EP 107: From Suburban Life to Skoolie Adventure: How Payton is Trading Comfort for Exploration
In this episode of the Less House More Moola podcast, Payton Bendure shared her inspiring journey of transitioning from traditional homeownership to a life of full-time travel in a converted school bus, or "skoolie." Payton, a social media marketing strategist and owner of Payton B Virtual Solutions, discussed her and her husband Adam's decision to embrace a nomadic lifestyle in pursuit of adventure and their dream of homesteading. This summary delves into the key points of their conversation, exploring the motivations, challenges, and hopes driving their unconventional choice.
The Spark: From Travel Dreams to Skoolie Vision
The desire to travel has always been present for Payton and Adam. Inspired by the van life movement and a costly trip planning experience, they began to explore alternative living options. What started as a plan to renovate an RV evolved into a vision of building a skoolie. Payton highlighted the durability, space, and customizability of a school bus compared to traditional RVs, making it the perfect foundation for their mobile home. The decision was not without its challenges, as Adam initially resisted the idea. However, with careful budgeting and planning, they embarked on their skoolie adventure.
Transitioning from Homeownership: Why They Chose the Road
Payton and Adam purchased their first home early in life. While they achieved the traditional "American Dream," they realized their suburban lifestyle didn't align with their long-term goals. They craved a connection with nature, more land, and the freedom to explore. The skoolie became the stepping stone to their ultimate dream of homesteading. By traveling, they aim to discover new places, experience diverse communities, and find the perfect location for their future homestead.
Building a Business for Location Independence: Payton B Virtual Solutions
A crucial element of their plan was ensuring financial stability while on the road. Payton's social media marketing business, Payton B Virtual Solutions, provides location-independent income. Having established her business years prior, she now leverages it to connect with clients remotely and plans to organize in-person meetups as she travels. This entrepreneurial spirit allows her to control her income and create meaningful connections while pursuing her travel dreams.
Community on Wheels: Building Relationships on the Road
Community is a significant focus for Payton and Adam. They seek meaningful relationships with like-minded individuals and look forward to meeting fellow travelers and locals in the towns they visit. Having felt somewhat isolated in their previous neighborhood, they hope to build a vibrant community on the road. Their vision includes attending skoolie meetups and connecting with people who share their passion for alternative living. They also find common ground with older travelers who have valuable life experiences and seek a slower pace of life.
The Leap of Faith: Embracing Uncertainty and Doing the Thing
With their departure just days away, Payton and Adam are preparing to hit the road in their partially finished skoolie. They acknowledge the uncertainties and challenges ahead, but are determined to embrace the adventure. Payton encourages others considering a similar path, emphasizing that it is possible to achieve unconventional dreams through hard work, sacrifice, and a willingness to step outside one's comfort zone. They have paid off debt, sold possessions, and meticulously planned their initial route, but they are ready to embrace spontaneity and see where the journey takes them. Their first stop is a state park in Ohio to ease into the transition, followed by a trip to Michigan. Ultimately, they envision spending time in the western states, searching for their ideal homestead location.
Follow Their Journey: Adam and Payton and Payton B Virtual Solutions
Those interested in following Payton and Adam's skoolie adventure can find them on Instagram at www.instagram.com/adamandpayton. For insights into Payton's social media marketing business, visit www.instagram.com/paytonbvirtualsolutions. Their story serves as an inspiration for anyone considering a less conventional lifestyle and proves that it is possible to pursue dreams with dedication and planning.
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Resources mentioned
Laura Lynch: LinkedIn
Takeaways from the episode
“Payton’s journey includes transitioning from home ownership to living in a skoolie.”
“The skoolie lifestyle allows for exploration and finding a forever home.”
“The journey is about flexibility and embracing new experiences.”
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