today it was pointed out to me I am homeless by a professional!!
I live nowhere he said , I live in a camper....Im in a different place every nite, its an unstable lifestyle , your homeless!!!
My answer!!
Its called a Class A RV
I have probably better amenities than most fixed homes!!
Solar Electric...Free Power and a generator to back it up if the sun is not available
Solar hot water and onboard 110/ propane water heater
solar cooking systems
phone....internet....satellite & OTA TV......my sons schooling is digital online...
130 gallons of fresh water & 160 gallons of waste
a full self supporting kitchen
A full Bath
a living room and a bed
I have the ability to be by the ocean or in the mountains in a day!! and have the peace and serenity that most never get.
and it cost me food, fuel ,and expenditures around 2000 a month for 2
I have a mobile business that makes me 40 to 50K a year and 7 figures in banking and investments
I think I have a pretty stable lifestyle!!!!!!!
never criticize one's path until you have walked in there shoes... carried there load ......and walked beside them and learned there ways!!!
(Re: Black Wolf.. Anashonobi Tribes Elder Minnesota) My Mentor
The people in the room just stared at me and then out the window afterwards and looked at my coach in the parking lot........I think they feel like I am right!! My son and I said our good-bys and went back out to be homeless......
(never did like shrinks and councilors anyway!!!!!)
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 12:38:19 PM
heyjohnm said
07:52 PM Aug 13, 2013
.....exactly why you are ..."Lucky Mike"
God Bless
CJSX2fromCT said
08:04 PM Aug 13, 2013
We be homeless soon right along with you then.... I was miserable when I made 97k and happy as a lark when I made 10k.... I prefer the simplest things in life.
Ckerr said
09:31 PM Aug 13, 2013
Very well said Mike! That's why we love you!
Cindy T said
09:55 PM Aug 13, 2013
Some "professionals" don't know quite as much as they think they do!
Dog Folks said
10:42 PM Aug 13, 2013
You are "house less" NOT "homeless."
I would doubt the "professional" that does not know the difference.
dewwood said
11:53 PM Aug 13, 2013
Very well said Mike. I am going to make a wild guess here and say I doubt the shrink is an RVer. Your problem is that you do not conform to his idea of a structured life with all of the payments and gadgets that he thinks are necessary, shame on you.
Sean said
12:56 AM Aug 14, 2013
Exactly right Mike!
PIEERE said
01:38 AM Aug 14, 2013
Yes Mike!!! Shame on us....we are nothing but homeless trailer trash!!! LOL!! If they only realized the "real freedom" we enjoy; their jealousy would drive them to doing the same.. Believe this is why so many are joining our ranks as avid lovers of the great and beautiful country that many don't have a clue about.. I hope many of them stay tied down to their jobs and sticks and bricks so we have more freedom to do the things we hold dear to our hearts and souls!!!! YAAAAAY!!!
Terry and Jo said
02:31 AM Aug 14, 2013
Mike,
Well said. I guess you could come back with a comment that came to mind when we had our recent "tree" issue. Ask him if he can move his house if it is threatened by a tree that may fall?
Terry
RickandJanice said
03:01 AM Aug 14, 2013
Mike, well said!!! I also think allot of shrinks and counselors all more about conformity and what they are taught in books than they are about helping someone find what is right for themselves. Book learning is a good thing but knowledge is much greater and invaluable. I love to see the look on people's faces when I tell them our goal is to retire and become trailer trash. As said earlier, houseless is not homeless and we cannot wait to join you and all the other houseless people on the road.
PD CFK said
03:19 AM Aug 14, 2013
Well, we still have a house. But every time we go home, after a couple of days , we look at each other and say "let's go somewhere!" I enjoy being out on the road much more than being in the S&B. And I find my mobile neighbors much more fun and interesting to talk to. Mike, I just love you attitude! and so glad you told gave the know-it-alls a good come-back. pk
Jo And Craig said
12:54 PM Aug 14, 2013
Mike, your message is along the same lines as my philosophy:
Judge not your fellow man until you've walked in his shoes and you know his story!
Bob and Cheri said
01:24 AM Aug 15, 2013
We may be "House less", but we love our small home with a very, very big yard that we love exploring. Like you said Mike, you can be living on the beach one day and the next be living in the mountains. Where else can, if you don't like something about where you are living, just pack up and move.
I think professionals today need not to be so quick with the standard answers and take into consideration all the facts.
We love our life style.
Bob and Cheri
LibertyLinda said
03:25 AM Aug 15, 2013
A professional what? Mike, this counselor violated the basic "rule" in the helping profession, and that is respecting where a person is at, meeting them where they are at and then fully respecting what we call "self-determination"~ a term that basically means freedom to choose your own path! As a psychiatric nurse, I can tell you this "professional" or "counselor" was not doing anything to help anyone. Your hitting the door towards your own freedom - and teaching your son that valuable lesson - was excellent!
We will soon be proud fulltimers, joining you & all the Dreamers: houseless and proud of it!
WestWardHo said
07:01 PM Aug 15, 2013
Whoever that was, I don't like him/her! 😝
Sherry
Hina said
09:10 PM Aug 17, 2013
"Houseless, not Homeless". I like that!
"Home is where the head is".
You know Mike, if you look on You Tube, there is a whole younger generation who is looking at this lifestyle not as a "last resort", or a luxury retirement, but as the goal in itself; high unemployment and housing prices are causing a lot of working age people to have a self sustaining RV and income as the ultimate goal. They're not even thinking "house" and "job".
130 fresh, and 160 waste? Are you driving around in the Titantic?
MarkS said
10:45 PM Aug 17, 2013
I read that the appropriate terminology used in the census was, "affluent homeless". I prefer "relaxed happy"
Dog Folks said
12:59 AM Aug 18, 2013
MarkS wrote:
I read that the appropriate terminology used in the census was, "affluent homeless". I prefer "relaxed happy"
The "professionals" can call us anything that they want. Put us in any cubby hole they like, as long as THEY LEAVE US ALONE!
bjoyce said
04:30 AM Aug 18, 2013
My mother-in-law liked to call herself, "Po' White Trailer Trash". Not PC, but funny for someone in a 40' diesel pusher motorhome.
grandpalarry said
06:24 AM Aug 18, 2013
Look on the Washington DL web site and they say they will not issue a DL to anyone that declares they live in a motorhome or trailer, but reading farther they will issue a homeless persona DL and use the address (THIS IS TRUE) "Under a bridge".
If I'm Lying I'm dying==Right now that is my problem, I tried to change my DL address, after living here for 8 years.
We were told we had to have dirt under your feet that we owned, I tried to use the address for our mail forwarding and they told me instantly it was a business, my kids are not stable and don't have an address for very long at a time.
We are now proud owners of some dirt.
Larry
bjoyce said
01:24 PM Aug 18, 2013
We have a Washington address for health insurance reasons. It is a relative's house, e get counted in the census and have served jury duty.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Sunday 18th of August 2013 01:24:36 PM
Dog Folks said
01:57 PM Aug 18, 2013
grandpalarry wrote:
Look on the Washington DL web site and they say they will not issue a DL to anyone that declares they live in a motorhome or trailer, but reading farther they will issue a homeless persona DL and use the address (THIS IS TRUE) "Under a bridge". If I'm Lying I'm dying==Right now that is my problem, I tried to change my DL address, after living here for 8 years. We were told we had to have dirt under your feet that we owned, I tried to use the address for our mail forwarding and they told me instantly it was a business, my kids are not stable and don't have an address for very long at a time. We are now proud owners of some dirt.
Larry
Where is the dirt located? Under a bridge? Sorry, could not resist. LOL
Hina said
07:07 PM Aug 18, 2013
OK, well, I guess I won't be moving to Washington.
What if you rent a space in a trailer park for a month or two, to get a "real" renter's address? Or do they discriminate against renters too?
MarkS said
07:43 PM Aug 18, 2013
There are 49 others to choose from. Washington just isn't that important.
charles said
11:46 PM Aug 18, 2013
Mike, as my friends in New Orleans say, "Yea you right."
Hina, the "Home is where the head is." I like and will be using, attributing it to you of course.
CCC
BruceandTrisha said
03:59 PM Aug 20, 2013
Been "house-less" for five years and love it more each day! I love that my backyard is as big as I want it to be - and that I don't have to mow it! I love living simply and living free.
Funny thing is, when people hear about our never-ending roadtrip lifestyle - 95% express the longing to do the same thing. It's only the creative 5% who actually DO IT! Here's to all the freedom lovers, the houseless and homeless adventurers!
nessa9566 said
11:25 PM Aug 20, 2013
I can't wait to be houseless! So tired of being bogged down. Tired of working two jobs to pay for something I don't want anymore! Stressed to the max! You guys are all such an inspiration to me. Can't wait to be right behind you all heading down the highway to who cares where!
Laura and Bunk said
05:18 PM Aug 21, 2013
I just tell people (Doctors, Dentists, ect) that I live in my vehicle. They start to say how sorry they are until they notice I'm grinning! Thats when I let them know it is 40ft long with air, heat, stove and fridge. Most ask to come with me when I leave!
-- Edited by Laura and Bunk on Wednesday 21st of August 2013 05:19:49 PM
Sushidog said
11:40 PM Aug 22, 2013
BTW, you cannot own any dirt in this country, with the rare exception of 2 states, Texas and Nevada, who will issue an allodial title. 99.9% of the people who believe they own their land are just renting it from the state. Don't believe it? Stop paying your property taxes and see what happens. If at any time the state wants your land they will simply take it. They often exercise this right under eminent domain laws, but another easy way to do it is to increase your property taxes (without the citizens voting for a rate increase) by reappraising your property to much more than its actual worth. I lost my house after the Parish reappraised my home and raised my property taxes 1,000% (no, that's not a misprint) I could not afford to pay my mortgage and the new property taxes, so I had to let the bank take it. Could you afford it if they tacked a zero on your property tax bill? I won't be fooled (nor will I be shamed) into buying a stick and brick, or even raw land again.
Chip
Hina said
08:11 PM Aug 23, 2013
Just reading all the agonizing threads of people trying to sell their houses on this forum makes me not want to buy a house.
JeffDan1908 said
08:19 PM Aug 25, 2013
Back in the Chicago Bulls heyday they had a saying....."I wanna be like Mike!"
For every 'professional' who would bring his woefully misguided sense of reality to bear upon your lifestyle of choice there are so many more of us who only wish we could "be like Mike!"...Keep it up and hold your head high brother. For you surely are lucky and the envy of those of us who yearn to start the journey!
You inspire a great deal of people, I bet...... at least one (me) for sure....
NurseJudy said
06:58 PM Aug 29, 2013
Hah! When I told my professional "counselor" about our plan to become "houseless" and pursue our lifelong dream she nearly jumped up and down. She noted that she was proud of the fact that, after a lifetime of worrying about everyone else, I had finally put my own desires and dreams first! She promptly discharged me from her care and noted that I am finally "free"! I can't wait to get started, right now the dream of being there in 2 years (or less I hope) is what is keeping me sane. Lucky Mike for a reason!
WestWardHo said
04:35 AM Sep 1, 2013
NurseJudy, just know ifyou didn't already, there are lots of traveling nurses living the life. Different folks work different schedules, full-time and part-time. Just in case you can start taking care of yourself earlier! 😄
Sherry
Bill and Linda said
03:38 PM Sep 1, 2013
Mike:
Even though your post is a couple of weeks old I wanted to comment for any who might be reading through this and thinking about full-timing.
As many readers know, my Mom and Dad were full-timers, by choice, not economics, for decades.They sold a beautiful home in South Florida and went on the road to “see the USA and Canada” for a year in an Airstream.When they returned from that first trip, of many, they never built another house – by choice.
They continued to work, and travel, until they officially retired and naturally continued to live in the Airstream(s).They had several. Back in the day a 34 foot Excella with a 2500 Suburban was the “New Horizons Majestic” trailer of its day.They never considered themselves homeless by any stretch.They and we with our children had Christmas, Thanksgiving and other celebrations in “the trailers” as Linda and I had RVs as well going back into the 70’s. The RV was just part of our lives.
As I reflect on it and see today, as we just finished a trip up Pike’s Peak, where Mom and Dad camped back in the early ‘80’s by-the-way – as Mom told us, “we didn’t know you couldn’t tow and Airstream up there” – I reflect on just what this lifestyle has brought our family:Many great memories and the opportunity to see God’s magnificent creation up close.While there are bumps in the road, the road offers opportunities just sitting in a house doesn’t. Wounderful opportunities for those adventurous enough to give it a shot.However, it does take planning and the knowledge you will need to learn things as you go.
In all of this it must be remembered: RVing doesn’t negate the responsibilities of earning you way and planning for the future.That is life, with its responsibilities and it does require money.But it also allows for more freedom in many ways.The life is not for everyone.But for those that understand that RVing is not a “vacation” but a life choice, it can be a wonderful choice.But you are not homeless.As I told someone yesterday, when we go into the rig and close the door we are “home.”Linda’s always said, “where your “stuff” and your mate are, that’s home.”
My perspective
Bill
suse1023 said
01:43 AM Sep 4, 2013
mike your professional sounds like an idjit!
we too are houseless by choice and we wake up each morning with a grin, spend the day congratulating ourselves on our fabulous life and sleep the sleep of angels.
we have freedom like we've never had it before and are positively gleeful about it.
(ok, first I've got to get through the next three months of chemo and radiation, but then we will be able to hit the rod--this is just a speedbump--honest!)
today it was pointed out to me I am homeless by a professional!!
I live nowhere he said , I live in a camper....Im in a different place every nite, its an unstable lifestyle , your homeless!!!
My answer!!
Its called a Class A RV
I have probably better amenities than most fixed homes!!
Solar Electric...Free Power and a generator to back it up if the sun is not available
Solar hot water and onboard 110/ propane water heater
solar cooking systems
phone....internet....satellite & OTA TV......my sons schooling is digital online...
130 gallons of fresh water & 160 gallons of waste
a full self supporting kitchen
A full Bath
a living room and a bed
I have the ability to be by the ocean or in the mountains in a day!! and have the peace and serenity that most never get.
and it cost me food, fuel ,and expenditures around 2000 a month for 2
I have a mobile business that makes me 40 to 50K a year and 7 figures in banking and investments
I think I have a pretty stable lifestyle!!!!!!!
never criticize one's path until you have walked in there shoes... carried there load ......and walked beside them and learned there ways!!!
(Re: Black Wolf.. Anashonobi Tribes Elder Minnesota) My Mentor
The people in the room just stared at me and then out the window afterwards and looked at my coach in the parking lot........I think they feel like I am right!! My son and I said our good-bys and went back out to be homeless......
(never did like shrinks and councilors anyway!!!!!)
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 12:38:19 PM
.....exactly why you are ..."Lucky Mike"
God Bless
Some "professionals" don't know quite as much as they think they do!
I would doubt the "professional" that does not know the difference.
Very well said Mike. I am going to make a wild guess here and say I doubt the shrink is an RVer. Your problem is that you do not conform to his idea of a structured life with all of the payments and gadgets that he thinks are necessary, shame on you.
Mike,
Well said. I guess you could come back with a comment that came to mind when we had our recent "tree" issue. Ask him if he can move his house if it is threatened by a tree that may fall?
Terry
Mike, your message is along the same lines as my philosophy:
Judge not your fellow man until you've walked in his shoes and you know his story!
We may be "House less", but we love our small home with a very, very big yard that we love exploring. Like you said Mike, you can be living on the beach one day and the next be living in the mountains. Where else can, if you don't like something about where you are living, just pack up and move.
I think professionals today need not to be so quick with the standard answers and take into consideration all the facts.
We love our life style.
Bob and Cheri
A professional what?
Mike, this counselor violated the basic "rule" in the helping profession, and that is respecting where a person is at, meeting them where they are at and then fully respecting what we call "self-determination"~ a term that basically means freedom to choose your own path! As a psychiatric nurse, I can tell you this "professional" or "counselor" was not doing anything to help anyone. Your hitting the door towards your own freedom - and teaching your son that valuable lesson - was excellent!
We will soon be proud fulltimers, joining you & all the Dreamers: houseless and proud of it!
Sherry
"Houseless, not Homeless". I like that!
"Home is where the head is".
You know Mike, if you look on You Tube, there is a whole younger generation who is looking at this lifestyle not as a "last resort", or a luxury retirement, but as the goal in itself; high unemployment and housing prices are causing a lot of working age people to have a self sustaining RV and income as the ultimate goal. They're not even thinking "house" and "job".
130 fresh, and 160 waste? Are you driving around in the Titantic?
The "professionals" can call us anything that they want. Put us in any cubby hole they like, as long as THEY LEAVE US ALONE!
If I'm Lying I'm dying==Right now that is my problem, I tried to change my DL address, after living here for 8 years.
We were told we had to have dirt under your feet that we owned, I tried to use the address for our mail forwarding and they told me instantly it was a business, my kids are not stable and don't have an address for very long at a time.
We are now proud owners of some dirt.
Larry
We have a Washington address for health insurance reasons. It is a relative's house, e get counted in the census and have served jury duty.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Sunday 18th of August 2013 01:24:36 PM
Where is the dirt located? Under a bridge? Sorry, could not resist. LOL
What if you rent a space in a trailer park for a month or two, to get a "real" renter's address? Or do they discriminate against renters too?
Hina, the "Home is where the head is." I like and will be using, attributing it to you of course.
CCC
Funny thing is, when people hear about our never-ending roadtrip lifestyle - 95% express the longing to do the same thing. It's only the creative 5% who actually DO IT! Here's to all the freedom lovers, the houseless and homeless adventurers!
I just tell people (Doctors, Dentists, ect) that I live in my vehicle. They start to say how sorry they are until they notice I'm grinning! Thats when I let them know it is 40ft long with air, heat, stove and fridge. Most ask to come with me when I leave!
-- Edited by Laura and Bunk on Wednesday 21st of August 2013 05:19:49 PM
Chip
Back in the Chicago Bulls heyday they had a saying....."I wanna be like Mike!"
For every 'professional' who would bring his woefully misguided sense of reality to bear upon your lifestyle of choice there are so many more of us who only wish we could "be like Mike!"...Keep it up and hold your head high brother. For you surely are lucky and the envy of those of us who yearn to start the journey!
You inspire a great deal of people, I bet...... at least one (me) for sure....
Hah! When I told my professional "counselor" about our plan to become "houseless" and pursue our lifelong dream she nearly jumped up and down. She noted that she was proud of the fact that, after a lifetime of worrying about everyone else, I had finally put my own desires and dreams first! She promptly discharged me from her care and noted that I am finally "free"! I can't wait to get started, right now the dream of being there in 2 years (or less I hope) is what is keeping me sane. Lucky Mike for a reason!
Sherry
Mike:
Even though your post is a couple of weeks old I wanted to comment for any who might be reading through this and thinking about full-timing.
As many readers know, my Mom and Dad were full-timers, by choice, not economics, for decades. They sold a beautiful home in South Florida and went on the road to “see the USA and Canada” for a year in an Airstream. When they returned from that first trip, of many, they never built another house – by choice.
They continued to work, and travel, until they officially retired and naturally continued to live in the Airstream(s). They had several. Back in the day a 34 foot Excella with a 2500 Suburban was the “New Horizons Majestic” trailer of its day. They never considered themselves homeless by any stretch. They and we with our children had Christmas, Thanksgiving and other celebrations in “the trailers” as Linda and I had RVs as well going back into the 70’s. The RV was just part of our lives.
As I reflect on it and see today, as we just finished a trip up Pike’s Peak, where Mom and Dad camped back in the early ‘80’s by-the-way – as Mom told us, “we didn’t know you couldn’t tow and Airstream up there” – I reflect on just what this lifestyle has brought our family: Many great memories and the opportunity to see God’s magnificent creation up close. While there are bumps in the road, the road offers opportunities just sitting in a house doesn’t. Wounderful opportunities for those adventurous enough to give it a shot. However, it does take planning and the knowledge you will need to learn things as you go.
In all of this it must be remembered: RVing doesn’t negate the responsibilities of earning you way and planning for the future. That is life, with its responsibilities and it does require money. But it also allows for more freedom in many ways. The life is not for everyone. But for those that understand that RVing is not a “vacation” but a life choice, it can be a wonderful choice. But you are not homeless. As I told someone yesterday, when we go into the rig and close the door we are “home.” Linda’s always said, “where your “stuff” and your mate are, that’s home.”
My perspective
Bill
we too are houseless by choice and we wake up each morning with a grin, spend the day congratulating ourselves on our fabulous life and sleep the sleep of angels.
we have freedom like we've never had it before and are positively gleeful about it.
(ok, first I've got to get through the next three months of chemo and radiation, but then we will be able to hit the rod--this is just a speedbump--honest!)