indy logo

Digital Nomad:
Why We Packed It All Up

Why we live (and work) out of an RV by Kathryn Mancewicz
red-castle-photo

45.9406° N 123.9862° W

Life is too short to spend waiting for your retirement. Even though I’m still young, speaking with older colleagues and family members has made this clear. The seemingly endless trudge of the 9-5 disillusions many. The freedom to live the life they want still seems years away.

I didn’t want that to be me. So, when the opportunity to move into an RV and live on the road presented itself, my husband Joel and I jumped at the opportunity. We bought an RV, sold almost all of our possessions, and I quit my stable, full-time job.

postcard pathpostcardpostcardpostcard sign
Share this postcard
red-castle-photored-castle-photodog on coast

Career growth

Although my “pre-RV” career was stable, there wasn't much room for upward movement. Being a public-school Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) tied me to the "salary schedule".

Each year, my pay increased by a measly $750 regardless of my performance. Not very glamorous.

red-castle-photored-castle-photo

After working hard for 2 years in public schools, I heard about travel therapy where I could spend a set amount of time working as a speech therapist in different places around the country. An opportunity to travel the country and nearly double my salary?! The idea instantly intrigued me. After some research I realized that this could be the perfect next step in my career.

No more renting

Another huge factor driving us to make this decision was the money pit of renting. But instead of trying to settle down somewhere and buy a house, we wanted to explore the country. Purchasing an RV was a way to get out of renting and travel at the same time. Sure, it is a depreciating asset. However, considering it now costs us less to live in an RV than to rent, the purchase has been well worth it. The best part is the freedom!

"Jimi" the VW Bus

Some people would view a 1977 VW Bus as a classic car, but not us. Jimi, the VW Bus, has been a daily driver and advanture mobile since we purchased him in 2016. He has traveled throughout New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Michigan. But Jimi hasn’t always looked so sharp. Joel and I spent an entire winter sanding, cleaning, removing windows, painting, and redoing the interior to get him looking like he does today. He can be a grumpy old man, but we love him and will have him forever!

snowbasin-resortmorganjimi-traversejimi-traverse
lakelake

I never want to go back
to stationary living

As I mentioned before, Joel and I didn’t want to wait to live our best life. The opportunity to travel while earning a living is fantastic. We have spent time on the beach, in the mountains, and near our families.

In the short time that we have been full-time RVers, I can't tell you the number of retired folks we have met. Do you want to know what they all tell us? Time and time again we hear how jealous they are that we can travel now! Working a non-traditional job has allowed me that freedom. With the rise of remote work, so many people can now enjoy this same lifestyle.

My “side hustle” work this year will exceed the amount I made as a full-time SLP working for the public schools. All this while working a lot fewer hours too.My “side hustle” work this year will exceed the amount I made as a full-time SLP working for the public schools. All this while working a lot fewer hours too.
lakelake
mapski

My independent work has exploded

Shortly before the transition to RV life, I began blogging. It was a great way to share some of our travels and also our financial journey to becoming debt-free. Though I never became a world-famous millionaire blogger, it did get me opportunities that I was able to use to make writing a successful side gig.

The blog and RVing connected me to my first freelance writing clients in the RV industry. Turns out, people think it is pretty cool to read about full-time RV life.

From there, I gained confidence as a professional writer. I expanded to offer services to several prominent personal finance bloggers and am continually growing my freelance writing clientele.

Turn your life into a vacation

Living and working in the RV feels like a constant vacation. Now that I have gotten a taste of the good life, I never want to go back to stationary living (or at least not for the foreseeable future). My passion for travel makes me even more motivated to continue growing flexible work opportunities.

The outstanding thing about freelancing is that anyone can do what Joel and I did. Because you’re the boss! So, if you’re ready to transform your life and go wherever you want, don’t wait.

Now is the best time there has ever been to find remote work and build your independent business. With so many virtual opportunities, living in an RV has become much more attainable. All you need is a computer and internet connection and you’re set. Then, you can go wherever the road takes you!

Share this experience
Turn your life into a vacation.All you need is a computer and internet connection and you’re set.Turn your life into a vacation.All you need is a computer and internet connection and you’re set.Turn your life into a vacation.All you need is a computer and internet connection and you’re set.

Own your independence

Whether you’re working from home, on the road, or any place in between, Indy can help you own it. Find everything you need to make your independent business run smoothly.

Explore Indy