No Mortgage, No Bills! How This 70-Year-Old Found Freedom in a Van!

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Meet Sherry, a 70-year-old full-time nomad living in her 2019 GMC 2500 van for the past three years. After years of taking long road trips and asking for time off, she retired to embrace the freedom of full-time van life. Now, with no mortgage and almost no bills, she’s living a life of simplicity and adventure. Her story is an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to find freedom on the open road.
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Thanks for watching!

[@CarolGasses]

These interviews always seem to show people with the most peaceful, positive end joyful energy.

[@robertprobel6153]

Just surviving makes you humble...

[@hdtravel1]

Sure - they have found freedom - life is good on the road

[@User-cd8ry]

These are the people to be around.

[@maryatvan]

Surviving, striving and thriving.❤​

[@tracyLoJo]

I'm so inspired by all the 70+ folks travelling and living in their vans with just what they need, which is different for everyone. My kids think I'm crazy for wanting to do this, but I keep telling there are lots of folks doing this. Another good video!

[@cofoothills]

my only concern if for any physical decline such as vision impairment or slowed reaction time, etc. that would cause them to lose their drivers license - then what? I know she said she has a nice nest egg from a home sale, but not all of the elder vanlifers do

[@matthoward1174]

If you are looking for a van,.. try to get one with the double side doors like this. You can open them 90 degrees, and run some cord between them to hang a blanket, or a tarp to make almost a slide out to be able to stand straight up for bathing, or other bathroom stuff. The mechanism is more reliable than a sliding door as well.

[@FATBOY2222]

This is exactly the type of rig I want - SIMPLE!

[@seanhellmann7482]

Get yourself a work van at a minimum a car is not the right choice if you really want to live on the road for any length of time.

[@elenap3096]

💜Her van is wonderful. Simplicity, practical, and peaceful. Well done!

[@mk8to]

That blue round thing she showed as her new potential toilet is the best camp purchase I've made! I have one in green and I tell everyone about it. It adjusts height-wise and with a toilet lid/seat, but also holds like 300 lb. So you can use it as a step stool, a seat, a side table, extra storage... I love mine! I use it in a Eurovan for all of those things, and esp when I want to cook but without putting the poptop up. I just sit on that right in front of my little stove and no leaning over or bumping my head!

[@elenap3096]

What is the brand of the one you have?

[@DavidHuffTexas]

The inside build is very neat and clean. I know everyone has their own opinions about this, but I really like a clean, aesthetic build-out, and this one demonstrates how you can achieve that w/o going overboard on cost.

[@sascha-s7v]

i used to work at uhaul, the vans, pick ups and smallest box trucks stay in one location only (red key chain) so it's all city driving but they are very well maintained, oil changes only, but the trucks get all maint. done at their own locations (their sold at around 100k miles and the vans, pickups 10,000 miles unless that has changed) if you buy the smallest truck (tm) make sure the seat adjusters and heat switches work lol

[@saturninc3786]

Sherry strikes me as a very dear lovely woman, who has been through some stuff but managed to seize the opportunity and go for her dreams. That is just wonderful. Think it is incredibly courageous to live this life at 70 as a single woman. I loved the dressers with those drawers - very practical. My only question/thoughjt is, if it would not be possible to create some sort of step up system in the middel towards the bed, so it is easier to get in and out of bed. Must be difficult, especially at 70 to crawl in there each night. Maybe like two boxes that can be used for storage, one 1/3 ot the height, the other 2/3 of the height, so you can take the smaller top one down at nioght and create a comfortable step-up to bed. Would that be helpful for you, Sherry? I hope you have many wonderful new adventures on your journey with your van. Thank you for sharing your dream with us, and all the best to you - Jason - also thanks Bob!

[@sherryforrest6564]

Hi Jason! Thanks for the step idea! Luckily I'm still in good enough shape so don't need any help climbing up there quite yet, but I'm going to keep your suggestion in mind. Thanks!

[@sydneyvrana]

Me first long 5 month journey (past mid November until this April) as a part time solo traveller from Montreal Quebec and have met so many nice people to get out of solitude. Retired from my 30 years of full time teaching and still work as a musician which i love. Nice balance. I keep my apartment. Finally living my dream. My 26 year old son has a nice Savana RV van and both my sons in Montreal love adventure. My younger 26 year old son did a long trip last summer from Montreal to Banff Alberta Rocky Mountains. This DNA is also in my 2 great sons.🙏❤️

[@Filthy_Mike]

Sounds like most people have a home base. Once I take off, that's it. I won't have anything to go back to.

[@pranichealer3078]

Hi Bob. I have been watching your videos for years now, like so many of us. Could you sometimes ask your older interviewees about their children? I really want to try this life, but have 3 kids in their twenties, and I desire to provide a "safe haven" for them to come home to when they need it (all 3 are still in college). That's the only thing stopping me from doing this. I'm worried it will leave me more disconnected from my grown children. Could you ask your older interviewees about the new family dynamics in their lives with them being on the road?

[@wyattfamily8997]

Perhaps start on the road in month long periods with regular "visits" to home base and see how it works out, then make your decisions.

[@nonya.bizness]

have you discussed with your grownup kids? i've been on the road 8-9 years now and my 30ish daughter thinks i rock for doing vanlife. 😊 she's so glad she doesn't have to worry about me being alone in that big house waiting for her to come visit. i hang out in the mountains with her every summer, working up projects with her on her offgrid land. i've met many travelers who are parents along the way, and never met any who said their decision caused a rift between them and the kids. a couple have said their kids initially thought the parent had lost their mind... lol... but they ended up liking the idea that the parents can come visit. in my very humble opinion, you gave them 20+ years of teaching them to fly. the fact they're all in college speaks to the indication that you succeeded. if one of them ends up needing to be taken care of again for some reason in the future, you can always get off the road and be there for them. but don't put your life on hold for... how long? 5, 10, 20 years? ... get on out here!

[@ReeseDee]

Yea if something happens you can just buy them a van too with the money you save, and travel together 😂

[@roberthadley5957]

Great job Bob great guest nice build Sherry 👍👍

[@bobbyGnOly]

Hello to Sherry from Olympia....Great to hear your story.

[@monikalenz2559]

Completely agree that staying dry is worth the extra expense of a vehicle. One very rainy morning on the Oregon coast I opened my tiny trailer window to see the tent campers all sitting miserably in their cars or on picnic tables because the campsites had flooded. I felt so bad for them.

[@earthrider700]

Respect 😊 I like it simple too.

[@OwnedByACatNamedC.C.]

I did feel inspired after watching another 70 year old woman like myself living free & simply, & yet she has those small measures of comfort that we all crave, at the same time. Thanks for another “kick in the butt” that I need to keep working towards living my best life!👍🏻 🚐

[@BamboozledUS]

Oh! I also recently bought a 2019 GMC! Low roof. Not a real popular truck for van life, but it feels like home to me. I have to keep reminding myself to "KEEP IT SIMPLE." Planning to take 3 months next summer and get out of the Florida heat, And we'll figure out what to do from there. Aiming for mountains and hiking! So far I've insulated and attempting to put in the bed frame and learning about riv-nuts and attaching to the steel bracing. Challenging! I'm thinking about using my stool-on-wheels to move around so I don't have to hunch. (I'm 71.) Bless you!

[@sherryforrest6564]

When we did the build we sat on a stool with wheels and rolled around. Even with thin cardboard on the floor we discovered dents all over the floor when we took the cardboard away, just an fyi....

[@lonknight3197]

​@@sherryforrest6564 Would thick carpet work with the wheels, it is some protection from the dents you mentioned and should make the rolling around only a little harder, helps keep up leg strenght.

[@genespell4340]

​@@sherryforrest6564You just need to put a 1/2" plywood floor in. The stool on wheels is an excellent idea.

[@awesomeniecy9242]

Simple but very practical 😍 love the no build plastic drawers storage underneath the bed appears to have more tiny living space 🥰

[@roberthickey71471]

This build is awesome! So nice and neat, nothing she doesn't need. How refreshing to have everything so incredibly organized and very neat ..

[@BethBoundVanVentures]

Me too! I bathe in a stainless steel bowl :-) it's also a step stool and a dog water bowl in case of emergencies :-) I love your simple build. I'm in a 91 Chevy g30. Mine also has very low mileage :-) let me know if you make it up to New Mexico!!

[@wanderingrenegade771]

Welder on wood work did very well,thank him for allowing us to see his work.

[@sylviajones4907]

Happy birthday, Sherry! Great simple set-up. Thank you for sharing.

[@janetones6221]

Awesome!!! 😎👍👍

[@noopy24]

God bless you. Stay safe😊

[@gregoryhodge9452]

I have to believe that these truck rental companies are swapping the odometers in these vehicles. I can't imagine U Haul selling anything with only eight thousand miles on it.

[@terryhere3889]

Another great video Bob 😊

[@MarkLavender-i5m]

❤ inspiration, longing, speechless

[@jb-ld7zf]

Very inspiring!! She demonstrates anyone can do this and be very happy! ❤

[@robynholliday4794]

It’s great Sherry. I’m almost 73 doing the same in Australia in n a Hiace camper.

[@ramontoro]

Hello from Puerto Rico Bob and cheapRV living friends

[@monkeyshinemmie]

Thank you both.

[@ARealLiveNomad]

Great interview!

[@biffrod24]

Good job Bob

[@teresamessenger5399]

Beautiful van

[@jeremytorgersen]

I appreciate the simplicity, less things that can go wrong!! Freedom!!

[@Hawaiishelldiver]

Just heard that the fastest growing homeless demographic in America is its senior citizens. Nice to see someone doing it because they want to rather than have to.

[@josephmarino3045]

Hello Sherry. On the driver side where you don't have side doors you can get some windows put in for light and ventilation. At night or nap time you can have some ventilation with the doors locked You can also get a roof vent like the RVs have that open and close with a fan option.

[@debraisola9037]

Sherry you are living my dream. Minimalist, and introvert who loves traveling.. Alone but never lonely. You are an inspiration. God always near. I am also called BRAT 😅 Pray for you safe happy trails. Thanks Bob for sharing this video 🙌💙

[@keldaMouse]

Lady you are an inspiration, blessings and thanks for sharing!

[@DeborahBackrak]

Nice and functional layout with excellent storage ideas!🥰

[@rebeccapatterson649]

Lucky girl!

[@latashaprentice4731]

Hi Bob I enjoy your videos🎉❤

[@boatdesigner12]

Add a high top. It will change your life

[@MARKCANEER]

Great Video, Thank Y'all for sharing.🙏👍🐕‍🦺🇺🇲

[@jhemnes1]

I have a 2015 GMC Savanna and I love it. I wouldn't trade rigs with anyone😊

[@jeanh9822]

Very well organized van!

[@DragonflyW]

Wonderful build. Neat & spacious. Thnz Bob & Sherry😊

[@Kirbygal55]

I love what she has done with her interior. I like the carved stick. It adds a bit of uniqueness to the van. It has a open feeling to it. Although she does have a lot, it doesn't look cluttered at all.

[@ronpeted]

Very nice.

[@janetkoball44]

Sherie is sold on free living. And I don't blame her at all and mainly because the alternative for so many of us is just being stuck in a box and that is IF we can afford that box. The box doesn't move and the utility bills can keep you too hot or too cold. Your neighbors are just out there somewhere and you usually don't know them. So glad she is happy with how she is now. Thanks Bob for another great interview and tour.

[@jaimhaas5170]

I noticed the stick first thing. Good gift.

[@robinw285]

Cool way to drain fridge. 🎉 Happy for her.

[@carenjobe1228]

Very nice tiny home, great attitude and good ideas! 😊

[@Cill441]

Thank you, Bob and Sherry, for the beautiful story and great build. The potty story is true for many people. We as females sit squat far more in the releasing ourselves. The safty ideas are really an important thing for us all. As women, we must look appear strong and not alone even if we are. My parents taught me this as a female. Maybe it was in keeping their children safe to not draw attention. I suppose this is something I've always remembered to be prepared to flee for our lives, safty first. Not to live with fear. We would miss far more living in fear than we ever will be in preparedness & in experiencing our wonderful lives. 😊 Sherri, I love your build story with your son n law in metal works, not wood. Something for everyone. 💛☕️😊

[@cotter9751]

Absolutely love this build and her practical approach to a nomadic life. Thanks for this interview and tour! The art - walking stick is a lovely touch.

[@Jeff-wb5rt]

Nice simple van like mine ❤

[@jonathanjacques7250]

I could do this I think, but in a reg. Small RV with a restroom.

[@aprilbaxter2578]

Very nice interview! I'm glad Sherry found her "peaceful" and "happy" place. Good luck to her.

[@az55544]

These videos help me, at 59/single/childless, plan how not to age regarding finances, network and plan for my final stage. I used to roadtrip all the time for rock climbing then lived in my Honda Fit for 3 years looking for farm land. The stress regarding personal safety, lack of privacy, space for crafting/creating, healthy eating. I just can't see aging this way.

[@RusselynConnor]

Wonderful van!😃

[@bvmb5193]

Thank you Sherry and Bob - Love your set up - Blessings!! 🙏

[@cenedraleaheldra5275]

Good on you.. Safe Travels.

[@mikielikeslife]

I love those hefty totes. I have the taller ones....I use 9 of them for storage and the base of my bed in my van (put a holed piece of wood for air flow on top of them).

[@Unhinged_Adventures_Nomads]

Such a simple but organized van 🥰

[@darkwhitedirewolf]

Can Understand lonely, but never alone, looking forward to my switch to vanlife

[@Zeldagirl64]

Nice ❤

[@ladikmk]

That is a super nice van and it works for her, so that's all that counts.

[@Hntrbay]

Good morning

[@KA9DSL]

I have a Chevy Express also, I used cut to fit Foamular R-3 on my back windows, works much much better that the Reflexit you have on. I also put R-13 fiberglass insulation inside the back and the two side doors. It lowered the road noise a lot.

[@cathytauscher6760]

I bought the telescoping toilet too but only use it outside (pop up tent) since I am car camping don’t have a van yet! I totally relate to the bathroom situation it caused me MUCH anxiety but I have a hack that I have figured out for the car if I’m not going to be near a bathroom.

[@nancyoppegard6665]

Bob, i enjoy all of your RV van tours and the accompanying life stories. Is there a reason most people don't have a calendar hanging in their rig? I couldn't live without mine. Nancy in Mobile.

[@JerryArafatso-zy3gz]

Good question👍

[@AvaGld2309]

Wow I never noticed that. Maybe because phones are uses so much for travel, battery stats, entertainment. We're never really without the date and time.

[@HoboGardenerBen]

Calendars are great, they don't have distracting notifications. Pencil\paper has the same benefot for brainstorming, no distractions, just you and trhe empty space of the paper waiting to be filled with your thoughts. Great way to plan.

[@juliec9]

Nancy what's on your calendar?

[@lesliehunter1823]

They are no longer constrained by time?

[@lynnef3297]

👋 Nice set-up. 😀👍

[@AbnRgrDocDad]

Thnx

[@juanitakauffman6336]

Nice setup.

[@donwyates]

I really like her bed platform, though the head clearance would annoy me, I think. Very clean build!

[@givegracevii]

The video ‘premiere’ option isn’t too great on our end Bob, if you might consider forgoing this. We love the videos regardless! Thanks you for the wonderful channel.

[@HoboGardenerBen]

Yeah, I don't ever like that. I check the subscriptions section as my main window to new videos and premier videos show up there before I can watch them. So by the time it can be watched I have forgptten about it and moved on to the newer videos I can watch immediately. I am not interested in having some outside schedule decide when I watch anything.

[@jamesjackson7752]

Nice😊

[@MichelleSeverino-kd7ge]

[@johnniemontgomery6682]

Very nice set-up

[@BethDinan]

Bob, You're looking rather buff! Maybe you can share your exercise plan with us?

[@honoluluhelpers]

#Grateful 🙏 love you guys, thank you, #mahalo

[@tashashouse]

I want to live this simply. What about doctor appointments & prescriptions?

[@trippin6118]

Can you do some more car tours?

[@kinflorida579]

I just found your videos and subscribed, but I have one question, where does everyone dump their toilet waste? I feel it would be hard to find a place to dump it if you're in a city setting..

[@MrBluoct]

I’d like many to have others assist some with safety concerns with the add of appropriate, proven unassuming, functional rooftop / corner lights on sensors that enable 360 degree views with night vision and a small interior monitor option

[@alwaysbetruetoyou]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@pedrozatravel]

Just shows there are lots of options out there.

[@tk-lf1ny]

Hey could certain vehicles be converted into housing, remove the engine to tow a home away.

[@baskervillebee6097]

I got a twisty stool things and had to send it back because my hands couldn't get it to open.

[@campvanrvadventures]

NICE

[@josephgallagher945]

You're never off the grid living out of a vehicle. Gotta buy gas, get insurance & licence plates, etc. Gotta get it fixed. Also need a physical mailing address/P.O. box. 🤷‍♂️ you also will eventually need internet access.

[@frankpettinato2324]

🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@goodtalker]

Hey Bob...how did your ablation go? Thank you. Roy, So Cal.

[@thompson121]

Folks take note what she said about that bed. It is definitely way too high I would lower that at least a foot 😊

[@carolinedemars5879]

I have my van but just c'ant leave home and go. Don't know where.

[@suethornton2055]

❤❤

[@chucktheperson1063]

👍👍

[@beverley-joynicholl9921]

Can u share name of toilet she showed us but no name was given. Thank you.

[@larryeagleson3182]

No ventilation fan?

[@sherryforrest6564]

Hi Larry, I'm the one in the video. I was on the fence about putting in a fan, just couldn't bring myself to cutting a hole in the roof yet. But it's wired for a fan if I change my mind. I have 4 USB/battery fans I use and so far they've worked well.