The Richest Man in Slab City, Last Free Place in America

[@TechieTrevor]

I started watching caleb hammer at around this same sub count. Romain, your personality and compassion really shine through in your videos. I'm calling it, 100k by the end of the year. Keep the unique content coming!

[@itsRomainFaure]

Wow, thank you! Let’s make it happen 😊

[@frlouiegoad4087]

7/24/2024 he is doing much better than I! My SSI $900!

[@enstigatorofficial]

Translation: Horsey was renting out rooms illegally in a house and when the college kids burnt it down, he had no insurance coverage or permits for what he had been doing it. Then he fled.

[@teresamycelia]

Sometimes I feel foolish for being responsible and paying off all my debt.

[@tshandy1]

Don't feel foolish for being sensible and clear-headed and debt free.

[@stacycz]

I used to feel the same way. Now I feel proud of myself. ❤ Keep one going.

[@comment2250]

No, don't. You continue to be responsible and pay off your debt(s). This 75 year old fool of a person is a terrible example of what it means to be a mature, responsible adult. He believes he's beating the system, playing the game he accuses the credit card companies are playing. It's people like him that make people like you feel like a sucker for doing the right thing, but you're not. If you try to do what he is doing, it will backfire on you because your conscience will bother you, plus in a credit based financial system you keeping your credit history clean does allow you to do things this man can't. Like something simple like booking a flight, renting a car, or anything that requires a credit check.

[@teachingbeats]

​@comment2250 you mean like how all the highest worth companies game the system to not pay taxes, find every loophole, file for bankruptcies multiple times without hesitation...oh and the billionaires, oh...and the politicians- all doing the same...yeah we should all make sure we keep funding them with our "responsibilities " because the country is winning for sure. They certainly earn everything they have and definitely not off our backs right? Who's conscience should be bothering them?

[@tonyl6385]

You're the good dude. This old man is just pathetic and a great example of what NOT to do. It is what it is.

[@TinaLeder]

I'm loving this Slab City series!

[@itsRomainFaure]

Thank you Tina for continuing to be a loyal member too I really appreciate 😁

[@mogain9258]

Same!

[@SLOC1488]

i love you 😍

[@NYLor00]

Romain is a great listener and interviewer. He refrains from passing judgement in even the most unusual circumstances.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Thank you for the positive comment, I appreciate :)

[@anncromarty2590]

Whitehorse, eating pop tarts and smoking weed....I love this channel romaine. Again, you are the best interviewer, the way you can connect with anyone, anywhere.

[@itsRomainFaure]

I appreciate :) yes this was an interesting interview indeed haha

[@Laughing-doves]

I lived in the Virgin Island s for a few years in a little pink cottage overlooking the caribbean ocean. I met a young guy age 28 who lived in the woods. He slept in a hammack high up in the trees - the hammack had a misquoto net over it. He had a rock for a coffee table - a mirror hung on a tree trunk so he could shave. He made straw hats out of palm leaves and sold them to the tourist. He did not have any regular job - he showered down the road at a friends house who had an outdoor shower. He had no rent bills, no electricity bills, no gas bills, - no bills at all - he would run up a food bill at the cafe down the road on the bay where he ate breakfast and dinner . He would run up a $200 bill each month and pay it at then end of the month. He was an Irish/Italian American from Connecticut - his father worked back in the states in a nuclear power plant. He did not get along with his dad, and as a teenager he was slow in school because he had dyslexia and the doctor diagnosed him with a brain tumor but he said , no not me and ran away to live on a tropical island and he has been living in that tree for over eight years. That was back in 1993. He was still there when I left the island.

[@itsRomainFaure]

WOW! Thank you for providing such detailed description! Fascinating story :)

[@Laughing-doves]

@@itsRomainFaure He is a character in my screenplay.

[@BombFiya]

I lived in st croix usvi and I met a guy similar to that named Kareem and he lived in the bush and grew weed on a mountain ,it was a group of rastafarians living in a treehouse community offgrid ,it was out of this world hearing them Jam and play music , they lobster dive ,fish but mostly they sell coconut water for tourist when I first seen this living I've always wanted to live like that earing coconut mangos bananas everyday for free in food forest .

[@Laughing-doves]

@@BombFiya Cool

[@shannonjones3714]

Thanks for sharing this with us!

[@TheahLil]

Romain, this series is A+++!!! It feels like a documentary AND finance, almost athropological study. Money truly is a common thread by which we all live, but we all can navigate it in our own ways! These people are really showing that you don't need to live like everyone else to survive in this world. I love that

[@itsRomainFaure]

You are spot on ! This is exactly what I was trying to show :)

[@asavannah7439]

Very interesting interview. As long as White Horse is staying healthy he’ll be fine

[@jdrankwalter]

Romain is going to be on CNN soon. This was great interviewing.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Hahaha thanks for the support 😊

[@MARIONCunningham-b9b]

I was looking forward to watching another video from Slab City and it didn’t disappoint. Awesome, thank you. 🇨🇦

[@itsRomainFaure]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Financial_CleanUp]

Romain, this was awesome. Extremely interesting story. I love all of the creativity of Slab City and the hustle! Great concept, definitely different than our usual interviewing style.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Thank you so much! Yes trying something different :)

[@adriennecruz3843]

Like this on-site visit. Thanks for your vids.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Glad you enjoy it! Thank you Adrienne :)

[@teachersherrie8420]

I love these kind of videos. Please continue showing us unconventional ways to make money where it proves you don’t need million dollars to live comfortably & satisfied. I really enjoy seeing your older guests. I don’t agree with him maxing out the CC though but I love hearing his story and how he’s navigating retirement.

[@srinivasgp]

Ha ha ha... The entirety of the world lies largely in between silicon valley million dollars and slab city. And trust me there's a lot of life to live for between these extremities...

[@nicheblondie]

We need more content like this! I didn’t even know a place like this existed! I love the kindness and respect you show to everyone 😊😊

[@itakenaps]

This was a great edition. I look forward to more episodes similar to this.

[@itsRomainFaure]

HELLO !!! Thank you for being a supporter of the channel! I truly appreciate your support! Feel free to reach out to me directly at [e-mail]

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

Fascinating story. This man is really wheeling and dealing there in Slab City the best he can. He is making a living there, more or less. I am sure the bathroom and shower give him nice chunk change. I do not ever encourage racking up credit cards and then refusing to pay them. Yikes! LOL Thank you, Romaine for another vlog in Slab City. This place is amazing - I never knew these things about this place.

[@TheahLil]

This guy has it figured out, where to make his government pension more than cover all his expenses and then some! What a happy guy

[@itsRomainFaure]

Yes he seemed very happy indeed haha :)

[@ledear3024]

Another slab city? Yes! I am excited to watch and already thumbs up. Great to see your subscriber count climbing too! Great video Romain!

[@itsRomainFaure]

Let me know what you think :)

[@ledear3024]

@@itsRomainFaure watched it in full and it was fantastic. It not only provided numbers but also followed him through how he earned money through the year and kept me very engaged to listen. I thought it was hilarious the conversation you two had about his credit card usage and I really look forward to seeing how you continue your channel with the wide variety you provide us subscribers! I think it could be very interesting to have you as an almost financial traveler who visits certain locations, interviews people in that location, and learn how they live and their finances. It gives you not only flexibility into topics, but also some fun of expanding the way your channel could be marketed. And it might be fun if this became a career that you could literally travel and enjoy yourself for work. But thats just me thinking aloud lol.

[@StaciaBielka]

Who the heck rents these? At $30 per night? We were just in Nevada staying for $40 at Jackpot, having normal toilet, shower and AC.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Atypical experience has a price :)

[@Hashdollars]

Who buys a ramble shack for $8,500 in slab city lol it’s free there You could be a better hostel for $2,000

[@stevierayripple]

@@Hashdollars HaHa,,, and White Horse says it's worth $40,000 but would take $25.000 for a quick sale .... HILARIOUS 😆😆😆

[@reby1583]

Mad max living and business 😮😅

[@itsRomainFaure]

Pretty much :)

[@frederickvalencia4976]

If the economy keeps going on how it's going we are going to build roads to Slap city 😂

[@itsRomainFaure]

Not a bad spot haha

[@NateLives]

Never heard of slab city before. Interesting video!

[@asavannah7439]

Romain, I just finished binge watching all 61 videos of yours! Looking forward to the next one!

[@itsRomainFaure]

WOOW! THAT IS CRAZY :) Which one ended up being your favorite? Give me the top 3 haha

[@asavannah7439]

@@itsRomainFaure The two videos with the 67 year old lady were great. You completely changed her outlook on life 🥰 And the guy who volunteered in the Ukraine war was very inspirational. Your Slab City series is also great.

[@asavannah7439]

@@itsRomainFaure You can start counting your videos now, I started doing it for you 😉

[@itsRomainFaure]

@@asavannah7439 awesome! Noted 😊

[@HeyShae]

OMG the segment at 9:00 White Horse be wiling 😅This is such a good episode with moments that are so funny to me

[@mikekares-b8q]

He's like King Shit of Turd Island.

[@MrLeifBeaver]

That was very interesting. Thanks for providing a glimpse into their life.

[@amoondria]

Love this series Romain. It's just super interesting to see a different type of economy, let's say ☺️ Keep them coming! 💪

[@stephentaege6255]

What a absolute delight watching Whitehorse he don't mix words hes the real deal I've just paid off my 1thousand dollar credit card 💳 just cut card up cheers Stephen 🤠⭐🦅✌️👍

[@itsRomainFaure]

Congratulations !!!

[@mtb4657]

Thank you for another incredible video!!!!!!! You are helping so many people💥.

[@jeffs9850]

These are so fascinating. Thanks for doing it!

[@itsRomainFaure]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@superflypheelign]

Great short series. This can be award winning content for you. I'd like to see you search out and visit other alternative economies like Slab City.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Yes ! I appreciate your support, surprisingly those videos didn’t work out yet :( it won’t stop my creativity 😁

[@raccooncity8356]

This KZbinr really does do a very good job with these videos.

[@chevchelioz6663]

I love this channel! Grtz Netherlands !

[@itsRomainFaure]

Thank you so much :)

[@ameliethewlis4325]

These are so interesting! I didn’t know Slab City or the concept was a thing. I love that it’s finance from a different perspective and shows people can live with nothing

[@itsRomainFaure]

Thank you Amelie yes this is definitely has a different twist :)

[@markjohnson5982]

$30 a night and free crabs 🦀 I'm in😂

[@ancaanca36]

😊This IS very interesting thank you🎉

[@NC-dv8yf]

Very good again ! It reminds me of that Loretta Lynn song “Fist city”…. New version …. 🎶 “ if you dont want to go to slab city, you better detour around my town” 🎶 😂

[@itsRomainFaure]

😃

[@lisapupillo1724]

That was an awesome interview! You asked all the questions I was wondering about, esp how much he paid for stuff and what he charges and makes. So interesting.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for trusting me with your time !

[@mogain9258]

Slab City us one of the stops Christopher McCandless made, as featured in In Into the Wild. I can see why it would attract tourists.

[@LisaHale-yl2vr]

Slab City is not all riff-raff, many artists, entrepreneurs, low income families, visitors/tourists and some riff raff (just like any other city or town) and there is rules/etiquette like any community. And it's set up with different camps (like neighborhoods, community buildings, water for sale/delivery, Restaurant/Bar, Concert Area, even a Library. Slab City is an example of how people don't need every amenity, they don't need to live in Suburbia in a lilly white neighborhood or in the inner city in an overpriced closet the real estate agent calls an efficiency studio or retire in a gated community like the Villages just to feel accepted, to be part of a community. People can live outside the "norm" and build a thriving eclectic community.

[@Fayarin]

Super unique video! Thank you!

[@Emilymk97]

I am enjoying this series. My aunt chose this life in the Mojave. It is interesting to see how she might have lived.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Wow interesting!

[@missmia196]

What happened to her?

[@Emilymk97]

@missmia196 unfortunately, she had an addiction for a lot of her adult life, so we didn't see her while she was using and she got sick from sharing needles. She and her husband lived in their community for about 30ish years. She always had a family to come back to if she ever didn't want to live in the community. I remember her taking a couple of breaks to get clean and sobriety finally stuck, but she always wanted to go back where she felt the most cared for.

[@rwiconcepts4492]

This dude White Horse is hilarious. He gives no fuks. Love it. Thats FREEDOM.🤣😂

[@chuckles1357]

I enjoyed this! Really interesting, something a little different!

[@itsRomainFaure]

Yay, thank you!

[@jdrankwalter]

Is there a death count per year in this hot, non-running-water city?

[@itsRomainFaure]

I am not sure if there is an official one … but people do die of heat during the summer months :(

[@networkinc.6825]

Watch other videos,,many die every summer

[@HeyShae]

This guy would be my grandpa if he decided to just say F it, lol.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Hello Frank :)

[@Aquaria2291]

I hate that I'm way too bougie to live in Slab City. Why did God burden me with this curse. 😭

[@itsRomainFaure]

It is not for everyone I would say :)

[@JointFive]

Living near resources and a hot shower are not bougie

[@networkinc.6825]

​@@JointFive,compared to life on the slab,,,darn right it is

[@LizLandis-gz1vz]

I enjoy watching your videos, love the slab city series, kind of cool to see different lifestyles.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@yangeislandslegal]

I like this guy...i wish to reach old like him

[@itsRomainFaure]

White Horse is fun indeed :)

[@JohnAllsopp-jk2mn]

I have a home, morgage(small one $700 a month and my car/home insurance $190....life insurance for me and my wife. We rent out 2 of our rooms and the roommates pay electric and utilities bills. I'm 60 and even if I wait until I'm 70 to retire I still couldn't afford to...I'd trade places and turn it into a self sustaining community in a heartbeat. If I had the $

[@blindthief]

I could never live in such community but Slab City's function is an ingenious way to solve a lot of society's problems. States have numerous pockets of land that they don't need or want. These areas should be reserved for the progressives, homeless, and other factions that do not play well with working class conservatives.

[@libertyprime2013]

I’d consider myself working class conservative and I’d rather have people like this as neighbors than hoa Karen’s. And to be honest I would rather the us have less regulations. People should be able to build properties and businesses like this on land they own. Zoning laws are stupid. Local governments and hoas are oppressive. And imo this would be a decent way to solve homelessness

[@trevorstevens3870]

Yo hey now great video I live on the west side of the Salten sea I go over there on my motorcycle

[@itsRomainFaure]

@@trevorstevens3870 thank you !

[@UpChuckCanuck]

Honestly I'm going to end up like Whitehorse eventually. I'll just be living that life in a remote northern area in Canada. Already have a few friends who will join me. Life is just too expensive nowadays. Time to build communities in unincorporated areas

[@caligirlsns]

Number one lie: Slab has no police. Come on man. Slab city is in the USA, CA, El Centro. All those places have police that have domain over Slab city, not to mention Border patrol. They have the same laws as the rest of the USA, CA and county itis in.

[@Freethinkers219]

That place looks pretty cool it's actually pretty clean too organized. I'd like to work here

[@itsRomainFaure]

Nice yes it’s an interesting environment for sure !

[@royh2618]

His house “burnt”. 👀

[@jjkatz]

Cool video!

[@itsRomainFaure]

Thanks for the visit

[@missmaryjanegreen]

Love Slab City!

[@itsRomainFaure]

I really enjoyed it too

[@deerhaven3350]

Wow, Romain, talk about "thinking outside the box" for content, this was really cool to watch. Thank you!

[@itsRomainFaure]

My pleasure!

[@colorful_may]

Romain, I was wondering if you could make video on how the American creditscore works for all us EU people? I have watched sooooo many videos on the private economy of Americans and I still dont know how it basically works and how it is used in the economy… It is only from the pieces of info I have put together i know a little… Thank you for alle the great comtemt!

[@itsRomainFaure]

I take note of your comment :)

[@colorful_may]

@@itsRomainFaure another thing I would love to watch as video, is your rules/guides on expenses procent on like housing, cars and other areas ^^ I am always trying do better, tho I have very little amount of money to move around with on expenses, it would be cool to see hold up next to your guides... 😊

[@itsRomainFaure]

@@colorful_may Nice yes ! We have a free download that I have released on that :) i will have the link in Monday’s video 😊 if you want to check it out

[@TheRudyShow5]

Excellent video and great quality!!!

[@itsRomainFaure]

Thank you so much as always mate !

[@theoceandragonfly]

Living in slab city is a tourist place and home to the ones who deal with the heat 🥵 in the summer. It's not a vacation resort. The rich don't go there unless their nuts. Rich people don't usually want to be in a desert type place with barely any water or electricity. Slab city is cool, though, with the art and stuff. That guy seems to do alright for himself. I am happy for him. 😊 Just don't take advice on credit cards and debt lol.

[@Prague4Introverts]

Mad Max, anyone?

[@itsRomainFaure]

Yes in a way :)

[@turtleanton6539]

Ind3ed

[@xpallodoc1147]

Funny and very entertaining.

[@itsRomainFaure]

I appreciate :)

[@turtleanton6539]

Thats ruff

[@itsRomainFaure]

But he is very happy though !

[@caligirlsns]

Credit is the biggest scam. if you buy a home on credit the interest is compounded daily. Do your research. you will pay 3 times or more. if you use credit to buy stuff you don't need you will be paying for things you no longer have: ie., food, gas, clothes. If you do not have the money for something, ask yourself: Do I want to be a slave to pay off this credit.

[@wetdroidedition2549]

Wow, a low carbon footprint place where Leo DiCaprio or Taylor Swift would never stay in.

[@mcpuffenstuff6213]

I was there 6 years ago on a cross country trip for about 2 weeks chillen with the hippies. I stayed with him at his place the first 2 nights and there was a young couple staying with him, taking care of the place. The guys girlfriend started flirting with me after we had a couple drinks and the dude attacked me. Since he was a weak druggie, I took him down with ease. His girl was a skank so I got out of there right after and found some cool crystal trading stoners up the street and had a blast

[@sophrosyne5900]

They should get some yurts and cobb homes going.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Good ideas!

[@michaeldusso6882]

QUESTION: WHERE do all of these people shit in slab CITY, And how do they dispose of it, and all of their trash ?!?!?

[@clintdaniel9260]

im ready to move there no stress

[@itsRomainFaure]

It’s difficult during the summer months though :)

[@silviahoffmann158]

Where do they shower

[@itsRomainFaure]

There is a small communal shorter at the Hostel :)

[@ppiriou]

Slab City is a Premier destination for all French people who like the adventure. 😆

[@itsRomainFaure]

😅

[@patrickcork9358]

I Was There in April of 2024,

[@itsRomainFaure]

@@patrickcork9358 similar timing :)

[@JohnDouma-sq7vf]

Hot hot hot there 😢😮

[@jordandowland7256]

You’re like VICE News but without the bias and agenda!

[@itsRomainFaure]

Hahah not sure about VICE but mini documentary style :)

[@rss608]

hahaha... made me laugh.... in the desert it is called water haul. there are no wells out there, he has to pay to have water hauled in unless he steals it.... hahahaa... not joking.... $30. per night? are you kidding? bring your own sheets, bring your own dishes bring your own bug killer.... I loved it... employees???? hahaha... everybody works for cash, no employee's, if they get hurt on the job, SOL.... last free place in the US... seen high dollar moho's pull in there, couple of days later the rear doors on their basements are open and most of their junk is gone....BUT it is free to stay there!!!!

[@chainsawFirewood89]

Awesome video 😊The Credit Card people are trying to fuck me!!

[@itsRomainFaure]

I am glad you enjoyed this video :)

[@brianasche6406]

Reminds me of Borderlands.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Yes ... good reference!

[@freedomoffgrid82]

i've always wondered ... what would keep someone from going to slab city and claiming some huge amount of area as their own, like 10 acres or whatever, and who would be able to stop them from doing it. Most likely Slab city will end in disaster at some point because of things like that

[@dohnjoe735]

Apparently, having a hostel on land that the govt could revoke at any point devalues a business...who knew 😂 Lol all joking aside..much love

[@itsRomainFaure]

Yes but it has been running like this for decades now ... only time will tell

[@dohnjoe735]

​@@itsRomainFaureAgreed. I remember hearing about a group of slab residents who were organizing money to try and buy the land..who knows? And, Romain, thanks for your response ❤

[@christopherbarnard9672]

Can i come and help u run it

[@itsRomainFaure]

You should go meet him at the SLABS :)

[@donaldrichey3318]

So this guy is a thief. He signs up for credit cards and doesn’t pay them off. I wouldn’t sleep in one of those campers on a bet.

[@Aquaria2291]

It's not right, but it's okay. These banks have billions. One little White Horse running wild and free in the Californian desert won't sink them. 🤭

[@abbiealverez2960]

Even if the banks have billions you can't just take free money and expect no consequences

[@Aquaria2291]

​@@abbiealverez2960 he's not the first and he won't be the last. I'll save my tears, if you don't mind. 😂

[@matthewhill3996]

The consequences are the credit score plummeting

[@Joel-we2gg]

Probably a water delivery business would do pretty good. 😂

[@itsRomainFaure]

Yes!

[@itsRomainFaure]

I believe they do use those too

[@michaeladronsmith6043]

Free to walk around slab city.....lmao.

[@irishsamurai9008]

How long before the gentrification begins here

[@dabig_guy2204]

Slab city man

[@itsRomainFaure]

you know it!

[@TheOneinthewoods]

Spends whatever he nakes. I find it hard to believe hes got any money invested

[@larryzan8942]

I didn’t know u were that tall u look small back in your studio & u look very uncomfortable in slab city must be the heat 😂. Interesting that in a city where everything is free u still need money the system is fu***d

[@arkanaleloup5025]

J aime entendre un francais faire l effort de speak in english😅

[@Dav3]

So he is a fraudster, criminal, thief...and travels around various lawless and low law enforcement areas to avoid capture and prosecution. AND the govt pays him.....this is insane

[@Laughing-doves]

Interesting guy - funny t won't pay off his three credit cards.

[@itsRomainFaure]

He doesn’t care for “normal” society rules - and credit cards companies can’t garnish off social security …

[@johnwinner8511]

This guy rents out shacks in a dive dump city and travels the world. 😂😂😂😂😂😂 i guess there's a market for people who want to feel disconnected or abandoned by society or default poor. Hey its niche market.

[@itsRomainFaure]

There is something for everyone!

[@MerlinMoorlo]

Always no sympathy to ppl who want do nothing , sit at 1 place and make money. Like this Gandalf.

[@itsRomainFaure]

Hahah Gandalf!

[@MerlinMoorlo]

Wow i am going to visit it

[@wayne8297]

This guy is lying....they have electricity and running water....now a few years ago they didnt...but somehow some county people got together and now they have the electric and water....

[@itsRomainFaure]

Electricity comes from Solar, no running water.

[@ToboeKey309]

How can u be rich when u r fuckin poor 🤣🤣🤣🤣