spikes wildly when I'm under stress and falls to a very good normal when life calms down. It's possible that a year from now everything will be fine, so try not to worry too much about that.

 

[Freedirt]

I'm every shade of flattered that you'd view me as a potential writer. It's&nbsp;certainly a skill that's been&nbsp;practiced in my family. Both my grandmother and my brother are professional writers, with no shortage of authors down the ancestral line. I've considered trying my hand at freelance writing but I always stop just short of submitting my columns. Everything I write frankly looks like dogshit to me and it's hard&nbsp;to imagine anyone actually wanting to publish it. You've inspired me, though. I'll submit to a few online publications and see what kind of reception I get. The sincerest appreciation from this end, oh my brother.

 

[rubbertramp]

the economy is in the crapper its not going to get better anytime soon <br>now at 43 i have had money two new cars a house my own business ( that wont bring you happiness )<br>i don't believe having a college degree will help today <br>i know people with masters working making $10 hour you cant live on that <br>my advice to you is find what will make you happy , people , hobbies , work , and do it life is to short <br><br>best regards

 

[1977dodge]

One other way to help improve your $ outlook is to check out "LABOR" wanted ads under the regular job section on craigslist&nbsp;<br>I have had several $75-$90 saturdays and sundays which goes a long way to pay for gas and extras&nbsp;<br>just make sure you let the people who need help know that you want some up front money and the rest on completion<br> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>also be very wary of long distance package delivery jobs that want you to meet in carparks those speak for themselves&nbsp;<br></strong></span>Good luck even in a poor economy you can make it with a bit of extra effort.

 

[concretebox]

Conservation corps want young people. If you have an interest in in the outdoors and are willing to do some hard labor, consider looking for work on a trail crew. That may get your foot in the for for other conservation jobs. That will allow you to build experience that will be required for campground hosts.

A lot of government programs have an upper age limit, take advantage of them while you can.

Also the Affordable Care Act allows you to be on your parents insurance plan until you're 27 I think. Plenty of time for you to gain experience and find a job with benefits.

 

[Jack Grit]

Brandon, 1987 mitsubishi... everyone wants to be house poor becsuse it's "normal"<br>__________________________________________________________________<br><br>Brandon, wouldn't that be "house rich" leaving most people everything else poor?<br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Guys, you may have missed free d's sudden onset cardio problems in another post. &nbsp;Even though he's young, until that gets settled, hard work may not be an option. Some sort of school may be though.<br>Tuckerbag wrote a good blog about living in her car while going to college. Nothing wrong with trade school either.<br>When his heart problems get figured out, an stna-nursing assistant costs under 400 bucks for 2 weeks training and the certification is usually included, if you can do that kind of work. Nursing homes always hire kitchen and house work, thats different from stna training of course. Pay isn't great but its inside and not uncomfortable.<br><br>Personally, I think he should take some writing courses because that's what I want to do and still haven't done. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">&nbsp;Can you audit classes or is that for old folks like me?

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<a href="http://www.interstellarorchard.com/2013/08/03/choose-experiences/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.interstellarorchard.com/2013/08/03/choose-experiences/<br><br>J</a>ust found this from Swankiewheels fb page. &nbsp;Looks right up your ally free d

 

[Patrick46]

<P>How-d Freedirt from the Oregon Coast!</P><P>I agree with so many others here...that you sound very mature for a young man. (I know that may sound gross, but it really <STRONG><EM>IS</EM></STRONG> a good thing!) <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif"><BR><BR>As for work, don't forget to check out the bulletin boards at grocery stores and laundrymats. You sound like you're pretty smart...are you good with computers?? I know ALOT of folks are looking for computer tutors and/or someone who'll build a website for 'em. There's a great way for you to make a living while on the road...for $$$!! (and it isn't physical labor either!)<BR>Stick a note on those bull-board's I described, and list your services.<BR><BR>Welcome...and we'd love to see some pics of your rig.</P>

 

[PYSCHOWard]

Education is your BEST Friend, you can learn a lot Right here. Be Thrifty, Honest, and very Importantly ALWAYS be AWARE of your surroundings and Those in it.

 

[zemio]

Good for you! Most teenagers (me included, when I was) can't think beyond the next 15 minutes. <br><br>My g/f hosts woofers on her mini farm, they weed, mow, plant etc if they don't have other skills. One couple built her a wood fired pizza oven using not much more than sand, straw and clay. Some stay a few days, others a couple of weeks, she wont take people for longer than 14 days, the farmlet just isn't that big. The standard deal is 4 hours graft a day at whatever needs doing in return for bed and board. She is quite flexible about this, for example the oven builders worked like troopers for 3 days then took the rest of the week off. <br><br>Woofing is worth a look. If you have your own van so much the better, your own space and probability of some great parking spots.<br><br>I'm in New Zealand, your local milage may vary.

 

[wagoneer]

avoid the pill route

 

[Curtis]

I am kind of amazed so of you folks still think going to school is the cure all for everything.<br><br>The greatest thinkers, innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs this country or the world ever had<br>never went to school.<br><br>And even though Robert Kiyosaki, (Rich Dad Poor Dad), went to college and obtained a degree<br>he has stated the "education" most people need is financial education not the "stuff" most folks<br>learn in many colleges and universities.<br><br>Most of them teach:<br><br>Get a degree<br>Find a good job<br>Stay there until you are old and tired<br>Keep buying more bigger and expense stuff<br>Then retire and die broke<br><br>That is not the lifestyle I seek.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Simran]

Welcome Freedirt! <br>I got a son about your age and he didn't go to school but had a natural ability for woodworking. Got a job with Morton Buildings building Barns. He loves it and makes enough money to get by pretty good. His pappy DID teach him how to budget tho. He's 20 now and has been renting a house in town for a couple years. I tried to get him to get a van to save more money but it isn't for him.<br>If writing is what you like go for it;&nbsp;you ARE certainly good at it.&nbsp;Do some other tasks to stay flush until it brings in enough bacon so you can get by on just that.<br><br>LOL! that's funny Curt. But you know how humor is; it usually hits pretty close to home!!!<br>Gus<br><br>Curtis said, "Get a degree<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Find a good job<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Stay there until you are old and tired<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Keep buying more bigger and expense stuff<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Then retire and die broke<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That is not the lifestyle I seek.<img class="bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" rel="lightbox"> "