Cant get started

[DollarJoe67]

<p>I am so frustrated.&nbsp; I have driven/bused over 3 hrs away several times now and can't find "the right"&nbsp;vehicle to begin this adventure.&nbsp; When I find a vehicle that fits my budget it is unacceptable.&nbsp; I don't have any more money so that aspect isn't going to change.&nbsp; Living in the middle of nowhere with very limited options doesn't help any.&nbsp; If I lived in a large city this would be a mute point.<br><br>I have also been trying to sell most of my things.&nbsp; Only slightly successfully.&nbsp; I'm not allowing my stuff to go for what I can get for it vs. what I want for it.&nbsp; I am unable to break free from a materialistic mindset keeping me imprisoned in this life.&nbsp; I keep telling myself "they are just things" but it is not helping.&nbsp; Not to mention the scammers and spammers in the virtual world are driving me insane.&nbsp; Why can't people just be honest.<br><br>I feel as though the life I want is just within reach but I cant grab it.&nbsp; There is an imovable wall holding me back.&nbsp; If I could find a van or sell some of my large stuff (Bed, tv, sofas) that would be something.&nbsp; I NEED PROGRESS!!!<br><br>I never thought this transition would be so difficult.</p>

 

[cyndi]

Dollar Joe, I too had to travel some sizeable distances to vehicle shop. I was located almost 60 miles from civilization. <br><br>Don't give up, it can be done.<br><br>where are you located? Even those of us with vehicles still peruse craigslist and the like and can help with the search.<br><br>What type of vehicle are you looking for? Some of us visit other forums where veheicles are offered and can give you a heads up.<br><br>If this is the life you want, it will be worth the effort. The good things in life are not free. They may not cost money, but there will be some work involved, physical and mental!<br><br>PM me if you want and I'll tell you what I am dealing with now. Yesterday, I felt pretty broken. Today I am ready to move forward!

 

[Guest]

Sounds to me like you heart isn't really in this.&nbsp; Consider it a good thing, if it had been easy for you and then after you had sold all your stuff for a realistic price (used goods aren't worth much to anyone), then decided a couple of weeks in that it was all a big mistake, you'd be in a much worse position than you are now.<br><br>This isn't for everyone, and from your post, I'd suggest it isn't for you.<br><br>Also re: money.&nbsp; Do you not have a job?&nbsp; Because living in a van isn't free.&nbsp; You're going to need some kind of income to make a go of it.&nbsp; <br><br>I can't really relate to anything in your post, but I would suggest this probably isn't for you.&nbsp; If you aren't willing to GIVE everything away, then you aren't really at that tipping point re: changing your life and outlook on that life.&nbsp; <br><br>I have two more months of saving, finding a buyer for my car, and waiting for Canada to defrost before I begin my quest, but I can't wait.&nbsp; I would literally give away everything I own if it meant the spring would come early and I wouldn't be snowed in anymore.<br><br>I've already worked out a budget for van living, and with gas, insurance, food, a gym pass for access to showers, I figure it's at least $600/month to live in a van up here, but that's less than JUST my rent on the last place I lived, so I can't wait.&nbsp; <br><br>My plan is to use van living as a way to save money up for later, as opposed to a way to not have to work.<br><br>I can't even imagine getting into this if money was that tight.&nbsp; The initial buy in to this lifestyle is pretty expensive, and if my heart wasn't truly into it, I imagine I'd find something else to do with the 5-6 grand I'll get for my current car, than buying a cheap minivan and sticking the rest in my savings account.

 

[cyndi]

<p>WOW! 2013! That was pretty discouraging. Alot of us get into&nbsp;this life precisely due to the lack of money!&nbsp; Sometimes, it's not about what you want, but what you need.<br><br>Dollar Joe, Again, if this is what you want/need keepmoving forward!</p>

 

[She]

I was waiting for someone else to post. I am a wuss!! I know. Thanks Cyndi. I also have been&nbsp;frustrated&nbsp; because of lack of monies but I am getting there. I have everything planned out mapped out but I haven't got the van yet. DollarJoe time will get you there and when its there you will have it in your hands. I know my van on wheels is out there.....I am NOT thinking it will fall in my lap but its a hunt I tell ya!! Keep at it Joe!!&nbsp;

 

[peacetara]

If you are paying rent now, you can always buy a $500 total junk van, that probably won't go 100 miles before falling apart, and park it somewhere "safe" and move in.&nbsp; Never move it.&nbsp; and save all of your rent money.&nbsp; The important thing is that it doesn't leak!<br><br>Suddenly you have free shelter, for ever <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>Then, you can save money a LOT faster (one hopes) and then you can trade it in for scrap, and get a better van when your finances are in great shape, or slowly fix it so that it can go over 100 miles and go wherever it is you want to go. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>Anyways, this is just one potential thought.&nbsp; For me, I think it's about being creative and finding new ways to get done what you need done.<br><br>Don't give up, if it really is your dream.&nbsp; I'm here at the RTR, there are people in little tiny cars camped out, with tents.&nbsp; You can live in anything you want, including the clothes on your back if that is what works for you.<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[She]

Tara I love you!!!! Great great great idea!!! Good for people who are job camping and really not into traveling yet. Also good for ya folks who don't know if this life style is for you.

 

[Guest]

I wasn't trying to be a dick.&nbsp; But some people need someone to listen to them and give them a shoulder to cry on, and some people need someone to give them a little slap and wake them up.<br><br>DollarJoe, if you want some inspiration watch this:<br><br><br><br>Anything is possible, but you're going to have to be willing to put in some hard work.<br><br><br><br>

 

[DollarJoe67]

Thanks for your thoughts (that includes you 2013).&nbsp; The reason I'm getting into this is for a change of heart.&nbsp; I'm tired of useless materialistic worry.&nbsp; I agree, start up is expensive but once I get past that I know I will be okay.&nbsp; Thanks again.

 

[wrcsixeight]

From the tone of your original post it sounds as if think you are cheap. &nbsp;Potential Van is too expensive, nobody wants to pay me what I think my stuff is worth.<br><br>I live on a property whose owner buys things he thinks he can make money on. &nbsp;He then asks too much money for them, and they sit and rot, and it is the fault of cheap people. &nbsp;Right.<br><br>Realize the hypocracy that all us humans are guilty of to one degree or another. <br><br>&nbsp;It takes a lot of effort to get rid of things and not acquire anything more. &nbsp;People always ask me now if I want this or that, and the word NO comes out my mouth before I even know what they are referring to. &nbsp;They are even more confused when it is something valuable they would give me free. <br><br>&nbsp;I don't even want the hassle of trying to sell it for profit.<br><br>All possessions are burdens. &nbsp;Only if they improve your life experience are they worth possessing. &nbsp;Otherwise you become the possession of an inanimate object.<br><br>In terms of a vehicle, anything cheap is going to need mechanical work, and yes, everybody is trying to maximize their own profit. Whether they need the money, or just need to get one over on the other guy, or just beat the system in general. &nbsp;It is one of the reasons this country is spiraling downward.<br><br> &nbsp;People figuratively yelling 'ME ME ME' into their cell phones or laptop and demonstrating this attitude by their every action.<br><br><br>

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I agree with Tara<br><br>Just buy what you can afford in a van, and then move in.&nbsp; You can start saving your income and if you want to, buy a better van later.&nbsp; I bought a 1990 cargo van with rust, certainly not ideal or reliable for distance traveling (my end goal), but it was cheap and I plan to save while living in it and working my current job.<br><br>Most of the stuff I had that I wanted to get rid of I ended up just giving away, rather than sit on it forever.&nbsp; Its harder and harder to sell used stuff unless its a high dollar item and you are selling it for pennies on the dollar.

 

[She]

Can't tell you how much stuff I tried to sell and got no where. I actually left some things outside near my driveway and NOBODY took them. After sitting there for a month they came to take them. I&nbsp;believe&nbsp;it was the garbage men but I am not sure. These were new items too. brand new bicycle handlebars was one thing.

 

[Galactic_eyes]

If you have never watched the whole documentary of Dick Proenneke, you should. I'd love to know what this guy knows about living out in the wilderness.<br><br><br><em>edited to cut the quote, notifications sent</em>

 

[Lifemagician]

... everybody is trying to maximize their own profit. Whether they need the money, or just need to get one over on the other guy, or just beat the system in general. &nbsp;<strong>It is one of the reasons this country is spiraling downward.</strong><br><br> People figuratively yelling 'ME ME ME' into their cell phones or laptop and demonstrating this attitude by their every action.

<br><br>How true!&nbsp;&nbsp; Brilliant insight!<br><br>Lifey

 

[yesican]

One of my patients knew Dick Proenecke and his brother personally.&nbsp; Dick was not a poor man.&nbsp; He retired after working...I'm not positive if I remember accurately, but I think it was the Alaskan Railroad, and drew a handsom retirement.&nbsp; Dick was a great guy as was his brother, my patient reports.&nbsp; But, he did have money to live in the wilderness...He talks about deliveries of goods...That costs an astronimical amount to have done.&nbsp; You'd have to know how to harvest natural foods as the growing season is extremely short here. You can't grow, hunt, or gather certain staples.&nbsp; Dick lived "in the lap of luxury" as far as wildnerness living goes.&nbsp;<br><br>Here, you have advantages to assist you in living on less, and it will cost less than living the wilderness life style Dick lived.&nbsp; You can do what ever you set your mind to.&nbsp; Your only obstacle is your own disblief.&nbsp; If Helen Keller can overcome her obstacles, anyone can overcome those littler obstacles set before us.&nbsp; <br><br>(This pep talk was for myself as much as anyone else here)<br><br>Rae<br><br>

 

[Guest]

There's been some debate as to the veracity of Proenekke's film.&nbsp; For example, there are shots where he is in the frame and someone is clearly tracking him with the camera.&nbsp; Not so alone after all...<br><br>But at the end of the day, he built everything with his own two hands using only the tools he could carry on his back.<br><br>Yes, he had supplies brought to him, but it was by a friend of his (called Babe) who owned his own plane.&nbsp; He wasn't paying some company to keep him supplied and he lived primarily on what he could catch and grow himself.&nbsp; Babe mainly brought luxuries like coffee and basic foodstuffs like beans.&nbsp;&nbsp; He wasn't bringing out ice chests full of TV dinners.

 

[Grandma]

Very interesting.&nbsp; I was feeling like giving up today, also. But, I think I was just tired.&nbsp; We took eight big black bags to the Goodwill today and it felt really good.&nbsp; At least it might help someone to have a job or buy things cheap. It was very crowded there, and it felt good to just give the stuff away free. It's not worth the stress of trying to sell it.&nbsp; One step at a time and we can get there.

 

[Kevin H]

<p>Hey DollarJoe - A few questions and then we as a group may be able to help a bit.<br><br>Are you safe where you are?<br><br>Where are you located?<br><br>How soon MUST you be in a van?<br><br>What is your budget?<br><br>Do you have reliable transportation? &nbsp;If not, are you near public transportation?<br><br>Would you consider anything other than a van at this time (car, SUV, cargo trailer, etc.)?<br><br>Do you have any resources to work on a rig (tools, skills, parts etc.)<br><br>I understand your frustration and depression. &nbsp;Life throws some pretty big rocks sometimes. &nbsp; Let our little community help break them into less daunting pebbles.<br><br>Good Luck!!<br><br>-- &nbsp;Kevin</p>

 

[Salida Scarlett]

<br>Everything is relative, if you think about it. We are very spoiled in this country. Imagine living as Otzi, the Iceman, who's mummified body was found, along with some primitive tools, wearing very primitive fur and hide garments, and a belly full of roots, a few bitter plums, some wild game, and an early type of wheat. You know this food wasn't cooked gourmet style, or Burger King, "have it your way". Not only that, but &nbsp; the animal part of the diet had to be hunted down and killed. To be a poor hunter, (or gatherer), meant sure starvation. I think we get the picture. I think it's great that many are braving the unknown, and it gives the rest of us, who've never tested the waters, courage that it can be done. <br><br>Fear is paralyzing. This country would never have been settled, if it hadn't been for adventurous souls willing to risk everything. Makes this leap very miniscule in comparison. <br><br><br>Guess I'm talking to myself here as well. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>Scarlett

 

[WanderingRain]

AWesome posts from everybody. Yeah, we are all in one stage or another of this transition to full time van living.<br>Although I am unable to cook and bathe in my own vehicle, I sleep and dress in it and for now that is enough for me. Moneys is always an issue, of course. We all hope to land that one big score: that future home on wheels that'll be our very own.<br><br>My own journey in this is similar to most folks.<br>I chose this vehicle because it was the best one around at THE time. And I am a firm believer in taking advantage of many small opportunities instead of waiting for that one big perfect one to come along. So it wasn't perfect and I made do with what I currently had. Made some initial early mistakes thinking I can fully furnish such a small space only to give that up and give the cabinet I bought to Goodwill.<br><br>We'll get there eventually I suppose. Like some of y'all, I am a bit envious of course that some are at the RTR at this very moment.&nbsp;<img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"> It's ok. Our turn will eventually come.<br>I hope mine will come in 2014.<br><br>