That spot is like standing in a Bob Ross painting....

I'm a truck driver. When I'm not on the road workin, I live in my trailer in a RV park. I can live anywhere I want. Truckin is not hard. There are a lot of women drivers now, young and old. It's not for everyone but many of ya'll could do it. They're beggin for drivers. Truckin is good practice for livin the nomad lifestyle. And it pays very well.

New brakes and rotors... $1700.00 is still cheaper than $3000 a month rent.

I make $20hr, live in my car, and vacation from June to September every year. Living like a king.

My hubby & I did this, sorta, in 2020. We decided that we could never save enough money to live off of money for the rest of our lives. So we sold our house & cashed in our retirement funds. Moved to our homestead "Up North". We built a tiny house 16x40, a greenhouse, two large gardens, a chicken coop & are working on a food forest. We work for ourselves now. We work at growing our own food. We process, store & can enough food for the winter months. We have fresh eggs & chicken dinners. We currently live on less than $700/mth. By the end of this year, hubby will begin collecting Social Security & we will begin saving again. Then next year, when I start collect Social Security, we are going to have to figure out what to do with all that money 💰 😂 I love living in my tiny house, driving a 1994 Jeep wrangler, and working to produce good healthy food! I wouldn't give up this life for all those expensive trips around the world, where people only treat you well because you give them money. Yes! Happiness does need to come from inside! Money doesn't bring Happiness!!!

1. Live out your car/van. 2. Work part-time/full-time. 3. Cook. 4. Stay local, shower at the gym, stealth park/sleep at public parking lot/street. 4. Investing 5. Travel, spend on things you need for healthy lifestyle/balance, enjoy life

Lived a life being debt free and as a result was able to pay off my house. Thought it was important to not have a mortgage payment once I retired and on a fixed income. However, once I figured I still had property taxes, home insurance, utilities, repairs and maintenance (800 for a new water heater etc) I couldn't afford hobbies, lunches out with friends or outings etc and was sitting at home bored amd lonely so I sold my house and moved into a 6x12 cargo trailer. Now I travel because I can afford gas (as long as I stay out of Cali!) and Ive never been so happy. 😊

A wise, well-intentioned man, gifting valuable life lessons in front of the most spectacular natural backdrop. This is what the internet was created for!

Make no mistake, it is by design that anything that keeps us comfortable and safe is purposely costing a fortune. It’s to keep us in line working for the man. It also helps the unemployment numbers, so we’re deduced to a statistic for political purposes.

wherever you go, there you are! i spent an hour in a thrift store yesterday, so much fun. not until this morning did i realize that i didn't buy anything. i didn't NEED another t-shirt, pair of jeans, coffee mug etc but i still enjoyed "shopping".

Bob, you are a philosopher and you don’t know it. Your suggestions were meant for RV type living, but they are really applicable to all of us as we go through this thing called life. Terrific video!

To me, our friend Bob is a kind of modern day Thoreau, but instead of writing his wisdom down, he makes for us very informative videos.

Bob is the Wise Man of the Road.

I'm not living in a van but this is still good advice.

Here’s a good tip. When you consider a purchase, think about whether it’s worth th number of hours you have to work to pay for it!

Nomads should consider a parttime job at Loves/Pilot etc. EVERY truckstop is begging for employees (open 24hours/7/365.) Most truckstops are located in areas accessible to free camping. I'm sure you could move north and south with the seasons and be hired instantly with prior experience within the company. Employees get discounts on purchases (groceries!) Plus, the truck stops have luxurious showers!!!

More things will not make you happy, but neither will less things. Yes! That is truth and wisdom.

Look at how people respond when you ask 'tell me about yourself' most people tell you their job. We've lost what we are as humans and allowed ourselves to become cogs in someone else's machine. I want out - thanks for leading the way.

😂 Hey, Solo Female Truckdriver in the house, and i currently stay in N.C. North Carolina State laws are you cant live in any rv on your land.😅 Crazy right. 🤪 Then they said you have to pay 🙄 a camp or koa to live at. 🤔 That can be upwards of $1000 😂 or more in fees. Not to mention 😮They make you turn off any noise devices by 8pm like you a kid,an you pay your money. Check your state laws,😂 or go west young man,because they gonna get there tax money out of you,One Way or the Other 😅.🎉❤🎉 This channel is Great. Thankyou.

I’ve listened to bob for a long time but the advise to learn to look within to find happiness is wisest thing anyone could learn Thank you bob for all your thoughts and insights 👍👍

I've already got the job, a charter bus driver. I just need the sand to give up my house, buy a van, park it at work (which I'm sure they'd let me do). Man, I really think I need to do this! Great video!

Gorgeous background!

I spent the last 12 years trying to figure out how I can live each month as cheaply as possible. I knew right off the bat it wasn't going to include home ownership. Because homeownership you have a lot of responsibility and taxes to worry about. In the end I bought myself a van downsized my life dramatically. And years later here I am. I'm happily living on the road and I live on about $700 a month. What I do is I'll get me a job and work four or five months and the rest of the year I take off. I live fairly cheaply because I will stay on BLM land for free and stay the full 14 days. As long as my vehicle's not moving I'm not spending money.

I am a 51-year-old woman with a 5-year plan to "Go Nomad". I am leaving my career in the accounting field and going to school full time starting next month taking automotive technology. For me, getting out of my corporate job is just as important as getting out of debt. Thank you for this video!

My husband and I bought a 5th wheel for $1500 -- needs a bit of work but thankfully are able to park and live in it full time on family's property. We have been paying $2000/month for a studio apartment - after our lease is up it is $3200 month to month..crazy! We're excited to have a fully paid tiny home and save that extra $. I'm glad I found your channel!

2:42 - This is EXACTLY what I have been telling people. True minimalism is not actively getting rid of stuff and taking MORE pictures of your empty closets. It is simply the acceptance of having less, if that is necessary or more convenient.

Bob, maybe you and Suanne could each do a buying and cooking food episode…again. I noticed people were hung up on healthcare costs. If they ate better food life might be better. I got diagnosed with Celiac disease at 62 and it sure changed my diet for the better. The safest fast food I can eat is from Chipotle.

Money isn't everything but it sure does effect everything! I hope to live on the road one day, until then video's like these keep me motivated.

Everyone, look into the Right to Repair movement 👍🏼

Bob, You are so wise and such a blessing to others. Thank you for all you do. Mary😊👋

If nothing else, GET YOURSELF OUT OF DEBT! Servicing debt for purchases made long ago will keep you poor and unhappy. Don't go Marie Kondo, but being mindful is a skill you get better at the more you apply yourself. Baby Steps to financial independence!

You are a true hero, Bob. I have hated money since I was 18 because of how it rules my life. I'm a single mother of one and all I have done is struggle to pay rent and utilities. On June 30th I will finally be moving into my van. I am starting my build this week. I am trying to learn basic auto mechanics as well via KZfaq. This weekend I will be changing the rear shocks and my oil myself. A friend of mine is a mechanic so she did show me how to do the pads and rotors last week. I feel like van life is a much needed silent revolution. I will be staying in Indiana for the next year or so before heading west. We have very little dispersed camping and the stay is limited but I believe with the campgroundbwrsjioni purchased for the weekends only will help make it possible and it was cheap, 500 bucks for the year. I can't wait to meet you! Happy trails!

Health insurance is a definite concern for us especially on the road.

Excellent video and information as usual. The other important factor is taking care of your physical and mental health. One trip to an emergency room can leave you in huge debt

I splurged on a bag of fresh cherries, not too frugal but now they are no longer something outside of myself but in my tummy.

Bob, I've been full time my 2004 E250 van for 1 month and 8 days ..Building it a little more each month while living in it with my dogs. I am loving this new life. I am a 68 year old retired RN.🐢🐩🐶🐕🌊🌺🌻☮️🌙💜✨

Happiest is an inside job! Great video Bob!

Thanks Bob, I really needed this pep talk tonight, I feel a little better now… sweet dreams to everyone

Live a minimal, frugal, simple life. That's the best sentence I've ever heard.

Great video, very validating and affirming that I'm on the right track ❤ from NZ 😊

Possessions, Power, Prestige, Productivity = Prideful

Hello BOB :)- I became a minimalistic individual during the Pandemic. I live in a nearly empty apartment and I don't buy anything that is not needed except the bare essentials and I wear my clothes until I have to discard them completely. I own just enough to live in a small space. Thank you for what you bring to the vanlife community and to the minimalists!! Kudos!!

Great video but sure sounded like I have been there before. Oh wait, I grew up in the sixties and that is how people lived. The adults fixed stuff, we had home cooked meals and neighbors helped neighbors. I am sure you remember hand me down clothes and darning socks. Really appreciate you doing this series. If you read this consider adding this in somehow. I spent my first career in the auto service industry and have more skills than most in this area. Tough for me to fix a newer vehicle. I would encourage anyone and everyone to buy an old van from the southwest and fix it. No rust is the key. I am talking pre 1980 and better yet pre 1975. Pay to have the engine and tranny rebuilt. Fix the front end. Get new tires. Work what ever job you need to to pay for this. Once you have the mechanical end done then you can build it out. When it breaks, and everything does, you or someone in your sphere can actually fix it. Takes a bunch of stress and cost out of the equation. Also way less parts to fail. Was watching a car repair video recently and the mechanic commented that this 2018 wasn't bad as it only had 29 modules. Not bad? Really? Also if your thoughts lean toward major events taking place well these old vehicles can't be hacked or shut off. Can anyone say cool my car can be unlocked remotely? Think others don't have access to your computers in the vehicle? Just my thoughts.

Just beautiful Bob. Look inside for your happiness... not in things.

We LOVE you Bob!!!❤

Bob has published an amazing book 10-12 years ago - a detailled list of decisions that have to be tanken on the path to fulltime vanlife. I strongly recommend the book !

Make your social security payments as you work. Full social security at 66 is great. Trying to cheat your taxes will leave you with $800 a month. And make sure politicians don’t take social security away.

These are all very valid points and suggestions, but I personally feel that the first thing anyone should do is to know what they are spending money on. Until a person truly knows what they’re spending on, they are jumping too quickly into things like budget and trying to eliminate spending. The folks who do that frequently end up not being able to maintain their budget because it becomes too painful. But if they track their spending for a while it becomes easy to see where their money is going and then decide whether to drop it or not. Often the folks who first track their spending are able to painlessly reduce their spending even before they sit down to create a budget.

The background is amazing!!! Great video, Bob🎉

I have already started “collecting” less. I think I use to shop to feel better. Then I’d feel worse because I had too much stuff. It’s been amazing to watch my bank balances grow and I’m not needing anything. Now I kind of hate to go to town.

Good advice everyone! You can't take things with you when you go, humble yourself, and above all make sure you only take what you can use.

My first comment that I think will help nomads especially if they like sports. Middle school, high school, travel ball officiating. It is in huge demand they train for free and you work when and where you want. I make 50k a year doing this it is awesome.

Yep.. Bob is absolutely right about living with less is better.. I’ve learned how to live with less once I became an O.T.R Truck Driver.. been driving 23 years and bout to retire and I’m definitely going to live the van life..

Thank you so much Bob Wells for all you have done helping others and you always do. You are a light for many of us 🙏 be blessed. i wish you all the best posible in this life, for you and whever listens. have a nice day 🤞

Halfway through this video, I had to pause and write this comment: Bob, I've said it before and I'm gonna say it again: You are a legend! The way you manage to empower your fellow sisters & brothers is so amazing. Thank you for everything you say and do 🙏

I used all these points when raising my daughter as a single mom so know rhem well, all if tgem but the car maintenance stuff (I know my limitstions). I respect Bob's commitment to RV'ers. I do however think many of the hardships of this life are glossed over when he conducts interviews etc. I totally get all the positives, I think we all can. ♥️🇨🇦

Happy to see you made a great recovery , Bob . And blessed with caring people to.have been there to help you. God Bless you along the journey ❤

Hello. You seem very enthusiastic. You always surprise me !!

People ask us, "How can you afford to retire?" Well, thanks to Dave Ramsey, we have no debt. That's how. Stop buying things! I have a sister that bemoans she will never be able to retire. She also can't stop buying things on payment plans. Also don't discount Dave because you have a life where what he says seems impossible. Listen to his show, especially the ones where people shout "I am debt free!" There are stories from all walks of life, including single parent, down on their luck households.

Great video! After watching the movie Nomadland, I started watching Bob’s videos. Everything he says is proven to work.

Thank you Bob. I got off track for awhile. But I needed to hear this today.

I started watching Bob Wells a few years ago. About 2 years ago I picked up an old camper which we started work on. This summer after a short maiden voyage to see what else we needed to do, had more repairs made. A longer trip has revealed a few more wrinkles to iron out. It's an old truck and will always need upkeep, but I love Bob's "repair, reuse, recycle" philosophy. I also found out that this is do-able for another old lady and can be real for me whether full or part-time.

I agree with Bob. The first few nights in my van without an apt or home was scary and mentally I was trippin. Fast forward a year and a half later and it’s been great. You learn how to maneuver and what works best for you. It’s not a perfect comfortable lifestyle but you learn to live uncomfortably

Here is a topic for a class in your course, Bob: I have never seen this addressed anywhere else. What do people do all day? This is a serious question. There is only so much time that can be taken up by preparing and eating meals and doing chores. One can fill a few hours by learning something new but seriously what are people doing all day? I can't imagine people sitting in Quartsite all winter are doing anything else other than sitting in front of the tv all day and all night. Please educate us! This is actually one of my biggest concerns about this lifestyle is going crazy being bored.

Great video! Thank you so much

Hey Bob, Great video!! Vanlife isn't for me though!! I look at government, state or county funded for low income seniors citizens housing years ago!! Luckily, I got in one outside of a major city!! One of my best decisions I ever made!! Cheap rent and utilities!! No HOA and no food cost ( I go to the local food bank twice a month)!! I love it here and everyone is so friendly!! All my life, I was a minimalist thanks to my parents!! I have no debts and invented well!! Everyone laughed at my minimal lifestyle!! I make sure I have the last laugh!! Lol!! Also, all my life, I worked hard for the money!! Now, my money works hard for me!! I'm a retired minimalist Hippie!! Groovy!! Lol!! Keep up the great work, Bob!! I give unconditional love and peace to everyone!!

Camping Santa reminds us all that happiness comes from within, doing for ourselves feeds our inherent need to create while saving us money, and we should work to live but not live to work.

Tools and my collection of reference books are the most important for me. 5 years ago I took apart all my reference books and scanned them PDF. Then last year uploaded those to my cloud. I have backups at different locations so if something happens to one, I have more copies. The tools I have fit in a trailer. I can store them and use them wherever I go.from Alaska to Wyoming. Woodworking, automotive, electrical, welding. Grinders screws nuts bolts washers they are all in my trailer and I store my trailer. I need something I drive down the road get my trailer and work from my trailer. I break down, I get towed to my trailer or a shop. Most things I can fix. Or buy the part. Where there is a will there is a way to getRdone. Solve the stuff issue and you have freedom. Financials will improve when you are not fighting stuff. Carrying to much stuff on your back or car, truck. Solve the stuff issue first. I need to sew on a button I have a small sewing kit in reach. If I need my sewing machine I go to my trailer and get it. Everything is in my trailer. It's safe and close by. I live in my car, a mini van. None of my tools weigh more than a 1000 lbs so my little trailer can carry it. It's insured too. If I lost everything, I can replace it. I have a list of everything in my cloud and a hard copy in storage. I smooth it on the road. I camp, I couch surf if asked to stay and I know where I can legally park. If I am asked to leave! I leave. I have never been asked to leave ever! I use my brain! Common Sense tells me, if I am unsure I ask! Never assume. Never take it for granted on the road and stay humble. Stay polite and be kind to everyone you come in contact with. All people have to say is yes or no!

Insightful. Glad that you pointed out that freedom people seek starts now, not when they decide to throw their belongings in a vehicle. Psychologically help yourself by putting those dollars you saved from not buying the latest thing or the fast food you took a pass on into a cup with a very small list of necessities for your Nomad life

Thanks Bob, you are an inspiration! I do believe in the theory that Gratitude is the key to happiness, and by what you said, you are right, it’s not on the outside, its from within, its intrinsic! ❤

Bob your truly a gift to this planet! Thank you!

Bob, you do such a good job at hitting the nail on the head. I dont believe you havechanged any of your teachings on this important subject for many years. You have tested these principles soyou have the right to teach them and you have the heart to care about these very important life altering subjects. Thank you for your concern and help. And im learning, from Central Oklahoma

Great advice on the Dave Ramsey method to eliminate debt. I never imagined life without house and car payments. I thought it was a fact of life. We are retired now on small pensions and social security living 100% debt free, with savings. With an attitude adjustment it is possible I have dreams of selling it all and hitting the road. Husband LOVES farming and works the beet harvest every year in North Dakota. As soon as I decide on a vehicle/home, I will join him seasonally!

Thanks Bob. Been on the road a year after watching your videos. I love it. The freedom is amazing. I am retired and this is, in my opinion, the best way to retire.

Sim quando tirei o dinheiro do primeiro lugar tudo mudou......quando encontrei minha arte e passei a viver dela tudo mudou..... ja vai para 7 anos morando em uma van(vw) e cada vez gosto mais....saudações a todos nomades do mundo......(Brazil)......

Great video. I have just recently decided to live in a Chevy Astro for a temporary basis. Your videos are educational for many people and I know you have helped change people's lives. Thanks.

😊 The SOARING MUSIC at the end is heartfelt and so 'right' for your channel. Wow. Lovely.

Beautiful, truthful and VERY insightful 💜💜 They mever wanted us to be self sufficient:)))

You are so right that money is the key to stability, independence, and freedom to travel.

I work on a farm in Australia north coast NSW .We had a young traveler working on the farm for a few months. He camped there , he got an income working on the farm ,free power , water , use of a lunchroom and Kitchen , storm protection in the shed . The owners had the protection of someone on site after hours.

Just sewed a pair of pants I had purchased at a thrift store! Happy trails to y'all

I so want to join this life style. Monthly doctor visits just won't allow it. Macular Edma just keeps my wife close to her doctor! Trying to keep what eyesight she has left.

Im a trucker as well, haul agricultural products during season then im off for 6 months. Im down by the river in a nice rv park during the season (home every night) then im off with the wind. Its a good way to go.

Great video and true. Bob I've been watching you for years. Rtr's and never had an opportunity to meet you. Great video. I hope I can meet you one day soon. Yes to Dave Ramsey, almost 10-15 years for me, you need to feel what it feels like to be debt free. It's a😮😮 great feeling.

I've been watching your videos for years. This is the best one yet. Very inspiring and motivational! Thanks for all you do!

I listen to this over and over - very profound insights. Thanks, Bob!

Get into your vehicle as soon as possible, make sure the mechanics are good

Bob be preaching!

Great advice Bob!

I think a MUST HAVE ( most important to me) is a sizeable savings as you say Emergency fund. I never feel good without IT = nomad or stationary!! You never know what tomorrow may deal out. Love that back ground mountain - trying to guess WHERE...?

Thank you so much for what you do. Im just happy that some of us have the opportunity to choose this as a path and that you are wise and brave enough to be a guide.

Imho, people, need to know and recognise the difference between ‘wants’ and ‘needs’. Before spending money, stop and ask the question….do you want this or do you need it. Only then can you break free from the virus of consumerism.

Great Advice thanks for sharing!

Perfect video!

Totally agree with James Ramsey's 7 steps. It works!

I can’t wait for the video on where to find the seasonal Jobs!

Yes yes yes

Excellent video Bob. Nicely done😊. Spot on!

I needed this video in my life today. Starting today.

Thank you, Bob! I am sharing!