Rather live in a tent than bust my ass to pay the rent

[BlackWolf]

Ready to start my own life and not be tied down by societal "norms". No running water and no flip switch power is no problem. I've lived in a car, on a boat, in the woods and under a bridge for various periods of time, though for some reason always end up in a shit dead end job and crashing on a couch somewhere. Made several little trips lately (2-3 weeks at a time) walking and hitching (im not taking my dog on a train)but I'm ready to make it a more permanent/sustainable thing. Planning to save some money and take care of a few pressing debts so I can take off later this summer or early fall. Not opposed to working in the least but not going to work for some bullshit company anymore. PNW or Alaska here I come. Ultimately I would like to homestead somewhere but still have a ton of learning to do before I can do it on my own, not to mention finding property somewhere. In the meantime I'd rather live in a tent than bust my ass to pay the rent. Any tips on seasonal employment, making money on the road or any other type of alternative lifestyle/living would be greatly appreciated! Hopefully I can find some like minded people who don't think I'm crazy for wanting to be done with the bullshit rat race, cities, Faceshit, overly aggressive advertising bombardment and all the rest of the insanity that goes with it. Again any advice on any of this is more than welcome! I'm definitely down to meet up for Super Extended Adventure Time although with my current financial status it would be pretty difficult. Certainly don't expect anyone to carry me along. Hit me up if any of this makes sense or maybe to do some shorter trips around the midwest for now!

 

[Crazy Hobo Johnny]

I'm growing tired paying rent when my $35.00 tent can be my home!
People who own homes say I own my home, I tell them you think you do, don't pay your unconstitutional property taxes and find out who owns your home! Yeah, the government!!! Property taxes are illegal!
So, Black Wolf, you have the right attitude!!!
Me? Like you, I just want to give everything up and hit the road and live free!!!!!

 

[Deleted member 23824]

Ready to start my own life and not be tied down by societal "norms". No running water and no flip switch power is no problem. I've lived in a car, on a boat, in the woods and under a bridge for various periods of time, though for some reason always end up in a shit dead end job and crashing on a couch somewhere. Made several little trips lately (2-3 weeks at a time) walking and hitching (im not taking my dog on a train)but I'm ready to make it a more permanent/sustainable thing. Planning to save some money and take care of a few pressing debts so I can take off later this summer or early fall. Not opposed to working in the least but not going to work for some bullshit company anymore. PNW or Alaska here I come. Ultimately I would like to homestead somewhere but still have a ton of learning to do before I can do it on my own, not to mention finding property somewhere. In the meantime I'd rather live in a tent than bust my ass to pay the rent. Any tips on seasonal employment, making money on the road or any other type of alternative lifestyle/living would be greatly appreciated! Hopefully I can find some like minded people who don't think I'm crazy for wanting to be done with the bullshit rat race, cities, Faceshit, overly aggressive advertising bombardment and all the rest of the insanity that goes with it. Again any advice on any of this is more than welcome! I'm definitely down to meet up for Super Extended Adventure Time although with my current financial status it would be pretty difficult. Certainly don't expect anyone to carry me along. Hit me up if any of this makes sense or maybe to do some shorter trips around the midwest for now!

Gonna give some fuel to get my ass reamed.

I’d rather bust my ass for 30 years in construction, retire at age 58 , living in our cabin in the mountains and work a part time retirement job selling hot dogs and sausages.

I’d rather have a modest house and income, surrounded by my adult children, growing number of grandkids, having great times with them, making homemade ice cream, working in the garden, sitting in front of a woodstove in winters reading or listening to music. I certainly wouldn’t trade it for a lonely tarp set up in the woods, Needs must, I guess.

If you think it is hard to work and provide for yourself, imagine, if you can, what your life will be at age 59, like me. It’s gonna be mighty hard and lonely for you, and no golden years at the end of your days, though no one is guaranteed that, period. Not to mention the here-and-now: It’s gonna be tough living on the road.

I think men are meant to work hard - for a purpose. My family were and are, my motivation to achieve, to strive mightily. I believe men are wired to - or at least ought to be -to work physically hard, if able to. It is satisfying. In fact, my wife works harder than a-lot of young men from this generation, though it is not easy.I am happy I busted my ass, I did it for me and my family. We had good times along the way - and bad as well. And now, I get to do some occasional train rides.

There is no shame in doing what I have done, paying the rent, or in my case, mortgage. Beats flying a sign, jugging for gas, figuring out in resourceful ways how to get along without creating one’s own resources(using the resources of others?), stealing packets of ketchup and sugar from McDonalds. I would do any of that, temporarily if I had to.But I’d never make that a lifestyle choice in favor of my current lifestyle.

 

[RoadFlower33]

I guess it all depends on what you want out of life I for one don't give a s*** about grandkids or family or Nights by the fire or getting old... don't get me wrong I love my family we're just not that way. Property taxes are illegal income taxes are illegal the government is taking from us in every way they can My Lifestyle avoids most of this most of the time. granted I don't have all the luxuries that you speak of all the time, but at the same time I'm not stealing mustard and ketchup packets from fast food joints... gross. Or selling my life for things I don't value enough to have. Like I feel my time is better spent living than working for an idea. One can live this life and have a good one too, just depends on what your values are and how you set it up. Like me I own a school bus I rent a storage unit and I'm technically homeless as f***. I have a spot right now it's free for my bus leaving me free to do whatever I want. I mail my tie dye places ahead of me so I can work on the go. Eventually I plan to make my bus a traveling tie dye/ art shop making and selling art from local trash from places I visit hand made tie dye upcycled furniture and wooden crafts and boxes and things. Somthing I think I can do when I'm retired and old but its work now and the learning curve is long and tough. I'm a contractor by trade I mean the pay is good the hours suck the one place all the time sux I can work less and live more other ways.

 

[Zbart1108]

Speaking of taxation, I was just looking at the construction and actually it is written into it that we may tax ourselves and there was no limit to the amount ...so actually and legally the government could come take everything you have at will at anytime...let that sink in a minute.
I was shocked when learning of this, as well as the corruption that went as far back as Thomas Jefferson. It has been said that our demise will not be at the hands of an outside entity, we will not be overtaken or destroyed by anyone but ourselves...all the great civilizations were doomed by their own hand as I believe we are.
We are a society of convenience and want, not the once self reliant humans we were making our way to lands unknown of the wild west, only relying on our ability to take care of ourselves for there was no one to hold their hand and Pat their but.
Just my 3 cents...

 

[Deleted member 23824]

It is true, each one chooses their own path.

It’s equally true that an overwhelming majority will choose a lfestyle more akin to the one I’ve chosen, and be content with it. And they’d be, like me, puzzled as to why these alternative paths, which to me are living a sparse existence -are held up as being superior, or preferable to my path.

Do you have children? Grandchildren? Everyone needs good parents and grand parents. You will get old, and that beats the alternative. I am more content at my age, more mature, more happy than most young people. You can rightfully only make the judgements I make when you have been my age.Being bitter at the world because one did not have these, and holding up such a sparse existence as being superior, is sheer folly to the vast majority. Certainly by people of - ahem - a certain age.Most would never agree with those beliefs.

 

[RoadFlower33]

For starters and I'm not trying to argue or debate here but I don't believe anybody said one lifestyle was superior to the other. I believe it was stated that lifestyle choices we make depends on our values in life. Your lifestyle suits you better than your life style would suit me. You obviously wouldn't be able to hack my lifestyle. obviously thinking that my lifestyle alienates myself from all of the opportunities in life in which you have. Witch is not the case. To say that bc I choos to live in a tent down by the river and work for 3 months not paying rent and saving my money. I get to live outside! Your saying your bed roof and potty with power at a flick of a switch that you think is yours pay taxes on all the time and are anchored to is better than my temporary almost tax free rent that I only pay for part of the year.... That's a pretty harsh judgment honestly. I'm not here to say your lifestyle is less than mine or mine is less or more than yours. I'm saying I've lived life your way, And I like my way better. I feel there are alot of ways an indavidual can achieve happiness. I honestly dont think you are willing to understand ours. But take a serious look at the economy around you. The slave market and the fucking housing costs... then tell me how possible it is to make minimum and pay rent feed yourself insurance gas power sewer water phone shit I need boots for work too... ok... I make $25an hour, ( but im considered a skilled laborer bc well I'm skilled in many trades) rent is $2,500 one bedroom no garage or yard before anything is added.... for a place I spend less than 1/4 of my time.... and minimum here is $7.50 ... for ppl without a skill, they have 3-4 jobs, it's still legal to pay waiters $3.50 an hour if they make up the difference of minimum in tips...sorry, you can be happy being a cog slave. I'm not.

 

[Deleted member 24782]

Yes these are some good points everyone! Ties into a lot of the psychology and history of supposed radical thinkers and travelers in general. Moral superiority would motivate one to live with "nothing" forever, if in their mind they believe what they're doing is better than the latter, like raising a family (breeding), rackin' up bills and debt, shopping at strip malls, car culture, etc. In their nearsightedness, they only see the negative aspects of modern life and not the rewards one could gain from your skills, hard work, raising children, and essentially building your own meaningful community that aligns with YOUR OWN values, rooted in basic survival instincts. Not to mention the joy one might receive through personal achievements, whether that be having kids, or having none, living in a mansion, or in a minivan, it's all the same in my opinion.

ITS JUST A TRAP FOLKS! We are all in this together, you just have to get out of your own mind.

 

[Deleted member 23824]

@BirdDaddy - My remarks were not geared toward you specifically. There is a steady and sizable number of people posting here on StP that outright rail at any “housed up” people like myself, overtly asserting that we are by nature sell-outs, and our lifestyles and choices are inferior to their own. You in fact did refer to what I and many others choose to do as being “a cog slave”. I never felt that way.

I chose to work 40 hrs per wk, for 30 yrs. I loved my job, so it was no drudgery. In turn, I was paid among the highest at my trade in the country. It was a fair and equitable trade of wages for my labor, agreed to on both our parts. Not everyone feels as you do toward earning their living by the sweat of their brows.

I know many people live their lives in jobs they despise. That is sad, but they , being the ones ultimately responsible for their own happiness, sense of fulfillment, etc., are also the ones to blame for living long years, hating their jobs.They can, if willing to sacrifice, retrain, go to school etc. You have a right to the pursuit of happiness if you choose. Not a right to be happy.

I see the travelers here, and have quite a bit of admiration for much that they do. They live tough lives, show great adaptability and endurance. They have freedom from many of the responsibilities most people have.

But the flip-side of the coin is this: lots of drug and alchohol addiction, often times little support structure, justification for stealing from those they disagree with(corporations), rage and anger at family and other people that don’t support their choices, bitterness toward those who will not help them out. They seem to believe I owe it to them to give them what I worked for. They call spanging “making money”. I call making money working with my own two hands All of that can regularly be seen here.

As far as being driven by buying things? - I have never been made happy or fulfilled by a product. I buy what I need, almost always used if available. I long ago opted out of commercial society : no tv most of the last 30 years, till recently when my MIL, who is in hospice care, came to live with us. I refuse to watch it.I have not listened to commercial radio for about the same amount of time. I do not go out to shop recreationally. I do not make my mind available to people trying to sell me something if I can help it.

Traveling is hard work, I don’t want to do it full time, am not mentally equipped to do so. More than that, though, is the high cost of what it would cost me: steady, secure and, loving relationships with friends and family. A home base. Not one thing wrong with holding these things dear.

In the Bay Area, skilled tradesman are making at least double your 25.00 wage, plus benefits. Here, Journeyman electricians, which I am, were earning 25 an hour in the late 80’s. I would not roll out of bed for 25 an hour now.

HMU if you are ever out this way, I am not picking a fight with you. I am only opposed to those who think they’ve an absolute right to live at others expense. You obviously don’t fit that mold. Our society can ill afford people who refuse to pay their own way, and I am not referring to folks with mental health issues, they need our help.

 

[Deleted member 9462]

Great thread y'all. Valid points all around

 

[RoadFlower33]

@ibuzzard I couldent agree more.

 

[marmar]

"But the flip-side of the coin is this: lots of drug and alchohol addiction, often times little support structure, justification for stealing from those they disagree with(corporations), rage and anger at family and other people that don’t support their choices, bitterness toward those who will not help them out. They seem to believe I owe it to them to give them what I worked for. They call spanging “making money”. I call making money working with my own two hands "
⬆️ The very well said truth. Everyone who has aspirations like the op will eventually notice this also I think. Then it's about what downside you d rather put up with. all lifestyles have it's downside. Then it's a choice, after all.

 

[WyldLyfe]

Nice posts guys/gals. Theres fellas going back an forth about if its better to live in a house raise a family or camp out in a tent, travel ect.. whats my thoughts on this at the current time, hmm.. ahh man a bit of both is ok but check it, a house is a nest, if you want kids then the house is there nest where they grow till they fly outta there. No problem with working an making cash, its an alright thing to do and most feel good getting paid right?

OP said he always ends up in some dead end job or sleeping on someones couch, whats the reason for that then? you might be doing the same thing over an over again, what do you actually enjoy doing? and can you make money from this? what would folks be doing if money was not a thing and we could just do the things we enjoyed? think of that thing and ask if you can make a living from it and pursue that.

FOR EXAMPLE: You wanna camp in a tent out in the woods!! you like spending time in the woods? get paid to be there! become a park ranger or something similar! (Im working towards this atm and succeeding excellently)

I get that the idea of paying rent or paying off a house seems like a raw deal, even people who do it says it's not great an complain. Some people are working some bull shit job they hate to pay for a house they are never in cause there working to keep it, then on top of that there family/household is fucking chaos. Its doable it just takes effort and if people wanna do that and have that experience its cool, it might even be worth it for some, but people godda get there shit together first.

Id rather we lived tribal, in tribes and communities (some do) more in touch with nature an the universe. Western civilisation is a mess we just godda manoeuvre the matrix an master the game.

 

[RobHASboots]

Ready to start my own life and not be tied down by societal "norms". No running water and no flip switch power is no problem. I've lived in a car, on a boat, in the woods and under a bridge for various periods of time, though for some reason always end up in a shit dead end job and crashing on a couch somewhere. Made several little trips lately (2-3 weeks at a time) walking and hitching (im not taking my dog on a train)but I'm ready to make it a more permanent/sustainable thing. Planning to save some money and take care of a few pressing debts so I can take off later this summer or early fall. Not opposed to working in the least but not going to work for some bullshit company anymore. PNW or Alaska here I come. Ultimately I would like to homestead somewhere but still have a ton of learning to do before I can do it on my own, not to mention finding property somewhere. In the meantime I'd rather live in a tent than bust my ass to pay the rent. Any tips on seasonal employment, making money on the road or any other type of alternative lifestyle/living would be greatly appreciated! Hopefully I can find some like minded people who don't think I'm crazy for wanting to be done with the bullshit rat race, cities, Faceshit, overly aggressive advertising bombardment and all the rest of the insanity that goes with it. Again any advice on any of this is more than welcome! I'm definitely down to meet up for Super Extended Adventure Time although with my current financial status it would be pretty difficult. Certainly don't expect anyone to carry me along. Hit me up if any of this makes sense or maybe to do some shorter trips around the midwest for now!

No way. You're not crazy, man.
Countless times I've considered ditching my deadend job and hitting the road. Never does the wanderlust leave you.
Get it while you can.
Often considered how much money i could save if i stopped giving half of it to a landlord, and instead just started camping out in the forest.
What's the saying? 'No matter how you end the RACE, you're still a RAT...'

 

[Hudson]

I recently got hurt at work and am dealing with this workmans comp crap. Let me tell ya the chips are stacked against ya. I was making great money busting my ass every day and was happy and proud. Then bam one day my body decides to give out and at that point I became a liability to my employer.

Nothing is guaranteed. Don't let people sway you from shaking it up. I've shaked my life up a dozen times and have always came out on the other end stronger and more self reliant.

Don't break your body working for someone who is just going to throw you away once it happens. It is a rat race. Pensions don't exist anymore, social security is drying up and the earth is fucking dying. Go live a little before you die too.