Living ‘off grid’

Good for him, but I actually cannot think of anything worse!

Also I’m wondering if no phones what would happen if anyone was very unwell or had an accident?

I assume although he’s not paying tax he’d still expect medical help if he was ill though and possibly other emergency services, so taking out but not putting in? All very idyllic nanna8 but rather selfish

I assume it’s illegal not to pay your taxes in Australia, as it is here?

Is he making enough money from odd jobs? Seems a bit risky to me but if he’s happy then fair enough.

Good for him nanna8 - he is young, he is working, he is not expecting the taxpayer to fund his lifestyle. But, once the novelty has passed, I have a feeling, once the novelty has worn off, he’ll be back …. Good luck to him whatever he decides.

Medical care isn’t free here, sadly. He is young so hasn’t needed any at this stage. I doubt he earns enough to pay taxes - a lot of in kind stuff like food for jobs I think. I hope it is just a ‘phase’ really, good experience I suppose.

How will he fund his old age?

I’m guessing the novelty will wear off in a couple of years and he has a good trade.

It sounds a lovely way to live as he is young and fit.. I hope he has other people around as well.. and a community.. as he has work he can't be too remote..

Barleyfields

I assume it’s illegal not to pay your taxes in Australia, as it is here?

Maybe he doesn't earn enough to pay tax?

Jaxjacky

I assume although he’s not paying tax he’d still expect medical help if he was ill though and possibly other emergency services, so taking out but not putting in? All very idyllic nanna8 but rather selfish

Yes, this had occurred to me - and the road he drives on aan dthe whole network of modern living that is providing him with a safety net to fall back onto.

He may not need to drive M0nica

I knew several people living off grid when I was younger.
I can't think of many with cars. There was a couple in America we knew off grid who did have a vehicle but used it infrequently.

Not much by way of safety net in America tbh.

We used to call them New Age travellers.

You don’t know you’re born in the UK - it costs $92 for a 5 minute appointment with a GP, you get less than half back. Pretty disgusting but not as bad as the USA.

Not for me, but good for him…..👏🏻👏🏻

I presume the weather is better there than here?
Which would make it a bit easier and nicer?

I know someone here who lived off grid for about 3 years.
Unfortunately she ended up losing her mind.
I dont know if she is ok now or not.

There a whole communities of youngsters living like this, Van life is now a bit of a trend, most work but can move as they please. Of course if you have to purchase anything you pay tax. No life is tax free unless it is a full cashless barter system which is unlikely and not illegal.

Living the life he chooses while he can nanna and as long as he's happy, why not .

DS lives in Aus. and teaches. He's working on a van with the view of 'van life' to save a fortune in rent. We'll have to wait and see whether or not he actually does so.

I lived from my van for 3 years after voluntarily quitting the flat I was renting at the time. I parked in the woods at night and on on verges during the day.

I had camper stoves and little kettles etc, had a army Basha canvas so when it was winter I'd attach it to the top of the van and the other end over trees and it made a really cosy tent!

I had a porta-loo which I emptied at official destinations and had showers at 24/7 trucker stops.

There was all the glorious wildlife during the day/night in the countryside too.

In nice weather I'd bring out a little fold-up table for meals and could have them in the cab or the back of the van.

The only bills I had were keeping the van going/legal etc. and personal expenses.

I loved the road!

Good for him, too many people live the way they ‘should’ rather than the way they want to.

Gap years and wild camping. Not for me, but no reason for negativity.

It sounds good to me.