Hi all,
I've been wanting to live out of a van to reduce expenses, explore new areas, and create more time to do what I love (photography). My biggest deterrent at the moment is that I own a small business where I sell physical goods. I have been doing this for a number of years out of an apartment and it has allowed me to move from state to state as I please, but I would have to establish residency each time which gets expensive and I would also have to commit to a lease term.
My short-term goal is to live out of van while being able to run my business from a small office rental. I'd be able to get my work done in the morning at the office and then have the rest of the day to explore, so basically I'd be trading in an apartment lease + utilities ($1200+) for an office expense ($400-$500) and then I would be able to relocate to a new city as I please without being tied down.
My long-term goal is to build up enough savings through my current business, close or sell the company, and then do freelance photography full time.
Questions I have:
1. Would establishing a domicile in a place like South Dakota allow for this while operating a business out of various states throughout the year?
2. If yes to the above, can I get a business license in another state while being domiciled in South Dakota?
3. If yes to the above, would I pay my business sales tax to the state that I'm selling out of, or South Dakota?
I would also love to get your thoughts from others who have already started rv or van living full time. Do you think the idea I have is sound, or should I just continue to do what I do now (living in an apartment while operating my business), save up enough money while establishing myself as a photographer in my spare time, and then eventually go full time in a van. I'm not at all passionate about the work I do now, but it allows me to stay afloat. It just seems like a long task and the money I make is just going to someone else for rent. Decisions, decisions.
Thanks in advance as all of this is overwhelming. I hope this discussion can maybe help others that are in a similar situation or are thinking about doing the same.
I've been wanting to live out of a van to reduce expenses, explore new areas, and create more time to do what I love (photography). My biggest deterrent at the moment is that I own a small business where I sell physical goods. I have been doing this for a number of years out of an apartment and it has allowed me to move from state to state as I please, but I would have to establish residency each time which gets expensive and I would also have to commit to a lease term.
My short-term goal is to live out of van while being able to run my business from a small office rental. I'd be able to get my work done in the morning at the office and then have the rest of the day to explore, so basically I'd be trading in an apartment lease + utilities ($1200+) for an office expense ($400-$500) and then I would be able to relocate to a new city as I please without being tied down.
My long-term goal is to build up enough savings through my current business, close or sell the company, and then do freelance photography full time.
Questions I have:
1. Would establishing a domicile in a place like South Dakota allow for this while operating a business out of various states throughout the year?
2. If yes to the above, can I get a business license in another state while being domiciled in South Dakota?
3. If yes to the above, would I pay my business sales tax to the state that I'm selling out of, or South Dakota?
I would also love to get your thoughts from others who have already started rv or van living full time. Do you think the idea I have is sound, or should I just continue to do what I do now (living in an apartment while operating my business), save up enough money while establishing myself as a photographer in my spare time, and then eventually go full time in a van. I'm not at all passionate about the work I do now, but it allows me to stay afloat. It just seems like a long task and the money I make is just going to someone else for rent. Decisions, decisions.
Thanks in advance as all of this is overwhelming. I hope this discussion can maybe help others that are in a similar situation or are thinking about doing the same.
