Van Life Freedom: Living Off $1500 Social Security in a 1991 Conversion Van
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- Опубликовано: 15 мар 2024
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Rich lives off a modest income of $1500 in social security in hs trusty 1991 conversion van. Tired of the expenses tied to traditional living, he sought out a simpler, more cost-effective way of life on the open road...and you can too! Happiness and contentment can be found in the simplicity and freedom of the open road.
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Thanks for watching!
This guy is living better than most retired peeps stuck in their house/apartment stressing over making ends meet every month. Good on him.
Brian is The Best !! 👌
Right on…I agree completely.
Just like me & my husband. Seriously, considering a van. Too expensive to rent an apartment being on a fixed income.
I don't make that much working full time and can barely afford the most modest of apartments. (read: cheap and moldy). This guy must come from a very rich place if they can pay people that much for not working.
Good for him! Not everybody has a home they bought 30 years ago and lots of money to fling around! And that includes me.
I was out working at a job site and I came across a horse farm and I seen a camper parked in the yard. I went and got the number and asked the guy about it and he let me look inside and it was toast. So he had a 1997 Ford chasiss 36 feet motorhome with tandem axle 7.1 liter engine. So I looked in it and asked him about the price and he said just call tomorrow and he'll have a price and all the info. I call the next day and he said it's his late brother and his brother would want someone to enjoy it and he said just come get it towed and I can have it. I went there and put a battery in it and it fired right up. It needed the brake system bleed out and it only had 49k miles. This just goes to show it's some really good people out here. I just bought some land in Florida and I'll be parking on my land as a homebase. Will have a well and solar panels working everything.
I prefer this channel with Bob Wells because he visits some inspirational people like this gentleman and the best thing is that each person Bob interviews is they do not try to keep up with others on trends etc they sometimes have built out their own vans and do not come across as being show offs either. Best wishes you Rich and safe journey on your travels. Also keep up the good work Bob with your excellent channel 👍
Yeah, he does real people living on the road
Rich sounds so happy. He's got a really nice setup there. Thanks for introducing us to him Bob. Everybody have safe travels out there
Bob Wells thank you for what you do. Your show continues to remind me daily that I have options, No one ever needs to fear being homeless. The fact is it may be the best thing for many people.
If I may chime in, I think I fit that description. Just about the time I was getting close to retirement, the algorithm(?) served up one of CRVL's videos. It was, somewhat painfully, obvious that housing costs were going to be out of reach on Soc. Sec., So for me, it was perfect timing. I love nomad life - it's not all roses, for sure. But it can be quite therapeutic. An added benefit: as an introvert, the few human interactions I've had while on the road, have been much more interesting and welcome. Quality over quantity maybe? 🤔
I sold what little I had, and my 13 year old dog and I starting our journey last spring living off the grid tent camping/hiking with a four wheel drive. I love the outdoors, and was excited to spend the rest of my senior years in nature 365 days a year. I recently got closer to my goal of reaching the rockies at higher elevations this summer by just passing the Mississippi. I've been to 25 forest locations so far.
Saying and doing are two different things. The first six months living like this was exciting, but a little difficult and awkward at times, and I wasn't sure if I could do this for years. But then I passed some sort of psychological threshold a couple of months ago, and all these beautiful forests began feeling like home, and that awkward transient feeling went away. I don't just have some two or three thousand sq foot home, I have all of this. So it finally clicked, and I hadn't been this happy in a long time.
Then early this week my dog, the last remnant of the family I lost years ago, just vanished in thin air. He was with me when I went to sleep as always, and the next morning he was gone. We did everything together. I've spend days and many miles searching until I couldn't walk anymore.
Nothing is the same without him. Instead of being in nature's beauty, it is like being in a void. I now feel like just an old nobody sitting in the middle of nowhere. I never noticed the emptiness before; now that's all there is.
To love and be loved is the light that pierces the darkness. Beautiful things are in the eyes of the beholder, and what is there to see, if nothing sees you.
I cannot see you, but I hear you. I care about you, and am so very sorry for the loss of your best buddy and companion. He still remains with you in your memories. Enjoy those memories, and find comfort in them. Yes, life is better with a companion. Keep your eyes open to finding another one who needs you as much as you need him/her. Stay well and strong. I will be thinking of you, and hope you find your way forward.
Could you stay there a while heay return could you buy a whistle I pray it all works out for you❤ he may come back just be lost i hope so
My sympathy.
I’m so sorry. I love my cat. I am afraid to lose her. But I know the time will come. And I pray for resilience when it does. I’ll pray for you and your dog as well. God is with you 🙏🏼 ❤
Please consider adopting another dog. Or maybe check around someone might be giving puppies away. I'm so sorry you lost your bestfriend. Sometimes old dogs take off, when they know they are dying. My dads dog did that.. she never left his side, then one day, she just disappeared. She was 15 years old. He said he was on the phone and she came over and put her head on his lap, he patted her and left her out, thinking she wanted to go potty, well she never came back and he practically went nuts looking for her, and she was just gone. Many months later he found her skeleton in the woods behind their house, she just lay down and died beneath the trees..he knew it was her, because her fur was still in tact..anyway sending you love and prayers for strength ❤❤
❤❤❤Hi everyone it's me in the video, Rich Wood 😂 I love this Life come join me !!! 😊🎉😂❤
Cheers, buddy. Looks like its all going your way. I stay on the coast North of the bay area, Canada/Alaska in the summer. Sometimes Utah early spring when it's still chilly. Can't deal with heat. I have considered Qtz in the winter though when its not the time a bunch of people are there. People aren't my thing. Take care and safe travels
A very happy man. And full of energy to go and see what he wants. I wish him the best.
I’m happy he picked you for the van! Can see you’re really benefiting and appreciative and happy!
This guy is an inspiration, and an example! ❤
Hamburger, too.
I once met his brother.Larry. Lives in a dustcart in Hohokum.. He's an inspiration too. Gets by on $ 25 a month. . Not a lot of lobster.
I smiled watching the whole video
So smart!
How is Bob still looking the same age as when I 1st subscribed to this channel?! I would say he's happy & loving life!!
Van life is good for you 😊
Please God let me have the spirit and health of this awesome gentleman when I reach his age.
Here’s the one most important thing that will cost the most for people that are living this way. The cost to repair and or replace the vehicle. So it’s most important for everyone to be living on as little as possible and to save as much as possible to make sure that you will have the money to pay for repairs and or replacement of your vehicle.
@cliffordmeberg
Not just the money to repair your vehicle but money for a place to stay while repairs are being done.
Good point. Build it in your budget. Always have an emergency fund in place.
Glad to see you still out there Rich! Keep on truckin'✌🏼
Rich was a great choice for your old van
Sure would like to see a update video of your Dodge van and how he is doing.
Peace
Great to see your old van is still on the road.
OMG. Loved this! His attitude could be infectious! I need a van.
For those interested in costs. End December 2023 I completed my goal of travelling to all the lower 48 states in five years. I travelled in a Ram Promaster Cargo Van. Since I'm also retired and has to watch my dollars, do I keep daily record of my expenses. Doesn't matter how small, it gets written down. On Sundays do I add it up and also by the end of the month. So I have a pretty good idea by now what this lifestyle costs. Expenses have just skyrocketed the last +- two years but I reckon that you can live quite comfortably on $1500 pm IF your vehicle is mechanically sound and you stay at least 14 days in a spot i.e don't spend too much on gas AND too much time in towns/ cities near the stores. The last part is where the money really flies out of your pocket. Stay away. Since Rich is retired and over 65 does he qualify for Medicare. That helps a lot. I'm not 65 yet so I use United Healthcare ( $365 pm) .As far as eating is concerned. Mind over matter and an iron will is key i.e Walk into the grocery store for a bread, walk out with only a bread. I'm still working on that and hope to have it down in another ten years or so.
What a great story, I'm glad Rich is out there enjoying his life. I've followed Brian @ AdventureVanMan for years and remember when he was in that van. He's a great guy! 😊 Safe travels, Rich! 👍
Nice to meet the person he gifted the van to.
Glad to finally see a video tour of the van Brain gave to Rich. Some of the best people mentioned in that video.
I love Brian. He’s a straight-up good person. It’s no mystery to me how Brian chose Rich. He also seems to be a solid person! Blessings on you both. ✌️❤️🚐
Something to be said about Freedom and dignity of independent living
Adventure Van Man is a very kind man.
Agree!
I'm glad Rich got the van, great story of how Van Life is helping us seniors survive out here.
Glad Brian gave him this van. He appreciates it and proud of it 👏
Wow.
Such an amazing gentleman.
He gives us all Hope.
My husband and I are in our mid 60’s.
He is disabled.
We are debt free, but with inflation rising we could be right here.
You never know from day to day what could happen.
Bless this man for sharing his Life.
And I will work full time until my death and never be as well off as you. I pay all of my wages to rent a moldy little apartment and go hungry most days. What was it like when you worked full time?
😅
You are in the same situation my husband and I are in. He is disabled and has dementia. I am his caregiver. We go to food pantry when things are really bad. I buy nutrition drinks at the dollar store. On days where there is not much to eat. I have gotten sick before with anemia. ICU is not place I want to be again. I wished I had something more to help you. But unfortunately those are the only options I have.
Nice to meet the person who was gifted Brian's van.
Everything Mr. Rich said makes sense. I am worried about the costs that as we age and grow up that there is not a limit at a specific age. We work hard for our incomes, but apparently cost of living rises too fast for any of us to live. I'm grateful that Mr. Rich shared us his insight and everything he learned to teach us. Definitely a cautionary tale and that another plus for nomadic living!
Bob is right when he says "everyone wants to know. how you go to the bathroom." People who are researching van life want to know the nitty gritty and Bob is right.
Good for you Rich, I did the same thing in 2022. I love this life and I also followed Bob Wells before I decided to change my life. I'm just south of Quartzite off 95 . Enjoy all your journeys all your adventures.
Me too in Q
Nice to see some fellow Americans who aren't greedy. Good examples of human spirit. Very encouraging.🙂
Aww, kitty in the sunshine. 😻
Some great info in this video. Thanks! 🎶🎵
Great work Rich, take care and be safe.
I watch many of these videos, so many lovely people living this lifestyle. Rich is so positive and grateful, very inspiring. I wish him all the best.
Thank you Guys🎉
I am 7 months into van life and no regrets. I'm 55 and work a part-time job so can't travel to
quartzsite and make all the "best friends" that this fellow was talking about. : ) But maybe I will someday. I made a Facebook group for people who are doing van life in my town but It's a new group..
Yep. Me too sir for the last 7 years and I love it and plan to continue thru my 70s. Life is far more interesting this way. I am currently in a 2017 dodge grand caravan and love it.
Another happy camper living out his golden years enjoying life. Great van!
He has such an interesting story and bright personality. I hope people who know him encourage him to start his own RUclips channel. I know many of us would follow him. He sounds like he would have lots of great and interesting stories to tell.
Rich has what is needed, Thanks Bob. ☮
I AM GOING TO BE ON THE ROAD AND I HOPE I MEET THIS COOL GUY
Thats a really nice van and was so kind of Brian to gift it to you❤
That's exactly what my husband and I are looking for to start our adventures. We also live off Social Security and understand how hard it can be to make ends meet. We live with family at the moment and we're looking for an affordable home on wheels but haven't had any luck yet.
Have fun on your adventures!!🎉
More power to you, Rich. Happy trails!
Rich - you’ve figured it out! Really enjoyed the video.
Thank YOU for thinking about your cat!
Bob you are AWESOME. You have started a very very good thing for people on a very tight budget. Thank you Bob this definitely was your calling , to help THOUSANDS of people living on little means!!!
He looks amazing and smart.
I swear bucket toilets are actually so much cleaner than most other options. Standard household toilets with their huge amounts of water wasted, rv and marine toilets that are less water but still gross. Composters and incinerators seem better than those, but if a $5 bucket does the job…
Thank you for all you do on UTube as well as all your other platforms etc.
It’s HIGHLY appreciated.
FINISH WELL!!
“You can always say hi to me, it’s cool”
✊🏼
with high taxes usa and canada its insane ....people really have no more money .....life now is so hard :(
Great meeting up with you. Living the dream life through simplicity ... keeping expenses down so you don't have to be tied to a job in your retirement years. Continued success and health!
Bless us all.
Fun interview! What an upbeat dude 🎉
Very positive guy there Bob I love hos energy 🎉
If anyone watching feels sorry for him..DON'T.... This is the happiest life..nice people mostly...freedom galore...cooking outside...fresh air....all solar if you like....quiet sleeping at night......do what you want...when you want.....meet Bob Wells if you are lucky.....have a dog...or gecko?...ha......wonderful wonderful life!
I always have mixed feelings when I see videos like this. On one hand it is good to see people happy. Yet, on the other you have to wonder how long it is sustainable. What happens once it isn't. There is no simple "out" though once you commit like this. And what is a bit concerning is that Bob and some of those that he interviews actually have built an out. If Bob got sick tomorrow people would be fighting each other to see who could help him the most. And he has worked hard to get that. However, when we see these videos that isn't taken into consideration. We are just shown how if he can live in the van you can live in the van. You aren't told about how you need to build a channel or some other business in order to ensure you have that out once the time comes. You are just pointed down the road and told to start driving.
They actually have a whole series of videos recommending how to find work on the road - which jobs work best etc.
But yeah, no retirement plan for once you can't live this life any more (but for some, it was this or living on the streets for the rest of their retirement years - I know which I'd choose)
i liked this guy! for some reason he seems to be an old fashioned easy going type of man that rarely you see these days..
Rich is precious! He’s so happy and living his best life!!
That's a nice rig.....
I love this model...
Press on !!!
Live Free...
America 🇺🇸
Apartments available in Mexico for under $400 month, though.
My friend, a lone older female, lived in Guanajuato Mexico until she passed, and she loved it. Rented a cute furnished apartment for about $300 incl utilities and cable.
he’s part of the last generation where social security will actually be worth anything in retirement. everyone else will have it’s value inflated away to near worthlessness, if it’s there at all.
Dudes voice should be on the radio.
This is becoming a phenomenon today!!
rents, tax's and expences are out of control, Rich has the smarts to go far too.
Be safe, All the best 👍
I think Bob interviewed Wondervanman when he was in this rig? What wonderful gesture to gift the van to Rich! Thank you both for once again confirming the availability of “A Life Worth Living!”.
I could listen to Rich talk ALL DAY. Did he used to work in radio?! Great attitude, great life, so glad you both brought it to us.
I admire people who can lead the nomadic lifestyle. I'd last one season.
Not everybody can live in a nice retirement community cruising around in a golf cart sipping cocktails and it sure looks every bit as happy if not more.
Yeah, you've just pretty much described my nightmare 😱
Nice that Brian gifted the van to you. Enjoy your travels.
Wow! You've got an awesome van. I've been in my mid sized suv. Started out in 2018. This is becoming a popular life style.
What a great guy with a wonderful attitude. I hope to run into him on the road. Brian is a great buy also.
Thanks Bob!
We all dig what Bob does. Hope to meet someday.
Rich seems like such a lovely person and bet he'd do great with a RUclips channel! Thanks for sharing your journey to the nomadic lifestyle ...Safe travels. 🚐
P.S. LOVE the epic video excerpt of Bob Wells on the mountainside with flowing water down below at 12:22 ...great way to picture Bob living his best life in the wilderness.
⛰🥾🥾🐕🦺
i'm wired to have a home base. priced out of colo after 35 years selling and taking the buy out for 100 acres in tn. bringing a neighbor and his kids with me. new life, off grid homestead.
Good for you Rich. Enjoy life.
I too did my resrsrch for a few 2:43 years though i had this planned back in my early 20's, im 54 now. Im fulltime in a 95 G20, bought it for a grand and dumped thoudands into it brcause it sat for 10yrs but it only had 52,000 original miles on it so it was worth it. A lot had to be replaced, almost everything less the motor and trsnsmission. I live on the cheap with a very generous paying job with many days off becauce i work 12hr shifts. Stay local on my scheduled days and travel to hike, kayak, raft and fish on my days off. Only thing missing is a dog. No gf, no drama just absolute freedom with little overhead financially. Lifes great and i wish i had done this earlier in life. This guy does exactly what i do for showers at the gym, thsnkfully i shower at work at my job too. This isnt for everyone, theres a lot of convienences thst you will sacrifice but again its worth it and im never broke, always have money. I encourage everyone to try it. ✌️
We all are going to be their...housing sucks
Yes it sure does.
Sad, you can not rely on social security as a means as solo support. I hope younger people hear this why they have more time to plan.
Don't worry, most of us are highly aware and weighing our options carefully
This had been KNOWN since the 70s!!!!! My first job in 1972, the lady who did the payroll told me not to count on social security.
Here's a guy without a care in the World.. Enjoying Retirement, the way he should. 🖖😏☕️
😊that guy’s happiness made me happy !!
You are inspirational! Brian - you are awesome 💪
May God Bless you always, I will be praying for you.
Thanks Bob
Great van Rich I met Brian when he was in it still great guy looks like he chose the right person for it
See you down the road
Peace
You da Man - thanks Bob!!
Mr Wells, could you do a video on leaks in your rig?
Learned a lot! Thank you
Brian "Adventure Van Man" is the best!
Really enjoyed this video
Great guy. Wonderful interview.
Thanks, Bob!
Your enthusiasm and positivity inspire me to follow in your footsteps someday soon.
Boy do I Love Brian even more now !!!!!! Sir thanks for sharing ! Keep living and loving and spreading kindness as you are.🎉🎉🎉🎉❤🎉
So many nice people on this channel. Love it. Inspirational for sure.
He was a great video!!! He seems like a very nice young at heart man. Just happy to be here and able to thrive and be alive.
Not a whole lot to show but still a great video.
Thank you for sharing this! ❤
Good luck Rich. Have a great time discovering new places!
well done Sir. Much love and happiness your way.
I'm COMPLETELY ready to do this! I'm an Iraqi Vet with good income, just need a van. I have a prosthetic leg, so it would have to be a van tall enough to stand up. Love the channel!
Another wonderful story about amazing person! Thank you
Very nice set up, Not a bad retirement.
Careful with Planet Fitness they double bill so always check your statements. Also most health insurance for seniors has Silver sneakers which gives you free access to gyms.
Love you Bob.