Youtube comments of David Leigh (@davidleigh443).
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Hi Carol, My two cents or dime's worth with inflation. While watching your interviews and other Nomad You Tubers, such as Bob wells and others, I frequently hear the comment that people are forced into vanlife, etc. because of economic circumstances, that is not me. I am an aspiring nomad currently working on a long-term work Camping assignment. What appeals to me is being CHEAP. I hate to spend money unnecessarily. I will spend money on my family,
per se, but I hate to spend money on myself. I never want to be in the situation where I am manipulated by some corporation to fork over wads of cash for their mostly useless products. I am in my early 60's and I look forward this current and next chapters in my life of one which is financially stabile. Stabile because I have reduced my monthly expenses to about 30% when I worked to pay rent. AS Bob Wells has said many times, "when you don't have a rent or mortgage to pay you don't need to make as much money." I only want to work seasonally or part time for the rest of my life. As I said, I am working a long term temp job with good pay and there are many people like me who are enjoying the freedom of not paying ret/mortgage , therefore, we are not all desperate. I don't mean to sound offensive to those who have little hope, but we are not all the same. That being said if you have a vehicle and some money (perhaps Social Security and part time or seasonal job) you can have hope. Learn to be frugal, be very disciplined on your spending (Gas, food, phone, insurance, emergency fund, etc) and enjoy nature and the experiences which you will come to know. Sorry about the long comment. Keep on keeping on as the kids used to say. LOl.
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Thanks for posting, Carol. Did you mention in the earlier portion of your interview that Schoolie Carol was going to have some insights regarding nomad/work camping jobs? Regarding nomad budgets I believe there is basic budget of Gas, food, phone/internet, health insurance, vehicle insurance, vehicle maintenance (emergency fund), etc. then everyone should tweak their budget to fit one's personal needs and wants. It is not a one-size fits all. Regarding medical expenses, if one is younger( i.e. not yet on Medicare) they can get state insurance and the less you earn, the less your premium will be. Also, regarding Social Security benefits, I believe there are some who are getting 1500 to 2500 per month because they benefitted through having earned high wages during their lifetime. Most nomad videos I have seen have people receiving $700-$1,000 per month. I wonder what the percentage is for people who are initially receiving $1,000 or less per month.
I have been keeping my budget for over a year. I total up everything except rent. I am work camping and my employer pays for my hotel room. My expenses have been between $600-$700 per month, therefore I know for myself I can live on less than $1,000 per month. When I file for Social Security next spring, I intend to work part time thus, in fact, doubling my income. I realize not everyone can work as they get older, but channels like yours have shown us there is a way. Thanks again.
up every
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@gloriouslifeonwheels3621 I re-watched Don of Affordable Desert Living(ADL) when his Shed house was delivered. He bought his 4 acres in Cochise County, AZ near Sierra Vista for $12,000. Prices have gone up. Cochise is not as hot as Phoenix or Quartzsite (typically 90-95 vs. 120 in the summer). Don did a 10x20 shed for about $7500 (Emerson Sheds). Cochise (disclaimer: I dont work for their Chamber of Commerce) has a few small cities ( Sierra Vista, Bisbee-great little Artist community with 18 galleries, Douglas, Tombstone, Huachuca City, etc. where you can visit for culture and supplies while still living off-grid. Up in Apache- I have watched Simply Lesa in Apache County (Witch Wells) where she has a nice 12x12 with a 12 foot ceiling on 10 acres. But Apache is very, very remote. Nearest towns 30+ miles away look like whisltestops. Good luck with the basics there.
A final note on the desirable OPT-OUT permit: Don (ADL) got his in 2019 for $392. He had to have a septic installed and inspected. Don said the state of Arizona considers kitchen sink water as Black Water and must go to a septic tank! He also said, he has a 10x20 shed ) and anything over 200 square feet requires more permits/inspections( Electrical, Plumbing, Fire marshal, general building occupancy, etc. The real issue is not an extra couple of hundred dollars for permits but hiring county approved contracts to do that work which could be in the thousands!! Don only did the floor model without a loft. If I did the 10x12 I would do the barn design with a loft. That would clear up ground floor space and have a tiny house-style loft bedroom.
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