$19,000 and ready to drop out

Hi everyone,

I know I'm new and have seldom posted, but I'm desparate for advice, so please forgive. I just sold my house because of divorce, made $19,000 in profit, free and clear. I have a pickup w/ camper shell, and a wonderful dog. Currently, I'm teaching in the public schools, and am ready to "tune in, and drop out". I hate my job, but maybe I hate all jobs. Am I impulsive? This is what I've dreamt of doing for 20 years. I'm 35, btw. When do I start living the life I want to live? Is norcal a good place to meet likeminded folks? How long can I make the $19,000 last?

Lonewolf

 

i would say do it.....go out and seek some adventure....and for making the money last depends on how much money you can live on a day....and maybe you could sell something or get a temporary job every so often to recover funds that you spent.....

 

im leaving in about 19 days(see ticker underneath) and im doin pretty much the same thing. no, youre not impulsive its something you want to do man. I too have always wanted to pick up and go. what we will be doing is wandering wherever the heart so desires. Well prolly hit a few fests for connections of like minded people and take it from there our budget is 5 dollars a day ... the best plan is not to have one.

 

I would think you could make it ($19000) last a while if you plan it right...dont carry much with you at any time ( less than $100)..dont pay to sleep anywhere....read "blue highways" by william least heat moon.....

 

If you've wanted to pursue it for 20 years, I say do it!

Just figure out how to stretch that money or add to it on the way.

 

you know why not just keep your job but just travel around anyway? do your time somewhere save up then go camping then repeat that way you don't burn all your bridges. in the course of your travels you'll probably find what you're looking for. remember "seek and ye shall find"!

 

i would forget that you have the 19Gs
eventually it will run out and you will have to learn to live on $0
so just pretend that you have $0 now
keep about 500 around for emergency or indulgence. maybe a few more for gas. you need a non drug selling money making routine to provide your food or gas. pick up a reliable drug free gas rider. hit up some music fests. check out the national forests. soak in some hot springs. go rock hunting. just go have fun. forget about the loot. you could blow that in a month if ya wanted.

 

How are you going to travel? Gas could be a major expense. We met a few guys that were living for a month or two in the desert at the Hotwell Dunes Recreation Area, south of Safford in AZ. Stay outside of the fenced area and its free (You can walk in to the hot springs to use them.) Cheap living once you get there. I'm sure there are many nice places that are free or cheap.

Steve

http://www.TheBackpackingSite.com

 

19 grand,, well lets see ya gotta truck an are a able body,, so occassional under the table cash aint outta the question,,so if ya make enough a year to cover yer insurance an maintnance on yer truck here an there,, what say 2 grand a year??

Id say 2 folks could live on 19,grand(barring much travel,,gas ya know),, we discussed it an baring gas an vehicle shit,, 18 grand would last us 3 years..

hope that helps..

 

I'm not sure your thoughts on this, but $19,000 would make a wise investment in a peice of property somewhere...

 

From what I know about US land prices, you could get about 20 acres with that much loot. Ten acres in general considered enough to feed yourself with, so twenty would allow for some living space too. Do you know about farming? Do you think you could butcher a hog?

 

so he blows his 19 grand on land where then will he get his cash to survive till he can become self sufficent??
butcher a hog?/ hmm at a buck a pound on hoof he will need 100 bucks just for the piglet an supplies to get it growin,, then ya got tools to buy,seeds, etc..

if by chance you could find a decent peice of land for 10 grand then it may be feasible,,however,,


i think the dood is wanting to escape babylon for a while,, not start all over in it..

 

Oh, don't get me wrong, it'll take quite a bit of work, and it may not be at all what he wants, just a thought. My in-laws bought (I believe) 40 acres for $40,000 2 years ago... They also were going to buy an ajoining 12 acres for $8000. And this is in an area that's higher than the surrounding counties. Just a thought.

 

gas is about $2.50 now at least. your truck might get 11 miles to the gallon. so figure how many miles you are from vegas, then that loot might last you a week or the rest of youre life, who knows?

 

id park the truck someplace and get a small tent. then thumb you way arund and se whats out there.

i packed up items i didnt want to lose completly in my mini van and its currently parked in an uncles garage in Kentucky. and im in Puerto Rico.....

just an idea but what ever you choose best wishes...

 

Go hike the Appalachian Trail... I know many folks that hike from March/April thru Sept/early Oct and then work during the winter and head back out come Spring.Once you get out and start hiking you'll met people that can hook you up with work and places to stay come winter. Your main expense would be gear after that you're set. If ya hike the AT you can live comfortably for 6 months on less than $4,000 even less if ya stay out of the bars in the various Trail towns. If you wanna get away for it all,live cheaply, and meet cool people and make awesome friends then the AT is a great place to go. One of the side benefits is that you'll get in really great physical shape.


I know many people that have dropped out of society and have joined the hiker community.

Get on www.whiteblaze.net and www.trailjournals.com to learn more about the wonderful hiker community.The hiker community is a culture all its own and is very similar to the hippie/touring life style/culture.

Go to www.whiteblaze.net and tell the folks on there your ideas and they will be very happy to help you out.

The Hiker Community consists of many cool people of many age ranges and walks of life. Many of the folks on whiteblaze.net are good friends of mine. Just tell 'em BooBoo sent ya.

Its late so I'll get back to ya on hiking....

 

Wow, that Trail Journals site is pretty cool!

 

You said you're a teacher? If you move to CA just take the cbest and sub. You can do it with 90 college units and no degree. The last time I subbed was a year ago and I think it was around 160 for a 7 hour day. I would just do it, you're in the perfect position right now and if I had the balls and was not totally dependent on society and material goods I would do the same thing. Have a blast and good luck

 

I was where you are a few years ago. I lived in an old RV in the parking lot of the software company I was working at in Silicon Valley, saved up about 30k, spent a year traveling in India, a summer cycling across Europe, then came back to the US and spent another year in my pickup truck - looking for home. I finally bought land in the mountains of East TN and I'm starting a community here. My stories are at http://wanderingstars.com
Good luck,
Erik

 

sweet brother,, will be in touch...

luv n lite!!