Money/job issue is my biggest obstacle to living the RV life

[GaiaGoddess]

Without knowing any details of your lifestyle, I will suggest based on experience with friends, cook inexpensive meals at home rather than eating out, stay out of the clubs, no cable TV, cheap phone plan, quit smoking/drinking....

I only eat out maybe once or twice a month, I don't even buy food in vending machines at work, I cook it all myself. I never go to clubs or bars, I don't have cable (only Netflix which is only $6 a month), I have my phone plan as cheap as I can get it without sacrificing what I need, I also have never smoked and I quit drinking 2 years ago. I only drink water, I don't even buy soda, coffee, milk, or tea.

Getting rid of your "high credit card debt" should be a priority and whatever you do don't add to it.

Yeah I've been working on that, but my income is barely enough to cover my bills, let alone put any more to my credit card. I have only been able to pay the minimum due each month. It was always ok until I had a $3000 car repair bill and it was either use my credit card or lose my job without a way to get there.

You say that you "have no help from anyone" yet that you stay with your mother when needed. Your mother may be your best or only way out of your financial bind. If you take that route be sure to help out with the bills that she has and try to see things from her side as well as your own.

Well I meant no one as in no husband, boyfriend (I do have one but he's more broke than I am, lol), roommate, etc. My mom is seriously below being homeless on my list of what i will do to get out of debt. I was forced to live with her for 5 years and I almost ended my life I got so depressed.

 

[GaiaGoddess]

You probably have the sleep disorder because your trying to avoid people during the day time because of your social anxiety , you should face your fears and conquer them .

lol No...not everyone who has this disorder also has social issues. I had this when I was 5 years old, I never had to deal with customers or talk on the phone then, lol This is a neurological circadian rhythm disorder that affects 15% of the population but it's usually misdiagnosed as regular insomnia.

 

[cyndi]

"my 2nd bedroom is crammed full of my stuff,"

Start there. Sell that stuff that's stuffed into the second bedroom. If you're goig for a full timemobile life, you won't need it.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I hope I don't come across as too harsh but all I see is a big wall of excuses If you think you can't then you can't. You have to take control of your mind, don't let it control you.

 

[mayble]

I hope I don't come across as too harsh but all I see is a big wall of excuses  If you think you can't then you can't.  You have to take control of your mind, don't let it control you.

There's a heaping helping of truth in that, I can tell ya!
I constantly catch myself saying "I can't do that", and on further contemplation find that in truth I either just plain don't want to, or don't have the confidence that I could do it well.  It's a habit I've fallen into the in the last few years - I used to design/build/fix/do stuff without a problem but lost my mojo somewhere along the way.
I'm working on making myself try more stuff.  Yeah it's hot and uncomfortable and not always perfect but stuff gets done if it needs to be done.  If not then it's because it's something I honestly don't need (like a new faucet in a second bathroom ).
Small victories snowball into big accomplishments.

And temp agencies place workers into all kinds of jobs. I've done inventory as well as clerical work, and the company I work for now uses them for general labor in the busy season. It's not all Kelly Girls typing and answering phones.

 

[Almost There]

Maybe, since you don't seem to be able to find your way out of the financial hellhole that you're in on your own, some credit/financial counselling would be a help. It doesn't need to be aimed at bankruptcy proceedings just at helping you pay down your debts and live within your means. There are free services available in most all areas.

I have a g/f who was mired in her own financial mess. She is raising 2 teen girls on disability income. We sat down and did her up a budget and had her write down every penny she spent for 3 months so that we could figure out where it was all going. Once it was all down on paper we found realistic ways for her to cut some expenses way back, adjust her budget so that it was more realistic. One thing that worked for her was putting things like the weekly grocery money in an envelope. When it was empty, there was NO more money to be spent. No one ever went hungry btw! She quickly learned how to make it stretch instead of taking it from the bill paying account. We found some interesting things when it was all down on paper. One of them was the amount of penalties she was paying by being late with payments. When added up, it was huge so we daytimered all her bills so that they were paid ON time.

Some counselors will suggest paying off the biggest debt first, or the one with the highest interest rate. We tried a different tack, she paid off the lowest debt first and then took the money that was going in to it to increase the amount being paid off of the next debt. 
This gave her the satisfaction of having achieved one less debt on her list. It took her over 2 years of hard concerted effort to become debt free and to have an emergency fund but now she manages the same amount of income much better and has even been able to take her 2 teenage daughters on a couple of vacations that would have been totally impossible to afford before.

You CAN get yourself out of debt and on the road to financial happiness but it takes a willing mind, a CAN DO attitude and often times someone with a more objective look at your situation than yourself.

 

[rvpopeye]

After reading through all of your posts , the one job that keeps popping into my mind for you is Amazon , night shift.

 

[TrainChaser]

You live in Minnesota and work 60 hrs a week? Minimum wage there is $9.

$9 x 60 hrs = $540/wk + overtime is $4.50 x 20 hrs = $90, added together is $630/wk or $2,250/mo.
That's $30,240 a year, gross. Even roughly estimating 25% for regular deductions, that's take-home of $22,680, more than I've ever made in my life.

That averages out to $472/mo clear, or $1,890/mo. Your rent is less than $300.

WHERE IS ALL THE REST GOING?

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

After reading through all of your posts , the one job that keeps popping into my mind for you is Amazon , night shift.

I was thinking the exact same thing

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

We sat down and did her up a budget and had her write down every penny she spent for 3 months so that we could figure out where it was all going. Once it was all down on paper we found realistic ways for her to cut some expenses way back, adjust her budget so that it was more realistic.

Excellent advice.  Get in the habit of writing down every penny you spend.  You can then see where to save and where you are wasting money.  I have done this for years and it is ingrained; I save receipts and log them every night.

One thing that worked for her was putting things like the weekly grocery money in an envelope.

This is Dave Ramsey's approach, who's methods two acquaintances have used to get back on financial footing.

 -- Spiff

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

You say you have "no office skills except typing, and that's nothing these days."

Well you're certainly mistaken about that last part.

I retired from New York State.  We had women working in our agency whose job title was "Keyboard Specialist".  In order to get these jobs, they had to pass a typing test.  I think it was either 35 or 40 words a minute, with an acceptable error rate.

Starting pay was around 20 grand a year.  12 paid holidays a year.  Good vacation and sick time.  Best health insurance in the world, and New York State paid 90% of it.  Hell, I was even able to keep it when I retired.  I traded in 1500 hours of unused sick leave for a credit that covers my whole cost - my health insurance is free.

 

[GaiaGoddess]

"my 2nd bedroom is crammed full of my stuff,"

Start there. Sell that stuff that's stuffed into the second bedroom. If you're goig for a full timemobile life, you won't need it.

I have already gone through and donated what I don't use or need to Goodwill. Everything else I use on a regular basis like clothes, jackets, shoes, camping gear (which I wouldn't need anymore once I get an RV but for now I go camping with it) or it's all keepsake stuff, like photo albums, also all my legal papers, I also have a bunch of craft supplies that I make crafts with, that's one of the things I was trying to get into to earn money, so I want to keep that stuff so I am still able to make things to sell.

I was planning on renting storage for this stuff once I get an RV, unless I got one big enough for all this. I know RV's come with storage, the stuff that takes up so much room in the rest of my trailer is furniture which I wouldn't need anymore so it seems like I have a lot of stuff but really all I would be taking with me is the stuff in my 2nd bedroom.

 

[GaiaGoddess]

I hope I don't come across as too harsh but all I see is a big wall of excuses  If you think you can't then you can't.  You have to take control of your mind, don't let it control you.

Well that's why I came here to see if anyone had any ideas that I hadn't thought of yet, because all the obvious stuff I've already thought of and that's how I know it doesn't work. The problem isn't my mind. I mean I know the obvious thing is to cut expenses but I already have, I don't buy anything I don't need, I don't take vacations, I pretty much just exist to work. The cost of living is simply too much for even middle class people, I am not even sure if I'm that high, I'm probably still in the lower class even though I make $12 an hour.

 

[DannyB1954]

I was planning on renting storage for this stuff once I get an RV, 

Often over a period of time the storage fees are greater than the value of the items stored. If you go on tour across the country for a year, add the storage fees for that time period and see if your items are worth it. Maybe a storage box for the top or back of your vehicle will hold your craft supplies.

 

[Gary68]

this is quite simple,pretty much do what Bob Wells did,find yourself a box van,insulate the crap out of it and move in,if you cant fit it in the van you dont need it,get rid of it,a good propane heater and stove,keep working till debt is paid and have at least 10k in savings,then drive off to wherever you want to go taking odd jobs and what not on the way

bob did it in alaska,you can do it in minn

 

[Suanne]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I've been getting rid of my stuff over the last several years. It's been challenging. One tactic that I've just started using is to mark out an area in my house that is the size of a van (6'x10'), and then only living with what I can comfortably store in that space. It's been a bit tricky because I'm married and hubby isn't a minimalist, but I'm making progress.

That means I'm only keeping items that have more than one use, and also keeping only one of each thing instead of storing spares. I've got rid of my knickknacks, pared down my clothing lots, scanned photos to keep electronically, etc. The hardest for me right now is giving away my crafting supplies and selling my camping gear. I've sold collectibles on ebay, everything else on craigslist, and what doesn't sell I donate to a local thrift store. Because I'm taking it slow, it's a bit like pealing off a Band-Aid a little bit at a time. While I'm taking years, others have ripped it off in a matter of months.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you the idea of practicing living in a small space within your current house. It might help you figure out if you have things to sell or give away that will make the transition into a vandwelling lifestyle more doable.

When I am on the road, I live out of a Prius. In preparing to do that, I find that thinking like a backpacker makes it easier to figure out what to bring in such a small space.

The best to you as you figure out the best path to your happiness.

Suanne

 

[vsession]

My opinion is to move away from your current location, not for running away from your problems but to change your mindset. See someone for your credit and stay away from your mom or fix the issue with her that made you think about suicide when living there not by choice for 5 years. I’m sorry if I sound too harsh, it's not my intend, it's internet after all.

 

[Hippiechk]

A lot of good ideas have been shared here. Your situation being so unique, as are we all, does make it hard to be hugely helpful with a very out of control life and a dream.

Don't get me wrong, its imperative to have a dream IMO!!

Lets nibble on just one financial point. It speaks to your situation and your mindset. Your 10 year old car that absolutely must be replaced soon and at significant debt. You should probably look at it as an asset & downscale it. There is lots of great reliable transportation out there, even vans, that are significantly less costly than your 10 year old vehicle should be. You do need to rethink your attitude in regards to replacing things that incur debt. You got into debt by living beyond your means. $3,000 a month isn't chump change, it sounds like you work very hard for it. Fact is though if you can't live modestly on it & work out repayment that is wayyyy more than minimums you can't right this sinking ship!

For income, try doing & selling some crafts now. Extra money & learn which of what you do is saleable & what is for pleasure, lots can't be both.

Also on crafts I will share I have a fairly large RV for one person & a 4 pound dog. I have a huge amount of storage...seriously my whole cutaway queen overhead is built in cabinets with custom interiors that let me reach it all...it's all craft stuff!! There is craft stuff in every single other cupboard too, just bits, but its there... The reason I know what's there is I have to cross international borders. You can probably get rid of a lot, I could but it pleases me even to look at my hoard! *smile*

And you can do it there, I am in the warmest part of Canada now but have spent a few winters in the coldest parts of Canada in RVs. I don't always go south...

 

[GaiaGoddess]

Maybe, since you don't seem to be able to find your way out of the financial hellhole that you're in on your own, some credit/financial counselling would be a help. It doesn't need to be aimed at bankruptcy proceedings just at helping you pay down your debts and live within your means. There are free services available in most all areas.

I have a g/f who was mired in her own financial mess. She is raising 2 teen girls on disability income. We sat down and did her up a budget and had her write down every penny she spent for 3 months so that we could figure out where it was all going. Once it was all down on paper we found realistic ways for her to cut some expenses way back, adjust her budget so that it was more realistic. One thing that worked for her was putting things like the weekly grocery money in an envelope. When it was empty, there was NO more money to be spent. No one ever went hungry btw! She quickly learned how to make it stretch instead of taking it from the bill paying account. We found some interesting things when it was all down on paper. One of them was the amount of penalties she was paying by being late with payments. When added up, it was huge so we daytimered all her bills so that they were paid ON time.

Some counselors will suggest paying off the biggest debt first, or the one with the highest interest rate. We tried a different tack, she paid off the lowest debt first and then took the money that was going in to it to increase the amount being paid off of the next debt. 
This gave her the satisfaction of having achieved one less debt on her list. It took her over 2 years of hard concerted effort to become debt free and to have an emergency fund but now she manages the same amount of income much better and has even been able to take her 2 teenage daughters on a couple of vacations that would have been totally impossible to afford before.

You CAN get yourself out of debt and on the road to financial happiness but it takes a willing mind, a CAN DO attitude and often times someone with a more objective look at your situation than yourself.

I understand the concept of paying off debt and minimizing your bills, I'm just saying I have already done that, and you can't help a lot of things that happen that you NEED money for. I'll tell you exactly what I did... a few years ago, I lived with my mom for 5 years. I paid off my credit card, had no bills other than my cellphone and car insurance and gas to drive around, and of course I bought my own food. I bought a cheap trailer in the cheapest trailer park I could find even though it wasn't in my town, so I spend more on gas visiting my family and friends but it's still better than paying double the lot rent. I didn't get cable since it's much cheaper to stream stuff over the internet, so I thought I could easily afford to have any job I could get so I took a job for $8 an hour. Then i had major problems with my car and had to pay $3000 to get that fixed, so i had to use my credit card. I got a better paying job as soon as i could find one, but it wasn't much better, $9 an hour. Then while I was trying to pay off my credit card, my water meter froze and my pipes and all that, so I had to pay the city to get a new one and I had to pay a few hundred bucks for the guy to fix everything. I was able to get a better job, the one I have now, then my faucet broke and I had to pay for a new one and pay someone to put it in for me. I have been trying to sell something that is worth $1000 but it's been a year now and nobody will buy it. I tried earning money online in various ways but it only added up to a few dollars (after a whole year) so that wasn't worth my time. I still have about $2000 left on my credit card bill and see no ways I can reduce my bills any more. I can't even afford health insurance so I've been going without that for a few years.

 

[GaiaGoddess]

After reading through all of your posts , the one job that keeps popping into my mind for you is Amazon , night shift.

I could do that, like the distribution centers? I'm sure it's not that different than factory work which I do now. I'll check it out and see if there are any around here. I have never seen any ads for that come up when job searching so I'm doubting it, or I would have known about them by now, but I guess if i'm travelling around the country I can always travel to a state that has an Amazon location and stay there and work for a while.

Edit; Well there goes that idea. I did find one an hour and a half from where I am now and they are hiring, but it says you have to be available to work all shifts and you also need to be able to lift 50 pounds. I only weigh 104 pounds, lol I can barely lift 20, lol I guess I should have figured that, because a while ago I tried getting a job at UPS and they had the same rules.