Live like a Nomadic Youth on the Road.
Most people have likely seen the new wave of “nomadic youth” that has taken over social media platforms. It seems every time I scroll through my explore page on Instagram I find another account that is devoted to a young couple living out of their renovated van with their cute dog. From the looks of it (as with most social media) their lives look effortless. I wanted to see how these young people coped with all the pressure of “adulting” while still enjoying their youth on the road. I wanted to know 1) how they prepared themselves for such an adventure, 2) how they were able to live in a home on wheels but still make enough money to own the latest iPhone that allowed them to document their blissful lives, and finally 3) how they did all this while shaking off the stigma of “living in a van down by the river.” This is what I found:
How to prepare: First thing’s first, you’ll need to buy a van or RV that allows you to live out of it fulltime. Do your research and determine if this vehicle is something you plan on traveling in for a few weeks or months….or the rest of your life! For most, this will likely be your heaviest financial burden. One easy way to save some of these costs is to use a Montana vehicle registration. For non-residents of Montana, creating a Montana LLC is an easy way to avoid paying expensive sales taxes on your big purchase to a state that you likely won’t even stay in once you’re on the road. Check out our other blog posts (insert hyperlink) for more information on how to form a Montana LLC. If you do decide to travel for a few months, it’s best to bring all of the supplies (as best you can) with you from the start. Having a rough idea of where you’ll be traveling to will help you determine what kind of clothing and leisure gear you’ll need. Packing light is key, and if your RV/van is lighter you’ll be more efficient when it comes time to unpack and repack all of your belongings.
How to earn a living on the road: This question has been at the top of my list since the first ‘vanlife’ account I found. I could not fathom how these people made enough money to sustain their lifestyle. Not only were they traveling around the world, but they always seemed to have the cutest swimsuits. What I found was actually pretty simple – most people that live the #vanlife are writers, social media gurus, or work remotely. When they aren’t making sponsorship deals or earning money on their lifestyle blogs, seasonal jobs generally provide the best means of making money. Whether it’s working at a music festival for a weekend in the summer or for Amazon Camperforce for 3-4 months in the winter helping to complete holiday orders, there are always seasonal jobs that help provide some financial cushion to those living on the road. And although forming a Montana LLC doesn’t exactly lead to consistent income, it does save you a large chunk of your total costs setting out, leaving you with extra money to put towards those new sunglasses you’ve been wanting.
Where to stay: Of course, I have to put in a shameless plug for Montana and its jaw-dropping national parks and public lands. Glacier National Park has campsites available in the park during Spring, Summer, and Fall with plenty of wildlife and hiking as far as the eye can see. Additionally, there are sites to stay at for free of charge on public land located on the outskirts of the park. Small town Montana is known for its charming local mercantiles, bakeries and ghost towns that are always fun to explore. However, Montana is not the only state that has public land to stay at overnight, and in many areas of the US, this is available for those living on the road. For the city slickers that just need a place to stay for the night, there is always (as strange as it may sound) parking lots. Walmart is known in the vagabond community as a refuge for plenty of travelers to set up camp for the night for free. Read our blog for more ideas on some of the Northwest’s best campgrounds.
Drawbacks: Life on the road as a nomadic youth is not all smooth sailing, and there are bound to be some drawbacks. Maybe you unexpectedly get sick or haven’t had the luxury of a warm shower in a few days. When you’re on the go it can be difficult to find quality, inexpensive, and available services. By reaching out to your insurance company you can find providers in your area that will hopefully cover you without literally costing your arm and a leg. And, we’ve all been on that long road trip where maybe sacrificing a shower one day (or more) is the only option. One van-life-hack I found was by having a gym membership to a chain (maybe like the YMCA) you can usually locate a facility for a quick workout and a shower. One thing you won’t have to worry about while traveling is your mail! Heggen Law Office is happy to forward all mail to you wherever you are or are about to be. Say, for instance, your vehicle’s license place is due for a renewal next month but you’ve been on the road for two months and won’t be home for another three. Not only does our office keep this information organized for you, but we’ll be sure to reach out to you wherever in the world you happen to be. So even though it’s good to be prepared for anything, you can rest a little easier knowing that our team is looking out for you as well.
Simplicity is flexibility these days and for many millennials, being a nomadic youth embracing the vagabond lifestyle is the perfect way to protect themselves from a 9-5. It’s hard not to with the combined convenience of a Montana LLC and the road as your home; all there is left is to enjoy!
