Freedom, in an unexpected way..

[VanLifeCrisis]

So ive been working and living in a strange sort of position for the last few years.&nbsp; My boss is also my landlord.&nbsp; This might seem great, and it did help me out of a tight spot with cheap rent (and he picked up my hours, since its going right back to him anyway).&nbsp; But i soon discovered it was a whole new level of stress.&nbsp; Though they have been good about making repairs if i need them, usually it is done weeks or months later.&nbsp; normally this wouldn't stand with me from a&nbsp; landlord, but i was so worried about losing my job if i complained.&nbsp; A tree recently fell in the yard and hit the cabin and i had the same stress/dread come up for weeks before they came to clean (partially) some of it up.&nbsp; I would always fret about the danger of losing my job cause id have no where to live or vice versa.&nbsp; <br /><br />Well then i got to reading about vandwelling, and seeing people doing it on youtube.&nbsp; And it suddenly dawned on me.&nbsp; If i even lose both, i will be alright.&nbsp; I used to have this sort of freedom in the past (before i got married and the pressure to succeed and consume kicked in) and it is very liberating.&nbsp; I am glad to have rediscovered it.&nbsp; I feel like my boss doesn't have an axe over my neck anymore and i feel less trapped.&nbsp; So even tho im not living out of my van yet, just knowing that i can and survive helps.

 

[Ricekila]

For what its worth -- I've seen that situation with 2 other people ---- in the long run - it didn't turn out to well <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Then when my turn came for a free apartment from my boss - I kept putting it off -- long story short -- he turned out to be a real prick <img src="/images/boards/smilies/mad.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />As my Daddy use to say --- listen how they talk about other people in front of you --- 100 % chance your getting the same&nbsp;<strong>courtesy&nbsp; </strong><img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" />

 

[Guest]

Hi DG, We spent a winter living in my boss' apartment in Alaska while I apprenticed to him for a year. Yikes...I knew he was a sh--head going in but it was worth it for what he taught me in becoming a journeyman level bench jeweler...as soon as the winter was over, we rented a cabin nearby to finish out the year and then we were down the road and still able to stay friends with he and his wife... <br /><br />All the time I had my first bus in the yard so I always knew we had an option. For me it was worth the hassle but I was learning/refining a trade.<br /><br />Best of luck,<br />Bri

 

[Mortisha]

Try renting from a family member =( I left my loft apt that I really liked to rent this house from my aunt to help her out. Big mistake! After the first month, she asks me to house her two sons that are 30 yrs old because they have no where to go and are in trouble with the law. I did so reluctantly for two months and of course no deduction on rent or anything for me. Then of course things start to break.... and because I am family, she never hurried to fix anything. Finally everything got fixed after months of having to clean up a flooded basement every other day. I am still here =( Well for two more years and then that is it. I am off the grid and wish her all the best. I hate renting!!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Whew, kind of nervous.&nbsp; In an effort to get out of the awkward situation im in, and to pounce on an opportunity, i applied for an apartment that is only 50 bucks more than my current place.&nbsp; Its a much nicer apartment, no yard to take care of, swimming pool literally shares a parking lot, tv and internet is available unlike my cabin.&nbsp; No big hills in the winter or trees falling on me.&nbsp; <br /><br />I got the apartment...but tomorrow i have to break the news to my boss.&nbsp; Im not sure the reaction.&nbsp; At worst he gets ticked off and fires me, and i lose both options and fall back to vandwelling till i can get back on my feet again.&nbsp; At best he lets me out without paying september rent, despite only having 11 days till the first.&nbsp; That would be so sweet because this wouldnt impact my longer term goals any.&nbsp; Middle ground, and i think the most likely option, is he will lock me in for the firsts rent, ill have to dip in savings for the other apartment.&nbsp; I do think its possible he will cut my work hours, because he increased them when he knew i was going to be paying him rent.<br /><br />Wish me luck or pray for me, or both!&nbsp; I can use it all.

 

[Unchained]

Just... wow. I knew I liked you, VanLifeCrisis, I just didn't know we had so much in common! I also rent from my boss, a 34' 5th wheel on his property (that I moved into after my divorce), and it's miserable. He thinks that because I live here, he can call me day or night to do things when he is away, and that it's OK for him to come banging on my door on my days off when he is here. I finally got a second cell and let my main one go dead because I got tired of him texting me at all hours. <br /><br />Good news is that I found a 94 Astro EXT with tow package for $2000 through a co-worker. If it's mechanically sound, I will have my vandwelling/ escape vehicle very soon and will at least have a mobile roof over my head if the <em>merde hits the ventilateur</em>.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Sweet!&nbsp; I really like astros, they are like the best of a minivan (mileage) and cargo van combined.&nbsp; <br /><br />I feel your pain.&nbsp; My boss has been very good so far, they are very hands off actually.&nbsp; Hes not really my day to day supervisor so he doesn't call me or anything.&nbsp; But if things do involve him, that could get hairy for me.&nbsp; They like status quo.&nbsp;

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Well, i talked to my boss and he was pretty cool about it so far.&nbsp; Now i just gotta sign the new lease tomorrow and get out of here in 10 days.&nbsp; Which shouldnt be a problem, because i live so minimalistic-ally anyway. Then all i have to do is live normally, and work on my van bit by bit while saving.

 

[Guest]

Great news DG...glad it is working out...as usual, my fears are mostly in my head...hahaha<br />Bri

 

[66788]

Hi DG, We spent a winter living in my boss' apartment in Alaska while I apprenticed to him for a year. Yikes...I knew he was a sh--head going in but it was worth it for what he taught me in becoming a journeyman level bench jeweler...as soon as the winter was over, we rented a cabin nearby to finish out the year and then we were down the road and still able to stay friends with he and his wife... <br /><br />All the time I had my first bus in the yard so I always knew we had an option. For me it was worth the hassle but I was learning/refining a trade.<br /><br />Best of luck,<br />Bri

I would like to know how someone anonymously posts as an "unregistered guest" and not as a forum member.

I would prefer that type of access!

 

[BC Guy]

You will notice that this is an old post. The postee is no longer on the forum. So, if you want, your posts to date can read the same way.