Wherever I May Roam

[JohnnyGutz]

Hello, I'm John, i'm 30 years old and living on SSI. Ive been considering being a traveler/van dweller , type person for over a year now. .and have had dreams of it for much much longer. I never was able to really hold down a real job for any length of time so i came to terms with the idea in my head that living a grand, materialistic life was not in the cards for me. (now that I'm older my idea of life has drastically changed and although i like possessions, i would much rather have freedom to be where i want to be and when i want to be there and to be stress free as much as possible) I currently live paycheck to paycheck with no savings. but i have a 2000 Chevy s10 that i want to put up for sale to be able to afford to get a box truck (ice cream truck size or bigger)&nbsp; to convert, or possibly even an old bus. although the idea of even van dwelling scares me because much like the mainstream life. i feel i wont be able to afford starting out this lifestyle.. I live in Illinois near Chicago, so everything around here is super expensive i find.. anyway. sorry for the long intro. I'm brand new and only saw this forum about 20 minutes ago , read some posts. signed up, and here i am <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> <br /><br />P.S. A little additional bit, my goal would be to be headed on my first trip (south) by winter time , I HATE THE COLD!

 

[sl1966]

Welcome to the tribe, do ya play baseball Johnny?<br /><br />

 

[JohnnyGutz]

I don't. i did as a kid but i had leg surgery on both legs when i was younger so i cant really run anymore.. but that being said.. i do love baseball its my favorite sport.&nbsp; i can throw and hit a ball.. lol <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> why? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[sl1966]

Good Deal! It's just me and my quirky sense of humor. I remember hearing that line in a movie once, an old b&amp;w but I can't remember which.<br /><br />

 

[katelyn]

hi<img src="../images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp; i'm almost in the same shoes as you except i'm in MI, and i've got my jeep for sale and everyone is picking at every ding and rust spot. I keep thinking wow, i'm selling a 96 what do people expect?<br />&nbsp; I'm on disability and do the paycheck to paycheck thing too. my advice is to start small. one step at a time. don't rush it. i've been moving like a snail towards my van dream but at least i'm moving forward!!! I figured I'll save $ a little at a time after i get my van, but check out &nbsp;&nbsp; America the Beautiful Access pass for all national parks&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; --you can get an Access pass where you get half off at all national parks&nbsp; Good luck!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="../images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[JohnnyGutz]

<p>Thanks for the great link! i'm going to try and do that!. </p><p>Also , katelynn i know how that goes. i can probably get 2500 for my truck but then finding the vehicle i want for that price, is the other problemo. I suppose my biggest issue is that stirring feeling i get.. you know, im just so impatient and ive been spinning wheels for too long.if i can sell my truck, and find the best vehicle i can for the money i get, i have no problem throwing a mattress in it. and starting my living out that day. I will do as ive read most have, and just upgrade as finances permit. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">i get 700 a month and also foodstamps. so i'm set for food at least! &nbsp; <br /><br /><br />Thanks for the welcomes too, guys and gals <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></p>

 

[katelyn]

have you thought about keeping your truck and getting one of these?<br /><br />http://www.camping-gear-outlet.com/...c4=exact&amp;gclid=CKyYsLerq7ECFbEBQAodviIA-A<br /><br />gosh, in michigan here i'm only getting a big $16 dollars of food stamps, i usually treat myself to a tiny bag of organic coffee lol

 

[JohnnyGutz]

&nbsp;i have been considering those bed tents, I'd like to get out asap and those might be a good temporary solution till i can sell my truck and also would give me time to save more money than i am able to at the moment. the thing is i want security, and the ability to live "under one roof" with toiletry , a place to store food long term. and all my things safely. from the elements etc , clothes, personal items, etc.. <br /><br />i also notice there's no trucks in my area that are for sale cheap. they're always in Pennsylvania or Washington..lol! i'm in the "middle of nowhere" when it comes to this kind of living.. irony.. ha ha

 

[katelyn]

yeah, having a vehicle with locks is always better than a zipper<img src="../images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />i've been part-timing in a big tent in the pictured rocks national parks in the u.p, $7 bucks a night, vault toilets, free water, and people don't bug ya, everyone is really nice. but the tent isn't safe when a storm comes in i had to leave because i was under a bunch of trees. plus my dogs is afraid of thunder. anyway, i hope you sell your truck!

 

[JohnnyGutz]

haha omg i didn't even think of safety like that (falling trees if i was in a tent) haha. der de der.. id be likely to get wiped out that way.. with my luck lol. i'm glad you were okay though. im sure a lot of stories are out there like that with dwellers.. and the up? that's cool. only been to mich once in my life. but i was just a kiddo. and thats not bad price at all. and yeah i hope i sell my truck soon too <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> theres a place in Wisconsin i'd like to go to , called eagle cave. i went there as a kid in boyscouts. that maybe a local trip i take to test out my whole thing, before taking a big big jump.

 

[VanTrekker]

Hi John,<br /><br />Welcome!&nbsp; <br /><br />You are in the perfect place.&nbsp; There's one cool thing about this group.&nbsp; It does not matter who you are, what you drive, your financial situation, etc.&nbsp; If you dream about this kind of a life, we all have a lot of common interests already.<br /><br />Keep investigating, learning, and dreaming.&nbsp; That's how we all got started.&nbsp; <br /><br />V.T.<br /><br />

 

[katelyn]

oops, Upper Penninsula duh. i'm a michigander forgive me hee hee.&nbsp; definitely do a test run. my first time i brought wayyyy too much stuff. second time I was really cold. you get to know what ya need with practice. I've never been to Wisconsin, I'm sure I'll be driving through it or camping there soon though i hope<img src="../images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[JohnnyGutz]

no no i know what up meant. i meant that to be a question mark out of interest. not out of not knowing what you meant. so its my mistake LOL <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> i feel my post is causing a conversation thats probably meant for another area of the site? i feel bad for this continued conversation in this location.. if not then nevermind LOL <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[katelyn]

umm, i have no idea about location of conversation thingy. not a frequent forum person.but i guess someone will inform us if we're in the wrong place?<br />.<br /> i had only one person call on my jeep today, i hate it when you get a bunch of people in the beginning then it slows down. have you listed your truck yet? trucks usually sell pretty fast at least around here.

 

[JohnnyGutz]

yep! i posted my truck on ebay last month. i was offered 2300. i didn't take the offer as it didn't meet my minimum requirement which at the time was $ 3,500. its a catch 22. i have to sell my current vehicle then i'm going to have to find a vehicle to convert and buy it..and depending on the location i'll have to get to it or get it to me. and if i do either of those.. the price i sell for will already be decreased and then i'll have to find a vehicle for even less.. although i COULD lay low ( i live at my moms currently) and save about 1000 extra in a couple months .. i can probably walk away with 3500 either way but the issue of still finding that new vehicle is going to pose a problem.. and yeah.. everyone wants to low-ball. they dont see the value a person sees in what they're selling/buying .. i learned that in american pickers tv show.. lol. we always think our things are worth more (and in some cases they really are) or really arent Lol <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> and the same thing happened to me , at the beginning of my selling, i had a bunch of bids then none for the remainder of the selling.. oh well. im just ready and impatient and want to GET OUT lol. blahh

 

[katelyn]

that show is funny! and i can relate to the escape feeling,i'm going crazy waiting for someone to buy my jeep because i found like 4 high top conversion vans that i could pay 2000 for and have under 200,000 miles! hurry up somebody!!! <br />any luck with craigslist?&nbsp;&nbsp; that's where i listed had some replies but nothing serious

 

[JohnnyGutz]

i posted my TV and truck on Craigslist and ironically as good as things usually sell on Craigslist I've had NO offers for either.. its ridiculous lol

 

[stude53]

<span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Welcome, Johnny! <img src="../images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /></span></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #008000;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bob</span></strong></span>

 

[JohnnyGutz]

ive never heard of either the movie or the book lol. guess ill have to check those out. also. yeah.. well , i think everyone's idea of the American dream IS in fact what we're trying to embrace here.. freedom.. and at a low cost.. and through the years, it's become warped and flawed.. and our younger generation hopefully will grasp this.. so when robots take over 75 percent of the jobs out there.. more people will be able to live off their lands.. be on the road.. embracing life. and traveling and experiencing REAL ACTUAL LIFE as they used to do. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> thanks again for the welcomes also <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Journeyman]

Welcome Johnny!<br /><br />