From Six Figures to Simple Living: Affordable Living in a Skoolie Short Bus
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
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After dedicating three decades to working 60 hours a week and making a six-figure income, Murph realized that despite all the hard work, he had very little to show for it. The cycle of living paycheck to paycheck left him questioning the value of his efforts. For the past two years, he has called a 2000 Chevy short bus his home.Through this unique and minimalist lifestyle, Murph has discovered a world where he spends significantly less money to sustain his existence.
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Thanks for watching!
I admire his courage. It took me 2 strokes and a brain tumor to make me give up the rat race. I love traveling in my SUV.
There is no such such thing as “the perfect time” to do anything. If we all waited for the perfect time to do the things we love, we wouldn’t do anything. We wouldn’t live.
Murph, I’m glad you ignored the naysayers. Please continue to do so. Do what makes you happy because tomorrow is guaranteed to no one.
Exactly. My dad always wanted to cruise to Alaska with my stepmom. She kept putting it off until she retired. Well, before she could retire, my dad developed vascular dementia and died a few years later.
@@grumpyoldlady_rants So sorry about your Dad. Me and my Dad had the the same thought about taking a ferry to Alaska and driving the Al-Can back to the states. We were both working full time and couldn't schedule the time off. We did manage to go to Airshows at Oshkosh on a regular basis as well as Sun n fun since we were both pilots, but Alaska just slipped through our fingers. Don't let that happen to you. Enjoy every minute you have with your favorite person whether it's your Dad or another person.
You got that right, Mary!! If everybody waited for the "right time" to do something, there would be no children in the world. Haha!!
“Making a lot of money for other people” you nailed it sir. Line our own pockets now, and more time.
Life is full of misinformation and slavery traps. Break free and enjoy life if you can.
@@AAa-qd8hb “Slavery” you nailed it. That’s part of the “big awakening” in the years to come.
"I was gonna go back to the real world then I found out the real world was out here"... that comment blew me away. We're in the same situation at the moment. Long work week making money for others and not for ourselves. Plans are afoot to hit the road, find the real world and leave the rat race behind. All power to you Murph! Happy trails
We've been living fulltime and offgrid for 8 years and 2 months -- no end in sight! Bob did a couple videos of us early on (14 or 16 months in?). IMHO, there is no better way to live! I give it my highest recommendation! Who needs stix & brix when you can have unlimited freedom? :)
This resonated so much with us - My partner and I were also both making 6-figures but found that our work was taking over our lives. We were so exhausted after work that all we wanted to do was sleep. So we moved into our van a few months ago - I took a remote job and she works on our social media - meaning an over 75% combined pay cut but we are finally LIVING.
You can always make more money. But you cannot make more TIME. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Glad you guys are LIVING
He chose the path of happiness .He didn't let fear stop him. I admire him for his courage. thanks for introducing us to him, Bob
Murph has it figured out!! I’m amazed at how chill Big Sexy the cat is. My cat runs and hides whenever I have people over. I’d love to see a photo of the bison herd surrounding the bus. That must have been so cool!
What a character, he just bit the bullet and went for it, good for him 👏🏽 👍🏼 😊
I like how he "did it anyway" despite the online naysayers. More power to ya, Murph!
Yup, the new name for the bus should say 'Courage - I did it anyway'.
Never allow negativity to triumph over positivity. Or fear over courage.
Life is a ride. Take it!
I'm heading out to AZ next month. Been following Bob for years now. Finally doing it at 61.
☮️🍀2 all
@@pmac5587 -- My standard advice to all is "Go cheap, go small, but go NOW! Tomorrow is *not* guaranteed to any of us!" :)
Paycheck to paycheck with a six figure income is either in a crazy expensive COL place (Manhattan, for example), or a really challenged budget situation. But good for him making a change!! Love the HAT!!
The solar set up info was a first for me. Brilliant! I had no idea the sun was overhead/summer and side south/ winter.
I have 2 one hundred watt panels on top of my 2010 transit connect which produce 50w in the winter. I hang 2 flexible 100w panels on the side and they put 150w into the system. 200w total.
I know this delivered some new wisdom in solar. Always learning with Bob's video. 😊
Sun is up in the east, down in the west.😊
His comment is true - it's very difficult to get rid of artwork. but you try to make room anyway with what makes you happiest. I love his exterior/interior bus art. I would have to be careful of who I would attract with the art. People love to put labels. Another great interview. Have a great day! 🙂
My dad had a whole list of things he could do after he retired. What actually happened was that shortly after retiring, he had a height accident and wound up in a wheelchair. Never did get to anything on that list. Do your dream now.
Same thing happened to my brother! Worked at General Motors for 45 years, retired, fell off a ladder 6 months later, now in a wheelchair. It’s a shame😢
I am so sorry to hear that.
A few years ago. A used school bus was available cheap. Once they are on TH-cam to convert them to live and travel. The price shoots up to the ceiling. You need to be extremely lucky to get one cheap and working well. Not anymore. But thanks for the video.
What a great life! Creative home with two friends for security & company! Murph’s head-ware screams be enjoy yourself life is a quick trip! My wife and I are one empty house away from joining you!
Now this is living the dream!
Love the bus! And the term "stand-up junk drawer". 😆
I'm curious about his wildlife photography, and wish him luck.
I'm looking hoping to hear he has a channel. Them photographs have to be amazing. 😊
I relate to this man's story completely. Doing the exact same thing: six-figure income and keeping none of it. It feels like I'm always paying someone for some bill. The only difference is that I've been doing this for ten years, and he did it for thirty.
I'm tired of the rat race too. And I'm 50 years old now.
I’ve been doing it for over 30 years ! Hopefully , I can retire this year and travel.
I make 6 figures as well (only have to take care of myself) but I’m able to save most of it …. Nothing wrong with RV life but perhaps watch Dave Ramsey
I can relate to him 1,000 percent. Nothing like it. I’ve been full time now 3 years and I love it!
Six figures, especially on the lower end, is not much today if one has a mortgage, car payment, gasoline, utilities, eating out, drinking, entertaining, etc. I know, I was there. When my facility was shuttered, I was given the opportunity to transfer to another location. I turned it down and retired. Never looked back.
Holy cow, I NEVER made six figures and I saved plenty of money, owned my own home and never had a car payment. It's all how you live your life.
It's true! I have been inspired. Thanks for the interview with Murph. He's got a wonderful bus!
I really like the more simple water systems.
Very good story , real ,natural, thats the true story of a lots of People at this moment , iam one of those and trying to chance the way that i live in this moment, all the Bobs videos help me to make the final desition, thanks from Puerto Rico friends
I’m in the predicament he described in the beginning.
People are tired of the rat race.
Just hop on the bus Gus -- no need to discuss much! :)
I'm tired of the rat race myself. And I am 50 years old. I'm definitely thinking about doing this. My energy is tanking from a thyroid issue.
Beautiful cat ♥️ She told me she doesn’t like eating in the bathroom ….
I love these short Schoolie’s❣️❣️❣️ I think he’s a very brave soul.
I was loving it until he started talking about running through his savings and living on $1k per month. I got the sweats just thinking about it. So I stand in high admiration of his courage to taking on a lifestyle in which he will have to live by his wits. I’m sure he has his stressful moments but having the ability to press forward on such an unconventional life at a relatively young age is something which very few of us possess. So, good for him and best of luck.
Well, more power to him! I think he is figuring out what is the most valuable in his life and finding ways to make it work. I believe and heard somewhere that in every few household in the neighborhood is one paycheck away from keeping their homes and the majority has less than $1,000 dollars in savings/emergency fund.. Nomadic lifestyle allows someone not to be stress so much since he will just purchase another vehicle if something happens to the one he already has, but buying your next house after losing one will take a miracle especially in this time and age.
It is entirely doable to live on 1000 a month out here.
@timgoodsell4053 so, what do you do when your home needs new windows, ac, appliances, furniture, etc? When your taxes go up every year? When your water and power bills go up? This guy is living the dream and you ain't!
In the future This will be the only way to own your own home This is the future
He's boondocking.... RENT = $0, UTILITIES = $0, HIS BUS IS PAID FOR... SO NO CAR PAYMENT= $0 HIS ACTUAL BILLS....bus insurance, phone, food
I have pretty much been a nomad my whole life. From the late 70's - late 80's I either hitched, rode the rails or had a vehicle to roam around. Then I got into trucking, where I worked running long haul for 30 years. My wife's health has gone downhill, and mine also to a degree, but after her second heart attack I retired and came home. Now I camp whenever I can. I would love to hit the road again but with my wife's health, that is impossible. But my spirit is out there. Always will be. Maybe one day I can roll again.
Courage to start something new and risky is hard to do. Enjoyed your bus and pets. Good luck where ever you go. Thank you.
It's not hard at all when you come to realize that 99.9% of your fears exist only between your ears. Get out there and keep pushing at the edges of your comfort zone until it becomes a non-issue. :)
@JIMPETERSON-n7...Murph?i
Murph you are literally my new hero, thank you friend.
I feel the same way about art. I have a piece that I adore that won't fit in my rig, so I took a photograph of it and turned it into a printed pillow case. I have also collected postcard sized art and I change out a frame frequently with different images. I suppose a digital frame would be more convenient but changing out frames is energy free!
I agree! Furniture is easy to get rid of but art has personal meaning. Hadn't thot of gravity fed water before. I'll use that when I do my van!
Oh my Bob you said exactly what I was feeling and thinking. I was wanting to say same in ty again cheaprv you delivered that inspirational goods and I'm so tickled to have met another happy traveling homesteader. Just love his bus name and story of the Buffalo hope to see a photo of that somewhere. I think he could be a born natural made druid, he has a wonderful aura as you yourself do Bob. Love his hat his art his personality and shirt. I can only how imagine what a talented daughter he has.
This video has been just the kick start ~ we needed. Tytyty again to Bob and cheaprv family for bringing us home in these videos. 😊🐈🐕🚑🌞🌚⭐️🌈🌦🌬 Home & happiness on wheels filled with much love 💛 shared.
Best of everything! Your Pup🐾🐾 Is gorgeous!
Super cool guy! Love the T-shirt “meowdy”!
He has found a way to live on the bus. He has a stove, heater, bed, toilet, fridge, freezer, and he rolls on down the road! Smart move to have that generator, buddy heater, extra diesel fuel, propane tank. And 12 mpg is NOT bad!!
Awesome rig and story!...thank you for sharing! And, Bob, thanks for another fantastic interview...always entertaining, inspirational and educational!
And, what a great comment at 13:08 …“This was kinda going to be like a trial thing for a year, was going to go hit the road, and then go back to “you know” the real world. And then I found out the real world was out here.” 😂LOVE IT!! ❤
P.S. Seeing Big Sexy so observant and watching the camera at 5:48 is frickin’ adorable! 🐱
So much wonderful content I could talk and comment all afternoon. I appreciate you post.😊
Another awesome person with a cool rig enjoying real freedom .
What a cool home! Love the hat! ❤ Interesting person. Excited to follow his journey.
Add an escape hatch on the roof! 😂
Escape hatch good idea👍
At one time I was young and broke, after 30 years of Hard work, I am no longer young.
“Stand-up Junk Drawer” is the name of my next band! 😂😊
I love Murph. Great style, love that he has a terrarium to take the rain forest to the desert. Love his cat named Big Sexy. What a man!
He is very well spoken, reminds me of a younger Bob :)
I love it!!! So proud of you, brother!!! Great video!!!
I love this. I’m having similar thoughts but I still want to work full time for now but somehow live like this at the same time.
Glad his conversion works for him. Looks nice and simple. People respond differently between skoolies and Class B vans. Would be interested in a CheapRVLiving video on how the public receives RVs based on RV type.
There is no doubt at all that standard RV builds encounter fewer barriers than skoolie and other nonstandard builds. For instance, some RV parks and campgrounds don't allow nonstandard builds. And law enforcement officials tend to make a judgement of automatically potentially suspicious. And same for the general public. Van builds that are more stealth won't encounter it so much, but skoolie definitely will. Otoh, folks in skoolies find congenial company pretty easily because you're wearing your heart/spirit openly. I've traveled in several different types of live in vehicles, plus moderated a skoolie chat list for a while. I'm no expert so this is just a quick overview.
First, kudos to anyone in any circumstances who follows their dream ...pushed or otherwise. BUT, there is a huge difference between 6 figures renting and 6 figures owning home/property. I feel like this gets lost A LOT on this channel. Yes, if you rent vs own ... not great. However, if you do own ... most of us who own, have realized an incredible amount of equity. In my own experience, owning has contributed GREATLY to my net worth. I can/could cash in. I also have owned an RV for 18 years ... now paid for. And while I do understand that in my own case, I worked to own ... now, at 68, I have MANY options despite not saving "enough": equity, nearly maxed out SS. We all make our choices and those choices have consequences ... good, bad or otherwise.
Don’t wait! Learn as you go! Time is precious! Good for you!
Great interview and tour, quite a bit of this is very relatable. Thank you for the reminder to have courage and just go out there!
Bravo. Great build and attitude! Not surprised he's made so many friends.
thank you Bob, for this interview. very cool guy with a very cool rig. -C
I love how you said you found the "real world" is out here!
This guy should make a TH-cam channel it would be cool to see him doing wildlife photography off grid !!
Cutest bus I’ve ever seen😊
I am glad i watched this....i am living in an rv full time too for 2 years....i have been questioning why am i doing this due to being alone and even going over my life as far as failed relationships and about the 2 homes that i owned etc...i see a guy like this and i see he has mindfulness and is happy with the simple things in life and just being...i have to be happy that i am healthy and have finally got my mental health together....thanks....
Glad you were able to remember why you are doing what you are doing! Hooah. Live your best life!
You and Brian always make great videos, this one I especially enjoyed. Thanks
I love the build... great vid as usual....love it
i keep saying I'm going to go back to working 60+ hour's a week. It has been two year's and I haven't went back yet. I will never put myself under such a demanding work schedule, ever again! Now I do what I want & when I want to do it! I'm now living life according to my terms. No longer living the way I was programmed by the system to live. I have less money but I am happier living the vanlife. I wish I would of done it sooner! It's my time now to live as I please!
Just a wonderful video , Bob ! Didn't we see him at Woodstock ? 😊❤
I bet he is alot happier living as he would like, than conforming to what he "should" be doing. Good job living Your Life more fully.
Love his hat ❤
Great video 🎥 I love the name “courage the cowardly bus” 👍 my favorite cartoon as a teen was courage the cowardly dog 🐾 beautiful build, I can’t wait until I can do vanlife after my youngest goes off to college. Sending positive vibes.
My only caution would be to avoid vertical ladders of any and *all* kinds (especially RV ladders!). They are just a fall waiting to happen and at our age, one fall from that height is very likely to be the beginning of the end! The proper angle for any ladder (and it's slightly different for each of us) is to place your toes where the ladder hits the ground; extend your arms horizontal and your finger tips should just barely brush the ladder. That's the perfect angle for you! Do whatever it takes to make that happen -- be smart -- be safe! :)
In this guy's case, he could easily build a sloping ladder which would catch inside his rear fuel rack (inside the vertical furthest from the back end of the bus) with the top end secured to his rooftop deck somehow. Another short section of ladder could hinge up for transport and hinge down for use.
So encouraging and wonderful. Thank you for sharing ❤
6.5L diesel is one of the easiest engines to work on, everyone hates on it, but I've found it to be one of the best engines I've owned. I have 375k miles on mine, it's a 97. Easy to work on and parts are cheap.
What an amazing story, thank you both for sharing
Love this! My dream bus! (I had to get rid of several large painting by my later mother. It is my only regret.)
Thank you for this story😊
I like the idea of the artwork. Something like this on a van, a motorhome, or even my camp trailer. I hope to see more like this.
I worked for a multinational company and a bank for over 10 years. A coworker did the math with how much I was working and driving.
I drove 4 hours a day and worked 8 plus extra hours-all of this just to afford to live. I was spending more time working and driving than spending time with my family. I felt like years of my life was taken.
I quit my job, moved to the country. Being indigenous a lot of things have been stolen, so I need to watch where my time goes.
OMG his buddy 🐕 seems so happy , he keep smiling to the camera.
Courage The Cowardly Dog was my damn cartoon so this is a cool bus. Love it!
I will say he has the perfect bus for one person or two add an animal unbelievable I love I had a bus never got to use it due to health issues I sold it and this past summer the gentleman that bought it was here in Atlanta dead concert and I was glad that it was still running and he was getting enjoyment out of it. Once I get back healthy again I have decided to do a minivan and go from there. If the gentleman's reading this from a 70 year old man hippie to this man that is a free spirit stay safe stay strong stay healthy but of all things enjoy life BTW I'm a retired chef and butcher
The biggest fear is letting go of those possessions you think are important and taking a chance on the unknown.🤔
Two legends ❤
I would definitely want a bus this size if I decide to do this. It's perfect
Thanks Bob, good interview
Good life! gorgeous dog! Sweet mouser! Everything you need!
Thanks Bob
Very nice! Continue having fun.
Great little bus! I’d like to see a TH-cam Short just about that cool hat!
Inspiring video! I wish we had access to his photography site.
That's a cool hat!!
Pretty cool bus, how fun!
Beautiful ❤
Hi Bob and Murphy,
Hope you guys are having a good day. Great video and information. I'm doing the same thing
Cool Bus... I want to know more about the HAT..
sir i realy like his blue bus set up i think hes realy got a realy fantastic! living arrangement for cheap.
Very interesting nomad.....thanks for this !
Cool guy and setup, yes and courageous too!
I like his Gandalf hat or the Sorting hat from Harry Potter : - )
Same.😊
I need to find the right wheels and get going! Getting ready to
謝謝！
Thank you for your support!
Cool hat man
So this is what 30 years in Hospitality does to you 😂
Love it ❤
His cat is gorgeous!
Fabulous bus MURPH. 😊
Hi... Id like to know how this person prepares himself for break downs,and the possibility of needing a tow truck,one day... His vehicle is rated as a commercial truck,and it may require a medium-heavy duty tow truck if it is ever needed...What are his preparation plans if he is out in the middle of No Mans Land????thx
I'd be interested to know who he insures his bus with and for how much. I've heard that a lot of insurance companies are dropping or not insuring homebuilt motorhomes or vans or busses. Any input would be appreciated.
Good question! I'd like to know too
+1 to this! Been wondering a lot about insuring converted vehicles and folks' experience with that.
I like this guy. And his cat. And his dog.