Excessive work just for space to park

[~Wes]

Good thread.  I agree wholeheartedly.  I used to think that I would like to get into a position such as the ones described.  Then, I noticed that Bob said in his videos "terrible arrangement!  Don't do it!"  After researching it more and seeing the particulars of the jobs at many campgrounds, I soured on the idea.  I have researched the companies that Bob has worked for and/or recommended.  A job that pays for all hours worked would of course be the way to go, and even though those jobs are of course much more in demand, it does appear that there is nearly always something open, if a person is willing to work in a remote location.

I also agree with you about the prices of campgrounds rising fast!  Even more reason to seek out free, or very cheap, alternatives.  I am very thankful that there are so many resources online to find free camping, and thankful that people are willing to share their "finds".

 

[jonsun]

what we need to do is start a campground collective, everyone goes in on a trust for the property and fees are for taxes and maybe marginal profit. but still well below market rate.

sorry no RV newer than 10 years

 

[TexasTuff]

This does not apply to all. My knowledge of this dates back several years. This couple was living on SSI and had very low income. She was almost blind and he had a heart blockage. Neither had insurance. Both were fixable if they had insurance. They had a travel trailer that was paid for which was their saving grace. Any extra money they could come up with was wonderful for them. Workkamper in Texas State Parks is what kept them afloat. To many, just a couple of hundred dollars a month makes a big difference in their lives, regardless of the hours.

 

[CityWoman]

A similar thing happens with housesitting.

There are plenty of people who happily accept housesitting gigs for no pay, because they just think it's great to be able to stay in someone's beautiful home and not pay for a hotel or worry about rent. But the more people are willing to housesit for free, the more it ruins things for the professional housesitters who support themselves by getting paid for their work.

Many professional housesitters invest in training/certification as handypersons, and in pet first aid, as well as getting bonded so they can manage and take care of someone's property. They take it seriously as their vocation, not just a chance for a free place to stay. After all, you're not just there to sleep, eat, and surf the web - you're there to keep an eye on the place, do some cleaning and maintenance work, resolve problems, accept packages, water the lawns, and (oftentimes) feed and care for animals as well. The professionals are getting screwed when more and more people are willing to housesit for free because that equates to less and less paying opportunities being offered.

This is a common dynamic in many work situations across numerous industries, though. The more people are willing to accept less pay/benies while doing more work or accepting crappy conditions, there will be less better jobs and more crappy ones for everyone. This has always been the case, unfortunately.

 

[akrvbob]

That's why I recommend working as hosts at National Forest campgrounds-- you get a free site and are paid for every hour you work.

 

[user 15722]

Really high rents around here. and climbing...
It's California... kind of expected, these days.

I read an ad on Craigs a while back... some people offered a house to a skilled person in exchange for labor.
After about 3x reading it, I couldn't shake the thought they were soliciting for an indentured servant.

I'm sure I would rather live in a van !
wheels

 

[Wabbit]

If someone offers to do work for barter and its a better deal for all involved, that doesn't ruin it for me(if I was doing the work\exchange first). Just means I have to either move on to a different gig, or improve my barter\trade.

 

[likearollingstone]

Really high rents around here. and climbing...
It's California... kind of expected, these days.

I read an ad on Craigs a while back... some people offered a house to a skilled person in exchange for labor.
After about 3x reading it, I couldn't shake the thought they were soliciting for an indentured servant.

I'm sure I would rather live in a van !
wheels

I frequently read Craigslist "gigs" and that ad's not an exception. Imagine if it were that inexpensive and easy - you post an ad and your skilled carpenter shows up and builds it for you for the roof over his head, then leaves when it's done. I find the expectations and entitlement mentality these days nauseating.

A lot of the FHU listings I see for workamping ask 24 hours per week as an exchange. This is a shockingly bad arrangement, in my opinion. They're not even providing room and board, just a parking space.

 

[user 15722]

I frequently read Craigslist "gigs" and that ad's not an exception. Imagine if it were that inexpensive and easy - you post an ad and your skilled carpenter shows up and builds it for you for the roof over his head, then leaves when it's done. I find the expectations and entitlement mentality these days nauseating.

A lot of the FHU listings I see for workamping ask 24 hours per week as an exchange. This is a shockingly bad arrangement, in my opinion. They're not even providing room and board, just a parking space.

I shall look for the ad, which I did grab, because I was stunned...
They asked for a licensed contractor, or handyman with at least his biz name on his truck, with references, and tooling...  to work 30 hours per week. A nice cabin was offered, furnished. They requested the candidate have at least $1,000/month outside income.
Duties would vary day by day from carpentry, to painting, to fence repair, or animal husbandry, depending upon their needs.
Fun people, I'm almost sure.   wheels

 

[John61CT]

I have done work in exchange for room and board arrangements.

Most lower-income people pay well over 30% of their gross income on housing, not counting food and utilities.

I figure vs a 40-hour week, 12 hours is fair, say 15 for utilities especially if wifi included. Food makes it more variable, who's doing cooking etc.

I would expect reasonably hard work within those hours, above that comp time or fair cash wages.

Now, switch to "your van, just a parking spot?" Go jump in the lake! Taking advantage of desperation IMO.

But financially comfortable, volunteering for gov sites, OK can understand, somewhat.

 

[user 15722]

Yessir.
I have seen that many times before.
Earning a living in the trades and competition comes along that is happy with a plate of beans with some rice, and maybe a bit of pork a couple times a week.

And how can anyone compete with a docent volunteer that is simply happy as a clam at high tide just to BE there ???
I'd be champing at the bit to build a few factories, condos, and a shopping mall or two ! lol
...and motor lodges, so Everyone could come and enjoy it !

There's got to be a balance somewhere. wheels