My Next Goal
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (112717)
United States
October 9, 2022 6:49pm CST
Now that we have the camper, albeit sitting in storage right now, and we have not yet taken a single "real" camping trip with it (that's in the works, though), watching YouTube videos that are both entertaining and tutorial on all the do's and don'ts of the RV lifestyle are at least interesting.
It makes me want to figure out a way to get on the road sooner and more "permanently."
I should clarify. I have always been one to say that I would never want to do it full-time. Out for a couple of weeks, in for a couple of weeks. That sort of thing. But, of course jobs are a serious hurdle to get past being able to actually do this.
We have considerable assets, of course. And we make a fair amount of money through dividends and other means (such as selling covered call options contracts against stocks we own). But is it enough to really have a good time and be able to totally ditch the jobs?
The biggest hurdle, besides the fact that our jobs provide for very nice incomes that are very difficult to walk away from, is health insurance.
If we ditched the jobs it would require us to fork out an additional roughly $25,000-$35,000 per year because we are not near Medicare age.
So, to that end, that's my next goal. To close that gap. If it were not for health insurance we could say se la vie and live very comfortably on just what our money makes and can make. But adding the cost of health insurance in making that decision would take a bite out of our fun.
I could do some research on "nomadic living," and ways nomads make incomes. But I think simply closing the gap while we are working now is the best plan.
Beyond that, I'd be curious if anyone has any ideas how we could still make incomes on the road.
14 people like this
11 responses
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Oct 22
I do not know if this can give you any ideas but as they say your wish is my command I found this
https://www.belaroundtheworld.com/make-money-while-travelling-in-an-rv/#:
4 people like this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
11 Oct 22
Many of these wouldn't or don't apply to me, although what one picks up from stuff like this are variables, or ways one or another idea can be practically applied to one's own situation, ability or other things. Thanks for sharing the link. It was a fun read.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (148701)
• Roseburg, Oregon
10 Oct 22
Look into what @RasmaSandra wrote. Some places will hire you to work for them while you travel. You can also do survey sites and writing sites while on the road.
3 people like this
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
10 Oct 22
I´d start by using your camper for 2 or 3 weeks and see if you like it. And also see if you like being with no job at all. It took me lot to learn to be retired.
2 people like this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
10 Oct 22
@marguicha Me too, otherwise I just bought a really expensive weekend. lol
@porwest (112717)
• United States
10 Oct 22
I would have no problem being retired. So long as I have hobbies and things I want to do that I have not done yet...I will never be bored. They key, of course, is having money not be something that holds you back from doing any of the things you want to do. A problem I have also worked out.
My plan is not to retire when I can no longer work, but to retire when I still have time to enjoy it.
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
10 Oct 22
Could you sell solar or something like that? Silly thought I guess, just first thing I thought of.
Yeah the dang health insurance thing..pity you could not get the Medicare yet.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
10 Oct 22
@porwest I dont blame you, I am there and past that, but luckily still able to soldier it
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
10 Oct 22
Lots of the people who live on the road sell crafts. They also work remotely. I saw one vlogger who said they volunteered at parks in exchange for free living space. The pandemic really make remote working more common.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
13 Oct 22
@porwest — I’m surprised office buildings still exist after the pandemic. I know there are some businesses where remote working wouldn’t be feasible or possible (I worked at a health insurance company, entering the “open enrollment” data, and needless to say you couldn’t have someone’s personal information in someone else’s house). However, other places with the capabilities of doing that during the pandemic could save a lot of money by continuing it. And, if you need a meeting, you rent a conference room at Holiday Inn for a fraction of the monthly rent costs. And get a post office box.
But what do I know. And I’m retired.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
14 Oct 22
@FourWalls Most of what I have read "after the fact" and after "careful consideration" by companies who championed remote work, say that most companies are now rethinking this, finding that productivity levels actually dropped.
I am not sure what the ultimate verdict is. But I think there is value to people working in a structured, office environment, even working collectively.
But what do I know? My job and the way it works, I am almost my own little franchise within the company, and I mostly work on my own, set my own goals and parameters, and decide how "my side of the business" goes.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
10 Oct 22
A bid for National Health Insurance. This is sure to get a rise out of you! I took a sneak peek; and I'm glad to see you're planning a trial run. You will learn a LOT with that little jaunt. Good luck. Have a great Monday.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
11 Oct 22
@porwest My high school chum in London says she gets good care and doesn't have to wait. She must be the exception.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
11 Oct 22
@LindaOHio I think it is simply that some people only know what they know and don't have anything to compare it to.
In almost every single country that offers health care, the rich come to the United States for major medical needs.
There is a reason for that.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
10 Oct 22
lol. Good one. But no thanks. I prefer my healthcare to be something that actually takes care of me. I want no part of any of those national plans in other countries where you die before you get the care, if you get the care at all. lol
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
10 Oct 22
Even if you find a good way to provide health insurance, try not to need it. It spoils the fun. Many remote jobs might not pay you what you are accustomed to, but do provide benefits so that would be a plus.
@sublime03 (2338)
• Philippines
10 Oct 22
It is a good idea to work out first if you actually like being out on the road for a few weekends before doing it for weeks. Getting the hang of it would help you decide if it is for you. The health insurance is very important so researching more about it if you retire is something to look into first as well. But having something to do while you are out there would help a lot. It helps not to put your savings and all down to zero at some point.
I hope you figure things out so you can live the retired life that you want and enjoying it.
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Oct 22
Learn to speak Spanish and tell everyone you’re an illegal immigrant from Mexico. Then all your expenses and healthcare will be paid for you by Uncle Sam.
Oh, and you won’t need your camper any more, because you’ll have free trips to exotic places like Martha’s Vineyard, courtesy of Ron DeSantis.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Oct 22
@porwest Just walk around saying “¡No comprende!” and watch the magic happen right before your eyes.
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
14 Oct 22
@moffittjc I would get the motherload of all motherloads. I can't wait. Or, "no puedo esparar."
1 person likes this
