I've browsed this site quite often over the last few months. Decided I should get around to joining. Better late than never. I've always "done my own thing". Different from everyone else. I'm turning 36 this fall. I've never owned a house, never had a mortgage, never paid rent. I've lived in trailers, my car, basements, dungeons, I've house sat, slept on floors, couches, and more floors. I've been cheapliving for most of my life, it's just been mostly in Connecticut. I love to travel though. I've already been to 38 states and 4 countries. I always manage to find money to do the things I decide to do. I'm not scared of the unknown. The unknown is what my life is all about. I retired almost 4 years ago. I don't have a pension, or any kind of retirement fund. I just decided to stop working. If "retired" people in their 60's and up can claim they're retired and still work a few hours a week, why not me? For the first two years or so, friends and family members would kind of smirk at me. Like they're humoring me. Did you finally get a job? What do you do all day while your friends work? After over three years, no one asks me anymore. It's like they can't understand being able to survive without working. Like it's something you HAVE to do. Well I'm ready to move on. I've been trying to find a good rv/van for awhile now, but honestly, I can't decide because I don't really care. I can make do with anything home is where I happen to sleep tonight
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- Thread starter Madpeep
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DannyB1954
Well-known member
Welcome to the tribe. Make sure you got your qualifying time in with Social Security. We don't like Socialism until we start getting social security checks. I don't know of anybody that sends them back. I say this because I have an older friend that just barely qualified. If it wasn't for the little bit he gets he would be really hurting now that he is 72. When you are 36, you can get a job. At 72, not so easy.
Welcome to the CRVL forums Madpeep! Sounds like you could teach us a thing or two about cheapliving!
To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.
To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.
I paid into SS from 16 to about 28. It's not a lifetime, but it's something. My family has an average, possibly even below average, lifespan. I'm living healthier now than I was. Hopefully I will make it to 72. Then I can admit that you were right and I should've given the government more money 
rvpopeye
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Well , ,,,,,,welcome HOME madpeep !
You've been one of us for a while now , jump in , ask what you need and help answer other questions where you can.
I also have lived my life on the outside of "accepted norms" and have had all the remarks and eyerolls etc etc etc, too , let them have their fun (If they have any spare time!)
SS requires 42 quarters of payments , you can call or go to the nearest SS office and ask what you'll get if you make no more payments till you're 62 or 66 but you have plenty of time to do that ,,,and it might not matter in 30 years !!!
You've been one of us for a while now , jump in , ask what you need and help answer other questions where you can.
I also have lived my life on the outside of "accepted norms" and have had all the remarks and eyerolls etc etc etc, too , let them have their fun (If they have any spare time!)
SS requires 42 quarters of payments , you can call or go to the nearest SS office and ask what you'll get if you make no more payments till you're 62 or 66 but you have plenty of time to do that ,,,and it might not matter in 30 years !!!
mockturtle
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Welcome! BTW, I'm curious:
Where do you find it?
Where do you find it?
mockturtle said:
I didn't intend for that to sound sketchy. I'm an Eagle Scout, so it's not through thievery. I've been really good at buying into fads/collectibles and reselling for decent profit. Action figures, Pokemon, Paw Patrol, and MtG. Even when I've been wrong I've still pretty much broken even. Recently I've been experimenting with Amazon's FBA seller system. Buy low and sell high.
My friend buys foreclosed houses and then let's me stay in them while they're being renovated. His investment is safer with me here and he doesn't have to waste half a day waiting for each utility/delivery men. 8 hour windows pfft. Each new house gets me a home for 6-8 weeks. The house I'm in now had many hiccups. I've been here for three months. A tenant moves in this week and I'll move on. I have three house sitting gigs this month, so I needed to get going anyway. Then a trip to Florida at the end of the month. Im too busy to work!
ArtW
Well-known member
that house sitting gig is a sweet deal, given the chance, I'd do it, too
There are a few cons. I didn't have a toilet for the first week. The people who vacated the property obviously took their frustration out on the poor toilet. Another week and a half to get a shower (cold water only). I'm used to showering at family/friend's places anyway. If you're good to the people around you, they'll be good back. I have keys to many of my family/friend's places. I can use their showers and laundry. I don't visit too often and I don't overstay my welcome. I always try to leave the place cleaner than when I arrived. Full garbage cans get emptied, dishes in the sink get washed, pets get walked and played with. I have great friends and family
Up until about two months ago, I've never created a budget. Money came and went. I knew I spent way too much on gas, entertainment, and food (I eat out way too much). But I didn't know how much was wasted. Now I know. I do spend way too much on food and entertainment. Anyone thinking of this kind of life needs a budget. I wish I started doing it years ago. I spent less this month than last month. Next month my goal is to spend even less!
ArtW
Well-known member
My RV I live in has neither a flush toilet nor a shower
I have a porta pottie, or i can use a bucket and shavings for the solids, and the liquids can go in ant container that'll hold enough to make me through the night
i shower at my gym, and bring water in daily in jugs from an outside faucet
Your treatment of friends property says a lot of good things about you
your treatment of their pets says even more
budgeting is a good thing, so long as you leave some wiggle room, and are realistic about it
I have a porta pottie, or i can use a bucket and shavings for the solids, and the liquids can go in ant container that'll hold enough to make me through the night
i shower at my gym, and bring water in daily in jugs from an outside faucet
Your treatment of friends property says a lot of good things about you
your treatment of their pets says even more
budgeting is a good thing, so long as you leave some wiggle room, and are realistic about it
ghost
Well-known member
Welcome aboard Madpeeps! Sounds like you know how to live lean and mean. That's the way to be in this upcoming economy. I base my life on relationships with people and nature. Also, hiking, camping, cycling, snowboarding, and travel. There is more to life than a retirement fund. I'm 39 and social security or a 401k may not even be there when I'm 70 so live your life strong while you'r still young!
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Madpeep said:
It's pretty likely you will have great friends and family members when you yourself are a great friend and a great family member!! Which it sounds like you are!
Bob
I honestly thought my mustang gt got horrible mpg at 17 city/24 hwy. My focus gets 28/36 (well got, sold it already in preparation of traveling). Even the best vans rarely hit 24mpg. I guess I'm just looking for the most mechanically sound, fuel efficient van with enough room for a 6' tall guy and his cat. That's reasonably cost. Shouldn't be too hard
