rebelsyn
New member
I think I am at the point in my life where I need to be as free as possible. So I'd just like to share my situation with everyone here, cause I have been thinking about doing some travelling for a long time, but always seem to be tied down.
I currently work from home 10-20 hours a week. It's enough to pay 750/month rent, 400/month all utilities (power, water, internet, cell), 500/month food, and 300 or so a month for sundries, my dog, and occasional entertainment or hobby spending.
My motivation at this point is multifaceted, but I have identified a couple of driving factors.
1.) Money. Expenses are stacking up. I need to save a big chunk of that 1150/month in cost of living expense for other things, like health care and a retirement plan. I also have some serious debts that I have just ignored because I need to live.
2.) Solitude. For a lot of people this feels like a contradiction, but in my 950 square foot, 2 bedroom apartment, I feel really cramped. It's not so much the space, but what I am aware of that is going on around me in my immediate vicinity. I have already started living minimalist lifestyle, but the one thing I have a really hard time minimizing is unwanted human activity.
3.) Travel. I have always loved to travel. I spent 15 years getting myself into a career and skill set where I could work from anywhere in the world. It's been going on 7 years now since I have gotten myself into that position. I think it's time.
4.) My work. When I don't have to worry about #1, and feel like #2, while doing #3, I do some of my best work. My time becomes so much more efficient so I can do more of #1. It just seems to be a self reinforcing loop that will build myself up. I feel I could easily double my productivity from 10-20 hours a week to 20-40 hours a week, allowing me to get out of debt and start saving for retirement (not that I will ever voluntarily quit my work, but still.)
So that is my situation. There is a lot more going besides my motivation list, obviously, but I think those 4 things are a good basis. For the most part, I have been living freer than most people I know thanks to being able to work remotely.
I do have some concerns about cutting the cord.
How will I cash my checks? How will I collect my mail? Is living on the road really all that much cheaper than living in an apartment?
I figure on the face of it, 1150/month that I spend now will not completely disappear. I could cut my rent to around 500 a month and probably do a little better with utility usage. If I ran a tight ship, I could maybe get my monthly bills down to 950 a month. That's 200 in saving, but I think would be awfully stressful.
I really do need my space, not so much for stuff, but just a buffer between me and people living around me. Cutting down my apartment size would drive me crazy I think.
I figure I could take half that 1150 a month, 575 and dedicate it towards hooking up a van or a camper or something. I could then split the remaining 575 into a retirement account (after debt paid), health care account, and rainy day fund.
I think I would be much happier like this and that will let me work more efficiently and get my debts paid sooner and eliminate my financial problems, put my soul in a peaceful place, realize my dream of traveling, and yeah do better work.
Well, thanks for hearing my situation. I am looking for a fresh start from scratch. The hardest part is going to be getting that vehicle that will become home for me. I have to find the money to do that, since I haven't had a car in nearly 7 years.
I currently work from home 10-20 hours a week. It's enough to pay 750/month rent, 400/month all utilities (power, water, internet, cell), 500/month food, and 300 or so a month for sundries, my dog, and occasional entertainment or hobby spending.
My motivation at this point is multifaceted, but I have identified a couple of driving factors.
1.) Money. Expenses are stacking up. I need to save a big chunk of that 1150/month in cost of living expense for other things, like health care and a retirement plan. I also have some serious debts that I have just ignored because I need to live.
2.) Solitude. For a lot of people this feels like a contradiction, but in my 950 square foot, 2 bedroom apartment, I feel really cramped. It's not so much the space, but what I am aware of that is going on around me in my immediate vicinity. I have already started living minimalist lifestyle, but the one thing I have a really hard time minimizing is unwanted human activity.
3.) Travel. I have always loved to travel. I spent 15 years getting myself into a career and skill set where I could work from anywhere in the world. It's been going on 7 years now since I have gotten myself into that position. I think it's time.
4.) My work. When I don't have to worry about #1, and feel like #2, while doing #3, I do some of my best work. My time becomes so much more efficient so I can do more of #1. It just seems to be a self reinforcing loop that will build myself up. I feel I could easily double my productivity from 10-20 hours a week to 20-40 hours a week, allowing me to get out of debt and start saving for retirement (not that I will ever voluntarily quit my work, but still.)
So that is my situation. There is a lot more going besides my motivation list, obviously, but I think those 4 things are a good basis. For the most part, I have been living freer than most people I know thanks to being able to work remotely.
I do have some concerns about cutting the cord.
How will I cash my checks? How will I collect my mail? Is living on the road really all that much cheaper than living in an apartment?
I figure on the face of it, 1150/month that I spend now will not completely disappear. I could cut my rent to around 500 a month and probably do a little better with utility usage. If I ran a tight ship, I could maybe get my monthly bills down to 950 a month. That's 200 in saving, but I think would be awfully stressful.
I really do need my space, not so much for stuff, but just a buffer between me and people living around me. Cutting down my apartment size would drive me crazy I think.
I figure I could take half that 1150 a month, 575 and dedicate it towards hooking up a van or a camper or something. I could then split the remaining 575 into a retirement account (after debt paid), health care account, and rainy day fund.
I think I would be much happier like this and that will let me work more efficiently and get my debts paid sooner and eliminate my financial problems, put my soul in a peaceful place, realize my dream of traveling, and yeah do better work.
Well, thanks for hearing my situation. I am looking for a fresh start from scratch. The hardest part is going to be getting that vehicle that will become home for me. I have to find the money to do that, since I haven't had a car in nearly 7 years.
