Hi, I'm Lee. My skoolie story starts like this....
I'm in my mid fifties and until recently had planned to work a half day the day of my funeral. My wife and I have been discussing a way to not let that happen for us and started talking about tiny houses. I have property and the skill set to make something like that happen. Well, a couple of months ago my wife saw a skoolie build on YouTube and we were hooked. It affords us the ability to get from under any debt, use my property as a home base AND see the whole country once we have everything in place.
The plan is to spend a couple of years building, a couple more paying off any and all debt, a couple of years piling up some cash, then hit the road. We plan to look for income streams that we can maintain from the road to pay what few bills we will have once we're out there, and have that in place well before we hit the road.
We are starting our bus fund with our tax returns this year and hope to find the right bus by late spring to start the conversion.
I'm here to watch and learn. I look forward to becoming an active member in the community and I hope I don't bug you guys with all the questions.
Hi and welcome to the forum. I haven't been here too long myself. Mid fifties with the same plan as you. Here's how I went about it:
I read everything on this site. There's so much info here. And there's so many threads that get off topic there's always something I learn even if it's a topic about knitting or something.
I watched the auctions. Publicsurplus and govdeals dotcom. Busses will be up for about 3 weeks and nothing happens until the last 10 minutes of the auction. Even if you're not close to where the auction is, it gives you an idea of which bus is going for how much money.
I drove around locally to physically look at buses. Then I drove in a 4 or 5-hour radius and looked at some more.
If you can make a list of what's important and what's secondary, you'll find the right bus. If you're over 5 ft 10 you might need a roof raise. If you're going to spend time in cold weather you might want to close off some windows.
They told me there's two ways to fix a diesel engine. With your own tools or with your credit card.
There's a lot more LOL. You'll learn. I just came on here to say welcome to the life!
Although, Im a bit younger than you, our stories are similar. Im pretty sure I'll just keel over at work one day since retirement seems like a pipedream. At least in a skoolie, we get to live before giving up the ghost!
...had planned to work a half day the day of my funeral.
Love it!!
I came to the same conclusion a few years ago. That's when I simplified, bought a nice motorhome, and started living the full-timer life (while still working remotely). Loved it!
The only real problem I had was boredom (in spite of work, mountain biking, road cycling, kayaking, photography, etc...). So, I decided to sell my super comfortable and working perfectly motorhome and buy an old coach to convert. That has kept me busy!!! I'm glad to see your 'couple year' build plan - very realistic.
Hi Lee! Welcome aboard and here My wife and I are in our early 50's, successful life financially and maritally. I believe most of us are in the same boat. Property, a bus and some spare time! LOL
Hi Lee! Welcome aboard and here My wife and I are in our early 50's, successful life financially and maritally. I believe most of us are in the same boat. Property, a bus and some spare time! LOL
Love it!! 
Linear Mode
