0:55 that is happening to me now i own a small deli market here in Philadelphia and to be honest im putting 80+ hours of work and all the bills are always late if i decide to sell now my profit will be around 20k its been alot of work for basically nothing is impossible to have a small business in a big city like this taxes and high rent and bills will leave you with 0 profit
hi Brian and thank you for taking time out of your day to share a video with us. You were one of my original inspirational creators that lead me into van life. Thank you for that. One of the best moves ive ever made. I kept my house and I use it as a base but my cargo stealth van allows me to travel and stay in expensive areas and do it for free. If you are watching Brians videos let me give you some friendly advice.... Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth. Watch and learn from this nice man and other creators like him. And for God sake go have some damn fun
Hi Brian: Glad to hear you have made your decision.... and IMO, I think it's the better choice. After all, your van IS you... you made it, and made it your own. We will all be glad to follow your adventures as they continue.
Great decision. Best to appreciate what you have instead of forever seeking what you think you want, often to be only disappointed. I really respect you - you are an inspiration.
I remember the paranoia when we first started van living. Always peeking out the window and listening to every little noise outside. Now I sleep like a baby! Van life= Freedom!
Way to go Brian! We're with you in what ever you decide to do. I really enjoy all of your videos and always to forward to them. Keep up the great work.
I have been truly inspired by you Brian; by all your challenges and adventures, and how you have handled your vanlife with solid good intentions and a positive attitude. Thank you for sharing the great moments and even the difficult times too. Can't say thanks enough for the inspiration and motivation.
Love that you are creating music, something about playing music is challenging and soothing at the same time. I'll be waiting to see how you re-configure the van.
It is always a huge relief when you face a big decision that is agonizing and you are finally comfortable with a choice and just going with it with confidence. Congratulations, now it's time to just pick up where you left off and fly with it. You would have made either decision the right decision, but, having things in limbo does create stress in life. Now you can just relax and live life.
I am glad you went back to your intro I like the flute and the logo... good job on the video b roll is well placed. nice exit. I have been watching for a long time... I like your honestly and perseverance. thank you
Nice anniversary reflection Brian. That Toyota Dolphin looked sweet! Its great to think it through....live it and decide through sincere introspection what is the best fit for our lives. Thank you for sharing that process with us via video. Looking forward to seeing your renovation! Exciting! Happy 3rd Anniversary!
Diana Long ....yes I had a native flute that was specially made for me with wolf carvings and paw prints years ago and I felt like I was supposed to gift my friend Gail with it. She loved it and played it like a pro.
Hay Brain, Itz Paula we met last summer at Twin Lakes in S.D - I love what your continuing to do with your lifestyle and wish you the very best health, happiness and joy!
I've downsized a lot, but yours looks like a wonderful life. Recently found your channel. Working my way through your videos. Hope you have many, many more years of wonderful adventures.
I've been following you since all of you were at RTR...I've learned a lot from you. I actually eat healthier watching your awesome cooking ideas...I don't watch TV..RU-vid is what I watch. I follow several of you guys who are on the road..I have a house 3 hours south of where I am in Arizona..I choose my 5th wheel to be in a little cooler climate in summer..and the scenery here is beautiful..Thank you for the insight and helping me to eat healthier....Peace!
Great idea Brian. Make sure to update/inspect the running gear to keep the "Ole girl" safe! Really enjoy following your adventures. Fingers crossed that you unload that other van fast! Be safe! Dan
love your videos. I dream one day of doing what your doing. Great life. I love the music you play for the videos also. Not too loud and rock style. Smooth sounding. Keep up the good work.
Congrats man! 3 yrs! very inspirational considering that this april, my wife and I along with our two dogs are headed out to see the country in our truck camper, to explore a new way of life. Videos like this is honestly what kept such an amazing dream in my head through all the saving, planning, and overtime it took, We owe you a big thank you for showing us that this is a very accomplishable goal!
WOW! what a great video! How uplifting. Thank you for sharing yourself with us, when you post these types of videos, I feel renewed in spirit. Thank you, fellow human, for sharing part of your soul. :)
Totally cool Bro... I live in a really small apartment, and am a fair bit older, but your observations and advise are timeless and have helped this old fart. Thank you, and much success in your journey.
You sound happy. and confident with your lifestyle. We should all take stock of our lives but it takes courage to make change. Thanks Brian for sharing your journey.
I'm really enjoying your videos and how you present them. I follow 5 different van/RV dwellers and enjoy all. keep up the good work and best to you. looking forward to next video!
Congrats on making a decision, Brian! I've done that kind of thing many a time--I once moved to San Francisco thinking it was the place for me--I only lasted 11 months, but had I not done it, I'd never have known and would always wonder :)
I had friends who hat the Toyota Dolphin, what a great MH it was, the smallest of the class C. I wish they would make those again. I have a 24 foot Class C that I use now and then for trips. when younger, I lived in one for nearly 17 years as a traveling nurse. I'd sign up for 13 week assignments across the country in hospitals that needed staffing due to issues. It was a great job. I worked three 12 hour shifts a week and had 4 days off a week. The 13 week assignment had me at one location for 3 months then off to the next job. I'd take a couple months off every year to play and a few weeks inbetween assignments. The money I made I bought properties that I rented out thus paying the mortgages. Today those homes are all paid for and the income is pure luxury. There is a lot to be grateful for owning a home, the problem is many buy too much house than what they need or can afford. As I've grown older I appreciate my house more and more as it gets difficult to move as I did when I was your age. Some day you'll be my age. Dont end up here and then realize you wasted so much time playing and not investing in your old age. Work some, play some, invest some, spend some. You will never have a time in your life when you have as much stamina, learning power, energy and flexibility as you do now, that only lasts for so long. Don't waste it staring at the roof of a van. Do something to put away a nest egg to rely on when your body isn't as forgiving as it is now.
That sounds like an awesome job and way of life. I agree with your advice. It is crucial to earn enough money to save some. Otherwise you are always living on the edge and the older you get the less fun that is going to be.
Your comment should be incorporated into a mantra for people seeking freedom ( van, boat, or however) - on some level, you have to buy your freedom in the US of A otherwise you'll be under the financial gun in later years. Mix in glorious FREEDOM and AUTONOMY as much as you can in youth and later years BUT mind the future because it arrives and you don't want to be a slave to greedy employers, landlord, to expenses etc. Peace of Mind also means freedom from the grip of creditors, landlords, mortgage companies and the like ..
Your life is so unique. Should have done the van life years ago.......I didn't so now all I can do is watch your videos and think of what would have been, thanks for your postings..............✌
Brian, I envy you for living your dream, as my youngest son is living his dream as a Musician in Los Angeles. The only advice that I can give you as I have given to my own is, it is great to chase your dream but time passes quickly and you will not always be a young man. You do have to put money away for your future. I'm sure RU-vid doesn't have a pension plan. Before you know it you'll be an old man like me. Don't take this the wrong way. I enjoy your videos. Just a thought.
He'd probably be happy living off OAS by that time $1000/month goes a long way in a van . This whole lifestyle is about experiencing life while you can, instead of having a pile of money and being so old you cant spend it. Though I don't have the balls to do this yet - I am waiting to pay off my house before 45, once I do, I am off. 10 more years and I am done. Plan to rope myself if I last past 65 anyways.
i got the feeling that you are totally happy in your decisions. and that is what really counts. YOUR DECISION. I'M glad to see your new awakening. I'm behind you 100%. peace!
I'm glad you reached a decision that makes you happy. I happen to love the new van you bought, as I like a lot of windows and I am sure the airflow would be better. I will look for that type of van when I am ready to begin my van travels.
Way to "surrender to the flow" Brian. I'm in the same boat you were in. Too much rent and not enough time to enjoy life. I'm in the planning process of switching over to the van life. Im hoping within the next year I make make van life a reality. Thanks for the inspiration.
Brian, we love ya buddy! Congrats on 2nd. and/or 3rd. anniversary! Thanks so much for taking us all along on your van adventures too. I'm glad that you have resolved the two van issue and put that to rest. Now on to the current van makeover!
Hey Brian Happy Anniversary!! I have always admired your van for it simplicity. My Dad had a saying "two ways to do anything, the easy way and the wrong way"! The easy way is with a plan. I seldom will move in life without one and you will be able to weight the pro's and con's of any decision. In projects my plan goes on paper and a budget is decided. In your van project layout you can note your needs!!!! and your wants???? Once on paper its much easier to say my desk can go here or my fridge there. If its going to be easy great! If you need it then do it. If its going to be hard is that something you want to do or is it something you need???? For me my rig has both a low roof and the option for the high roof. I can say what I need is a roof. What I want, is to stand in the vehicle. My plan would state I need a nice place to sit if I can't stand! I have years of experience in housing and automotive and would be more then happy to help a fellow traveler that has helped me in planning my recent trip out West without leaving the driveway! I owe you, Thanks and Good Luck Doc StarShip.
Go for some swivel seats , I'm building my van where the front seat is a bench seat which turns into a couch that faces the other way that also folds into a bed ,opens up the whole back of the of the van for kitchenette and shower.
Just stumbled upon your channel. I loved this video! I can’t wait to watch ALL of them! I’m currently transitioning to full time living and traveling in a 2003 Dodge Ram Van 1500 and could use all the help, advice and inspiration I can get. So, thank you for sharing your van life experience!
Hey Brian, I've been watching your video's since last winter in NH, and you have been a real inspiration for me. And this video really has a lot of info I find valuable. I left NH in June, drove out to Show Low Arizona where my parents live, sold the car I drove out in and scored a really nice Dodge Van a few weeks ago, a real clean Arizona rig. Now I'm converting it over to a full time living space for me while staying at my parents house. It's almost done, for now anyway. I'm going to the Van gathering at Lake Havasu November 1st as a first test run and see how it goes and what else I need to do or change. Then my next trip will be the RTR, and by then I hope to be truly full time and have all I need as far as a good set up. I've had Vans most of my life and lived in them before because I had to, now I'm doing it because I want to, totally different feeling. Thanks again for all the info and hope to see you on the road!
Can't wait to see the new conversations! I enjoy watching your channel and learning about the van-lifestyle. Hoping that one day I can live like that as well. The simplicity and the rent free aspect is what I want in my future! Good luck with your upcoming adventures!
