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In 2016, at the age of 35, I made a life-changing decision alongside my wife, Courtney, who was 32 at the time. We sold our spacious four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Arizona and traded it for a compact 200-square-foot Airstream RV, taking our two dogs with us. Our new living arrangement was set up at a KOA campground in Tucson.
This move marked the beginning of a journey filled with significant transformations.
By that time, I had successfully saved approximately $900,000, which provided me with the financial cushion to leave a software development job that I found unfulfilling. In 2017, Courtney—a rocket scientist—joined me in embracing a life outside the traditional 9-to-5 work structure, and we began our travels.
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For the next three years, we traveled full-time across the United States, documenting our experiences through videos for YouTube and articles. At 42 years old, I consider myself a self-made millionaire, and reflecting on our decision to downsize reveals that it was pivotal in my journey toward building wealth.
Embracing Minimalism: The Freedom of Living Small
One of the most daunting tasks we faced was decluttering our lives before moving into the Airstream. We were taken aback by the sheer volume of possessions we had accumulated over the years.
In preparation, we distributed unwanted items to friends and family, donated a massive amount to Goodwill, and conducted garage sales over several weekends. We also digitized countless photographs, reducing physical clutter significantly.
Our experience in simplifying our lives proved to be liberating. We discovered that we didn’t miss the items we let go of, and living with fewer belongings provided a sense of freedom we hadn’t anticipated.
Adventures and Trials of RV Living
To keep our travel costs manageable, we often camped on Bureau of Land Management land, where we could stay for free for up to 14 days. These locations offered stunning natural beauty without the cost of traditional campsites.
The trade-off was the lack of electric, water, and sewer connections, but we adapted by using solar panels mounted on our roof to power our needs.
Courtney enjoyed the serenity of nature, like relaxing in her hammock near Truckee, California, all while we managed our resources to live comfortably off-grid. Our Airstream held 72 gallons of freshwater, enough for about two weeks if used wisely, while our solar setup supported our energy needs adequately.
The sheer joy of exploring the country was irreplaceable. We visited nearly half the states, gathering experiences that ranged from camping at Lake Powell in Arizona to finding picturesque spots in California’s Alabama Hills and cruising through New York’s wine regions.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. We encountered challenges like unexpected weather changes and the rigorous work of breaking camp every week or two. Securing items in our Airstream before moving was crucial; we used creative solutions like bungee cords to prevent our belongings from shifting during transit.
Navigating Finances on the Road
During our first year of travel, our total expenses were around $35,000, encompassing food, gas, insurance, and camping fees. After transitioning to life on the road, most expenses decreased, though our grocery bills rose by around 25% as we often shopped at smaller, pricier local markets instead of large chain stores.
Our monthly budget typically detailed the following:
- Propane: $40
- Pet care: $75
- Health insurance: $350
- Auto maintenance: $400
- Fun: $1,000
- Groceries: $600
- Camping fees: $500
- Fuel: $500
Even though we occasionally splurged on better-equipped campgrounds costing up to $100 a night, the cost-effectiveness of staying on Bureau land saved us significantly.
The RV Experience: A Fulfilling Decision
Throughout those three years of RV living, our net worth increased while we embraced a low-cost lifestyle, even without traditional full-time employment. The supplemental income from YouTube and my blog on early retirement facilitated our travels; we relied mainly on these smaller income streams, letting our investments grow untouched.
We started with nearly $900,000 and by the end of our journey, our net worth had grown by around $150,000, setting the stage for my current status as a millionaire. This experience beautifully illustrates the potential of purposeful living and financial independence—not bad for avoiding a traditional office job altogether!
Steve Adcock is a financial writer who shares insights on achieving financial independence. Having retired early at 35, he offers perspectives on money management and lifestyle choices that resonate with many seeking alternative paths to success.
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