Social Security - USA - ONLY FISCAL SOURCE

[offroad]

Would like to hear from folks who only have SOCIAL SECURITY (maybe $12,000 us dollars) per year for income, and are making a life of it in a RV-VAN or RV-CAR or other vehicle.<BR><BR>These are the folks who only have MEDICARE medical insurance, and nothing else.<BR><BR>Some have this due to retirement, and others have it due to medical disability.&nbsp; We are lucky in this country to at least have this, for the time being.<BR><BR>Living on this level can be done.&nbsp; You need smarts to work the system, and some luck (a good cheap to fix vehicle).&nbsp; Plus you need strength of character as family and authorities might want to put you under their care (because they are fearful&nbsp;- not you)<BR><BR>Lets hear the tips??&nbsp; Lets hear about buying a vehicle for under $5000 in savings to live in (fully configured price).<BR>&nbsp;

 

[greybeard23]

Well, I am one of those you speak of.&nbsp; I had been traveling in an suv and tent camping for a year around the country.&nbsp; A year ago March, my car got t-boned while in Arkansas.&nbsp; So, Luckily I had a way to get some funds and buy an old van.&nbsp; I limped that back to New Hampshire, and a friend let me stay in a camp on the river for free, just to finish the interior.&nbsp; In the mean time, with what little I had coming in from SS, I installed a new engine, rebuilt the transmission, installed a new interior with running water, fridge and such.&nbsp; By November last the interior here was finished so I started paying my friend rent.&nbsp; With the rest I installed solar and new batteries and controls.&nbsp; Also added air shocks, front shocks brakes, new windshield and such.<br>Will be heading back onto the road with the van in four weeks, heading for Flagstaff.<br>It is tight living on SS, but it can be done.&nbsp; I did it with the tent, but never boondocked, always stayed in govt. campgrounds with my reduced price card.&nbsp; But gas, ice and camping slowed my travels because of the cost.&nbsp; But this time I will not be paying for camping and know a bit more about boondocking.<br>Eventually I will probably change my address to a state out west so I don't have to worry about mail and coming back east to register and inspect the vehicle<br>I think that on a thousand or so a month from SS, that this time I will be able to save each month.<br><br>One can live quite cheaply if they want to.

 

[fluffabear]

I also have SS. I can live pretty comfortably with my income. I'm in a sticks-n-bricks at the moment until I can get a more roadworthy vehicle, but I have lived and plan to go back to dwelling once I get things in order. I get around 830 a month after medicare is taken out, so I have plenty for food and other necessities. I also have a large dog, she eats well, has lots of toys and excellent veterinary care.

 

[RAILROADGREEN]

hey offroad, there are so many place you could live like a king, for $12,000 a year. try south east asia, all central america and south america.even good old usa midwest and the south you could live good life!! as far as medicare i have it, i had no problems with them. as far as being a american, love my country!! that&nbsp;reason i get so mad when anyone put down our country!!. been looking for a older class c or a, for the last three months,here in southern&nbsp;california an find it hard to find a good one.low miles well taking care of!!it seem to me alot of poeple are using rv's as&nbsp;fulltime living here in southern california making the prices for older rv's high.jmo gary&nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[simply lesa]

I recieve $830 and live on $700 in SSDI. In Oct 2012 I returned to the USA from nearly 8 1/2 years living in Central America. I bought tw vans between Sept and Oct. The first a 1994 Chevy G2 Shorty higtop conversion with a v6, paid $1500 for my son. the second a 1994 Chevy G20 full size v8 conversion van for me. it was around $990.

Of couse we got GREAT deals and had work to do. My son is a mechanic which helped.

I use a budget, and live well. i have used food pantries when needed i plan for using about 230 a month as 'rent' which is what a section8 apartment would cost. i can choose to use that forimprovements or gas. i plan for a monthly gas cost if 80 which was my discounted metro card pass in nyc thats gas mmone....thats kinda the way i plan. i put 10 percent into my savings and cant wait to increase that aamount.

in six months ive stay in campgrounds, andd boondocked in AZ... Az was cheaper. its all fun. i like to drive n love meeting people and having some rivate space too. i s apologize for the typos....using cellphone
hugs n waves to my RTR Campbuddies

 

[offroad]

wow.&nbsp; just wow.&nbsp; you are living on around $700 after medicare is taken out.&nbsp; Simply amazing that someone can do that.&nbsp; But have to admit my son is doing that just because he likes low stress lifestyle.<br><br>Find it good that folks are managing to be so frugal and yet get out to see the world around them.<br><br><br>RAILROAD - you can shop nationwide, just have to spend money on a car rental, and a air-flight to that destination.&nbsp; suppose you might have thought of that.&nbsp;

 

[owl]

Check out http://rvsueandcrew.com/ , she posts her expenses fulltiming on BLM land. Your mileage may vary.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We live on my SS wich is well under a thousand. I get almost 80 in food (EBT) and Margie was getting 200 EBT up till last month when her Az benefits ran out.
I opted out of medicare and let the VA take care of my meds/oxygen.

It gets tight sometimes and we don't have many extras, but its do-able.
We had a couple extra expenses this month, so we're hanging around Klamath Falls till June 3rd when my SS hits the bank.
If we had a van with better gas mileage we'd get further for the buck, but we like our rig and plan to keep it for now.

 

[caseyc]

Last time I checked the Social Security website, I seem to recall I will be getting about $1300 monthly, or slightly under.&nbsp; Man oh man, with that amount, just the cost of rent would wipe out that entire amount every month.&nbsp; Good thing the van is paid for, haha!&nbsp; Seriously though, I've been reading online articles that you can get by on $1200 to $1500 very well monthly in other parts of the world like Thailand or parts of South America.&nbsp; Obviously, that would require a major life change.&nbsp; But if it comes down to it, I may just be inclined to go out on a limb and try&nbsp;overseas living.&nbsp; In any case, it won't be for years and years.&nbsp; Just thinking out loud at this time.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Our friends just rented a nice 2 bdrm place on 2 acres for $550 in Oregon. Cost of living up here look pretty fair.

 

[offroad]

Found this interesting article by MONEY MAGAZINE.&nbsp; Would love to do this, and might see about scouting out locations for folks to live overseas.&nbsp; have to contact the author.<BR><BR><A href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...=1&amp;usg=AFQjCNGPzvDFld_t4j6RVQcrz5F4xMz7-A" target=_blank rel=nofollow>http://money.msn.com/retirement-pla...12k-a-month-weston.aspx?cp-documentid=6809719</A><BR><BR><BR>This article looks better.&nbsp; NOMADIC RETIREMENT<BR><BR><A href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...=1&amp;usg=AFQjCNES6T2lix5VMkLNlao8qAq6Zkhefg" target=_blank rel=nofollow>http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2011/10/retirement-in-paraguay-uruguay-brazil/</A><BR><BR>Am trying to review and understand the ideas behind living this lifestyle.&nbsp; The problem is that there are too many SALES AGENTS associated with the knowledge of this lifestyle.&nbsp; Every tom,dick,harry wants to make a buck by telling you how they can help you find the best lifestyle.&nbsp; For me would like to just find a simple discussion group where people have done this, and are doing this.&nbsp;

 

[offroad]

Think I am going to adapt a name from the notes above.<BR><BR><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: large; COLOR: #ff0000"><STRONG>SSONR Club - "sonar" Social Security Only Nomadic Retirement.</STRONG></SPAN><BR><BR>All above who are living on the money found in a typical Society Security income only (in its various incarnations) are now members of the SSONR Club&nbsp;"sonar".<BR><BR>Can include anyone in the SSONR Club who makes this much ($12,000 US dollars)&nbsp;or less in retirement income and lives the nomad lifestyle on just that amount.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[IGBT]

So if I win the 600M powerball Saturday, I can't join your club?

 

[offroad]

igbt - if you win I get half.&nbsp; club rules

 

[TxGypsy]

I'm not on the road full time yet, but I live in a house on less than $900 a month. &nbsp;My biggest expense is my ex-husband (no laughing please, ok laugh, I'm pathetic). &nbsp;However, when it is just me and Jake the wonder schnauzer, we live very comfortably on about $600-700 per month. &nbsp;This includes getting massages weekly!<br><br>Part of it is that I am a vegetarian(I don't consume milk products), so my grocery expenses are a lot less than folks that eat a lot of meat. &nbsp;I don't watch TV, so there is no cable bill. &nbsp;I do have a sirius radio that I paid a lifetime subscription for that was a really good deal(sometimes you have to spend money to save money). &nbsp;I use the very cheapest prepaid cell phone that I can. &nbsp;I don't use a 'smart' phone because it costs about twice as much monthly. &nbsp;I do as much for myself as I can. &nbsp;I cut my own hair. &nbsp;I groom my little dog(that's a big savings!). &nbsp;I don't use laundrymats. &nbsp;I do most of my own cooking and I do it in a solar oven or on a parabolic cooker, and it is almost always from 'scratch'. I avoid any reoccurring monthly expenses like the plague.<br><br>I buy clothes in 1 shopping trip about every other year. &nbsp;I mostly wear denim shorts or denim capri pants. &nbsp;I buy about 3 of each. &nbsp;Then I buy about 6 shirts. &nbsp;I'm done for another 2 years. &nbsp;Generally this is at wal-mart, so I'm not spending much. &nbsp;I do buy really good quality shoes, generally new balance. &nbsp;Fortunately I hate shopping. &nbsp;I don't wear makeup or use expensive shampoos. &nbsp;Makeup has gotten crazy expensive. My only cosmetics/personal hygiene product is Dr. Bronners soap and a spritz bottle of rubbing alcohol.<br><br>One of my bigger expenses is vitamins, but it is also a big money saver. &nbsp;I see a naturopathic physician and I have been soooo much healthier ever since! &nbsp;Even though I spend quite a bit on vitamins and herbs, it's still cheaper than buying pharmaceuticals. &nbsp;I pack a lot of my own capsules and that saves a LOT of money.<br><br>I ride my motorcycle that gets 55 mpg whenever I can. &nbsp;Buying a kindle and downloading free books has saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars.<br><br>When I want to save up some money, I head to Mexico. &nbsp;I can live on almost nothing there and my bank account quickly fattens up. &nbsp;I get dental work done there and save a fortune.<br><br>Barter, barter, barter! &nbsp;I have a lot of eclectic skills. &nbsp;I always offer to barter when possible.<br><br>Being frugal and finding new ways to save money is almost like a game. &nbsp;It is a challenge. &nbsp;The old adage of a penny saved is a penny earned should be changed in this age of inflation to, a penny saved is 3 pennies earned.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

offroad - do you have an web address for SSONR club?<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[uncagingmyspirit]

I'm on a form of Disability that for lack of genuinely understanding I'll call Retirement Disability... The guy told me the program name with all the numbers &amp; letters but it basically means I worked I'm off that Disability. &nbsp; Eventually I do plan to work again and I was working toward that plan when my scumlord (landlord) told me to pay him extra for rent or he'll kick me out. I'm volunteering to leave without any extra money to him with a threat of my own - harass me &amp; I'll report you. The way I wrote it out legally is much more polite but that's basically it. I'm also on Medicaid.&nbsp;<br><br>My plan now is to first get myself into a cargo van that I'll convert into a camper van. The money I now spend on rent will be used to pay for converting the van little by little every month. Meanwhile I'm going back to college for a new career that I can do anywhere - in every city and barter to get into events for free or work them. Also, I'm a seasonal volunteer. I started a non-profit and my hope is to eventually turn my position into a paying career. <br><br><ul><li>I'm not great at bartering but I'll learn by doing.&nbsp;</li><li>Clothes - I swap a good deal of clothing and even home items such as pots, utensils ect.&nbsp;</li><li>I find specific name brand clothes in thrift stores &amp; sell on ebay.&nbsp;</li><li>I do eat meat &amp; vieggies but meat is a luxury item. I try to rarely buy fast food. I eat a lot of fruits &amp; veggies and there is even a swap for garden food here in SoCal.&nbsp;</li><li>Potlucks at swaps is great</li><li>I use t-shirts for cleaning or I make bags from them to carry stuff or even for garbage if I ran out of garbage bags. Depending on the type of garbage I can dump, wash and re-use.</li><li>Offer rides for exchange for gas money or take items from point A to point B for extra money - pets, plants, items that can't or would cost too much to ship items.</li><li>Timebanks - these are non-profit groups of people who earn "time" points by doing free work and then you can use those points to "hire" someone to do work for you so they get points.&nbsp;</li></ul><br>There are actually a lot of ways to make a few extra dollars. &nbsp;<br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[OregonEllen]

My daughter and I will be moving into a 1979 Winnebago and living on $530 a month that I get from SS. &nbsp;Each of us gets food stamps. &nbsp;I'm on Medicare/Medicaid and she's got OHP coverage. &nbsp;She's working on getting her disability, so till she gets that, this is what we'll both be living on till then. &nbsp;We do have artistic, crafty things we can sell online for a little added income here and there. We haven't found a permanent parking spot so we're going to boondock all summer and use what money we can to equip the motorhome with solar panels and get some kind of internet access set up. &nbsp;<br><br>Speaking of internet, does anyone know about this: &nbsp;<a href="http://thewirie.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://thewirie.com/</a>&nbsp; We can't figure out if you have to have a monthly internet you pay for or if this is stand alone or what. &nbsp;She's emailed them but we don't have an answer yet.<br><br>My ex-husband (we divorced in 1976) sold me a 1979 Winnebago for $700. &nbsp;It has a brand new roof, new Onan generator, new heater, microwave and fridge and propane tanks enough to carry 30 gallons of propane. &nbsp;It has a CB in it and we have a cell phone between us that's one of those no-contract ones. &nbsp;It's a great little Winnebago Brave and we're feeling pretty "brave" for setting out to live like this but we have no choice. &nbsp;I raised my four kids without the help of child support and just finished raising two grandkids from their birth till they were grown, so now it's time where I'm having to figure out how to survive in this economy on $530 a month for two people. &nbsp;It's scary in a way.

 

[Possum]

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hey everybody &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br></span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am going to attempt to live on approx. $400/month a a year or so, living off some savings. I am going to look for a camp host job or somethin' of like to have a part-time/seasonal job to live off of. I have decided to bite the bullet and go chase my dream of vandwelling and look for some simplicity in life!! I am almost done with my box van conversion and am planning to start anew in Jan '14 heading out to Quartzsite for the RTR and then to canvass for a job. I don't have any annual income coming in such as SS or pension as i am only 50 years old. I decided that if I don't take the risk to find my happiness/bliss , I probably will regret it for not stepping away . I am going to quit my horrible pathetic job of 4+ years and take the "plunge"......Hopefully &nbsp;I can find a job within a year or so to continue my "new " life. &nbsp;AM I Scared....YEAH!!....but am I happy to keep living the life I have now ...NOOOO!.........I have to blame my bold move on reading Bob's blog and websites on vandwelling(just kidding Bob) &nbsp;as it has waken up the yearning for peace and freedom that I need. EXCITED AND SCARED at the same time!!<br><br><br></span>

 

[TxGypsy]

Livinfree you will never be the same again! &nbsp;It seems to be one of those things that either people love it or they hate it. &nbsp;If you love it, you will not willingly go back into a non-moving box that forces you to work long hours to support it. &nbsp;<br><br>At the age of 25 I discovered that the world didn't stop at the Texas border....no matter what everyone said! &nbsp;I was hopeless from that moment on.<br><br>On that sort of budget, I'm going to recommend that you get really good at making beans and rice. &nbsp;Stir in a little salsa and some freshly chopped onions and you have a surprisingly good meal. &nbsp;Black beans, a couple of fried eggs and some tortillas are hard to beat as well.<br><br>Good luck to you!