Live in the truck save $ and become financially independent???

it only works well if you are adaptable to living the nomad life style.
be smart with your food expenditures, get used to wearing the same shirts twice, get a few amenities like the premium sirus/xm package, unlimited network data, books and bring plenty of tools.

I'd stay out 2-4 months at a time, picked up the name "treadmill" with the dispatchers because I'd run anything, anywhere, anytime regardless of what was going on.

don't do what I did and try to stay out for a long period of time without working up to it, stay in the truck for increasing increments of periods until you hit a respectably long time frame and maintain that routine of being out x months and home x weeks.

 

Not sure if you've heard of Dave Ramsey but he's

got tons of real estate experience! IMO might want

to listen to his radio show awhile before you decide.

 

Many drivers are doing similar. Some real estate agents will oversee your property for you. For example, I found a real estate agent in Las Vegas that will do everything from helping to buy a property to management of the property after the sale. I like the gated communities because the HOA keeps watch on the exterior of the property and you include the HOA fee into the rent. Many drivers on here have posted of similar ventures as yours. I know a guy in his 20's that has already bought 10 rental homes in Nevada and looking for more. He's now in a position to do the management himself.

Edit: Here's the best deal that I missed out on by being a few hours too late with an offer. A $450,000.00 home with interior fire damage & the owners walked away. Also has a large beautiful swimming pool. The bank wanted it off the books and let it go for $80,000.00 and the house, after interior repairs will rent for $3,000.00 + per month. It's also in a gated community. Don't see many deals like that around & I missed out by a few hours. My offer was $82K so I probably would have gotten approval.

 

I did it. I had about $80 left in my bank account at the time of orientation for the first time, got it up to a decent ground when I left the road. But I just couldn't take the lifestyle anymore, plus the fact that OTR is vastly underpaid.

I think it's better to get a decent local job and rent a room from a friend. The extra money you will make will pay for the room and the running costs of the humble car/bike you will need to get around town. Plus you won't hate your life anymore. Keep saving for the future, don't be that guy with the mortgage, the child support, the car note, the bike note, the boat note and the 27 credit cards.

 

Renting out property is a craps shoot. You could end up with deadbeat tenants who become squatters. I know when my dad rented out a house once the tenant didn't pay rent for the last six months of living there. My dad was actually kind enough to let him stay an extra two months because he gave him a sob story. So when the squatter finally moved out how did he repay my father? By leaving the place a pig stye and stealing the washer/dryer. True story.

 

You got that right. I don't even own a car; sold both and can't believe how much the difference in discretionary money available. I planned so that my home is where I can use a motorscooter or public tranportation; saves a lot on automobile expenses in just one year.

Edit : Good idea to start when younger; I was older when I did, but hindsight is 20/20 as the saying goes. It's hard to leave your comfort zone in life for most people, but if you plan to retire early you must. Going outside the comfort zone can cause headaches, buyers remorse, stress for most people but if it pays off it's worth it.

 

Good advice here. He will tell someone to pay cash for everything... guy makes a whole lotta sense.

 

I'm not positive, but he started when the big housing crash bottomed out. I think he financed the first one, then paid cash for short sales after that. All his houses are in Las Vegas. Short sales are great if you have some cash to get started on the first one. Check the Redfin website. If you're a veteran you can get one for no down payment, but you're supposed to live in it for at least a year; same with some short sales, but who's checking. I don't know, don't have the saavy he has.

Edit : I like the gated communites for several reasons. If renting is allowed, the HOA must approve the renters which is some relief to me which includes lots of paperwork for them to sign. I'm just more comfortable with that arrangement. I charge one months rent amount for a cleaning/damage deposit which may give someone second thoughts about doing something. For example,one rental, the deposit is $1800.00 which is also the monthly rent. Anytime I feel pressure, I dump it on my wife and tell her I have a headache, she will have to handle the problem or perceived problem...lol.