Do you really need that huge house? All of those cars? How much of your auto expense is related to commuting to work? Or running the kids around to incessant activities? Do they really need to be involved in all of that stuff? Do they really want to? Could you achieve the same thing by just letting them have some sleep-overs with their friends? It will all depend on the friends the child ends up hanging out with especially in reference to teenagers. Some sleep-overs with friends, especially when one does not get the full name, address, and home phone number, and does not eventually meet the parents can cost either a child’s life, or for example, my daughter ending up being served alcholic beverages by a 21 year old which was the sister of one of her so called friends. Not to mention, them offering her marijuana. I found all this out because her attitude and rage from the alchol and drugs, which was causing her to be someone she wasn’t developed into me calling the cops on her for her assaulting her brother while he was trying to keep her from running away from home. So, sleep overs are not all that harmless. She had told me she was going to a slumber party, well according to her P.O. teens don’t have slumber parties any more. Nonetheless, I hope this helps some others who plan on allowing their children to do “sleep overs.” What will that cost you? It has cost me a trip a week to see a probation officer, once a week therapy sessions to a psychiatrist and anger management classes all for my daughter. A couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a bowl of cereal in the morning? A little bit more than P.B & J and cereal.
Once again, I hope this helps others.
Kind Regards,
Deb

And pardon any typos, as we are flying down an interstate at about 65 mph as I write – off to the Rockies! :-)

It is obvious that you all “get it.”

Cindy – I am intimately aware of what it feels like to be “house poor.” But once we realized that we didn’t absolutely have to have a house, we discovered the incredible financial windfall that this creates.

We still prefer to have a house to stay in when we want to. But if things get tight (and the real estate market allows) we know that we can sell it and live untethered for a while.

Might you and your partner consider a temporarily “houseless” existence?

Just remember – no decision is permanent. You can always go back to a lifestyle similar to that you live today. So take a little dip into the life you imagine, and see if it looks as good on the inside as it does right now from the outside!

I found that when my wife and I talked about the changes that we could bring to our lifestyle, we knew we could do it. But when one of us happened to talk about our ideas around friends or family, it was them who quickly popped our bubble – or at least did a good job of trying.

I finally stopped talking to other people about our plans. Yes, we were excited, but it was just better to keep that excitement to ourselves – at least until we got on the road.

Once people saw our rig and the way we roll, they never questioned our decision. A lot of people just have limited imaginations, and are quick to shoot down unusual thinking. Don’t let that stop you. That’s what we learned.

Wendy – one of the points that I alluded to in this piece is that there are other countries out there where things are done differently. Yet Americans in particular are often loath to consider living outside of the US. With the economy in a tailspin, and people overseas who will work harder for less money (because their cost of living is lower), perhaps we need to consider getting some of that low cost of living, too. And the best way to do that is to live overseas for a while!

Plus, traveling to other cultures is exciting, and it opens your mind to all sorts of lifestyle possibilities you might not have otherwise considered.

Let your imaginations fly! Then get on the ‘Net, as there are almost certainly people already doing what you are dreaming about. Learn as much as you can. Contact them. Join discussion groups. Imagine that you are already “doing it.” Get a real feel for this new family lifestyle of yours.

Still wanna do it? Then do it.

Trust me – these others are ordinary families, not superstars. So there is no reason you cannot make this happen in your own family’s life.

Looking forward to seeing you all “out here.”

And thanks again guys for the great comments! :-)

All the best,

Hugh

Vince

Looking forward to reading more of your posts:)