Making the move to a solo nomad is stressful

Mike Harding · Guru

Making the move to a solo nomad is stressful

Possum3 · Guru

Mike, would you have sufficient funds to buy a small cottage or shed on a block in a country area well away from the big smoke - that could be a stop gap prior to total desolation if things go pear shaped if it is really cheap there is little chance of losing the funds, won't affect pension (as much as invested funds from sale of house will) - it would also provide a permanent address for rego, etc.

homealone · Veteran Member

I have just gone solo after selling most things, still have more I don't need, but now seem to be buying more for self-sufficiency camping. When does it end?? and the stress of it all. Then there is the learning of z new way of life

Mike Harding · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
Mike, would you have sufficient funds to buy a small cottage

Hi P3 - yes I do but it's not what I want to do. I want to be free of the regular bills of rates, elec, gas et al. I'm sick of them and I'm sick of modern society and its demands on individuals to conform - maybe I always have been - indeed perhaps that is why many of us seek to go nomad?

Farmhat · Senior Member

Mike, you have a list of things that you need to get done. Before you know it, you will have them all ticked off and be on you way to your nirvana. Hope it is soon.

Joe.

Traway · Veteran Member

We are a couple but downsizing from a 5 bedroom house to a 23 foot caravan has been challenging. We have purchased a Qpix scanner to digitise all of our photos and negatives as no one wants printed copies nowadays and the kids can take there pick of the copies they want. 2 large boxes of precious stuff stored at the sons house. Everything else is replaceable if we ever settle down again. Bring on the adventures!

Grandad5 · Senior Member

I'm in a similar situation Mike. One step at a time seems to be working for me at present.
Much easier to handle one small step than the whole big picture.

It takes some practise however as not looking at the big picture is not something that comes naturally to most men.

Jim

Mike Harding · Guru

Thanks everyone for your kind words of encouragement :)

I took a walk along the beach this morning; the sun was shining, the sea was crystal clear and a few small children were paddling in water too cold for me to dip my big toe in! The walk revitalised me somewhat and I feel strengthened to face the next challenge.

Grandad5: your comment is wise - I tend to see the whole issue and feel overwhelmed instead, as you suggest, I should focus on "one thing at a time".

One of the disadvantages of being single; no one to share the problems with and put issues into perspective when we are stressed by them.

It will all come good I know and I've dealt with much more difficult challenges in the past but I will be *damn* glad when it's all over :)

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I know exactly where you are coming from Mike. I did it 7 years ago now after I lost my wife and, yes, it was hard but you have made the hardest choice already, to make the change. That done, just do it. You will find you don't need a lot of 'stuff' living in a CV or Motorhome. I didn't bother with storage places either. What I own is with me.

As I said, I did it all 7 years ago and if it is any help, I have never looked back. I love this new chapter in my life. My late wife is still with me, only in my memory.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Mike Harding · Guru

Thanks Doug :)

>you have made the hardest choice already

I'm sure that is correct. I think a mistake I have made is dragging it out too long. I mostly made this decision about three years ago but have spent a lot of that time just messing around going bush and generally enjoying myself. I think I should have got stuck in to the real issue once I made the decision.

>You will find you don't need a lot of 'stuff' living in a CV

You know... I am absolutely sure you are correct but, nevertheless, it is hard to junk the "stuff" of a lifetime. But then... it is only "stuff".

> I have never looked back. I love this new chapter in my life.

Indeed. And I have no doubt at all I'll have no regrets either.

>My late wife is still with me, only in my memory.

Doug: I don't think we could ask for more than that we live on in the memory of someone we loved and who loved us.

the rocket · Guru

Hi mike, strop and i did this 3 years ago. I was overwhelmed too at times. Decided to tackle one room at a time. Told kids to come get what u want then Sold the rest on facebook buy sell swap groups. U will find them in your area too. Photos i scanned them all and put on a hard drive, then made 2 copies of that on 2 hard drives n gave to kids incase one breaks one day. Offered kids photos but mostly went into the bin. My wedding dress of round 40 years and precious heirlooms (strops first shoes with bunnies on the side, handmade tablecloths over 100 years old N more) that kids did not want, we donated to the local museum. will b used for exhibitions and have our name on them When displayed. Kids can c them any time also. Sold house as soon as it went on the market N that was a real shock. one small box with kids.

what we have is with us in our van. Great to not have rates, electricity, gas, maintenance, mortgage. Free to do what we want, when we want and go where we want. Retirement is amazing.

just take one day at a time. You will be ok. Regards rocket n strop

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I feel your anxiety. I retired 4 years ago . Actually redundancy which was even better !! But I hadnât mentally changed . Took about a year to slow down . Even our 3/4 trip around Aus . Vic,SA , WA,NT back through centre . I should have taken Atleast 3 months longer . We are planning on going the other way soon . Thing is s l o w i n g down . Donât take things too seriously. Prepare the best you can ! Other than that ? Donât worry too much ., Ourselves are often the enemy So to speak !! Lol

Bryan · Guru

I had a great plan but have hit a bit of a snag.

After consulting our son we decided to sell up, build a shed to store sentimental stuff and a granny flat on his property. We also paid off his mortgage and we took part ownership of the property, just in case. On the basis that we saved him some $600 per week he pays all the bills; rates, water, electricity, gas etc. That leaves us free to wander wherever and whenever we wished with no bills, a home base as well as a capital investment. Basically its a win win for both of us.

We moved in and ready to rock and roll when the first grandchild came along, that was 16 months ago. Granny said that's it I'm staying put and here we are, very happy in the granny flat, looking after our grand daughter. The chapter is not over, if Granny wants to stick around, I plan to do some solo traveling next year.

Mike Harding · Guru

Bryan wrote:
when the first grandchild came along, that was 16 months ago. Granny said that's it I'm staying put

Oh Bryan!

Women and babies. What can you do? :)

The Belmont Bear · Guru

As I read through this thread I found some relevence to my own situation in each one of the posts - my position is pretty much the same as AKs I was offered a redundancy 3 years ago so I became a self funded retiree. I would love to do what you have all done Dougwe, Rocket and everyone else who has made the decision to sell up and hit the road full-time. I now find myself like Bryan - Gran will not even entertain the idea of leaving our 3 young grandkids at least while they are still preschool age. Mike you have already made the hardest decision ok you have a few small hurdles still to get over but then you will be out there enjoying that nomadic carefree lifestyle that you have been chasing.

Recently I also had to repair termite damage after they breached a chemical barrier around our concrete slab and got into a couple of interior walls. The worst part and the biggest cost was the treatment to get rid of them i.e. over 3 months, luckily in our case the repairs were mostly cosmetic to repair the gyprock walls that they had to cut holes in to bait them, the timber frame suffered very little damage as they had only eaten a skirting board before we found them.

Cheers
BB

Lesley F · Senior Member

Hi Mike. I'm one of the many solo females, been on the road for over two years, with no regrets. I'm not materialistic, i can survive on little, I only have the basic luxuries for comfort. Many nomads are part time and keep their house. It's an individual choice, if you sell up, ensure you keep that money in case you change your mind. Good luck

Lanock · Member

Having been in your situation I really feel for you at this rough time.

For myself, I put all that I wanted to keep in my daughters double garage. Took up half of her space, but it is still there after 2 years.

But time changes your perspective about how you want to live.

My friends ask me "What do you want to do"? the answer changes from time to time.. I was a couple nomad who became a solo nomad. So in reading your post I have been down memory land.

Sometimes I do housesitting , sometimes I go to RV Rallies, sometimes I visit my adult kids, sometimes I go on a cruise, and sometimes I just go bush until I am sick of my own company.

there are always options my friend, you have lots of good stuff to look forward to.

All the best from this solo nomad.

Mike Harding · Guru

Lanock: thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words :)

I am a very positive person but was a little down the night I wrote the original post, that's OK 'cause if you don't know down then you can't know up.

As always, I have bounced back and am now making things happen - I'll take up half of my son's garage with stuff too :)

I'm coming to terms with throwing "stuff" out and it's not as hard as I imagined, not that I'm a hoarder... well not much of one... but it does feel good to unburden myself of some of the stuff I have hung on to which probably I shouldn't.

I have become a little "stale" over the past few years, as many of us do, but I am now eager to start the next journey.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

Chocoholic · Veteran Member

I'm in a similar situation - busy getting rid of everything and will be living in my van once my youngest leaves for Uni in January 2019. I enjoyed reading everybody's replies - it's so helpful to know others have been down this road before. My biggest question - do I have to have a residential address for things like my drivers license, and voting? How does it work if the area you are "registered" has a vote and you are 1000km's away? And my insurance said I need a listed address with them I will have to work as I don't have any savings to fall back on - hoping to work in caravan parks. Do I list that address as my residential address if I'm going to be in 1 place for 6 months or more? thanks Susan

Mike Harding · Guru

Hi Susan

It is reassuring to know others go through similar concerns and problems, I agree.

I checked the voting thing recently and, at a federal level, if you do not have a fixed address you do not have to register to vote. I'm not sure what the various states require for state elections. Distance voting is easy; you can vote in person in another location to your "home" but it's much easier to request a postal vote.

Insurance and driving licence wise: It will certainly be best (necessary?) to provide the insurance company/licence people with a fixed address and I think what most nomads do is use the address of a good friend/relative and state they are living there.

Exciting times :)

Chocoholic · Veteran Member

Thanks Mike I heard if you don't vote they issue a fine and if they get no response you license can get cancelled. I prefer to stay on the right side of the law - so much easier Enjoy your weekend Susan

Mike Harding · Guru

Chocoholic wrote:
I heard if you don't vote they issue a fine and if they get no response you license can get cancelled.

Don't believe everything you hear:

https://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Special_Category/Enrolment_with_no_fixed_address.htm

Bru · Senior Member

G'day Mike When we first set off over 4 years ago we put a lot of stuff in storage and came back after 12 months, went through everything and gave most away after paying storage fees for so long. A few things we left in our daughter's garage and we will probably go through that soon and get rid of more.So much easier living in our little van. No bills other than rego and insurance. We have no regrets, sometimes letting go takes time. Good luck. Bru

Chocoholic · Veteran Member

Thanks Mike - I have saved the link. Stay safe on the road

Mike Harding · Guru

Bru wrote:
sometimes letting go takes time.

It does indeed. And I think it's a process we should allow to proceed at a rate with which we feel comfortable.

Polar Bear · Member

Hi There. HI All

I am a long time reader, now, early next year will be full time Nomad. After years of dreaming about it (the only thing that got me through some very sad nights on many occasion, Dammm black dog lol), and after being a full time carer for past 8 months (person now passed on) and two months later a recent diagnosis of a cancer (hopefully taken care of for now), I am finally "doing it". This past week I too have been dong the "cull", like you Mike, a lifetime of mementos, dreams, collections of a life lived now have to fit into a smallish van, hopefully 20 ft ish. I have come to realise that although the memories are great, my "stuff is nice" etc, but in the past three years most of it has remained in boxes and not been used. you know the saying if you have not used it in the past twelve months, do I really need it. This philosophy I am trying to apply to my culling. I have culled once, but i reckon I have another three culls to go. Like others above I have put photos onto computer, storing some special items at a friends, and so on. IT IS NOT AS EASY as people say/think. I am too old to share a house (been there done that), cannot afford to pay expensive rents of more than $300.00 per week especially if I am out of work, so the Road it is,

It has been extremely stressful as the dream now becomes reality. Maybe I got a little too settled in recent years, (as I got older) and took some shine off the dream, however I am now picking up on the original excitement of going - especially when it is freezing in Melbourne. I am looking forward to the better weather, the meeting new friends, in general - the feeling of space and freedom. I do not have a house to sell up and live off the savings, I will be on Centrelink (Newstart, much less money than a pension of which I am a long way from being on, and needing to jump through their hoops to keep a payment), however, as usual, I will manage (my mantra from now on). I will only be able to move on once per fortnight as that's all the budget will allow, but like many, I plan on picking up work, mostly childcare/babysitting, after all, parents on the road need some romantic time without the worry of the kids, and kids need a break from parents. lol!

So whilst the plan sounded good in my head, I am not immune to the harshness of life on the road, in truck stops, free camps ect. So before illness sets in, and whilst I am capable, I will start again just like so many times before in my life, and If it goes pair shaped, I will manage, as I always do. At least I will have a roof over my head when so many others - for whatever reason do not.

And for that I am truly grateful.

So keep going Mike, onward with fun and excitement, hope to meet some of you in the big backyard someday soon.

Sincerely

Polar Bear.

-- Edited by Polar Bear on Tuesday 2nd of October 2018 12:12:26 AM

Mike Harding · Guru

Hi PB

Thank you for your words of encouragement :)

It sounds like you have had a tough time of it these past few years, I sincerely hope things pick up for now.

In regard to your babysitting work, if you don't have one it would be well worth you applying for a Victorian "Working with Children" card - hint, they are free for volunteers:

http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/home/

I wish you all the best PB and hope we may meet on the road sometime.

Polar Bear · Member

Thanks Mike,

Things are going to be great! I am actually almost through my studies in a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care which covers everything including Working with children check, however I do appreciate the thought.

Lesley F · Senior Member

With regard to voting. I haven't got the paperwork in my hand now, but I eventually received an official letter stating I was a grey nomad.