Considering the future

Well, I went to the mountains for a couple days after quitting my job to relax and consider my options. Something I noticed is the first part of the time I was up there I kept thinking about what I had done. I thought about it a while before I made the decision to quit my job...so why am I still thinking about it? That's when I realized, I'm not accomplishing anything by dwelling on it. So I made the decision to stop dwelling on the past and start focusing on the future. What's done is done....time to move on. You can't see the future if your looking at the past. Once I got that in my head. I started considering my options.
   I find that being in this kind of situation can be scary, and it's easy to become negative and start to lose hope. Hope is our shield against this uncertain world...we must not lose it. So I will take one day at a time because all we have is right now. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is uncertain. So I must live in the moment. I still haven't made a decision on what to do to earn a living...but I have a few ideas. After I have a better grip on ways to make money I will do a post on it. Right now I will focus on selling my few remaining possession's and the motor home. Then go from there.

I will leave you with some photos of my excursion to the mountains....enjoy.

Starting my new life of travel: Finding direction

STARTING MY NEW LIFE OF TRAVEL

Finding direction,

OK, now that I have made the commitment to my new life. I need direction. My biggest obstacle now is how will I earn a living? I have done a lot of research on the subject and found a lot of different ways to make money. The problem is what will work for me? What I have discovered is I need a direction. Find something I am passionate about, and something I am capable of doing. To be successful I need direction, then set some goals, and focus on that. It is better to have a plan, then to blindly try things. This way I can spend my time and energy on that plan, rather then wasting it on random things. I will make a list of different ways to earn a living, and then cross off what won't work for me. Once I have done that, I will narrow the list more, to things I would enjoy doing. Once I find those things I am passionate about and am capable of doing. I will focus on them. That's my direction. Next I will make a plan on how to achieve those things. Then set goals. Don't set the goals so high that you set yourself up for failure. A small step is better then no step at all. Don't just think about it, write it down so you have it, and can look at it often. Set a schedule. Do a little each day toward your goal. It is good to have a few different ideas, like a backup plan. Try two or three different things in case one doesn't work. Who know maybe you will stumble on two or three different things that will work. Stay positive. If something doesn't work, try another way. Don't give up. There is always a way. You just need to be persistent and find it. And remember, have fun and enjoy it. Isn't that why we are doing this.

Starting my new life: The beginning

STARTING MY NEW LIFE OF TRAVEL

The beginning,

I have been dreaming of starting a new life of a nomad. Living in my vehicle and just moving as the wind with no destination. I have been doing research and talking to others who do it trying to make the best choices for success. I have learned a lot, but I will always be learning more.

I am not retired and don't have a lot of savings, so I need to earn a living along the way. This seems to be the biggest obstacle to over come in this lifestyle. It is one I am still figuring out. I will be in the US for the most part. Traveling south for the winter and north for the summer.

Today I made the big decision that sets my new life in motion...I quit my job. With little savings and a lot of unanswered questions, this is both scary and exciting. I have been living in my truck for two months now stealth parking and working during the week, and camping in the mountains on the weekend. I guess my weekends just got longer.

I have thought this over and have come up with a game plan....I hope it works. I have decided that I will go into the mountains for a week or so to clear my head and consider my options. Then I will come back and sort my remaining possessions and sell what I can, and give away what I can't. Once I am finished with that, I am outta here. I am in Washington state. So I will be making my way south to Arizona. There is a winter gathering every year for like minded people. This will be my first, so I am excited to go and meet everyone. It is also a chance to meet employers looking for work camp hosts. Which is something I am considering as employment for next year.

Update on plans.

Well I haven't been here for awhile and I changed up some. I decided to go with a smaller vehicle. It is a 93 dodge dakota with a small camper. I chose that route for fuel economy.

        

I have recently moved out of my house and into the camper. It is a change, but an exciting one.
My plan right now is to work here where I am for another month and a half. Then I plan to make my way south for the winter. My destination will be quartzsite az. There are a bunch of us vandwellers who are meeting up for a rubber tramp rendezvous (RTR). It is where we all gather and visit, share stories, talk about our vehicle conversions, and much more. I am looking forward to meeting all the others from different parts of the country.                                                                                                                                         Im still working on what I plan to do to make a living. Next summer I hope to have a camp host job somewhere in washington or oregon. At the RTR there will be employers looking to fill those positions.

I have recently added a wing to my truck for fuel economy. I gained 1.5 MPG with the wing.

Researching information

I have been searching the internet for information on the rv lifestyle.Also for ways to earn a living while
Traveling.There is alot of good information out there.workamping and camp hosting are interesting.
It looks like most of the camp hosting jobs are in exchange for a free spot to park your rv.That doesnt help for making money for other things.Temp services are a possibility if you dont want to be commited for long periods of time.
A couple ideas Im thinking about are craigslist under gigs.There are alot of people looking for temperary or
Small jobs they need done.The second thing is offering my services to fellow rvers.I used to work for an rv dealer repairing rvs so I may be able to make money that way.There must be a market for that.
I think one of the hardest things to do is down sizing.Ive lived in my house for 5 years and have alot o stuff.
funny thing is I have all this stuff that I keep but never use.Im finding stuff I didnt know I had.
Ive decided if I dont use it or dont know I have it then I dont need it.Right?
Let me know any ideas or comments you have.
Talk to you soon.Sid.

Making the decision

Hi my name is sid.
Like most people I have been affected by the economy.I was self employed and lost my business.
I have been considering the full time RV life for many years.I always thought that was something to
do when you retire.
  I have been put in a situation where money is tight and I have decided to give up the expense of a
house and buy a motorhome.Since my business failed I have been working different jobs but not making
alot of money.And I have come to the decision that I can do that anywhere.So if I will be in a motorhome
I might as well take advantage of it.
  I have some things to consider in doing this.The two most important are.What motorhome should I buy,
and how will I support myself on the road.I have always been a spur-of-the moment kind of guy so planning
is a new concept for me.But this kind of decision needs planning.
  I have searched and found a motorhome that I bought.It is a 1979 class C monoco powered by ford.I
have always been a ford man so that was what I was looking for.I payed 1100.00 dollars  for it.It needs work but I can do all that myself.The running gear is good but it has some water damage that needs repair.
The furnace didnt work so I repaired that.The refrigerator is also not working.
  I will be working on the motorhome while planning my escape from the traditonal life style.Now that I have
made the decision and already taking step in that direction.I am pretty excited but nervous to.
  I will be blogging about my preperation and also the adventures in my travels if you would like to tag along.
Im not a writer so I will try to make my writing as entertaining and interesting as possible.
Let me know your thoughts if you like.
Thanks SID.