XPCamper goes out of business, files for bankruptcy?

[rruff]

Oil/gas and all the support industries were going nuts recruiting people a couple of years ago.

Sure you can make money chasing a boom/bust industry located out in the boonies somewhere. It's good while it lasts and if that lifestyle works for you. There is a reason why they have to pay so much more compared to a settled job.

 

[Bayou Boy]

Sure you can make money chasing a boom/bust industry located out in the boonies somewhere. It's good while it lasts and if that lifestyle works for you. There is a reason why they have to pay so much more compared to a settled job.

Follow an $80k job for a few years. Most of them are 7 and 7 jobs or similar. There are guys here on the gulf coast that drive 3 or 4 hours to the dock or heliport to go offshore for 7 or 14 days. But then they have the same time home with their family.

Study and learn new skills on your off weeks and while you are on shift while working. Live below your means. Then go do something else that makes you happy and a good income. It's not that complex but nobody wants to work on bettering themselves in their time off.

People want easy, when the real answer is right in front of them if they put in the smart work.

 

[Louisd75]

I don't know about excuses, but I do know that the oil and gas boom is a real thing, even where I live. If you want to move, or are willing to...you can definitely live comfortably. And this is before getting into the transportation industry, where trucking is begging for people...and railroads will be within two years. Begging.

Trucking can have regional booms and busts but overall it isn't doing that great:

Thousands of truck drivers have lost their jobs in 2019 as the transportation 'bloodbath' unfolds. Here's the list of the biggest bankrupt trucking companies.

The trucking industry is struggling in 2019 — especially for truck drivers who own or work at small businesses.

www.businessinsider.com

Follow an $80k job for a few years. Most of them are 7 and 7 jobs or similar. There are guys here on the gulf coast that drive 3 or 4 hours to the dock or heliport to go offshore for 7 or 14 days. But then they have the same time home with their family.

Study and learn new skills on your off weeks and while you are on shift while working. Live below your means. Then go do something else that makes you happy and a good income. It's not that complex but nobody wants to work on bettering themselves in their time off.

People want easy, when the real answer is right in front of them if they put in the smart work.

I work in the maritime industry. The GOM oil patch still hasn't recovered from the dive that oil took a couple years ago. Tons of OSVs and drill ships are still stacked waiting for GOM oil to become competitive again. Fracking, overall, is down as well. There are so many qualified and experienced people waiting for the jobs to come back that I wouldn't recommend it for someone new, especially if they don't have thousands of dollars to throw at the classes that are needed or the financial reserve to chase the jobs. I've been seeing quite a few guys pass through who are sailing well below their experience and qualifications because any money is better than no money. I've also seen, over the years, tons of "one hitch wonders" who just aren't cut out for life at sea. There's a reason the money is good

 

[craig333]

Follow an $80k job for a few years. Most of them are 7 and 7 jobs or similar. There are guys here on the gulf coast that drive 3 or 4 hours to the dock or heliport to go offshore for 7 or 14 days. But then they have the same time home with their family.

Study and learn new skills on your off weeks and while you are on shift while working. Live below your means. Then go do something else that makes you happy and a good income. It's not that complex but nobody wants to work on bettering themselves in their time off.

People want easy, when the real answer is right in front of them if they put in the smart work.

Doable if you're young. Not so much if you're sixty and taking care of elderly parents or raising a family.

 

[Bayou Boy]

Doable if you're young. Not so much if you're sixty and taking care of elderly parents or raising a family.

If you are still making the $12 an hour we are all talking about at 60 years old, I just don’t know what to say. Blame your parents I guess.

I really don’t see how out in left field comments like that move this conversation along... maybe you can explain.


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[pugslyyy]

Doable if you're young. Not so much if you're sixty and taking care of elderly parents or raising a family.

You make a good point. I've seen a lot of folks go and do the offshore/oilfield/warzone thing to make enough money to pay off their houses, cars, etc. and then be able to take a lower paying but local job that is a better fit with their desired lifestyle. I used to hire good welders out of the shipyards who were ready to be done with the well paying but brutal work there - and I actually put aspects of my life on hold while I was caring for my parents who have since passed, so I definitely get it.

I believe that everyone should be able to earn a living wage at every job, but people prepared to do tough work in harsh environment are always going to get a good premium over what they could earn elsewhere.

 

[BritKLR]

Sure you can make money chasing a boom/bust industry located out in the boonies somewhere. It's good while it lasts and if that lifestyle works for you. There is a reason why they have to pay so much more compared to a settled job.

When your young and starting in the working world and have the education, work ethic and oppertunity why wouldnt you? With proper planning you could set yourself up for life. One young man that we know took this oppertunity is well into a six figure salary, investing, owns his own home and no longer doing "boonie" work at 29 yoa. Has he had to make some tough choices, yep. But, haven't everyone in their chosen career fields?
Speaking of the war zone/Halliburton crowd, I've known many that have left good paying careers with solid benefits to make big $ money in the short term. The ones with focus and a plan retired early. The ones that just wanted a new car, new wife, new farkles are still working.

 

[Bayou Boy]

When your young and starting in the working world and have the education, work ethic and oppertunity why wouldnt you? With proper planning you could set yourself up for life. One young man that we know took this oppertunity is well into a six figure salary, investing, owns his own home and no longer doing "boonie" work at 29 yoa. Has he had to make some tough choices, yep. But, haven't everyone in their chosen career fields?
Speaking of the war zone/Halliburton crowd, I've known many that have left good paying careers with solid benefits to make big $ money in the short term. The ones with focus and a plan retired early. The ones that just wanted a new car, new wife, new farkles are still working.

Bingo. That’s my point. The race is for your whole life. Work smart.


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[craig333]

Follow an $80k job for a few years. Most of them are 7 and 7 jobs or similar. There are guys here on the gulf coast that drive 3 or 4 hours to the dock or heliport to go offshore for 7 or 14 days. But then they have the same time home with their family.

Study and learn new skills on your off weeks and while you are on shift while working. Live below your means. Then go do something else that makes you happy and a good income. It's not that complex but nobody wants to work on bettering themselves in their time off.

People want easy, when the real answer is right in front of them if they put in the smart work.

Doable if you're young. Not so much if you're sixty and taking care of elderly parents or raising a family.

If you are still making the $12 an hour we are all talking about at 60 years old, I just don’t know what to say. Blame your parents I guess.

I really don’t see how out in left field comments like that move this conversation along... maybe you can explain.


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If you've never been laid off or had a company shut its doors then consider yourself lucky. I never said anything about earning $12 over a lifetime. It was about starting over. Easy to do young, not so much when it happens to you later in life. Does that clear it up?

 

[Bayou Boy]

Doable if you're young. Not so much if you're sixty and taking care of elderly parents or raising a family.

If you've never been laid off or had a company shut its doors then consider yourself lucky. I never said anything about earning $12 over a lifetime. It was about starting over. Easy to do young, not so much when it happens to you later in life. Does that clear it up?

Nothing lucky about it. I've always run my own business and made my own way. Everyone should have a side gig and multiple streams of income. Relying on one is false security. Anything can go away. My business could go away next year. I have other things always working as should everyone. I have employees that contract out on the side, sell MLM stuff, etc. I encourage it. It shows me that they can hustle. Over the years I've had people quit to do their side job full time. Good for them. I've also laid people off during slow times and people did the same. Also, awesome that they were prepared.

It seems you are taking this conversation personally. So am I. Just looks like we've had different experiences and observations along the years.

 

[jmnielsen]

Nothing lucky about it. I've always run my own business and made my own way.

This is something people don't seem to understand, from young folks to old. It doesn't even specifically have to be running your own business, but rather not being complacent and staying prepared for anything that may come your way.

Just last year the company I worked for got rid of my position, told me they weren't making enough money to be able to continue paying me. It was right before Thanksgiving, and 5 weeks before my first born was due. I had a safety net in place in case something like that happened, and when I got out of school I never stopped adding to my skill set so I could be as competitive as possible in the job marketplace. A month later I accepted a position at a great company and started shortly after.

It wasn't "bad luck" that my position was abolished, just as it wasn't "good luck" that I found a new job shortly after.

 

[DirtWhiskey]

I'm not sure this thread still deserve it's title. Haven't read a peep about XP CAMPER in days.

 

[GHI]

I'm not sure this thread still deserve it's title. Haven't read a peep about XP CAMPER in days.

.....but it’s active, still has interesting perspectives and nobody is completely off base. Let it ride.

 

[Bayou Boy]

.....but it’s active, still has interesting perspectives and nobody is completely off base. Let it ride.

This is how these discussions are supposed to flow. No name calling, bickering, or heated politics. Thanks guys.


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[BritKLR]

I’ve enjoyed the topics, flow and maturity of this conversation. I think it also begs the question of the need for a adventure/overland business discussion thread where those that have interest, have outdoor business, what to creat a business or questions about this over landing niche can have conversations and receive feedback from those that my have traveled that road.

EG: Overland business thread.

or not, just a thought.......LOL