Future full-timer, here I come world!

[activelylit]

Hello van dwellers and rv dwellers alike, or anyone else with that adventurous spirit echoing freedoms call! My name is Tony. 24 years old and looking for a change of lifestyle. Currently I live with my parents, have little to zero debt, have a car I can trade for a van, and have a steady income while I'm living at this residence. I won't have the luxury of continuing my current job once I move out, so the one obstacle to be over-come is the money-making hurdle.

Currently plan of action in order to make money: freelance writing, web design, and money from my own websites. I can make it work if I put the effort into it, I'm sure. If not, I can always fall back on other temp jobs to compensate.

Nature is free,
as is me!

Peace AND Freedom,
-Tony

 

[Patrick46]

Hi Tony

what part of the country do you call home??

Why wouldn't you be able to keep your job, just because you're living in a van?? Many other folks on here actually have very good jobs they maintain while they're living in a van, or even in cars.
Once you hang around this board for awhile, you'll be amazed at the way some folks are getting along with wheels under their homes.

Welcome to the asylum!!


Patrick from Oregon

 

[activelylit]

South-east Michigan, about an hour from lake michigan. My parents own a few acres of woods in a rural town, just on the edge of the urban sprawl. It's nice, and I don't really wish to give up my job (medical mmj caregiver), but my mom has asked for me to move out by next spring, so I am now trying deciding which path to take. I can either buy land here in Michigan and continue my caretaking, or I can take the van route and pursue my dreams. (dreams consist of: writing a book / books, operating multiple websites, producing educational material to teach people critical thinking, online newsletter/magazine, video and audio interviews of politicans using socratic method to expose contradictions)

A week ago I read an article about a twenty-something year old living out of his van that he renovated for living, and then two days ago I was informed of my scheduled change in living arrangements. So, it was probably no accident when I decided to do an internet search for "living on the road". Six hours of link clicking later, and a lot of reading, I am now here, more excited than ever before at what the future holds.

 

[Bdog1]

My 2c.... Go do it while your young! That's hindsight on my part. Lol

 

[activelylit]

I've long ago came to the conclusion that the rat race is not the way to live. I am not willing to be a debt/wage slave just because some people sitting in a regular old building called the white house have decided I must use their currency, pay their taxes, sign their social contracts; basically give up my whole existence to the state. An imaginary construct existing in the minds of man alone. Belief in authority is the most dangerous superstition because it makes people give up their self-responsibility, their autonomy. After that happens, the person can no longer differentiate between right and wrong, instead relying on an external entity (the magical government) to dictate their guiding principles.

"Oh you smoke pot? Pot is illegal, therefore you're a criminal and deserve to be locked in a cage." For smoking a plant. You'd think that would be up to the individual. Is it not your liberty to do with yourself as you wish? Or do you not control yourself? If not, who does?

@Bdog1
Life shouldn't begin when you retire.

 

[Patrick46]

(dreams consist of: writing a book / books, operating multiple websites, producing educational material to teach people critical thinking, online newsletter/magazine, video and audio interviews of politicans using socratic method to expose contradictions)

Hmmmmmmmm.....

I'd keep your day job.


.....you'll have ALOT more free time on your hands!

_______________________________________________________________________

actually...you sound about as ready for this lifestyle as any newcomer I've ever heard of.

(sounds like Washington or Colorado are the place for you!!)

 

[blkjak]

welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak

 

[activelylit]

@blkjak thanks for the welcoming words

I'd keep your day job.

...

actually...you sound about as ready for this lifestyle as any newcomer I've ever heard of.

(sounds like Washington or Colorado are the place for you!!)

I'm headed in that direction at some point to look for a place to eventually buy land so I can plant a food forest. Low maintenance is what I aim to achieve with the food forest. That way I can still travel freely and not have to worry about how my food source is doing. Nut and fruit trees, shrubs, plants that will live through the winter wherever I decide to buy land. Create plant guilds; plants that work well within proximity of each other. Create a living eco-system that attracts all chains of the food web. It'll be fun. Still much to learn and I love it!

Come Monday I'll be going out and looking for landscaping work as an additional income to help me save up to be comfortable and acquire everything I'll need. Also have to fix up the Chevy Lumina that's currently in my possession. It's going to be my bargaining chip for the van. Either I can sell it or I can trade it. It's a nice car... But, three out of four doors have dents in them, the passenger side doors need a replacement to work properly, and the interior needs some very intensive cleaning. The car was in use by a family member who neglected the inside. So there's black mold and what-not to scrub out of the carpets. After those things have been taken care of, I'm hoping to get about 2 grand out of it. I need to look up prices still, so the two grand is just an estimate. It's a four door chevy lumina, 2001 (i think, have to check).

I've never paid much attention to cars, but I'm a quick learner and am not afraid to do the research and get my hands dirty.

Here are some useful webpages I found for anyone wanting to write for money.

And there's also www.slicethepie.com. You can listen to a 90second clip of a song and then get paid to write a short review.

Another skill I have is website design. But I've never tried to sell my skills, I'll have to start on that. I've heard setting up wordpress sites can pay decent money.

 

[LughTheBard]

Welcome Actively Lit! Keep working toward your dream, your enthusiasm should serve you well!
And Bdog, I'm 54 and I'm just getting ready to get my van. Don't give up on your dreams.

Lugh

 

[activelylit]

I pulled the trigger and purchased this 1987 dodge ram 250 RoadTrek (versatile edition).



It seems to run and drive great (I'm not learned in the field of mechanics, yet), has close-to-new tires, two spares that look new, needs the AC charged and the regulator for the propane replaced. Bought it for $3,000. Has 69k miles on it.

Includes propane / electric Dometic fridge, microwave, propane stove, sink, and a toilet.

 

[Patrick46]

Well....that was a decient score!! ^^^ Looks good!

You're off and running!! Keep us posted!

 

[rvwandering]

Congratulations! The van looks great and it has everything that you need to start living in it. Keep us updated about your plans.

 

[GrinningPanther]

Hey Tony,

Welcome...and congratulations on the van! A Roadtrek with relatively low miles for such a reasonable price seems like a good find!

Bright-eyed idealism often is punished in this mostly non-idealistic world...but youth can absorb some punishment and still bounce back.
So, by all means, I encourage you to follow your passions and inspirations, and see what develops. Only by pursuing them will you know if you can attain your ends.

Best wishes,
GP

 

[GypsySilver]

ohh very nice - good luck!

 

[katelyn]

Nice van

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Nice rig

Welcome to the vandwelling lifestyle.

 

[decodancer]

Major congrats, the road is waiting...