Have you dumped the rat race? Or want to?

[AmericaOverland]

Are we just modern gypsies or have too many cave man instincts compared to the general population? I think that may be my case but the family is more tolerant than fully on board. To serve the gypsy instinct I only take jobs that have me travel. I just got back from California on the company dime. I'll hit Texas and New Mexico by the end of the year. I met up with friends at Dumont Sand dunes after a job in Vegas a couple weeks ago. Traveling jobs rule! Now what to do at home? I bought a house a few blocks from a national forest. Still close enough to the city but even closer to the wilderness. We just had a bobcat hunting rabbits in my yard last week. It took a few try's and many years to get to this point but it's easy. Most worry about their home as an investment but a wise man told me to buy a house in the place you want to live instead. Now that's an investment in life.

That is right! We have a need to simply be. As we were intended to be tens of thousands of years ago. To do what we want, when we want.

I never did have kids, never married, never made lots of money, and always worked wage earner jobs, never even owned a house, but I did get a college degree and owned a travel trailer I lived in and eventually lost in 2000. It's a ***** to start over, ain't it? I'm still suffering from that 13 years later.

I know people complain about how bad it is in the rat race, and rightfully so. I am so cavewoman that I could never bring myself to do most of the things you have done in your lives. You may understand the need to wander and simply be, but you would never understand the depth that I feel simply because of how long I went without language (getting to be a familiar topic with me, huh?) and the inability of my parents to figure out I was deaf (thusly the inability to guide me early enough). I went much longer than is allowed under normal circumstances to live simply with just brute guidance (pushing hands away from dangerous objects or pulled from dangerous places like machine shops, streets, and garages). I remember this experience very clearly. A major reason I never achieved the "American Dream" is because I couldn't handle the responsibility and have the patience to learn the skills needed to get up out of wage jobs. I hated school and didn't understand why I needed to go for a very long time. Then I got sucked into the college diploma mill without realizing what I was being set up for. It was only in the last few years that I began to realize the cavewoman attributes and their strength because of my early childhood experience. If I tried to go back to doing full-time jobs paying as much as I'm getting now with little time off from work, I would probably either take my life or abscond on the spot with my things and hide in the woods. In fact, I plan to either change my living arrangement drastically by going to a small town or putting everything in storage and living out of a travel trailer or a vehicle, depending on how fast I fold this year. I have seven months left on my lease. I'm seriously considering the second option. The problem is, I feel trapped and thusly controlled by the fear of it and need to get away from it.

HOUSTON IS TOO MUCH FOR ME! It's too big and there's too many people here! It's difficult to work with a lot of the customers I have to deal with. I have to get out before it's too late. I'm getting very close to saying, "Enough is enough."

 

[TangoBlue]

Life is great, I just want to travel a lot and see what this country has before I die.....

Concur...

 

[Dave Bennett]

+1

 

[mk216v]

That is right! We have a need to simply be. As we were intended to be tens of thousands of years ago. To do what we want, when we want.

I never did have kids, never married, never made lots of money, and always worked wage earner jobs, never even owned a house, but I did get a college degree and owned a travel trailer I lived in and eventually lost in 2000. It's a ***** to start over, ain't it? I'm still suffering from that 13 years later.

I know people complain about how bad it is in the rat race, and rightfully so. I am so cavewoman that I could never bring myself to do most of the things you have done in your lives. You may understand the need to wander and simply be, but you would never understand the depth that I feel simply because of how long I went without language (getting to be a familiar topic with me, huh?) and the inability of my parents to figure out I was deaf (thusly the inability to guide me early enough). I went much longer than is allowed under normal circumstances to live simply with just brute guidance (pushing hands away from dangerous objects or pulled from dangerous places like machine shops, streets, and garages). I remember this experience very clearly. A major reason I never achieved the "American Dream" is because I couldn't handle the responsibility and have the patience to learn the skills needed to get up out of wage jobs. I hated school and didn't understand why I needed to go for a very long time. Then I got sucked into the college diploma mill without realizing what I was being set up for. It was only in the last few years that I began to realize the cavewoman attributes and their strength because of my early childhood experience. If I tried to go back to doing full-time jobs paying as much as I'm getting now with little time off from work, I would probably either take my life or abscond on the spot with my things and hide in the woods. In fact, I plan to either change my living arrangement drastically by going to a small town or putting everything in storage and living out of a travel trailer or a vehicle, depending on how fast I fold this year. I have seven months left on my lease. I'm seriously considering the second option. The problem is, I feel trapped and thusly controlled by the fear of it and need to get away from it.

HOUSTON IS TOO MUCH FOR ME! It's too big and there's too many people here! It's difficult to work with a lot of the customers I have to deal with. I have to get out before it's too late. I'm getting very close to saying, "Enough is enough."

You can always give living on the road a try for a bit and if it's not for you, go back to working a different job which you enjoy more.
You never know what the road will be like until you try it out.

 

[AmericaOverland]

Well, here I am. I'm on a ranch about 100 miles west of Houston. I'm doing lots of stuff like collecting dead wood, augering holes, setting fence posts, making gates, etc. I will be here until end-of August, and then, (gasp!) I may go back to Houston to house sit for a former coworker for about a month in September. After that, I have NO IDEA what comes next. So far, nothing rennie-wise has turned up. Yesterday, I finally cleared out of the apartment, stocked up on food for maybe two weeks, and left Houston before noon. This is the first time I've had the computer running here. I'm tethered through the phone because it is the ONLY way to get online.

 

[dustboy]

Here's a great article in Truck Camper Magazine.

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-lifestyle/truck-campers-escape-the-rat-race

 

[AmericaOverland]

They have it RIGHT! That is exactly what I have done, except on a tiny, tiny scale compared to theirs. I never had a house, a family, all the big toys they had (the Jeep and the Scout were the only two big ones I had, and the Scout never even got started up [it's for sale if anyone wants it]), a job from retail hell that never afforded me the things they had, and a 401K that will be gone in a matter of months because I'm leaking it out little by little each month, rather than wipe out the dental bill I incurred WHILE I was still working in the last weeks there. Actually, I cut my job short, so I didn't have time to fully cash up for my desired entry into the life on the road. My home is wherever I find myself, and it may be in the back of my Jeep sometimes. That reminds me. Be right back. I need to update my location...

Man... It felt good when I handed the letter of resignation to the store manager. I had a grin on my face. He wondered what was in the envelope. I gently encouraged him to go ahead and open it. He was expressionless as he read the short letter, and we sat down and had a short, but cordial talk about it. I had waited for YEARS to do this. This job was intended to be short-term, and instead stretched out to eight frustrating years. I left for completely different reasons than the author of the article did; because of so many changes in the company, my mounting frustrations with customer service and my deafness, and the fact that they handed over most of the hours to newer employees while cutting those of most of the longer-tenured staff (as a matter of fact, I met my replacement on his first day of his job, on my LAST DAY there!). My hours being cut to the point of unsustainability was the last straw, and I resigned the next day or so (with more than two weeks' notice). I will not make this mistake again, of staying so long and hating it, and I have situated myself so that if I don't like it or it doesn't work out for me, I resign...

I'm now able to make it on the remains of my 401K, SSDI, and other savings. I will keep the article up on the tab so that I can read it again and dig into my options, as I'm looking for ways to make money for inevitable bills. I am hoping that a couple of things get sold to fund my travel trailer budget, especially this summer. Unlike them, I chose to hang onto things I had bought as "supplies" for hard economic times. That's things like clothes, extra shoes, extra water cans, bottles, tools, etc. I realized back then that if I went on the road and had a place to store these things, then that would be my "store," except that these things are 100% paid for. I have clothes to last me for the next 30 years, unless my size or my fashion taste change. Other things, I donated, like most of my furniture, which were cheap, Ikea-quality stuff. I approached letting go of stuff on the couple's basis; some things, I knew I needed to let go of, and some, I simply could not.

But as of yesterday, I left... As I drove down the freeway, I could see the road opening in front of me. I can go anywhere I want to go, when the desire calls forth. Right now, it is the ranch that I'm on... There is something about building gates, augering and setting fence posts, collecting dead wood and burning it, and other things of a physical nature. I get up at 5 30 AM to start work at 6 AM. Sometimes, we quit at 10 30 AM, sometimes a bit later, but generally, all afternoons are off unless we are inside working on something for the ranch. I leave here at the end of August, where I head for a house to watch for someone for September. Then after that, I don't know. That's the beauty of it. It is UNWRITTEN, especially not written by SOMEONE ELSE. If someone offers the opportunity, I consider it and make the decision. The person I'm house sitting for, he's thinking of building a community garden and wants someone to help him. I'd be willing to consider volunteering for him if he can provide a spot for a trailer in the plot where his garden is going to be. Another possibility is going to either CO or NM to help a rennie build pavilion-style tents this summer. Who knows...

"The first month was awkward. We didn’t know how this worked, and it felt odd just being able to do whatever. There was no place to be, nobody to report to, no call to make, and no need to go back home. It was the same feeling you get when you lie to get a day off work. It feels too good to be true, and you can’t really relax because you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop."

This is exactly how I feel right now. I left the company two months ago on the 27th.

Now, I need to look into seasonal work for campers (especially those without trailers to live out of) and volunteering for parks later this fall if I end up heading in that direction.

Again, as far as quality of life goes, they've got the right idea; live for today, not for the last 15 years of your life.

 

[mk216v]

Well, here I am. I'm on a ranch about 100 miles west of Houston. I'm doing lots of stuff like collecting dead wood, augering holes, setting fence posts, making gates, etc. I will be here until end-of August, and then, (gasp!) I may go back to Houston to house sit for a former coworker for about a month in September. After that, I have NO IDEA what comes next. So far, nothing rennie-wise has turned up. Yesterday, I finally cleared out of the apartment, stocked up on food for maybe two weeks, and left Houston before noon. This is the first time I've had the computer running here. I'm tethered through the phone because it is the ONLY way to get online.

Sounds like plenty of work right now. What comes next; that sounds like half the fun in not knowing and opening yourself up to possibilities/opportunities that come your way. Some of us would love to have that flexibility!

 

[mk216v]

They have it RIGHT! That is exactly what I have done, except on a tiny, tiny scale compared to theirs. I never had a house, a family, all the big toys they had (the Jeep and the Scout were the only two big ones I had, and the Scout never even got started up [it's for sale if anyone wants it]), a job from retail hell that never afforded me the things they had, and a 401K that will be gone in a matter of months because I'm leaking it out little by little each month, rather than wipe out the dental bill I incurred WHILE I was still working in the last weeks there. Actually, I cut my job short, so I didn't have time to fully cash up for my desired entry into the life on the road. My home is wherever I find myself, and it may be in the back of my Jeep sometimes. That reminds me. Be right back. I need to update my location...

Man... It felt good when I handed the letter of resignation to the store manager. I had a grin on my face. He wondered what was in the envelope. I gently encouraged him to go ahead and open it. He was expressionless as he read the short letter, and we sat down and had a short, but cordial talk about it. I had waited for YEARS to do this. This job was intended to be short-term, and instead stretched out to eight frustrating years. I left for completely different reasons than the author of the article did; because of so many changes in the company, my mounting frustrations with customer service and my deafness, and the fact that they handed over most of the hours to newer employees while cutting those of most of the longer-tenured staff (as a matter of fact, I met my replacement on his first day of his job, on my LAST DAY there!). My hours being cut to the point of unsustainability was the last straw, and I resigned the next day or so (with more than two weeks' notice). I will not make this mistake again, of staying so long and hating it, and I have situated myself so that if I don't like it or it doesn't work out for me, I resign...

I'm now able to make it on the remains of my 401K, SSDI, and other savings. I will keep the article up on the tab so that I can read it again and dig into my options, as I'm looking for ways to make money for inevitable bills. I am hoping that a couple of things get sold to fund my travel trailer budget, especially this summer. Unlike them, I chose to hang onto things I had bought as "supplies" for hard economic times. That's things like clothes, extra shoes, extra water cans, bottles, tools, etc. I realized back then that if I went on the road and had a place to store these things, then that would be my "store," except that these things are 100% paid for. I have clothes to last me for the next 30 years, unless my size or my fashion taste change. Other things, I donated, like most of my furniture, which were cheap, Ikea-quality stuff. I approached letting go of stuff on the couple's basis; some things, I knew I needed to let go of, and some, I simply could not.

But as of yesterday, I left... As I drove down the freeway, I could see the road opening in front of me. I can go anywhere I want to go, when the desire calls forth. Right now, it is the ranch that I'm on... There is something about building gates, augering and setting fence posts, collecting dead wood and burning it, and other things of a physical nature. I get up at 5 30 AM to start work at 6 AM. Sometimes, we quit at 10 30 AM, sometimes a bit later, but generally, all afternoons are off unless we are inside working on something for the ranch. I leave here at the end of August, where I head for a house to watch for someone for September. Then after that, I don't know. That's the beauty of it. It is UNWRITTEN, especially not written by SOMEONE ELSE. If someone offers the opportunity, I consider it and make the decision. The person I'm house sitting for, he's thinking of building a community garden and wants someone to help him. I'd be willing to consider volunteering for him if he can provide a spot for a trailer in the plot where his garden is going to be. Another possibility is going to either CO or NM to help a rennie build pavilion-style tents this summer. Who knows...

"The first month was awkward. We didn't know how this worked, and it felt odd just being able to do whatever. There was no place to be, nobody to report to, no call to make, and no need to go back home. It was the same feeling you get when you lie to get a day off work. It feels too good to be true, and you can't really relax because you're waiting for the other shoe to drop."

This is exactly how I feel right now. I left the company two months ago on the 27th.

Now, I need to look into seasonal work for campers (especially those without trailers to live out of) and volunteering for parks later this fall if I end up heading in that direction.

Again, as far as quality of life goes, they've got the right idea; live for today, not for the last 15 years of your life.

Awesome man, great outlook!!

 

[Ozarker]

I really suggest that those who would like to kick the habit read "Capitalism Hits The Fan"

I really suggest that those who want the "American Dream" read "Capitalism Hits The Fan"

Either way, you'll discover the real "American Dream"

Are you a leader or a follower? Vote in your own best economic interest.

Another dream is being self sufficient, the way our great, great grandparents were, if that's the goal enjoy the life style of your great, great grandparents. Not sure I always want to carry water.

You can check in, but you can't ever check out.

Just some random ramblings as food for thought along the lines of bugging out.....traveling would be great!

 

[DaveInDenver]

I'm no supporter of the soulless rat race, but consider that people who travel full time become totally reliant on others who were willing to put roots down to grow food, mine and drill for resources, build stuff. Even the most independent homesteader needed someone who could build tools for them to gain a foothold. I think the great balance is finding how you fit into the grand scheme and not deride someone who does not feel the pull of constant wander in lieu of finding his solace and joy in other ways.

 

[Clutch]

I'm no supporter of the soulless rat race, but consider that people who travel full time become totally reliant on others who were willing to put roots down to grow food, mine and drill for resources, build stuff. Even the most independent homesteader needed someone who could build tools for them to gain a foothold. I think the great balance is finding how you fit into the grand scheme and not deride someone who does not feel the pull of constant wander in lieu of finding his solace and joy in other ways.

Very true.

The rat race doesn't need to be soulless. You can find great satisfaction and meaning with work. Work a little, play a little...buy some cool crap, it doesn't even need to be useful.

 

[luk4mud]

I have an admiration on some level for those that have chosen a full time on the road lifestyle. A part of me likes it, the other part recognizes all the blessing that I have by being part of the "rat race".

Things like being able to afford 5 dirt bikes for my family, spending a few glorious weekend every year with my wife and sons in the desert. Growing old with my wife of 25 years and counting. Being able to provide for my elderly parents who gave so much to me. Being able to work hard as God designed me to do, and then play hard as well.

I dont question those who choose to quit the game on any level that makes them happy. All I ask is that you:
-Dont ask the system that you "quit" to support you now or in the future.
-Dont ask me to contribute to your gas fund by a paypal or other donation, that's the offroad equivalent of the corner homeless by choice guy to me.
-Dont whine when you grow old about the fact no one is there to care for you.
Dont whine now about the "rich" folks who buy the fancy new rigs and toys ... because they have gainful steady employment.

Some might read this and say "he's just jealous". No. Quite the contrary. I don't regret being part of the rat race, I resent folks who arent asking me to pay for their lifestyle choices.

 

[freshspecbluegt]

On Oct. 1st 2012 we hit the road. We sold off most everything and rented out our house. We have 2 boys 8and 2 yrs old. You can check out our travels on
Www.velomom.com
Currently we are down in Sayulita, MX
5 months into this I can say it's the best decision we ever made. It's not easy by any means though. It to us years to get to our launch date in October and even on the road we've had our difficulties with mechanicals etc streatching the budget, etc.
Anyway, if you can make it happen I feel there is nothing better than living the nomadic life and checking out the world.
Good luck,
Randy

Also, check out www.liferemotely
The are traveling full time as a family.

Randy,

I just followed the link to your family's blog and after I read about what happened with your son I am at a loss for words. I will keep Axel and your family in my thoughts and wish you all the best in what must still be a very trying time.

Ross