I am a newbie so please be gentle to me.. Lol.. yep as I decided to live life and start getting organised... finally! After so many years ups and more downs I need to look after myself for a change.
Certainly there are a few problems starting to creep up.
First I need to sale my unit as I don't have enough funds to buy a nice comfortable motorhome (I am looking at a Toyota Coaster) so I won't have a home base to go to in case something will go wrong.
1st question. Is it wise or keep a home base here in Oz and start with a crappy old motorhome and upgrade later? I am indent to travel for 6 to 9 months and may be purchase a Condo in Thailand travelling back and forward.
2nd question. How much would I need on a weekly basis to live reasonable comfortable? I was thinking around $300 a week!!
May be these are very basic questions for a lot of you but I really appreciate all the help I can get.
Thanks for reading my little note and helping me get over the first hurdles.
Costs per week is just that. Fuel, insurance, maintenence are the biggies and the next biggie is CP's and food. If you are free camping as much as possible the CP factor reduces drastically.
There are lots of people out here doing it on just the aged pension. Budgeting is the main thing. Low on funds if you are capable working as you go can be another help. The Southern grain harvest is soon to start in SA and West Victoria. The company website is viterra.com.au/harvest-jobs They are one of a few companies that employ older Aussies. Fruit picking of course and some people with skills that can bring in a few bucks such as hairdressers etc. can help out finances.
I did run across two people who supplemented their incomes with other ideas.
One couple imported fifty pairs of 'Happy Pants' and were selling them in CP's as they travelled. Another guy was a signwriter and did people's Caravans and motorhomes doing small jobs such as painting signs on the rear of their vans and Motorhomes."Use channel 40 and channel 18" with their names of course.
Others join Housesitting sites and go from place to place house sitting to help keep costs down.
Others will come on and give lots of advice on how to do the Nomad thing.
There are all sorts of people doing the Nomad thing and all have tips that will help and will freely give advice on here and if you meet up with them on the road.
Just don't talk Politics and religion. Too often that degenerates into silly stuff so Cindy the Moderator quickly shuts down any silly stuff.
Makes for a pretty good forum.
Sounds like you are like the majority of us on here.
That worry about selling up the home base and going on the road full time.
Some wouldn't do it without a home or home base and others don't want the added burden of having a house with all the costs keeping it going.Others would hate renting the house out worrying about what the tenants are doing to it whilst you are away.
It's a big one to decide one way or the other.
And of course the apprehension of taking the plunge whichever way you go.
A bit like starting a new job...... good move or not. I think the majority on here would say they are glad they took the plunge and wondered why they didn't do it sooner.
Good luck in your deliberations and hope your plans work out for you.
Welcome to the gang Joker, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I sold up in 2014 after being out in the playground 8 out of 12 months for 3 years. I now live in what is in my signature below and enjoy every minute. Not once have I looked back.
As for what you do or get, it is a personal choice really so will sit back and leave it to you to decide for yourself. Read through any info given on the forum and then decide from there.
Keep Safe on the roads.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
I have kept my Unit in SA and am travelling around at the moment. I do a lot of house sitting, usually I get power, hot water and few other things depending on what is required.
I have met some fantastic people and most want me to go back again next year.
Beside the above I do mostly free camping, but do have gas hot water and fridge that I can keep going for about 5 days.
I am a female so not as brave as some people as in giving up their homes but in saying that I met a 85 year old man who has been living in his pretty basic van for 15 years.
I asked him, "what if you get sick"? and he said, "so what"!! Good attitude, I suppose.
Anyway whatever you decide, you are going to meet some amazing people and see some very interesting things.
Thank so much for your help, knowledge and encouragement. It really really helps!
Sadly I have been brought up the VERY conservative way which certainly helped me so far in the past but to change my way of thinking drastically I need to kick myself "where the sun doesn't shine" to change my attitude towards the future.
So I have already started to organise a few excel spreadsheets to sort out my financials, what I need etc etc.
I have been already twice over the last few years to the Mareeba "Christmas in July" Motorhome Rally and will also go this year to pick anyone's brain I can talk to and get as much information.
3rd question: Is it wise or nessassary to sign up with one of the Motor Car Clubs like RACQ, NRMA and can they be used in case of trouble Australia wide?
Cheers
Joker
Anyone for a quick "Blond Male" joke... Ok.. Ok.. you asking for it:
A blonde man is in the bathroom and his wife shouts: "Did you find the shampoo?
He answers, "Yes, but I'm not sure what to do... it's for dry hair, and I've just wet mine."
Ps. I was christening with the nickname by the Ulysses "Old Fart" Motorcycle Club when I was ridding with them 10 years ago, No idea why!!.. Lol..
Hi Joker. Welcome to the forum too. I am a Newbie as well as solo and terrified. But I am determined to do it. I am still very much in the planning stages.
With regard to "how much do I need", yes it depends on your own particular circumstances. I am going through that thought process at the moment and madly saving as I will be travelling on my savings unless I pick up some work along the way. I am living on a very tight budget at the moment and keeping track of where I am spending my money in an attempt to cut costs and any wastage when I do hit the road.
As an overview I reckon that I will be able to live on what it is costing me now as some things I spend money on now wont be applicable when I am on the road and that money will cover the costs of things that I don't currently need to spend money on.
I am putting a kitty aside to cover big ticket sightseeing like I want to do a flight over Lake Eyre, Fly over the Bungle Bungles etc etc etc and will then weigh up doing those types of things with the resources I have at the time. There will be a trade off for everything.
Go back over past posts on this forum and you will pick up heaps of info and money saving ideas.
We are all different, but the hesitation to take the first step seems to be a common factor. But it is a great life out there! I started with a poptop HiAce, thinking I could upgrade if needed, or not lose a lot on resale if the life didn't suit me - starting from Tassie the van also crossed on the cheapest rate. I traveled for the better part of three years, found the van to be excellent for solo traveling and never contemplated upgrading, but then, camping and the simple life to me are synonymous. I determined not to sell my house, thinking as I got older I may not be able to travel but that proved a wise decision in the short term as circumstances turned out as I sold my van due to changing family circumstances and I could see no likelihood of further travelling.
Within the confines of the van, I had a full library (Kindle), music collection (MP3 player), DVD player w/ movie collection, laptop with wireless internet connection and in the three years wore long trousers no more than a dozen times. I could free camp indefinitely but water was my main limiting factor. I carried more 'stuff' than I ever used but managed fine. I stayed in National Parks whenever possible, as they are relatively inexpensive & offered an excellent opportunity for plenty of things to do. Trips to nearby towns for necessities was never a problem (being 2WD I didn't venture off the beaten track).
People on the road are friendly and helpful, the country is fascinating (tho there are some boring bits) and it was a great life! Enjoy your travels!
Hi Joker - and welcome to the forum - if you want to read some good stuff - read Loki's blog - underneath his signature, in his post.
Another good one is to read Yeoeleven's blog - great pictures, and lots of information, from a man who started on the road at the age of 74, is still travelling, though not as extensively, he had a small old pop top Hi Ace - has since upgraded to a 1980 Coaster - a great read.
Hi from Chellbells - refreshing to know that our fears are not alone - it is natural to be terrified I think, when you are seriously thinking of pulling up stops. I am thinking of selling up (including all my possessions), putting some funds in the bank to gain interest (small these days) to go detecting, hoping to supplement missing income (dream on).
It is terrifying, I even signed an Agent's agreement to sell my house but have not been brave enough to go through with it as yet.
I like the saying above "DON'T LET THE FEAR OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN MAKE NOTHING HAPPEN" also, "FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS, AS YOU ARE DEAD A LONG TIME".
I like the thought of meeting up with other like minded Grey Nomads for safety in numbers sake, encouragement, assistance, laughs & comradeship.
Guess it depends on what side of the bed you get out of in the morning, sunny mornings are always more encouraging when making a huge decision like this, an then it clouds over - ahhhhh.
One thing that is good these days is the internet, that takes care of the postman. Having 'no fixed abode' has been made easier.
Glad of this forum, shows that we all have similar concerns.
And one thing to ALWAYS keep at the back of your mind.
If you do sell up to travel. Think ahead.
You well NOT always be able. Mentally and physically to be able to DO SO. Apart from maybe 5 or 8%. ALL of you will want. need to stop as you get older and less able to do. look afteryourselves etc.
If you have Just your van etc. SO be it.
But if you anywhere financial. Think about it. and try to keep enough to set you up. at least in an oldies village.
One day. Further down the track of life. You'll appreciate doing so.
As I said. only about 5 or 8% are like me. Solo travellers. Loners.. from birth. I've been alone since around 7.
Ammendment.
NOT "ALONE"
More singular.
I prefer my own company 99% of the time.
Happier with my cat than a person.
-- Edited by macka17 on Wednesday 31st of August 2016 04:42:37 PM
Joker wrote:1st question. Is it wise or keep a home base here in Oz and start with a crappy old motorhome and upgrade later?
I wouldn't sell a house before I had enough experience to know how much I enjoyed nomadic life. I don't believe it's possible to make that decision wisely otherwise, because we're all different and it comes down to what's right for you. So my answer would be to keep the house for now, perhaps letting it, and start travelling with whatever I could afford to find out whether or not I liked it.
Joker wrote:2nd question. How much would I need on a weekly basis to live reasonable comfortable? I was thinking around $300 a week!! I maintained a spreadsheet tracking where every dollar went (and still do). Critical factors in the cost of living are how much driving you do, paying for camps and preparing your own food. Some weekly averages from my time on the road (2012-2014):
I am petrified of the idea of selling up everything, but I have decided that I am going to because I don't like where I live. I don't like the drug dealers two doors down, I don't like the hoons using the road as a drift circuit and my good neighbours are moving. So, I am going to hit the road and find somewhere where I can settle down, somewhere near the coast where I can catch some squid for bait and salt and pepper calamari! The only trouble I can think of is the Budgie, Dickie Whacker. Will he acclimatise to travelling? I think he will because his bell will move and ring which will drive him crazy! I just hope he will give a G'day to all who pass the van when he is hanging outside.
