Feeling good
To feel good about yourself and your situation you need to have a certain state of mind. There were a few things that inspired me.
One was the slow realisation that the rest of my life is going to be a working holiday.
I work to live and most definitely don’t live to work. By cutting your overheads to the very minimum, it means you don’t have to spend the majority of your time working. Less work, more leisure. Less stress, more relaxation. Better health. Better life.
Savings
The other was how much I’ve saved since taking the decision to get free from the rat-race and the trap of working to pay rent. It makes me feel a twinge guilty knowing how much people are paying – median rent in Australia is now $650 a week.
It’s a bit uncomfortable to say I’ve paid less than $100 rent (total) in the last 4 years (and even that was optional). Add to that the total of $0 for electricity, and about $150 for gas. Yes. This is the difference when you opt for this lifestyle.
These figures are approximate – I had a very reasonable rental payment in 2020 – no doubt it would have soared up way more than $250 a week soon after… as would the Gas and Electricity costs, so in effect the savings by comparison would far more than what this graph suggests.
As I travel very slowly the engine is idle most days, so the slower I travel means the less fuel I use.
The savings have more than paid for my rolling home and everything in it. I feel good!
Luxuries are just that – Luxuries.
I’ve got to be clear here, you can’t expect all the luxuries you are used to. For example, sometimes you might have to use an unpleasant drop toilet or even dig yourself a hole to squat over.
Unless you are fortunate to have a bathroom on board your chosen vehicle then hot showers are the most difficult amenity to locate. I have a mental list of where they’re located and alternate my travels between swims in rivers, lakes or beaches, and the next ‘luxurious’ hot shower.
When I worked full time I would often enjoy a bottle or two of Scotch a week. That’s no longer feasible. I haven’t been able to afford that – in fact I haven’t had a bottle since last new year- just on 12 months.
I’ll really enjoy it when I do crack one open though. Ahh I can taste it now!
The best way to drink Scotch.
Each to their own, many enjoy their Scotch neat or on ice. I relish the trilogy – half a glass of Scotch, LOTS of ice and the remainder filled with icy cold, good quality ginger ale. That’s when the magic happens. Hah! But I digress!
Clawing some of those luxuries back!
Back to the luxuries you’ll miss. Well, you only miss them sometimes, because when you’re parked up at one of the aforementioned Help-X hosts, often you’ll enjoy facilities better than you had before.
Right now I’m parked a metre from a shed with a clean new toilet, a big sink with running water and a fridge to supplement my own.
There’s also access to a large, clean modern house with a ripper bathroom and stocked kitchen, a decent in-ground heated pool, and use of well-equipped workshops where I can build and repair things for my motorhome. There’s a productive vegetable garden, chooks, and orchard as well.
So, yes, there are times along the way where you have to remind yourself that you’re paying no rent. And there’s other times where you exchange a few hours of work a day for the use of a property where they supply your parking, 240V, wi-fi, bathroom, food, and if you’re good sometimes they’ll open the cellar.
There is so much more than luxuries.
It varies of course; as do the hours and expectations. Hosts are keen for conversation and will often teach you things that add so much to your life. Additionally you get first-hand insider tips about the best places to visit, to camp, to eat and so much more.
Add to this the amazingly friendly local and international people who you meet and get to know and love. Usually you’ll meet the families and neighbours as well, and some of them are looking for paid assistance.
And on it goes. It’s this cultural exchange – and involving yourself with others that makes this lifestyle so special. It’s a win-win situation! I honestly wouldn’t go back for quids.
