Living in a VAN down by the RIVER! (survivor, acres, house)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
What does he do for an income? Owning a boat isn't cheap. Think registration, insurance, repairs, gas.....
He's now retired. Rich by no means and I don't know how long he's owned the boat. Could be decades. The point is, living an unconventional life isn't for everyone but if they choose to do it and can do it successfully, they shouldn't be put down for it or accused of being a mooch or leach on society. It's a big world out there and not everyone fits into the cookie-cutter style life portrayed on network television. The person who can't expand their mind to understand that are the unfortunate one, imo.
He's now retired. Rich by no means and I don't know how long he's owned the boat. Could be decades. The point is, living an unconventional life isn't for everyone but if they choose to do it and can do it successfully, they shouldn't be put down for it or accused of being a mooch or leach on society. It's a big world out there and not everyone fits into the cookie-cutter style life portrayed on network television. The person who can't expand their mind to understand that are the unfortunate one, imo.
"Living an unconventional life" is one thing, and that's fine. But being on food stamps and eating in soup kitchens (and other similar activities) is mooching, pure and simple. Whether you are taking from taxpayers who are forced to contribute whether they want to or not (food stamps) or taking advantage of voluntary contributions (soup kitchens, for the most part), you are indeed a leach.
When people want to be subsidized by others in order to live their "unconventional life", that's when I have a problem with it.
"Living an unconventional life" is one thing, and that's fine. But being on food stamps and eating in soup kitchens (and other similar activities) is mooching, pure and simple. Whether you are taking from taxpayers who are forced to contribute whether they want to or not (food stamps) or taking advantage of voluntary contributions (soup kitchens, for the most part), you are indeed a leach.
When people want to be subsidized by others in order to live their "unconventional life", that's when I have a problem with it.
I was referring to an unconventional life, Escort Rider, and not as you mentioned. In a previous post, I stated, "If they're practicing good hygiene (which showering at the gym would certainly achieve), eating well and not begging for handouts, I think it's a pretty creative way to save money." That also included people who do have jobs and choose this lifestyle.
I'm just saying that there are some people out there who are living a different style than the majority of the population. They are gainfully employed, too. It's not a black and white situation and it's just wrong to lump all people into one category. Further, my post was in response to Van Tripper who said he was working and paying his own way. I didn't post any comment to get into an argument with someone because I knew what I was posting and who I was posting to. I also know the difference between those who work for a living and those to sponge off the government. But thank you for clearing up that confusion, if there was any.
Last edited by JGC97; 11-24-2012 at 05:09 PM..
Reason: left off a word
I was referring to an unconventional life, Escort Rider, and not as you mentioned. In a previous post, I stated, "If they're practicing good hygiene (which showering at the gym would certainly achieve), eating well and not begging for handouts, I think it's a pretty creative way to save money." That also included people who do have jobs and choose this lifestyle.
I'm just saying that there are some people out there who are living a different style than the majority of the population. They are gainfully employed, too. It's not a black and white situation and it's just wrong to lump all people into one category. Further, my post was in response to Van Tripper who said he was working and paying his own way. I didn't post any comment to get into an argument with someone because I knew what I was posting and who I was posting to. I also know the difference between those who work for a living and those to sponge off the government. But thank you for clearing up that confusion, if there was any.
And thank you also for clarifying. I can see now that actually, you and I are in amost total agreement. I am sorry if I came across as unnecessarily argumentative.
And thank you also for clarifying. I can see now that actually, you and I are in almost total agreement. I am sorry if I came across as unnecessarily argumentative.
YW. I'm not always very clear in my explanations. I tend to leave out some important thoughts. That's just me, though.
That's cheaper than here. Not everyone has a house payment. Please keep that in mind. Many homeowners have paid off their homes or inherited their homes from a relative. Some of us built our own homes and paid them off as we built them - no mortgage. I see no difference between paying rent or paying off a mortgage. Only difference is the rent is lost money where as the house you pay off is an investment. The cheapest way with any comforts at all is in either a small used older mobile home or an older small used RV.
Add up the repairs to the vehicle over the year. The gas and oil you put in it. The gym membership. Having to eat out 2 to 3 times a day which is much more costly than cooking at "home" no matter what/where that home is. There's the charge for the PO box.
Repairs,gas and oil? Commuting puts wear on the truck, could park in parking lot or close by to conserve fuel if needed, so if I had a house would still have the van bills, probably higher, longer commute. At my age the house would not be an investment for me, 15/20 years I probably won't be here. An RV gets everyones attention, Oh by the way, I'm in middle Tn, and if you haven't noticed the country put Obama back in, Americans, for the most part, are compassionate people. Rambling PS my gym(a national company) cost less than $35/month.
He's now retired. Rich by no means and I don't know how long he's owned the boat. Could be decades. The point is, living an unconventional life isn't for everyone but if they choose to do it and can do it successfully, they shouldn't be put down for it or accused of being a mooch or leach on society. It's a big world out there and not everyone fits into the cookie-cutter style life portrayed on network television. The person who can't expand their mind to understand that are the unfortunate one, imo.
I agree. I don't put anyone "down" for an alternative lifestyle.... as long as they're self sufficient and are not on the dole - being subsidized by the taxpayers. If someone chooses to live in a tent or hollow tree it's fine with me as long as they're self supporting.
Repairs,gas and oil? Commuting puts wear on the truck, could park in parking lot or close by to conserve fuel if needed,....
Close by to what? Do you mean a relatives driveway or back pasture? You can't leave a van parked for days or weeks at a time anywhere these days. Someone will call it in as abandoned or that someone is living in it. The police will make you move it.
Quote:
.... so if I had a house would still have the van bills, probably higher, longer commute. At my age the house would not be an investment for me, 15/20 years I probably won't be here. An RV gets everyones attention,....
So will a car or van if parked somewhere longer than a few days. That is, unless you're way out in the boondocks and have to commute every day.
Quote:
Oh by the way, I'm in middle Tn, and if you haven't noticed the country put Obama back in, Americans, for the most part, are compassionate people. Rambling PS my gym(a national company) cost less than $35/month.
LIFE SHOULD BE FUN
Some Americans are wearing out where compassion is concerned. They have too many problems of their own and have donated to too many disasters since 9/11.
"Living an unconventional life" is one thing, and that's fine. But being on food stamps and eating in soup kitchens (and other similar activities) is mooching, pure and simple. Whether you are taking from taxpayers who are forced to contribute whether they want to or not (food stamps) or taking advantage of voluntary contributions (soup kitchens, for the most part), you are indeed a leach.
Many people feel this way. It is indeed mooching. It's not self-sufficiency, it's "dependance." They can call it anything they like but it's still leeching.
Quote:
When people want to be subsidized by others in order to live their "unconventional life", that's when I have a problem with it.
I am a woman and I lived in my car (a MINI cooper even) in Vegas and I'm still alive. I did it coz I want to try it and I want to save as much money as I can. I will soon be back in Vegas but I won't live in my car. It's fun while it lasted but it's not for me.
I had fun though although it was really tough. I had no prob showering though in fact I have a pick of all resorts on vegas hotels. I keep my room key from my comp stays so I can go swimming and shower daily. My fave is the Aria Hotel resort pool because they have showers with soap dispensers in their bathroom.
The one word i don't understand is bold. other wise this looks like theft of services to me...
How can it be other wise if you live in a car but take pool time and showers in a hotel for Profit?
Maybe when i know what comp means it will become clear. But as it stands now I think you are a criminal not yet caught. Theft of services can be interesting.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Let's define a few things.
That's just me, though. 
I see no difference between paying rent or paying off a mortgage. Only difference is the rent is lost money where as the house you pay off is an investment. The cheapest way with any comforts at all is in either a small used older mobile home or an older small used RV. 
