In the last several weeks, I've traveled all over for both client and personal work all while sleeping in my car.
I also took a one-week break from the newsletter to rest and to plan for the rest of the year.
Here's what the travel looked like.
π Bend, Oregon > Boise
βοΈ Boise > Austin,
βοΈ Austin > Boise
π Boise > Couer D Alane
π Coeur D'Alene > Ft. Collins, CO
π Ft. Collins > Jackson Hole
π Jackson Hole > Bozeman.
There's plenty more to come this fall as I work on filming for Grumpy Bear and other clients.
Sounds expensive, but I can't afford to stay in the majority of the travel destination spots I go to.
Many of these places are $300 / night on the low end during peak season.
This is why I sleep in my 2008 Toyota Sequoia.
Let's talk about that.
When I started working on it, the focus was on the inside of the vehicle for sleeping.
Inside Changes
- Removed all seats
- Built a floor
- Kitchen by CampChef
- 5 Gallon Drinking Water
- Jackery 500
- Eccoflow 1000
- New stereo with car play
- DeepSleep Mattress for a second sleeper
Exterior Upgrades
- 8 Gallon Tank up top - with Shower
- Awning
- New Headlights (just for fun)
- Yakima Roof Storage
- BF Goodrich K02 Tires
- Raceline Wheels
There were five main things I bought at the very beginning, and they all turned out to get as much usage as I expected:
Jackery 500
I should have spent the extra money on a bigger one, but I was on a budget. I bought the solar panel with this, which is needed to keep your fridge and computer going. Now I'm using a Jackery 2000, which is very expensive, but it was an investment I made after this lifestyle was generating income.
Yakima Roof Rack
Super helpful to store things out of your vehicle.
Dometic Fridge
I went electric cooler immediately to avoid dealing with Ice. Ice takes up space, and turns into water.
Mattress
I started with this trifold mattress, but wish I would have gone right to my current one. I'm a 215 lbs retired football player and bobsledder. These foam mattresses just hurt my back.
Camp Stove
I started with a basic stove from the local store. It got me started and worked fine.
Verizon hotspot.
This was a waste of money. I ended up using my cell phone hotspot for about the same amount. We'll talk Internet next.
Several Internet Options
I have been working remotely for about 15 years, so I'm pretty savvy as long as I have an internet connection.
Starlink Satellite
Costs about $150/mo, but a game changer for remote work. Startup cost has gone up, so it depends on your work and how often you'll be camping. I may spend a week out at a spot.
WeBoost for Cell Service
This works very well. I've sold so many of these, and I'm not even an affiliate.
Netgear Hot Spot
This was a brand deal, and I told them I wouldn't do it unless it worked better than my phone. I tested it on my Drive from San Diego to Montana. It outperformed my phone and coffee shop Wi-Fi. This replaces Starlink when I'm in the city or an airport.
The next question is, what do I do for a living to be able to make this possible?
In short, I work for myself.
Long, I have several different brands, clients, and teams that I manage that help make it possible. Everything is based on content production.
Draftr
We build the tools and teaching to help freelancers and solopreneurs build their businesses faster and easier. My main website was built with Draftr. It hosts my links and newsletter.
Draftr Media
My main source of income - is a content agency that produces YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram content for brands.
DeepSnap
What most people see. A couple of select brand partnerships, presets, art, and miscellaneous things
Grumpy Bear Coffee
We launched with a limited drop, and will have more blends soon. The hats and mugs are already popular, and we have a lot more coming.
King Sports
YouTube channel and website that provides strength & conditioning for parents, coaches, and athletes. This is the project I taught myself to code with. (Ruby on Rails)
I've been working for the past 13 years to get these brands launched, and 3 years to dial in how I camp - it takes time.
This is an overview, I'll go into more of the nuances in our upcoming articles and content.
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