It's not easy breaking free

[IanC]

Oh man, closing down your life is not easy. There are so many factors and as my trailer build progresses and the time comes to sell the house and shutter the business looms, the stress is mounting. How do I tell the tenant in my rental that her home will be up for sale - especially knowing her financial situation? How do I tell my main customer who makes a good portion of his living reselling products I make ?

Once I leave Massachusetts I don't ever plan on returning, so there are friends I might never see again. A good friend was showing me how to change the bearings on a trailer today and he had tears in his eyes when I mentioned never returning, and it's quite a few months away . Very tough .

I need to find a home for one of my cats who would never live in close quarters with my dog.

I am making good progress selling off possessions -of which I have more than I ever thought so between constant shipping items sold on Ebay and fielding calls from Craigslist ads it's been hectic , with tons yet to go, and all this while trying to put in a decent day's work.

Putting my Harley on Craigslist this weekend - another sad move.

Back in my old vagabond life, I'd quit a job with one phone call, leave the key in the apartment with everything inside, take off and leave it all behind. It  was so much easier being young and irresponsible and owning little .

All the things in between now and getting away make me wonder if this desire of mine isn't the most selfish thing I've ever done.

 

[Cammalu]

I think you need to tell your tenant and customer as soon as possible to give them ample time to make other arrangements. Are you able to teach the customer to make these products you sell so he can continue? Are you able to help your renter find another place even if you have to pay their deposit?

I have rental houses myself and I care about the homes and my renters also so I do understand.


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[Every Road Leads Home]

I live in Mass too, not a fan of this state by any stretch but once I finally escape, I'll always come back to visit friends and family. Visiting and living here are two different things, especially if you live in your vehicle. You can come and go at a moment's notice.

 

[IanC]

I think you need to tell your tenant and  customer as soon as possible to give them ample time to make other arrangements.  Are you able to teach the customer to make these products you sell so he can continue?   Are you able to help your renter find another place even if you have to pay their deposit?

I have rental houses myself and I care about the homes and my renters also so I do understand.  


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Those are excellent suggestions. I hadn't thought of paying the tenant's deposit at a new place , but that's exactly what I'll do. I had thought of offering my customer to put together a small shop just to do his products, offering him a deal on the equipment needed and training the person of his choice, so I'll work on that too . Also my buddy had hinted at doing a week's test run and going camping once the trailer's done. I think he envys my freedom to do this because we've often spoken about how trapped he feels in his own life - supporting adult basement dwelling kids, bad marriage etc. I'm going to make that happen.
The last thing I want to do is effect others negatively by my choice. Thanks for giving me some direction.

 

[Bast]

Hi
I am a ways away from becoming a full time mobile dweller. I am a caregiver to my handicapped sister. We are talking about what to do. I want her to come with me but that may not be possible or what she wants. I am actively looking for a rig for the two of us but if it turns out it is just me I would like a much smaller rig. Choices and decisions that are not easy.
Bast

 

[IanC]

I live in Mass too,  not a fan of this state by any stretch but once I finally escape, I'll always come back to visit friends and family.  Visiting and living here are two different things, especially if you live in your vehicle.  You can come and go at a moment's notice.

Where in Mass are you? - I'm outside of Springfield. Did you know that Massachusetts has one of the highest 'escapee ' rates in the country? It's stifling! A quick example ; After driving 41 years without an insurance claim, I hit a vehicle backing out my driveway - 3 miles an hour, no  damage but the occupants all claimed injury. Then , like an idiot I clipped a parked car 2 years later - also backing out the driveway (both incidents my fault but extremely minor) But my 40 year flawless record meant nothing. My insurance for the last 5 years has gone from the lowest rate possible to that of  a newly licensed teenager - state mandated  surcharges. By the time the points are off my record next year I would have paid an additional 6 grand. I have come to hate this state - it's a state for the well-off who make the laws and the hell with the rest of us.

 

[IanC]

Hi
I am a ways away from becoming a full time mobile dweller. I am a caregiver to my handicapped sister. We are talking about what to do. I want her to come with me but that may not be possible or what she wants. I am actively looking for a rig for the two of us but if it turns out it is just me I would like a much smaller rig. Choices and decisions that are not easy.
Bast

That's a tough one. good luck.

 

[ggwoman]

Oh man, closing down your life is not easy.

All the things in between now and getting away make me wonder if this desire of mine isn't the most selfish thing I've ever done.

In the same situation here Ian. I feel ya. Sometimes, what we perceive as "selfish" desire is only our society's brainwashing, but in reality may be a lifesaving change which you feel on a deep level.

 

[Sameer]

A year from now you will think to yourself...."Why didn't I do this sooner." Freedom...true freedom is a quest... Hard and arduous...the resulting treasure is worth all the effort.

 

[FALCON]

I think part of why it's so hard is that you have to* get rid of all your stuff, and get rid of your house/apartment, and tell people you're leaving, and do all of that hard stuff before you're getting the benefit of living how you want.

*Well, you don't totally have to

Me, I'm a few days from closing on my house. I hope so anyways. I've had another big problem come up with it that we're trying to sort out. If the closing goes through, I'll give my boss notice that I'm quitting right after, and then I'll only have to work two more weeks. If the house sale falls through, it could be who knows how long before I get it sold, and I'll keep working until that happens. So I'm getting quite a bit of stress right now over whether this works out. I already lost my girlfriend a few months ago because of the fact that I'm leaving soon. That was tough. I'm sure (or, I'm hoping) that once I've been out living in my van and exploring for a while, I'll feel extremely thankful of my "past self" - of all the work I did building the van and selling my house and saving up my money.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Where in Mass are you? - I'm outside of Springfield. Did you know that Massachusetts has one of the highest 'escapee ' rates in the country? It's stifling! A quick example ; After driving 41 years without an insurance claim, I hit a vehicle backing out my driveway - 3 miles an hour, no  damage but the occupants all claimed injury. Then , like an idiot I clipped a parked car 2 years later - also backing out the driveway (both incidents my fault but extremely minor) But my 40 year flawless record meant nothing. My insurance for the last 5 years has gone from the lowest rate possible to that of  a newly licensed teenager - state mandated  surcharges. By the time the points are off my record next year I would have paid an additional 6 grand. I have come to hate this state - it's a state for the well-off who make the laws and the hell with the rest of us.

Hi,
     I'm in Plymouth.  Yes, I've read that multiple times, people are fleeing our state in droves.  Unless you have deep pockets, this state is most unfriendly to it's citizens.  My family has owned a summer home in Plymouth since the 1950's and we are finally selling this year because the local town government is corrupt and inept.  Taxes have been raised over 40% in the last ten years and they are due to be raised again before the year is over. Ever facet of our lives here are controlled with their rules and regulations..........automobile insurance being one of the worst! and every law favors big corporations.  I bought a home in Maine a few years ago and if I don't relocate their soon, I'll be selling that as well and setting roots down somewhere else, most likely out West.

 

[IanC]

I think part of why it's so hard is that you have to* get rid of all your stuff,

Actually, you'd think that would be the case but things I've gotten rid of in the past (things I had that had at one time seemed precious ) are usually forgotten the minute they leave my possession. The only thing I can think of might be my bed - the first really good mattress I've ever owned. I'm definitely sure I'll miss that.

 

[IanC]

  Taxes have been raised over 40% in the last ten years and they are due to be raised again before the year is over. Ever facet of our lives here are controlled with their rules and regulations

It seems so short sighted , doesn't it? I am a member of the last dreaded minority that it's legal to hate - a smoker. When they continue to increase those taxes , I don't smoke less (and I have no plans to quit this choice ), what I do is cut back on other things. I used to eat breakfast at my local diner 3-4 times a week , now it's once. I used to go to the barber every 2 weeks , now it's every third week. Sucking money out of local communities to send to Boston , hurts big time. I feel like a rebel every time I go to tax free New Hampshire to buy cigarettes - quite empowering.

 

[IanC]

A year from now you will think to yourself...."Why didn't I do this sooner."  Freedom...true freedom is a quest...  Hard and arduous...the resulting treasure is worth all the effort.

I just wanted to say, Sameer, your video interview with Bob was the deciding factor on making this move. I watched it several times and thought "I want to have the kind of serenity that guy has". Loved your attitude about your dog too  - just the way I think. Mine didn't have the greatest former life and I plan to spend every day making that up to him

 

[akrvbob]

I just wanted to say, Sameer, your video interview with Bob was the deciding factor on making this move. I watched it several times and thought "I want to have the kind of serenity that guy has". Loved your attitude about your dog too  - just the way I think. Mine didn't have the greatest former life and I plan to spend every day making that up to him

Here's the way I think, I've dedicated myself to giving my dog his very best possible life. And wouldn't you know it, by doing that I gave ME my very BEST possible life!

I believe that will happen for you as well.
Bob

 

[Cheli]

I'm from MA also, just south of Boston.  I can't wait to get out of this state.  lol

I can totally relate to what you are saying.  I'm in a dead end relationship, I have a great job but it's completely unfulfilling, and I feel it's time to get off of the mundane and repetitive life that I drudge through every single day.  I've started selling my stuff which so far hasn't been too hard but once I get to my large furniture (that I've worked so hard to put my home in order and designed just the way I want it) it will get harder.

I have no difficulties leaving this state or leaving my job but leaving family and friends will be very hard.  My nine year old niece who I am VERY close with broke down crying on me a couple weeks ago because she doesn't want me to leave, it broke my heart.

I know once I'm living this lifestyle I will wish I did it years ago and once you get everything wrapped up here you will feel the same way.

I will be back to visit family and friends as I can but mostly I want to head out west.

A close friend told me recently that I have to do this for me and not let friends and family hold me back, no matter how hard it is.  So there is nothing wrong with you being selfish, we need to be sometimes.

 

[IanC]

I got a heck of a brainstorming in regards to my tenant . Can't wait to run it by her. I collect SS in 2 1/2 years, which will only be about $1,200, but I'm going to budget myself for $1,000 on the road. So, I'll figure the total for 2 1/2 years at $1000 plus sales tax on the house , realtor fees,etc and that plus the balance I owe , plus I'll give her a hand with closing costs - will be my selling price -way below the appraised value. So with the rental attached to the property, she will be living mortgage free. She retires in 2 1/2 years as well and wants to move South, so I'll make an informal agreement with her that I'll give her this sweet deal if she pays it forward when she sells and moves - give the next guy a break. Man, I'm really happy about this

 

[ArtW]

Provided she has the cash or credit to do it, that is a sweet deal

 

[highdesertranger]

I have never been to MA only heard stories, a lot of them. isn't it ironic that the state that gave us the Boston Tea Party is now one of the highest taxed states. highdesertranger

 

[IanC]

I have never been to MA only heard stories,  a lot of them.  isn't it ironic that the state that gave us the Boston Tea Party is now one of the highest taxed states.  highdesertranger

You have to see it to believe it. The reason being is that so many people are leaving to escape the state, yet the population stays stable - because so many move here for the dependency programs. The city next to mine now has 40% of residents living on public money.

Another factoid. Massachusetts is one of the only, if not the only state that requires a uniformed officer for any road , electrical ,sewer work - at $50 -$70 an hour. The public unions are very strong, and they fight like tigers to keep things the way they are .

They have to pay for it all somehow. I'm counting the days to when I leave here forever.