You weren't born JUST to work, pay bills and die
Whenever people are asked at the end of their life about what they wish they’d done more of or spent more time doing, never is it that they wished they’d squeezed in an extra few hours working, and never is it that they wish they’d saved up more money.
It is ALWAYS that they wished they’d seen a part of the world they never got to visit, that they’d spent more time with the people they love, that they’d gone after something they had always wanted to do or try, that they’d told someone how they really felt, and that they’d simply had more fun, laughed more, and worried a lot less.
Excerpts from the book, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, written by Bronnie Ware, a former palliative care nurse.in Australia, who spent several years caring for patients during the last 12 weeks of their lives, routinely asked her patients about “any regrets they had or anything they would do differently.”
If you can relate to this, and have thought about re-thinking you're life, join the Club -- you're not alone.
“From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.”
It's time to rethink the American Dream. For too long, it's been defined by the idea that we need to own more stuff than our neighbors to be happy. But is that really the key to happiness? Do we find fulfillment by sacrificing our dreams for the pursuit of material possessions?
At its core, the American Dream is about freedom and opportunity. It's about the ability to pursue our passions and achieve our goals. Yet, somewhere along the way, we've lost sight of this. We've become obsessed with owning more and more stuff, thinking that it will bring us happiness.
But the truth is, happiness doesn't come from owning more stuff. It comes from living a meaningful life, pursuing our passions, and building strong relationships with those around us. It's time to shift our focus away from material possessions and back to what really matters.
Why do people live in vans?
For many Americans, a significant portion of their income goes towards paying for housing. In fact, it can take up to 15 years of working just to pay for the roof over their heads. This has led to a situation where 76% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. With the average U.S. mortgage costing $2800 per month and the average rent costing $1700, it's no wonder that so many people are struggling to make ends meet.
However, there is an alternative to this cycle of debt: living smaller. While tiny houses may not be for everyone, there are valuable lessons that can be learned from this lifestyle.
By downsizing and simplifying our lives, we can reduce our living expenses and escape the burden of excessive debt. Not too mention the stress of living in debt.
One option to consider is living in a van or motorhome. It may seem like an unconventional option, but it has gained popularity in recent years. In a survey, respondents listed freedom, low cost of living, adventure, and connecting with nature as their top reasons for considering this lifestyle. Whether you're young or old, if you're looking for a way to achieve financial freedom and a more fulfilling lifestyle, it's worth exploring alternative living arrangements. Living in a van or motorhome may not be for everyone, but it's certainly an option worth considering.
After asking respondents to rank the reasons why they would consider to live in a van or motorhome, ranked from top to bottom are:
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Low cost of living
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Adventure
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Minimalism
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Avoiding undesirable weather
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Starting a new life, pursuing work in different places
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Working remote be on their own
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To join a partner or
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To leave a partner