How Do You Prepare for Living on the Road?

Before you start your new life living on the road, you need to get yourself ready for the culture shock.

Getting into a hot bath after a hard day at work will no longer be an option, and although you will be “living free” if you have no money, the road can be expensive.

To prevent your roadie life from taking a left turn, you need to prepare financially and learn to pack smart. We will give you the tips you need to get going; for more suggestions, head to WhereYouMakeIt.com.

Figure Out How You’ll Get Income

There are a couple of ways to earn money while on the road. The first is by getting a remote job, and the second is by working freelance or through an agency.

For the first one to work, you need to have access to the internet. This might mean keeping to towns or cities, as they will have cafes which may permit the use of their WIFI. Remote jobs allow you to keep moving as long as you stay aware of your next WIFI spot.

Alternatively, you can use roaming data to pay for your online working hours, but be aware that this is more expensive.

Some companies allow agency workers to come and go as they please. You might call the agency worker when you’re running low on funds, and they can find a job for you to pick up over the next couple of days. This type of work allows you to travel around the country and pick up odd jobs as and when you need cash.

Whichever option you choose, you need to plan ahead to keep your new lifestyle financed. Some jobs will only allow you to work if you have a zip code or postal address to send documentation to (such as your wages). Because you’re living on the road, you won’t have a postal address. To get past this, you should consider asking a friend or family member if you can use their address.

Create a Budget Before Your Adventure Begins

When you’ve figured out how you’ll receive an income, you can see just how much money you will be earning.

With that information in hand, you can figure out how much money you can spend between payments. Although you won’t have rent or a high electricity bill to contend with, you will still need to pay for gas and food.

Depending on how far you want to travel, figure out how much that may cost you in fuel and deduct it from your wages.

Because you won’t have access to showers and typical hygiene products, you may want to book a room in a hotel every couple of weeks. This room will allow you to freshen up and even wash your clothes before heading back out again. If this idea appeals to you, make sure to budget for these stays as part of your monthly costs.

Live Frugally on the Road

At this point, you may realize that your earnings will stay the same, but your expenses will dramatically drop. If that’s the case, then don’t worry about splashing the cash on a couple of takeaway meals every now and then.

However, most people don’t want to spend their journey working, and so instead limit their employment hours as much as possible. If this sounds like you, then remember to only spend within your means. If you only have enough money to keep you going, then don’t waste it on commercial goods which don’t add to your experience. You’re here for the road and the joy of traveling, so don’t waste money where it’s not needed. Otherwise, you’ll be forced back into the working world to pay for your next adventure.

Pack Smart and Light

Lastly, you need to ensure that the items you bring with you have a purpose and don’t clutter your space.

For example, solar panels on your windows are a great way to gather electricity without taking up space in your trunk. The alternative is a massive battery pack, which is a space waster when you know solar panels can charge your equipment just as well.

Keep an eye out for space-saving equipment, and if you have access to a laundromat, you don’t need to pack many items of clothing.

Summary

To help you prepare for living on the road, you need to consider the little details. This means keeping your space clutter-free and ensuring you have enough money to keep you going. Once you have these concepts under your belt, it’s a smooth journey.