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Vanabode: Travel and Live Forever on $20 a Day
Revolutionary new travel book shows everyone regardless of current financial condition how to camp, travel and live forever anywhere in the United States on $20 a day. Author Jason Odom and his wife Kelly have traveled over 700,000 miles in 15 years enjoying the sumptuous beauty of pristine national parks and the exciting nightlife of big cities like San Francisco and Las Vegas. Vanabode shows you how to earn a living working in some of the most exciting places in the United States like national parks and state recreational areas, how to sleep safely and comfortably in your own bed every night; how to eat better than you ever have, how to cook for free without electricity, fire or fuel; how to get rid of all our current debt and regain your freedom; and most importantly - how you can do it forever if you want. Do you want to travel for 3 months? How about 3 years? Vanabode shows you how down to the tiniest detail and you do NOT need to make any expensive purchases to make it happen. The Vanabode sales page states "I will show you how to safely travel ANYWHERE in the United States, sleep in your own luxurious clean bed every night, have a hot bath every day, eat fresh delicious meals, and experience incredible adventures for $20 a day. You will never feel neglected, bored or uncomfortable. I promise to show you how to sleep better than you ever have, how to get the time you want and need to relax or pursue your favorite hobby, how to eat healthier, and how to travel to new exciting destinations of your choosing forever. For those that don't have any savings or retirement income I include a list of more than 30 legitimate easy ways to earn money while traveling all over the country. You need this book if any of the following apply to you: if you are so bored with your lifestyle that you don't feel like you're living at all, if you have household expenses so great that you never get ahead or get to do anything fun, if you would like to happily camp, travel or live anywhere on $20 a day, if you are retired and want to keep a house but still travel cheaply, if you would like to downsize from a large RV to save money and time while adding destinations, if you have children you would like to travel and camp easily and cheaply with, if you would like to take time off work to write a book, recover from a tragedy, or change your life, if you are a foreign tourist coming to the U.S. for a long holiday, if are you a survivalist who wants to live off the grid, if you want to disappear and leave your past behind, becoming invisible escaping creditors or stalkers, if you are heading for divorce, blaming your marriage instead of your life, for the boredom killing you, if you want to run your own mobile business? Readers thoughts on Vanabode follow: "I've been motorhome traveling for 14 years and I've never seen anything like this" Brandon in Florida; "If you want to travel a lot, and do it cheaply, this is the only way I see to do it", Percy; "This is absolutely the best money I have ever spent on a practical show me how to do it book" Maggie, professor at a Florida Community College; "If enough people get a grasp on this book the housing recovery will really be far off. I mean after reading Vanabode who needs a house?" Donald; "I was stunned when I saw his list of all the places I could work, without experience, while camping." Sandra; "Lots of pictures that show you exactly what he is talking about. Love it!" Wayn; "If you believe life is more than a 2 week vacation once a year then this book is your ticket out, at least it was for me". NEW THIRD EDITION! Contains 60% more pictures and 22% more content. More on these subjects vandweller, vehicle dwelling, van dwelling, living in vehicle, living in van, rv, travel, camp, explore, road, adventure, fun, offgrid, cheap, live, retire, early, quit, work, travel, vacation, van, motorhome, camper, travel trailer, disappear,
- GenresTravel
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2009
55 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 21, 2011
How do you camp, travel, and live forever on $20 a day? In a utility van, you know, the ones without windows on the side. It's essentially how to live homeless glamorously, or rather how to live homeless less homelessly. It's not for everyone, but lots of practical information on how to do it. If you have the inclination to travel to places you might not otherwise be able to visit, or you're about to become homeless, buy a van and do it.
January 3, 2015
I love the simplicity and FREEDOM this lifestyle offers!!!!
June 9, 2017
It is enjoyable to read a book by someone who is passionate about the topic which is evident in this book.
The book is useful for getting ideas and practical information on traveling and even living on a low budget because it is based on real experience of the author. Unfortunately much of the information is useful only in the context of travel and life in the USA and may be of limited use in other countries.
Thie author spends too great a portion of this short book on justifying and "selling" his style of life. Many of the points he raises are worthwhile thinking about but I am not convinced that this is for me. Part of this may be due to the fact that I, also, have departed from the traditional mainstream in a totally different way and have found that there are other alternatives to the what he proposes.
I also find some of his rationalizations to be biased and not necessarily true. Example (paraphrasing one of his arguments): All big business cares about is making money regardless of who gets hurt or how much damage they do. This is a popular notion but does little to justify the conclusions which he is trying to establish except, possibly, to convince others who think the same way that they are all in the same boat.
Another issue I find is that Odom advocates taking advantage of "free" or low-cost benefits which are paid for by the taxes or purchases of people who do not break free of the rat-race he retires from. In addition to not seeming to realize that if his way of life were to become very widespread many of these freebies would cease to exist his advocating taking advantage of the largess provided by the very system he chooses to escape carries a whiff of hypocrisy with it.
The book is useful for getting ideas and practical information on traveling and even living on a low budget because it is based on real experience of the author. Unfortunately much of the information is useful only in the context of travel and life in the USA and may be of limited use in other countries.
Thie author spends too great a portion of this short book on justifying and "selling" his style of life. Many of the points he raises are worthwhile thinking about but I am not convinced that this is for me. Part of this may be due to the fact that I, also, have departed from the traditional mainstream in a totally different way and have found that there are other alternatives to the what he proposes.
I also find some of his rationalizations to be biased and not necessarily true. Example (paraphrasing one of his arguments): All big business cares about is making money regardless of who gets hurt or how much damage they do. This is a popular notion but does little to justify the conclusions which he is trying to establish except, possibly, to convince others who think the same way that they are all in the same boat.
Another issue I find is that Odom advocates taking advantage of "free" or low-cost benefits which are paid for by the taxes or purchases of people who do not break free of the rat-race he retires from. In addition to not seeming to realize that if his way of life were to become very widespread many of these freebies would cease to exist his advocating taking advantage of the largess provided by the very system he chooses to escape carries a whiff of hypocrisy with it.
February 20, 2019
A Must Read...Life Changing!
If you are tired of the 9 to 5 life, retiring, have financial problems or just want more out of life this book is a must read. No magic, common sense, logical and detailed account of what one coupled did to improve their life that in part all of us could benefit from. Also, an adventure, written by a person with a real lust for life. Love it.
If you are tired of the 9 to 5 life, retiring, have financial problems or just want more out of life this book is a must read. No magic, common sense, logical and detailed account of what one coupled did to improve their life that in part all of us could benefit from. Also, an adventure, written by a person with a real lust for life. Love it.
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June 13, 2020While the author writes with the absolutism of a cult leader, Vanabode is a fascinating and practical look at his nomadic lifestyle. He and his wife travel the US in a plain van, living on about $20 a day each, and this book does show you how you could follow suit while also preaching its benefits.
It's a fun and interesting read even if you don't plan to live out of a van.
It's a fun and interesting read even if you don't plan to live out of a van.
July 4, 2020
Changed my imagination forever! I can now imagine living on less money than I ever thought possible. And, it's just not complicated: The book has step-by-step instructions. After I got over being dazzled by the possibilities, I decided it might be somewhat less comfortable than a house, but living in a van doesn't look much worse, either. (I think everyone should read it.)
February 8, 2018
An inspirational book to simplify your life to the essentials and live a life of adventure! Odom shows the reader how s/he can escape from the shackles of modern life to live a more fulfilling life while on the road, exploring new places and having new experiences.
July 12, 2018
I good reading and thought provoking book
I chose this rating because of the large variety of ideas presented. I like to read books by authors who actually experience what they write about.
I chose this rating because of the large variety of ideas presented. I like to read books by authors who actually experience what they write about.
February 10, 2018
Some good information, but a more informal writing style. Good enough that I suggested my husband read it as we prepare to live on the road full-time.
January 25, 2019
90 percent great
The book appears well researched and transparent as to his opinions. There IS a little preaching but the vast majority is good stuff to think about. I recommend.
The book appears well researched and transparent as to his opinions. There IS a little preaching but the vast majority is good stuff to think about. I recommend.
February 18, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book. The book is fascinating to read even if you have no intention of doing ANY of the things he writes about, simply from the perspective of learning about alternative ways of living. The writing style is friendly and easy to read – the author writes in a conversational tone, keeping your attention and never boring you, even when he gets down to some of the finer details of how to live this lifestyle. And he's not only thoroughly researched the topic (by living it for many years), but he truly believes in it, and his passion for Vanaboding comes through in his writing.
Now, this book is written from a two-person perspective. I can see where, if it were just you, or you and one other person, you could actually implement the tips in this book to start living a Vanaboding lifestyle. But for me - with a husband and four kids, including a toddler and a nine-year-old with special needs - it's not feasible whatsoever. BUT the book still has value even to people for whom this lifestyle isn't an option. There are some great travel destinations described in the book, even if you don't get to your location via a customized van. And many of the tips could be useful for shorter trips, like a mini-vacation weekend getaway with your significant other without having to dredge up the money for a hotel. (We have a minivan, so can utilize some of the information to make a shorter minivan trip both possible and comfortable).
Overall, a fun book to read whether you're interested in living the life or just curious about what it's all about.
I received this ebook in exchange for my honest review; all opinions are my own.
Now, this book is written from a two-person perspective. I can see where, if it were just you, or you and one other person, you could actually implement the tips in this book to start living a Vanaboding lifestyle. But for me - with a husband and four kids, including a toddler and a nine-year-old with special needs - it's not feasible whatsoever. BUT the book still has value even to people for whom this lifestyle isn't an option. There are some great travel destinations described in the book, even if you don't get to your location via a customized van. And many of the tips could be useful for shorter trips, like a mini-vacation weekend getaway with your significant other without having to dredge up the money for a hotel. (We have a minivan, so can utilize some of the information to make a shorter minivan trip both possible and comfortable).
Overall, a fun book to read whether you're interested in living the life or just curious about what it's all about.
I received this ebook in exchange for my honest review; all opinions are my own.
November 11, 2012
Odom's Vanabode is a insightful read if you're like many of us, a frugal traveler. Yet you still want to travel in style without roughing it. It's a minimalist lifestyle or as the author calls it simplifying.
Because I'm a 'foodie' my favorite chapter was about food. Odom also lives to eat rather than the unhealthy eat to live diet that so many Americans do. Just because you're living in a van doesn't mean you have to eat less nutritious processed food. He points out that once you go off the Interstate highway, you can find farmer's markets and buy fresh food for a reasonable price. Using his method you can also splurge occasionally and eat out in restaurants. The details in this chapter will even show you the type of cooler to buy (very important) and how to properly store your food.
The lessons learned in Vanabode are somewhat applicable to the non traveler as well.
By applying Odom's principles you can maximize your travel allowing you an extended journey, without sacrificing a good sleep(also a great chapter),personal hygiene and security.
The book is very well written and I'd highly recommend it. It's an investment to a more productive and enjoyable life.
lifetime email support from author
Because I'm a 'foodie' my favorite chapter was about food. Odom also lives to eat rather than the unhealthy eat to live diet that so many Americans do. Just because you're living in a van doesn't mean you have to eat less nutritious processed food. He points out that once you go off the Interstate highway, you can find farmer's markets and buy fresh food for a reasonable price. Using his method you can also splurge occasionally and eat out in restaurants. The details in this chapter will even show you the type of cooler to buy (very important) and how to properly store your food.
The lessons learned in Vanabode are somewhat applicable to the non traveler as well.
By applying Odom's principles you can maximize your travel allowing you an extended journey, without sacrificing a good sleep(also a great chapter),personal hygiene and security.
The book is very well written and I'd highly recommend it. It's an investment to a more productive and enjoyable life.
lifetime email support from author
March 2, 2011
Wow...I couldn't live like this but it certainly is interesting. Lets the reader know how little we really need to live happily.
March 14, 2017
useful if this is something you want to do
rereading as of march 2017 SUPER PUMPED
rereading as of march 2017 SUPER PUMPED
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews