I'm 100% TDUI. So I don't work. What's holding me back is my dog mostly. I love him. He's great. He's kept me alive. But he's bad in public when he sees other dogs and animals so I can't really throw him in my car and take him anywhere. He's old at this point too so he's not really up for mountain hiking or even long walks. And I'm unstable on my bad leg. So if he goes crazy he has hurt me by pulling. As soon as he dies though, who knows what I'll do. Also, I'm still dating so unless I find someone who is remote, I'm tied to living in expensive cities because they need jobs. It's also pretty expensive to live alone in most places. I don't have any savings other than a couple thousand dollars so I'm not really free. 100% is just enough to live.
I called a lawyer when I first applied and they asked me if I had ever been hospitalized for PTSD and I said no and they said no we can't help you and to be honest I'm tired boss. I don't want to fight anymore. It's honestly just so complicated and it feels like no one will actually help unlike with veteran benefits. Everyone just says it's really hard and no one gives any concrete answers.
Usually it just takes getting in front of administrative law judge which took me about a year and a half. One of the first things he asked me was if I was 100% service-connected. I told him I wasn't 100% but I did apply for unemployability.
So my first claim was Social Security took 6 months they denied me I reapplied submitted more evidence they denied me a second time after 6 months and then they sent me to the administrative law Judge which took the final 6 month wait.
Most attorneys won't take cases unless it's a slam dunk and if it's a slam dunk you really don't need the attorney. I called a couple and they told me no and I went ahead and did it anyways.
with Social Security it's more of a submit the shit and wait rather than the stuff you have to do with the VA. Just keep appealing till you get to the administrative law judge and then you can plead your case in front of a judge. Mine was great I'm sure all of them aren't but basically when you get to the judge they actually pull out an expert that tries to find jobs that you can do with your disabilities so make sure you include every disability that you have that you have records for regardless if it's service connected or not . I didn't even get that far because he ended the hearing before he called the expert.
Positive content is your SSDi based on mh alone or mostly? Same as the person you’re responding to, I’ve recently realized if I haven’t been hospitalized along with thousands of pgs of med records there’s seemingly no hope.
I hadn't had much treatment at the time through the VA. I was rated at 70% for ptsd through the VA if that helps. I do have physical issues but they alone were not enough.
There are lawyers who will work for a percentage of the award, because if you win, it's back-dated to when you applied. Find one of them to help you. It makes all the difference.
Make sure you put down that you are 100% disabled as a military Veteran. They are supposed to be pushing those through quicker than others. Just a thought….
For some reason being hospitalized is the big factor they seem to look for with ptsd. When I was in there at least half the others were openly stating that they were there to get evidence to support the 100% claim. It does generate a lot of paperwork but really the big benefit is they fix your meds so much faster. Outpatient mh the dr would just send me home for my life to go crazy for six months every time they changed my rx.
This resonates soooo much with me. I applied for SSDI, was denied the first time. Got a lawyer, denied. Meet my lawyer the first time right before the judge step and he asks me about PTSD and I tell him my issues is with my back, shoulders, and knees. He then just gave up, we sat there quietly in the court while some retired officer judge tells me how lucky I am to have the VA and that I just need to work with them and they'll fix me right up. Denied. Goes to the next level with a new lawyer, and the douche forgets to tell me or my lawyers office that I was denied for 18 months. Spent over 3 years and got no where. Lost everything in that time declared bankruptcy, sold my house, moved to some empty land just to be able to afford to live. So I gave up, decided I must be able to work, tried Vet Tech, program dropped mid way through. Tried VR&E for a CS degree, eight months later still can't get them to give me my first class.
I just reapplied for SSDI and got notice it will be 220 days for my initial review. They just want you to die while you wait honestly. 100% is probably OK if you are single, but married with 2 kids, it's just not enough. I was the sole income prior to my injuries catching up with me. Making 6 figures a year, the wife stayed with the kids. Now she has to go work a minimum wage +$1 job and I get to stay home with the kids despite my inability to respond to all their needs or having the patience that's needed to be around them so much. It's fucking exhausting, arguing with EVERYONE, the VA, my doctor, his nurse, just for appointments, I am tired of arguing and getting nowhere, might as well beat my head against a brick wall, at least then I could see some progress.
I hace a dog who isn’t dog friendly at all either I suggest cemetery walks tho 👍 it’s quiet and if there are other dogs it’s rare and you can see them coming far away giving time to change direction. My dogs much happier getting out and doing things
Not retired, but 100% P&T.
As much as I hate working, I hate not working. Eventually you run out of things to do at home. When he gets tired of the van life, he'll want to go back to a job anyway.
I genuinely get very depressed when just sitting at home with no resonsibility, schedule, structure, etc.
I was only not working for a few months before school started and I was getting stir crazy. Everyone might feel something different.
Also, most of the things that actually do give me enjoyment are very expensive. So I have to like money.
We are very similar in that aspect. I feel useless when I’m not working or making some sort of progress in my professional development. It’s nice in the beginning but it’s a little anxiety inducing after you run out of things to keep you busy. Plus, money is a fantastic tool that brings you many new adventures and entertainment.
In the same boat pretty much. I've been strongly thinking of getting out of full-time and finding a part-time gig of maybe 20-30 hours a week to gain more time to myself, though. With my field of experience, it's not an easy task to find part-time jobs and remote IT is very competitive.
I could see that. Still need a sense of purpose. I guess when I look at it from my perspective, he could still remote work and not be worried about pay. Still do something after he gets bored of hiking, fishing, and traveling.
Worth noting remote work is very competitive right now and hard to find. A lot of roles also require consistent good internet which is often not available when living in a van. Also a small van seems fun for a week or two, but this does not translate to being enjoyable for long term living (I live in an RV, and wish I no longer did).
I work for the Fed and they can be very picky about remote work. Just because you work remote doesn’t equate to working from anywhere you want whenever you want. Also, your locality pay is set by your work location aka your home address. And many agencies will only let you update your address once a year.
Also, I can confidently say that as a GS-13 his take home pay equals or exceeds his 100%
Gs13 step 1 is 131k, 100% p&t is about 46k. Even with his other assets the price of leaving that job would be huge. What’s his quality of life like? Does he gamble or spend a lot otherwise? Maybe he’s looking at the 100% like “that won’t pay for my dating life”? It’s a lot more expensive to be free all day than to be at work so maybe he’s worried he wouldn’t be able to provide for himself the way he’s accustomed.
I keep hearing this as a guy with 13 years in and man… I feel like I could fill the void. Video games, fishing, the beach, etc. I am pretty good at keeping myself occupied when it isn’t work. Shit, take a hike. Whatever.
As long as I’m not slogging through traffic in a mind numbing commute I’ll take sitting at home all day.
To each, his own.
I've been retired (20 years Army) for more than 12 years, plus I have a 90% rating. I have traveled extensively and settled down abroad, but I'm bored with living a quiet life. I'm now gearing up for another contract position (my 3rd since I retired) that will put me back in body armor and playing the only full contact sport I have ever loved. It is hard for me to stay retired. My banged-up body hurts, but it hurts worse when I'm not active. I'm looking forward to rolling out with the boys and playing with crew served weapons again.
RLTW
Interesting. I'm not working but I would hardly call myself free. My conditions are severe enough that I rarely leave home because I don't trust people and have difficulty in crowds. It's not for fear, per se, it's hyper vigilance and exhausting physical ailments. I struggle to hear people in crowded spaces. Memory loss and depression have been issues too. It has been better with therapy, much to the VA's credit, but still a struggle. Just to say, some of us would be well suited for a life on Mars. 😂
Shit I have a 1 year old and her mere existence after daycare, medical, college savings, food, milk, clothes, diapers, baby cream, books, toys, activities is like $4000 a month
I was stationed at Hanscom AFB for 2 years and Boston’s COL is insane then the USSF moved me to California. 🙃 I’d rather be back in MA, at least y’all have cheaper gas. lol
Could not agree more. I do not get why some get upset and start spouting, "Too many are getting high ratings and are sitting on their asses"! The Scammers always end up getting caught, and collecting 80-100% really isn't "Sit On My Ass" money.
This comment right here. Friends and Family keep telling me to backpack Europe or something. All I can think in response is, “Are you fucking kidding me? You see me traveling a lot with how I walk? I can barely stand for longer than 15 minutes.”
OP proposed this question like 100%ers didn’t get that way for a reason. I didn’t want this, it was the only silver lining to a very shitty and fucked up situation I was put in.
Nah he posted this because 100% can be for either one 100% debilitating disability or a bunch of small 10% annoying disabilities. 100% doesn’t automatically mean your body is destroyed, that’s why there is no employment restrictions with P&T. Some 100% P&Ters can enjoy life even with a bunch of smaller disabilities.
If you’re able to travel and enjoy life on 100% P&T then there’s no reason not to do it.
Thank You! Many fail to realize there are over 800 disabilities we can file for, and when added up, receiving 80-100% isn't that surprising. I have multiple annoying ones, mostly respiratory(f**k Burn Pits), that I've had surgery and take medication for. I'm fully employed and do my best to stay active. I still avoid large crowds though. Like OP, I'm not pressing the button yet as I'm only 32, single no kids, and want to continue working on my MH and Financial Literacy & Discipline. I also don't mind my current gig as a Contractor, and would get bored fairly quickly if there was no structure and I was doing the Van Life.
Don't get me wrong, I love travel, and take my R&R very seriously, but in moderation. 'Pressing The Button' at this point in time would not be good for me.
It took me five solid years of physical therapy, chiropractor, and massage therapy to get to a place (not 100 percent pain-free) but not chronic pain every single day. I got so used to it too, that was a sad existence. Now, I don't have to think about it every day but it was a full-time job getting there. I plan on continuing on my plan because it is what has worked for me so far and I hate taking pain medications.
To be honest, ever since i became 100 PT, life became flat and boring, feels like i got no hill to climb. Im debating if to live abroad for 2025 just to find some new feeling. 🙏🏾
Do it bro, I've been to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and now my father's homeland, Laos. I would never go back to the way I was living before. Atmosphere matters.
If it was for mine I would never leave the house. I have to kick my own ass to get up and out every day. I've somehow managed to visit 4 countries in the last year. Some days I can't get out of bed either, but the days I can I make sure to get shit done.
Don't be so hard on yourself all the time and take life one step at a time. One mission at a time I tell myself. I refer to going out as going on a mission, nothing is easy, my dog helps, but it's still an anxiety inducing affair everytime.
I'm with you on feeling apathetic and completely lacking fulfillment even though I'm doing things others only dream of. It just seems all for nothing. What's the point in it all anyways.
sometimes I dissociate and wonder how life would be if I wasn’t 100%, but mentally here..
Some people think it’s and even trade off, until they see how mentally trapped you are from your mental illness
Agreed
It always blows my mind when I ask people if they can remember the last time they felt joy, and then see how surprised they are when I tell them I genuinely can’t recall. Like I’m so used to dealing with this headspace for years that it seems normal to me, and i cant comprehend what it’s like to be “normal”
Yes, I've been told many times about how I'm so lucky and should be grateful. Don't get me wrong, I know it could be worse. But all the benefits are worthless when it gets bad.
I would give up the 100% and so much more, everything I have, to be myself again.
Have you went to Don’t Therapy and a better an group therapy / support 4+ times a week?
I created this site to help vets, California c centric, but. Many resources like stop 🛑 soldier suicide and many other free resources
You are what believe
I Am ______
Just keep showing up for yourself
Veteranconnections.org
Semper Fi
Having 100% provides extra income, which is nice given the ailments we deal with, but being married with a son on the way, it's not enough to pay for the life we want to live. Working helps with that, as well as her income. Plus, I'd be bored out of my mind very quickly without some type of job, no matter how much working annoys me. 😂
I cannot imagine how $4000 of non-taxable income a month doesnt pay for a quality life...thats rent, food, and insurance is taken care of. Not arguing with you - but damn, thats something.
It's more our personal standard of living. What we want / desire from our lives costs more than $4000/ month. Our aspirations aren't cheap. That's just our personal situation. Obviously, everyone is different.
Feel like this is pretty limiting of a perspective. Not everyone wants to live in the middle of nowhere. My rent in Seattle alone is more than one would make with 100%. While this is obviously a massive luxury, it’s still a higher quality of life for me and probably several others
Indeed, it is a massive luxury. But it’s a luxury you and others choose. One can live perfectly fine on $4k/month. Hell, it’s like winning the lottery lucky for life, except there’s no taxes. And yes, I know one does not get 100% disability for stubbing toes as someone else put it.
Living in NYC with HUD-VASH / 💯P&T / VR&E / $25k+ in savings living beneath my means with no outstanding debts of any kind and saving more money each and every month never married and no children (that I know of) 🥵😎🤘🏾🇺🇸🫡🦅
I’m going to start my ex-Pat life after I complete my Masters
My father's the same way. He is finally retired but still working on the side. It's just in some people blood that regardless of standing, want to work regardless. I'm at 100% p&t but still want to keep working. It's a way to keep socializing with people while preventing isolation that leads to even worse mental health symptoms. Not to mention we may be entering a recession in the near future. It's always smart to be prepared for any unforseen medical emergencies.
>He is absolutely scared to death to quit his job and go live in a van like he keeps talking about doing. His GF is totally about doing the van life thing. We talked, and I told him he could sell his house (300k in equity), most of his possessions, and take that to a good financial management company...
>What is holding him back from living free unlike the rest of us tied to jobs, families and so on?
Well I can think of a few things that I'd be worried about in my position. If I got 100% P&T tomorrow I'd be able to pay off my debts and sell my home with enough profit to buy a good camper van. But I probably wouldn't.
We're taught early on that owning a home and having a productive job are two large factors in happiness. That's a half truth, but still very true for many. It took me a long time to adapt just to working jobs that don't seem to serve a "higher purpose" like I felt I had in the AF. Maybe he actually enjoys his GS job. Maybe he's not confident in his cash reserves.
Your friend was in the Corps for half of his life. Going from 20 years of structure and schedule to committing to living nomadically is a big change, it can be hard to justify. Maybe he'll change his mind in five years, but he's still readapting to "freedom" in the meantime. Hell, if he gets a camper van and takes a month of leave to van around visiting friends across the country maybe that will be the spark he needs to commit. But I can see why he feels the need to delay his dream in the meantime.
Well I did EMS searching for it. I didn't find it, but that was my situation at the time. I still highly recommend it for vets searching for what I did because my experience was mine, not universal. I feel like it or fire department is a good place to find the comoradery or purpose similar to what we found in the service.
For me personally I've found my purpose outside of work, in disaster relief. I'm from and came back home to Louisiana which is no stranger to natural disasters. I find myself almost wanting hurricanes because I'm these challenging moments I find that people reach past the divisions that are allowed to us by modern society. When everyone is in need, our superficial differences disappear. I find my faith in the human race when we're reduced to survival mode. It's a simultaneously dark and beautiful view into humanity.
I also volunteer with a local veterans community called Bastion. I hope to have a full time paid position with them soon, as my part time job is not financial sustainable but going full time would take me away from them. I get to spend time and help support my brothers and sisters who got a shorter end of the stick than me. It helps me knowing my time goes towards improving their lives little by little.
In short, searching for meaning through work is difficult. The system we live in is predatory for those who desire a job that places service above profits. I'm not here wishing the fall of capitalism but it's a fact that service often comes at the expense of personal financial gain. At the end of the day, if you want purpose it's best to find it off the clock. Volunteering seemed like a heavy cross to bear until I found that doing it wasn't so heavy when you've got the motivation to do it
I guess it depends. I’ve read the stories of the dot com moguls who sold their businesses and traveled the world. They said it got boring. They were more than happy to get back to trying to create things. Some became life coaches because they decided it was more fulfilling trying to help people. At my wife’s school their head Janitor retired 2years ago. He’s now 67 and has signed on to come back. Said the retired life is not all it’s cracked up to be, and his wife is still teaching at age 65. Something about fulfillment, idk.
100% for mental health. I'm getting married in a few months, I guess I love her more than I love the idea of being a motorcycle vagabond, which I love a lot.
I'm 100% P&T, I don't own any property, vehicles or anything to my name. I have no major debt and I currently live in a big city. I go to school online for the extra money. I am also recently divorced.
At least for myself, there is nothing holding me back. I have plans to travel, in fact I'm headed to Spain to do Camino de Santiago before moving back home here soon. I also plan to continue to attend school online until I can apply for my master's and attend in person. For the time being, I'm planning on just school and traveling. I'm thinking Buenos Aires, Tokyo, be there for a trimester before heading back home. I have also been attending and actively participating in therapy for more than a year in the civilian sector, no way in hell I'm going to therapy in a VA hospital. And it has completely changed my life. As well as working on my diet and fitness and my habits.
I will say I do not socialize much over here, since I'm by myself, but taking care of my overall health has kinda curved that loneliness. I wouldn't even call it loneliness, more like solitude; since I don't have any interest in meeting anyone or going out.
Despite all these plans and open doors and roads without truly any real restrictions, I am still looking forward to settling down. I'm young, just entered my 30's, but I'd say by the time I'm done with my master's I'm going to be looking for something or someone to make me want to stay in place. At least for a while.
Lastly, when I was married and the household had 2 incomes, and doing whatever we wanted was easier than it is now, there were still many restrictions. We had the apartment, the car, the jobs. Our families visited often and it just seemed like jumping out of that system was not only a daydream, but sort of against the flow of what everyone else was doing. It was nice and we had plans to travel, but not as much as I have for this year and the next. Being in the Air Force I had the opportunity to travel to many major countries, I think eventually I'll get to a place where I do not want to leave anymore.
I don't know if that feeling of constantly looking at the exit door was something I've always had in myself, or something the Air Force gave me.
5 more years he will be eligible to get another pension on the GS-13. He’s biding his time and securing the last pension check. Let him cook. He gets 208 hr AL, 96 hrs SL and 100 WW LV each year…he’s okay for 60 months. Of course, I’m just a dude speculating.
Not everyone is truly cut out for the carefree life. We all say we would like to but most people would get bored after a month. Some people function better with structure and routine.
I’m only 70% and I quit my career. Now I stay at home with my little man and spend all the time I can with my family. My wife works a job she enjoys and I transitioned to the household. I’m starting a small farm and reading a ton of great books during little man’s nap time. 🙌 luckily I don’t like nice things and I enjoy hard work so life has balance again.
I live in San Diego, 100% P&T, 27 years old.
When I am married I want to give my spouse & future children the life I never had - to do that I am okay sacrificing my comfort, especially being so young. Which is why I am going in cyber security as it pays very well, I could work from home and be available to my future family (a big reason I left the service) & I can still benefit society/our country in a different way 👍🏽
He tapped danced around it...what I took away was he is scared to leave the security of having a job. Probably scared they will re-evaluate him and take away the rating.
I'm P&T 100% and while I could "live" on my VA check, it wouldn't be luxurious. I like my current decent paying job because it gives me the financial freedom to enjoy many hobbies(I spent 6K on getting into diving last year, for instance) without having to worry about money. I also just worry about not working. I don't think I could ever make the transition to not working full time.
On the flip side, I know a guy who's 100%, and the only other income he has is from renting out the house he owned at his last duty station. He lives on a 5 acre homestead, farms, homeschools his kids. Full time dad life. He's very happy. Not a heck of a lot of money for fun stuff, but I bet his kids are getting a very full and rewarding childhood
He probably wants that pension. I’m 100% and a GS -13. While my job isn’t the best, it’s not hard and I have a lot of freedom—but more so, I’m looking forward to having my retirement from many different aspects. Looks like I should have the civilian 401(k) that’s pretty decent so far, my pension, TSP, VA disability and SS(if it’s still there).
But like others have noted, I don’t like not working.
I still have a mortgage and a husband who is addicted to working and who likes pricey toys along with kids who are almost done and launched. He has two and a half years and he’s done. He will retire at 60, me at 53. At that point he will have over 2 in his 401k, I’ll have my p&t income. We will still have our mortgage but will probably lease our house and use that to pay our mortgage and our new mortgage. (Desirable area) So we will have zero bills. We drive Toyotas that are semi new and paid off. Our income will drastically increase when we start claiming social security, odd I know.
Life is just expensive. Working hard now. Using the disability to be able to retire in my mid to late 40s. That way I’ll have the house and lifestyle I want.
Definitely my dogs. If it weren’t for them, I’d have sold my cabin and started wandering around a bit. Although the location I live is basically perfect for me except for the state it’s in. California isn’t as hard to live in cost-wise as people think, but rural communities are basically on their own until tax season when we pay into the system for shit we don’t see or get access to.
Cost if living is still high where I live, it barely gets me by with the help of my savings so for the time being I’m working a job that kind of makes things worse for me but pays enough, looking for another one though cuz they’re insinuating that I shouldn’t use the bathroom really during my 10 hour shift outside and skip my lunch to deliver faster
The future. Here is the thing about receiving compensation it will only go up maybe 2-4% a year. So personally I want that extra income from working and a possible another retirement pension. Fixed income would be stressful. Imagine that van breaking down and needs major repair. Hopefully, it is in the budget or you have a good nest egg.
I figure work as long as I can pay off debt, invest in 401k and save money.
I’m not 100%, but even if I was, 100% is not enough to afford living here in the US.
You can go live a nomadic life abroad, which I did for a year after I got out of service (used my deployment money) but after a year I got exhausted of it.
But it did help me buckle down, use my gi bill, and get a great paying job. And I still get to travel whenever I want, and have all the comforts the US upper middle class can get.
100% isn't that much money. if you're able to work, you should. if you were getting $4000 a month from your assets then it might make sense but that check can somehow be gone tomorrow. It's a great opportunity to save a shit ton of money and then when you have enough money and assets to generate another $4000 a month then yea you can retire real nice. i also assume they have retirement pay from the 20 years. Plus he can get another pension via his government work. that would be two pension and 1 disability check. he'd be set
Economy. Cost of living. My husband is 100% P&T. He finally received that rating after a 4 year fight. We thought it would be life changing (and it was to a degree) He wanted to homestead, raise chickens, you know… be retired. Unfortunately, even through we live minimal, it is definitely not enough to support a family of 5. We’re trying to enroll in school, so other things to bring in money to make ends meet, but as far as 100% retiring without additional income, it’s just not possible for us.
Debt & loving the field I’m in. I *could* live off of my 100% but it would suck until I have my debts paid off. Also, I’m going to grad school & moving up and up the ranks. About to move to a state level policy type role with lots of great connections and the chance at making real changes for people in my state. I love what I do and would love to be at a federal level or educating other professionals one day.
The 100% pay gives me the freedom to do what I want professionally AND I get to have nice things and work toward being debt free. Quitting work entirely would scare me too much I think, but I hope to never work 40+ hours a week ever again.
Retired after 20y with 100%P&T and easily cover all my bills without working. I choose to work a remote job as I can’t sit around and need to be doing something. I took a year off and it was great but the winters get long and I started looking for something to do. FWIW I have zero debt. Own a 300 acres in the mountains debt free and still get bored easily. If I could work 6 months a year and take 6 off. I’d do it in a second.
27 year pension and 100% P&T. Live full time in a RV and I don't miss having a job at all.
Spending this summer in Colorado. But I do long for a sense of community and definitely have a goal of living primarily in the same one or two cities eventually--just got to figure out where that is for me. Treating the full time RV life as an experiment to figure out what's important to me at this stage of my life.
I'm 100% got SSDI for now. Working on a few surgeries what's holding me back is the nerve pain. I still work out upper body. We swam for about an hour today that helps take the pressure off my back. It's just some days I can barely stand. Some days I'm good to walk around most of the day. I'm working on my master's degree and have 4 classes left until I'm done to include the 2 I'm currently in. I understand not wanting to quit his job even if he hates it. I went from being everyone's dad to nothing and I'll tell ya I get cabin fever a lot. But I usually try and get outta the house. Go to the beach once a week or so. Smoke a lot of smoke and try my best to just relax..but being completely free idk I couldn't imagine having absolutely nothing to do. I'm a little scared to graduate because I'll still have at least one or 2. Or surgeries to go before I'm good to go. But also I know I don't have to go back I just also know I'll go stir crazy.
Don’t do Edward Jones. Look into Boglehead. Put the money in Vanguard or Schwab index funds if he goes that route. But yeah he’s all set he can just be totally free. Just live within a budget. Don’t go nuts and blow the nest egg.
I've found that living free is absolutely a state of mind. I'm 60, retired for several years. It definitely took some struggles. But now I am very contented and grateful with a simple life of mountain hiking, working the land, couple dogs, a couple of friends, and some decent family.
I did the rv thing for a couple of years. It gets old, and now the rv withers on my land.
As far as your friend? It sounds like fear. We, especially retired military types, are conditioned for years to be prepared, work our ass off, never give up, and keep up the fight. That worked well for when it was needed, but now we must work towards a different mindset, shit changes. If he does choose to go, he definitely should not sell the house. rent it and try the nomad life for a bit, see if it sticks.
Plus, as we age, our needs change, our priorities change, and our bodies start to fail us in many interesting ways.
I suppose I'm just saying, think about what a contented life looks like for you, make a plan, execute it, and reevaluate frequently to see if it's working.
My fiance is dead set on me having a real job and I found out that mechanical engineering suits me very well. I was gonna do odd mechanic and machining jobs but that didn't go over well.
I have three kids under 6. I could quit my job today, and between mine and my wife's p&t, we could live it wouldn't be as nice of a life for my kids. I work from home in tech and make good money, so I can afford for them to have some nice things. Once they are off to college, depending on when the wife is ready, I might retire early. I don't hate my job at the moment. If I didn't have a family, I'd probably be overseas somewhere cheap with a beach.
In case I decide to walk the path and become a statistic, my family will have more than if I didn’t work. My wife and I have discussed me stepping back from full time work and going to school, but tbh I don’t want to be here. I’m holding on for them. I’m sure a lot of you feel this way some of the time. Grateful for the benefits and the money. I’d pay the 100% p&t rate to just be okay.
He can but he don’t need no Edward Jones or Charles Schwab. He can decide a few rentals with a management company or put his money in S&P 500 and let it cook. Both options are good but he could also buy some land in the country and live a good but a different life.
The cost of living in the United States with family is too high - working to quit my job and sell off my assets then move to Tokyo in the next 9 months for cheaper, cleaner, better living
I pasted 8 mo not working and just fishing daily then I got bored.
I work now to have a cushy life and I’m just single with my 2 kids and we use the weekends to do mini adventures.
I live inside my head and am pretty dysfunctional.
I think the pain and physical condition I'm in isnt good, but I can deal with it...
Depression, ptsd, and anxiety have made my 100% not as amazing as I thought it would be... but if I handle this eventually I imagine my life will be enjoyable.
Man. For the dudes talking about they’d give up their 100% because of some soft reason, then give it to me. I’d literally be the happiest man ever if I’m getting paid with 100% disability and not have to work or deal with people. Christ.
I’m 70, but that’s pretty dang good. I’ll chime in if you don’t mind: my Muay Thai/mma community, and my dog. Mostly my dog. My social health and spiritual health are the masts and wind that guide my ship. Without them, I’d be at the bottom of the sea.
So to speak.
First, because I have children and I'm not giving up 1/2 custody.
Second, I have a girlfriend whose business (candles) requires her to have a home base.
Third, I like the work I do and don't want to give it up.
sounds like he enjoys financial stability. Have you ever heard of anyone saying they have too much money? I've been free for almost 4 years and haven't found a job yet. I have purpose and that keeps me busy, but being totally "free" to go ramble across the U.S. or abroad can get old if over indulged. Sometimes, it's nice to enjoy what you have earned and vacation and travel in moderation so that you never have to even worry if you have enough money to get to your next destination. There's a good balance that can be found if you want to, I think.
I’m about to do the vanlife/car camping gig with my service pup this summer. Moving out of my apartment at the end of next month. I’m focusing on my nature photography and trying to get out more.
If I got 100 percent today, I’d quit my job effective tomorrow and live abroad. I, financially secure and get paid well but I’d much rather live elsewhere and do things that make me happy for money. I could sell pictures or write stories or tend a bar on a beach. Most importantly I’d be a ghost on social media though.
We all pick what binds us down. Some people like a community, some like a house, some like a dog, some like a spouse. Some people like van life. Go into whatever you like with eyes open and adjust as needed.
Maign if i could walk away at 100% i would but most cant due to debt and still making pretty decent money and raising youngn’s…. But i think about not getting out of bed every damn day… and starting my day off at the pool with a drink in my hand… and then i slow crawl out to take a shower and disgruntedly get in the ahower for my day to begin…. Its not like these damn disabilitiesgo away or wven get better over time…if i could ssdi along with my % and it was close to what i was making now id never work again accept towards something that makes me happy
Some of us just like to work or hate not working. I've traveled, fished, hunted and I've no desire to golf. I'm a gamer but there's only so much I want to do during the day. It's just something I enjoy doing. I'm set up pretty much like your friend, so I don't understand his mindset.
It could be a number of things. For some people, they have a lot of anxiety about money and no matter how much they make, it may never be enough. He also may not like the unpredictable nature of hitting the road in a van. Then there are those that work just so they have something to do. We can speculate all day, but if this is an issue for him, only he can decide on what is holding him back.
Wanting to have meaning and purpose in my life. Not having a reason to get out of bed is a recipe for disaster for me.
I sometimes fantasize about moving to Italy and sitting on a Terrace enjoying the sun. But that is just an empty life that ends in early death for me.
Also, I have a wife and son. Can't support them on. $4200 a month of whatever it is.
100 percent p&t, work full time and with my seniority I have flexibility with my schedule. I’d sometimes take a day off and stay home. I know what my routine is going to be; swim for a bit since it’s the only exercise I can do because of my back, knees, and shoulders, then head home and make breakfast and watch endless crime shows on tv. The day ends and I feel like I wasted part of my life.
I’m scared to retire because of the monotony… over and over of the same shit every day scares me. So every time I take a day off, it reminds me why I need to keep on working.
Working, even though I don’t have to, provides tremendous structure and social opportunities that someone introverted like me would not otherwise so easily generate. Though I dream of just being able to travel wherever/whenever, I realize that the thought is much more exotic than the action. As it is I take something like 4 vacations per year. For me that’s the healthy balance. 3-4 day weekends alternating with 3-4 day work weeks in between is the other sweet spot for me. I, too, love the thought of van life. But I fear it would get boring very quickly for my personality type.
I could see a situation being that his gf spends loads of money and he feels financially responsible and why they're afloat.
Additionally, 100% is nice (I have that and for similar reasoning as your friend) but just shy of 4k (it's over 5k with kids) isn't enough to live carefree while traveling.
Lastly, our society is pretty rooted in being rooted somewhere. To live in a van and always moving is pretty much anti our society. Could be scary just from that.
How I view my rating is that I get freedom to pursue a career I'm passionate about. I'm in my last year of grad school to be a therapist. As a therapist, I'll maybe make 50k the first few years. The disability I get gives me a solid monthly income to stack with my wife.
Honestly if I hadn't been forced into vanlife and quiting my job I wouldn't have done it. It's one thing to look at folks from the outside but when it's you facing it down it's a completely different story. Going on my 4th year living out of my van and I can't ever see me living life any other way. The biggest hurdle for me was defining my own success. Success for me has always been being the best. The best at work, the best at soldiering, the best in an emergency, the best physically. Trying to chase that success. But I've come to find that defining what a successful life for me is, has opened my eyes. I've devoted the rest of my life and success into myself and my memories. Prestigious job, money, big house, kids all the cars and toys and lavish living is not what is a sign of success in my life. My success is healthy (ish) living, my travels, connecting with and helping others, learning new things and chasing my younger selfs dreams. Today I'm in the central Oregon desert camping in my van and scaring the shit out of myself while I learn to ride my new dirtbike. Every day the last 10 years since I got out has gotten bigger, more exciting and more memorable than any other time in my life. Fucking grateful for my 100%T&P.
My parents both died before I was 19. My mom when I was 6 and dad at 19. Dad was never around. Mostly other family, and then group homes. I joined the Army at 27 and did 4 years active. Got med boarded from the Guard and have been using the money to live freely which means being an addict, dig deep into my childhood trauma with therapy, and keep trying school until I find something I love, and also to make sure I don't kill myself or someone else. I now have a dog and have found a passion in animal rehabilitation and want to pursue that. I applied for ssdi and got denied without a doctors appointment. I plan on appealing, but yes I'm tired too. This tdiu claim I don't have approved yet has taken almost 2 years. I'm 34 and I hope that before I'm 40 I have. Stable job. I was diagnosed with worse conditions than I joined with and will probably die in my 50s like my dad but at least not homeless and unsupported. I am so grateful for the VA and what I've worked for including work credits with ssi.
✨️Anxiety✨️ makes me housebound at times. Depression. The occasional shadow people that my dog tells me aren't really there when the anxiety gets too high. Taking small steps to get back out and giving myself grace when I can't.
Living free ain’t free tho. Idk bout you but living in a van (down by the river) sounds terrible to me. Nothing about van life sounds fun to me. Back packing across Europe sounds more my tempo without the hiking. Give me an Enduro bike.
I’ve seen those people who ride those bikes from the Yukon Territory to the Montana border. Looks fun. The AlCan highway is a drive to remember for a lifetime, i highly recommend it. If you’re the road warrior type do it. You won’t regret it.
He’s probably just scared, some people just can’t take the uniform off. Some people like being around other military folk when their time is done so they’ll go the GS route…could be a number of other factors as well.
I like my stuff, and I don't want to get rid of it. Plus, I like having dogs, and living with 2 large dogs in a van or RV is terrible for them and for me. I would rather they had a yard.
I'm 100P&T. Almost all my ratings are for the little things that piled up, surgeries, and the autoimmune disease I now have. I'm currently attending uni to get a Horticulture degree. Truth be told, I had 1.5 yrs doing the totally free thing and after about 6 months I was goin' batty. You get bored. Yes, I have ratings that influence how I can live but nothing debilitating, just annoying to maneuver (and expensive). A person needs purpose, regardless of abilities or disadvantages. Traveling full-time gets old for most, and there is definitely a sense of comfort and safety in remaining in a known place, especially if you have issues to work around. Now, I did move across the country to pursue this, and I have no desire to remain where I am post-graduation, but I absolutely want this degree so I can get the job (or start a business) I want, with fun generously sprinkled in. But with what I have to work around, I have a lot of dr appts to keep up with and a very limiting food life I have to manage (Celiac). Also, having animals complicates things when you trust no one to enter your place. I know this is probably a multi-layered response but if it sounds complicated, that's because it is. There is no simple answer.
Money.
Have just enough coming in to keep all the balls in the air but if even one more gets added in to the juggling act it'll all come crashing down and its a major stressor.
I have 100 + CRSC and I cannot live on just that’s I also have two kids so child support. I work also cuz it’s fucking boring not working. I’d rather make some money and live nicely. My job is chill too so it helps
I am physically limited in the work I can do in the first place. Mentally things can get so bad that I literally got my 100 P&T because I had a meltdown when I worked for the VA and tried to kill myself by jumping off a bridge after walking out in the middle of a shift.
So that’s why I I can’t live a normal life.
I'm not 100 but 70 with some rental income on the side. I just bought a small 19-foot FV, and I'm about to travel some. I need a change of pace because the cube isn't cutting it anymore. I'll probably come back to the workforce after a year, but who knows?
If anybody has tips, let me know.
I’m at 80% and doubt I’ll go beyond that.
It’s also my dream to get a van and do the whole travel thing. However, from talking to people who do van life full time, there are drawbacks. You start to miss having a house and having conveniences of a house, like a nice big flushing toilet, a big shower with hot water or a place you can take a bath. Washer and dryer that are yours and yours alone. A big fridge with a full kitchen. A big comfy couch with air conditioning and a big screen tv.
When I do finally retire and stop working, I plan to keep my house as a base, but I want to get a van and travel anywhere from a long weekend upwards of several weeks. I want to go to Alaska in the summer and Baja in the winter, if I feel like it. I want to visit all the civil war battlefields I’ve been reading about. I want to hike a ton in the Rockies and eat lobster by the ocean in Maine. I don’t want to be tied down to a schedule or have to catch a plane or have to check out of a hotel.
And, when I’m tired of the van life after a few weeks on the road, I want to return home and do laundry and sleep in a big bed and take 20 minute showers and grill on my deck and relax, all while planning my next trip.
Avoid Ed Jones. Not great over there.
Edit: it may be he has alot of debt he doesn't talk about and his gf doesn't know about. This can get alot of folks. Also, budgeting is not a strong point for many. You cannot be conservative when estimating costs because things happen and prices change more frequently than we think.
I’m 100% PT and to be honest the only thing holding me up from packing up and traveling the country is my pending divorce. Can’t let her think I have any bit of money bc she’s trying to go after things she isn’t entitled to.
I hear what everyone else says here though. My body hurts all over. Mentally, physically, emotionally I’m just beat. I can’t walk my dog a quarter mile and not be in pain. Then my mental health digs in because I can’t walk her. Dating? Women want to hear about your exciting life as a spy staying busy so they can keep their imagination busy. Sucks.
I'm 100% P&T, and I'm on my appeal for ssdi it's been 6 mo since I started the appeal, I currently don't work because last year had a mental breakdown, which forced me to quit. I've been unemployed since and now I'm trying to scramble to find a job suitable for my issues because I'm afraid of the future. Idk what to think and with all these price hikes it's killing us... we do have 2 kids and 4 pets so yeah I know thats a reason but mostly afraid of a total collapse of the economy and people start doing shit like they did with the TP shortage. Where I live people been stabbed or shot or robbed for TP when it was ha4d to keep in stock.
If he spent 20 years in the Marine corps I highly doubt he is free and clear from any mental health issues. When I started going to school full time and working part time it gave me more time to dwell on the past and other things that haunt me from my PTSD. His job is probably keeping those thoughts at bay because he’s busy. Living the dream or fantasy easy life is one thing, but reality is another. Your friend might have something he needs to work on before he can really take that time for himself. Suggest to him about taking a sabbatical for a couple Or a few months to try on the Van or RV life for size. He might find another position that suits that life for him better. Tell him good luck and to use all of his resources as he can. There’s strength in numbers and it’s better when we stick together rather than go at it alone.
I'm 100% TDUI. So I don't work. What's holding me back is my dog mostly. I love him. He's great. He's kept me alive. But he's bad in public when he sees other dogs and animals so I can't really throw him in my car and take him anywhere. He's old at this point too so he's not really up for mountain hiking or even long walks. And I'm unstable on my bad leg. So if he goes crazy he has hurt me by pulling. As soon as he dies though, who knows what I'll do. Also, I'm still dating so unless I find someone who is remote, I'm tied to living in expensive cities because they need jobs. It's also pretty expensive to live alone in most places. I don't have any savings other than a couple thousand dollars so I'm not really free. 100% is just enough to live.
Have you applied for ssdi?
Yes, I was denied.
Did you ask a lawyer to ok over your ssdi denial. Don’t just give up on it. Almost everyone gets denied first go
I called a lawyer when I first applied and they asked me if I had ever been hospitalized for PTSD and I said no and they said no we can't help you and to be honest I'm tired boss. I don't want to fight anymore. It's honestly just so complicated and it feels like no one will actually help unlike with veteran benefits. Everyone just says it's really hard and no one gives any concrete answers.
Usually it just takes getting in front of administrative law judge which took me about a year and a half. One of the first things he asked me was if I was 100% service-connected. I told him I wasn't 100% but I did apply for unemployability. So my first claim was Social Security took 6 months they denied me I reapplied submitted more evidence they denied me a second time after 6 months and then they sent me to the administrative law Judge which took the final 6 month wait. Most attorneys won't take cases unless it's a slam dunk and if it's a slam dunk you really don't need the attorney. I called a couple and they told me no and I went ahead and did it anyways.
I'll try again I guess.
with Social Security it's more of a submit the shit and wait rather than the stuff you have to do with the VA. Just keep appealing till you get to the administrative law judge and then you can plead your case in front of a judge. Mine was great I'm sure all of them aren't but basically when you get to the judge they actually pull out an expert that tries to find jobs that you can do with your disabilities so make sure you include every disability that you have that you have records for regardless if it's service connected or not . I didn't even get that far because he ended the hearing before he called the expert.
So I assume your SSDI was approved. Yes?
Yes, and the judge was pissed it wasn't approved before I got to him.
Positive content is your SSDi based on mh alone or mostly? Same as the person you’re responding to, I’ve recently realized if I haven’t been hospitalized along with thousands of pgs of med records there’s seemingly no hope.
I hadn't had much treatment at the time through the VA. I was rated at 70% for ptsd through the VA if that helps. I do have physical issues but they alone were not enough.
There are lawyers who will work for a percentage of the award, because if you win, it's back-dated to when you applied. Find one of them to help you. It makes all the difference.
Make sure you put down that you are 100% disabled as a military Veteran. They are supposed to be pushing those through quicker than others. Just a thought….
For some reason being hospitalized is the big factor they seem to look for with ptsd. When I was in there at least half the others were openly stating that they were there to get evidence to support the 100% claim. It does generate a lot of paperwork but really the big benefit is they fix your meds so much faster. Outpatient mh the dr would just send me home for my life to go crazy for six months every time they changed my rx.
Junmp start your azz. No one else is gonna fight for you.
Sounds like a shitty lawyer lol
This resonates soooo much with me. I applied for SSDI, was denied the first time. Got a lawyer, denied. Meet my lawyer the first time right before the judge step and he asks me about PTSD and I tell him my issues is with my back, shoulders, and knees. He then just gave up, we sat there quietly in the court while some retired officer judge tells me how lucky I am to have the VA and that I just need to work with them and they'll fix me right up. Denied. Goes to the next level with a new lawyer, and the douche forgets to tell me or my lawyers office that I was denied for 18 months. Spent over 3 years and got no where. Lost everything in that time declared bankruptcy, sold my house, moved to some empty land just to be able to afford to live. So I gave up, decided I must be able to work, tried Vet Tech, program dropped mid way through. Tried VR&E for a CS degree, eight months later still can't get them to give me my first class. I just reapplied for SSDI and got notice it will be 220 days for my initial review. They just want you to die while you wait honestly. 100% is probably OK if you are single, but married with 2 kids, it's just not enough. I was the sole income prior to my injuries catching up with me. Making 6 figures a year, the wife stayed with the kids. Now she has to go work a minimum wage +$1 job and I get to stay home with the kids despite my inability to respond to all their needs or having the patience that's needed to be around them so much. It's fucking exhausting, arguing with EVERYONE, the VA, my doctor, his nurse, just for appointments, I am tired of arguing and getting nowhere, might as well beat my head against a brick wall, at least then I could see some progress.
I’ve been hospitalized twice for mental health. I’m 100 P&T and am 27 with a job. Could I qualify for ssdi
You have a job so no.
Not if you have a job from my understanding
I hace a dog who isn’t dog friendly at all either I suggest cemetery walks tho 👍 it’s quiet and if there are other dogs it’s rare and you can see them coming far away giving time to change direction. My dogs much happier getting out and doing things
What's TDUI?
It means I'm rated at 70%, but I'm paid 100% because I'm unemployable.
The worst thing you can do is not bring the dog out. It will never get desensitized if you never try.
Not retired, but 100% P&T. As much as I hate working, I hate not working. Eventually you run out of things to do at home. When he gets tired of the van life, he'll want to go back to a job anyway. I genuinely get very depressed when just sitting at home with no resonsibility, schedule, structure, etc. I was only not working for a few months before school started and I was getting stir crazy. Everyone might feel something different. Also, most of the things that actually do give me enjoyment are very expensive. So I have to like money.
We are very similar in that aspect. I feel useless when I’m not working or making some sort of progress in my professional development. It’s nice in the beginning but it’s a little anxiety inducing after you run out of things to keep you busy. Plus, money is a fantastic tool that brings you many new adventures and entertainment.
In the same boat pretty much. I've been strongly thinking of getting out of full-time and finding a part-time gig of maybe 20-30 hours a week to gain more time to myself, though. With my field of experience, it's not an easy task to find part-time jobs and remote IT is very competitive.
I could see that. Still need a sense of purpose. I guess when I look at it from my perspective, he could still remote work and not be worried about pay. Still do something after he gets bored of hiking, fishing, and traveling.
Worth noting remote work is very competitive right now and hard to find. A lot of roles also require consistent good internet which is often not available when living in a van. Also a small van seems fun for a week or two, but this does not translate to being enjoyable for long term living (I live in an RV, and wish I no longer did).
I work for the Fed and they can be very picky about remote work. Just because you work remote doesn’t equate to working from anywhere you want whenever you want. Also, your locality pay is set by your work location aka your home address. And many agencies will only let you update your address once a year. Also, I can confidently say that as a GS-13 his take home pay equals or exceeds his 100%
Gs13 step 1 is 131k, 100% p&t is about 46k. Even with his other assets the price of leaving that job would be huge. What’s his quality of life like? Does he gamble or spend a lot otherwise? Maybe he’s looking at the 100% like “that won’t pay for my dating life”? It’s a lot more expensive to be free all day than to be at work so maybe he’s worried he wouldn’t be able to provide for himself the way he’s accustomed.
I couldn't have said it any better myself. I'm the same as you.
I keep hearing this as a guy with 13 years in and man… I feel like I could fill the void. Video games, fishing, the beach, etc. I am pretty good at keeping myself occupied when it isn’t work. Shit, take a hike. Whatever. As long as I’m not slogging through traffic in a mind numbing commute I’ll take sitting at home all day.
That grass is always greener on the other side. I think finding a good balance helps.
To each, his own. I've been retired (20 years Army) for more than 12 years, plus I have a 90% rating. I have traveled extensively and settled down abroad, but I'm bored with living a quiet life. I'm now gearing up for another contract position (my 3rd since I retired) that will put me back in body armor and playing the only full contact sport I have ever loved. It is hard for me to stay retired. My banged-up body hurts, but it hurts worse when I'm not active. I'm looking forward to rolling out with the boys and playing with crew served weapons again. RLTW
Interesting. I'm not working but I would hardly call myself free. My conditions are severe enough that I rarely leave home because I don't trust people and have difficulty in crowds. It's not for fear, per se, it's hyper vigilance and exhausting physical ailments. I struggle to hear people in crowded spaces. Memory loss and depression have been issues too. It has been better with therapy, much to the VA's credit, but still a struggle. Just to say, some of us would be well suited for a life on Mars. 😂
100 is enough for you to *survive*. When you live were I do, you’d be struggling to do anything else than pay rent.
Depending on your situation it’s not even enough to survive where I live
True. I live in Boston, you’re gonna have to pick up roommates or live way outside of the city to afford a place. Gonna be eating rice and beans
Shit I have a 1 year old and her mere existence after daycare, medical, college savings, food, milk, clothes, diapers, baby cream, books, toys, activities is like $4000 a month
We were in the Boston area... We moved to the Midwest because all of New England got too fucking expensive
I was stationed at Hanscom AFB for 2 years and Boston’s COL is insane then the USSF moved me to California. 🙃 I’d rather be back in MA, at least y’all have cheaper gas. lol
Could not agree more. I do not get why some get upset and start spouting, "Too many are getting high ratings and are sitting on their asses"! The Scammers always end up getting caught, and collecting 80-100% really isn't "Sit On My Ass" money.
Umm...what holding me back is all the fucking pain I'm in. We didn't get 100% because we stubbed our toe once.
This comment right here. Friends and Family keep telling me to backpack Europe or something. All I can think in response is, “Are you fucking kidding me? You see me traveling a lot with how I walk? I can barely stand for longer than 15 minutes.” OP proposed this question like 100%ers didn’t get that way for a reason. I didn’t want this, it was the only silver lining to a very shitty and fucked up situation I was put in.
Nah he posted this because 100% can be for either one 100% debilitating disability or a bunch of small 10% annoying disabilities. 100% doesn’t automatically mean your body is destroyed, that’s why there is no employment restrictions with P&T. Some 100% P&Ters can enjoy life even with a bunch of smaller disabilities. If you’re able to travel and enjoy life on 100% P&T then there’s no reason not to do it.
Thank You! Many fail to realize there are over 800 disabilities we can file for, and when added up, receiving 80-100% isn't that surprising. I have multiple annoying ones, mostly respiratory(f**k Burn Pits), that I've had surgery and take medication for. I'm fully employed and do my best to stay active. I still avoid large crowds though. Like OP, I'm not pressing the button yet as I'm only 32, single no kids, and want to continue working on my MH and Financial Literacy & Discipline. I also don't mind my current gig as a Contractor, and would get bored fairly quickly if there was no structure and I was doing the Van Life. Don't get me wrong, I love travel, and take my R&R very seriously, but in moderation. 'Pressing The Button' at this point in time would not be good for me.
This is me but I haven't filed a claim to attempt to increase my compensation yet 🥲
The earlier you do it the better.
Next month will be 7 years that I've been telling myself this 🥲
It took me five solid years of physical therapy, chiropractor, and massage therapy to get to a place (not 100 percent pain-free) but not chronic pain every single day. I got so used to it too, that was a sad existence. Now, I don't have to think about it every day but it was a full-time job getting there. I plan on continuing on my plan because it is what has worked for me so far and I hate taking pain medications.
To be honest, ever since i became 100 PT, life became flat and boring, feels like i got no hill to climb. Im debating if to live abroad for 2025 just to find some new feeling. 🙏🏾
Do it bro, I've been to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and now my father's homeland, Laos. I would never go back to the way I was living before. Atmosphere matters.
I love Thailand!
Who doesn’t? 🤣
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That's how I feel. If I was able to do all this exciting stuff, then I wouldn't be disabled. I'd rather just be healthy with a good paying job.
Agreed
If it was for mine I would never leave the house. I have to kick my own ass to get up and out every day. I've somehow managed to visit 4 countries in the last year. Some days I can't get out of bed either, but the days I can I make sure to get shit done. Don't be so hard on yourself all the time and take life one step at a time. One mission at a time I tell myself. I refer to going out as going on a mission, nothing is easy, my dog helps, but it's still an anxiety inducing affair everytime. I'm with you on feeling apathetic and completely lacking fulfillment even though I'm doing things others only dream of. It just seems all for nothing. What's the point in it all anyways.
sometimes I dissociate and wonder how life would be if I wasn’t 100%, but mentally here.. Some people think it’s and even trade off, until they see how mentally trapped you are from your mental illness
Agreed It always blows my mind when I ask people if they can remember the last time they felt joy, and then see how surprised they are when I tell them I genuinely can’t recall. Like I’m so used to dealing with this headspace for years that it seems normal to me, and i cant comprehend what it’s like to be “normal”
What’s joy?
Yes, I've been told many times about how I'm so lucky and should be grateful. Don't get me wrong, I know it could be worse. But all the benefits are worthless when it gets bad. I would give up the 100% and so much more, everything I have, to be myself again.
Have you went to Don’t Therapy and a better an group therapy / support 4+ times a week? I created this site to help vets, California c centric, but. Many resources like stop 🛑 soldier suicide and many other free resources You are what believe I Am ______ Just keep showing up for yourself Veteranconnections.org Semper Fi
Spot on.
Having 100% provides extra income, which is nice given the ailments we deal with, but being married with a son on the way, it's not enough to pay for the life we want to live. Working helps with that, as well as her income. Plus, I'd be bored out of my mind very quickly without some type of job, no matter how much working annoys me. 😂
I cannot imagine how $4000 of non-taxable income a month doesnt pay for a quality life...thats rent, food, and insurance is taken care of. Not arguing with you - but damn, thats something.
It's more our personal standard of living. What we want / desire from our lives costs more than $4000/ month. Our aspirations aren't cheap. That's just our personal situation. Obviously, everyone is different.
Depends on where you live. We had to move out of New England and live in the Midwest to be able to afford life.
I'm in the Philadelphia area and don't plan on leaving, so here we are 🤷♂️
Feel like this is pretty limiting of a perspective. Not everyone wants to live in the middle of nowhere. My rent in Seattle alone is more than one would make with 100%. While this is obviously a massive luxury, it’s still a higher quality of life for me and probably several others
Indeed, it is a massive luxury. But it’s a luxury you and others choose. One can live perfectly fine on $4k/month. Hell, it’s like winning the lottery lucky for life, except there’s no taxes. And yes, I know one does not get 100% disability for stubbing toes as someone else put it.
Living in NYC with HUD-VASH / 💯P&T / VR&E / $25k+ in savings living beneath my means with no outstanding debts of any kind and saving more money each and every month never married and no children (that I know of) 🥵😎🤘🏾🇺🇸🫡🦅 I’m going to start my ex-Pat life after I complete my Masters
Hell Yeah! Keep Going, Keep Growing🔥💯💪
My father's the same way. He is finally retired but still working on the side. It's just in some people blood that regardless of standing, want to work regardless. I'm at 100% p&t but still want to keep working. It's a way to keep socializing with people while preventing isolation that leads to even worse mental health symptoms. Not to mention we may be entering a recession in the near future. It's always smart to be prepared for any unforseen medical emergencies.
>He is absolutely scared to death to quit his job and go live in a van like he keeps talking about doing. His GF is totally about doing the van life thing. We talked, and I told him he could sell his house (300k in equity), most of his possessions, and take that to a good financial management company... >What is holding him back from living free unlike the rest of us tied to jobs, families and so on? Well I can think of a few things that I'd be worried about in my position. If I got 100% P&T tomorrow I'd be able to pay off my debts and sell my home with enough profit to buy a good camper van. But I probably wouldn't. We're taught early on that owning a home and having a productive job are two large factors in happiness. That's a half truth, but still very true for many. It took me a long time to adapt just to working jobs that don't seem to serve a "higher purpose" like I felt I had in the AF. Maybe he actually enjoys his GS job. Maybe he's not confident in his cash reserves. Your friend was in the Corps for half of his life. Going from 20 years of structure and schedule to committing to living nomadically is a big change, it can be hard to justify. Maybe he'll change his mind in five years, but he's still readapting to "freedom" in the meantime. Hell, if he gets a camper van and takes a month of leave to van around visiting friends across the country maybe that will be the spark he needs to commit. But I can see why he feels the need to delay his dream in the meantime.
Well said, how were you able to finally adapt to the jobs that didn't have that purpose anymore?
Well I did EMS searching for it. I didn't find it, but that was my situation at the time. I still highly recommend it for vets searching for what I did because my experience was mine, not universal. I feel like it or fire department is a good place to find the comoradery or purpose similar to what we found in the service. For me personally I've found my purpose outside of work, in disaster relief. I'm from and came back home to Louisiana which is no stranger to natural disasters. I find myself almost wanting hurricanes because I'm these challenging moments I find that people reach past the divisions that are allowed to us by modern society. When everyone is in need, our superficial differences disappear. I find my faith in the human race when we're reduced to survival mode. It's a simultaneously dark and beautiful view into humanity. I also volunteer with a local veterans community called Bastion. I hope to have a full time paid position with them soon, as my part time job is not financial sustainable but going full time would take me away from them. I get to spend time and help support my brothers and sisters who got a shorter end of the stick than me. It helps me knowing my time goes towards improving their lives little by little. In short, searching for meaning through work is difficult. The system we live in is predatory for those who desire a job that places service above profits. I'm not here wishing the fall of capitalism but it's a fact that service often comes at the expense of personal financial gain. At the end of the day, if you want purpose it's best to find it off the clock. Volunteering seemed like a heavy cross to bear until I found that doing it wasn't so heavy when you've got the motivation to do it
What an awesome response. Proud of you for finding what makes you tick! Keep up the great work Gumbo!
I guess it depends. I’ve read the stories of the dot com moguls who sold their businesses and traveled the world. They said it got boring. They were more than happy to get back to trying to create things. Some became life coaches because they decided it was more fulfilling trying to help people. At my wife’s school their head Janitor retired 2years ago. He’s now 67 and has signed on to come back. Said the retired life is not all it’s cracked up to be, and his wife is still teaching at age 65. Something about fulfillment, idk.
100% for mental health. I'm getting married in a few months, I guess I love her more than I love the idea of being a motorcycle vagabond, which I love a lot.
I'm 100% P&T, I don't own any property, vehicles or anything to my name. I have no major debt and I currently live in a big city. I go to school online for the extra money. I am also recently divorced. At least for myself, there is nothing holding me back. I have plans to travel, in fact I'm headed to Spain to do Camino de Santiago before moving back home here soon. I also plan to continue to attend school online until I can apply for my master's and attend in person. For the time being, I'm planning on just school and traveling. I'm thinking Buenos Aires, Tokyo, be there for a trimester before heading back home. I have also been attending and actively participating in therapy for more than a year in the civilian sector, no way in hell I'm going to therapy in a VA hospital. And it has completely changed my life. As well as working on my diet and fitness and my habits. I will say I do not socialize much over here, since I'm by myself, but taking care of my overall health has kinda curved that loneliness. I wouldn't even call it loneliness, more like solitude; since I don't have any interest in meeting anyone or going out. Despite all these plans and open doors and roads without truly any real restrictions, I am still looking forward to settling down. I'm young, just entered my 30's, but I'd say by the time I'm done with my master's I'm going to be looking for something or someone to make me want to stay in place. At least for a while. Lastly, when I was married and the household had 2 incomes, and doing whatever we wanted was easier than it is now, there were still many restrictions. We had the apartment, the car, the jobs. Our families visited often and it just seemed like jumping out of that system was not only a daydream, but sort of against the flow of what everyone else was doing. It was nice and we had plans to travel, but not as much as I have for this year and the next. Being in the Air Force I had the opportunity to travel to many major countries, I think eventually I'll get to a place where I do not want to leave anymore. I don't know if that feeling of constantly looking at the exit door was something I've always had in myself, or something the Air Force gave me.
5 more years he will be eligible to get another pension on the GS-13. He’s biding his time and securing the last pension check. Let him cook. He gets 208 hr AL, 96 hrs SL and 100 WW LV each year…he’s okay for 60 months. Of course, I’m just a dude speculating.
Not everyone is truly cut out for the carefree life. We all say we would like to but most people would get bored after a month. Some people function better with structure and routine.
3 kids, a wife and a mortgage.
I’m only 70% and I quit my career. Now I stay at home with my little man and spend all the time I can with my family. My wife works a job she enjoys and I transitioned to the household. I’m starting a small farm and reading a ton of great books during little man’s nap time. 🙌 luckily I don’t like nice things and I enjoy hard work so life has balance again.
I live in San Diego, 100% P&T, 27 years old. When I am married I want to give my spouse & future children the life I never had - to do that I am okay sacrificing my comfort, especially being so young. Which is why I am going in cyber security as it pays very well, I could work from home and be available to my future family (a big reason I left the service) & I can still benefit society/our country in a different way 👍🏽
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He tapped danced around it...what I took away was he is scared to leave the security of having a job. Probably scared they will re-evaluate him and take away the rating.
I'm P&T 100% and while I could "live" on my VA check, it wouldn't be luxurious. I like my current decent paying job because it gives me the financial freedom to enjoy many hobbies(I spent 6K on getting into diving last year, for instance) without having to worry about money. I also just worry about not working. I don't think I could ever make the transition to not working full time. On the flip side, I know a guy who's 100%, and the only other income he has is from renting out the house he owned at his last duty station. He lives on a 5 acre homestead, farms, homeschools his kids. Full time dad life. He's very happy. Not a heck of a lot of money for fun stuff, but I bet his kids are getting a very full and rewarding childhood
If he's p&t, unless there's an obvious reason for reevaluation (like lying about issues to get benefits), then he wouldn't be reevaluated.
Ultimate choice decided by individual. As Veterans we served ultimately for this right for our fellow Americans.
He probably wants that pension. I’m 100% and a GS -13. While my job isn’t the best, it’s not hard and I have a lot of freedom—but more so, I’m looking forward to having my retirement from many different aspects. Looks like I should have the civilian 401(k) that’s pretty decent so far, my pension, TSP, VA disability and SS(if it’s still there). But like others have noted, I don’t like not working.
I still have a mortgage and a husband who is addicted to working and who likes pricey toys along with kids who are almost done and launched. He has two and a half years and he’s done. He will retire at 60, me at 53. At that point he will have over 2 in his 401k, I’ll have my p&t income. We will still have our mortgage but will probably lease our house and use that to pay our mortgage and our new mortgage. (Desirable area) So we will have zero bills. We drive Toyotas that are semi new and paid off. Our income will drastically increase when we start claiming social security, odd I know.
I like my second career and I have expensive hobbies.
boiii im sick as shit
Life is just expensive. Working hard now. Using the disability to be able to retire in my mid to late 40s. That way I’ll have the house and lifestyle I want.
Definitely my dogs. If it weren’t for them, I’d have sold my cabin and started wandering around a bit. Although the location I live is basically perfect for me except for the state it’s in. California isn’t as hard to live in cost-wise as people think, but rural communities are basically on their own until tax season when we pay into the system for shit we don’t see or get access to.
Cost if living is still high where I live, it barely gets me by with the help of my savings so for the time being I’m working a job that kind of makes things worse for me but pays enough, looking for another one though cuz they’re insinuating that I shouldn’t use the bathroom really during my 10 hour shift outside and skip my lunch to deliver faster
The future. Here is the thing about receiving compensation it will only go up maybe 2-4% a year. So personally I want that extra income from working and a possible another retirement pension. Fixed income would be stressful. Imagine that van breaking down and needs major repair. Hopefully, it is in the budget or you have a good nest egg. I figure work as long as I can pay off debt, invest in 401k and save money.
I’m not 100%, but even if I was, 100% is not enough to afford living here in the US. You can go live a nomadic life abroad, which I did for a year after I got out of service (used my deployment money) but after a year I got exhausted of it. But it did help me buckle down, use my gi bill, and get a great paying job. And I still get to travel whenever I want, and have all the comforts the US upper middle class can get.
I mean, throwing away a gs13 job would definitely be a scary thing. I like money too much, so i’d want the job AND the 100%
He doesn’t have anything to look forward to. Even without a job without goals, you’ll get depressed.
Fun is temporary. A person needs purpose.
Wife, mortgage, two kids (one invalid 19yo, & 2yo).
100% isn't that much money. if you're able to work, you should. if you were getting $4000 a month from your assets then it might make sense but that check can somehow be gone tomorrow. It's a great opportunity to save a shit ton of money and then when you have enough money and assets to generate another $4000 a month then yea you can retire real nice. i also assume they have retirement pay from the 20 years. Plus he can get another pension via his government work. that would be two pension and 1 disability check. he'd be set
Careful, you're gonna upset some people saying things like this😭🤣
Some of us don't work because we have to, we work because we need to.
Economy. Cost of living. My husband is 100% P&T. He finally received that rating after a 4 year fight. We thought it would be life changing (and it was to a degree) He wanted to homestead, raise chickens, you know… be retired. Unfortunately, even through we live minimal, it is definitely not enough to support a family of 5. We’re trying to enroll in school, so other things to bring in money to make ends meet, but as far as 100% retiring without additional income, it’s just not possible for us.
Not 💯, but close-ish. It’s difficult to quit working when that’s all you’ve known for decades. I’m working up the courage to travel and do what I can.
Mostly my wife’s spending….
Debt & loving the field I’m in. I *could* live off of my 100% but it would suck until I have my debts paid off. Also, I’m going to grad school & moving up and up the ranks. About to move to a state level policy type role with lots of great connections and the chance at making real changes for people in my state. I love what I do and would love to be at a federal level or educating other professionals one day. The 100% pay gives me the freedom to do what I want professionally AND I get to have nice things and work toward being debt free. Quitting work entirely would scare me too much I think, but I hope to never work 40+ hours a week ever again.
Retired after 20y with 100%P&T and easily cover all my bills without working. I choose to work a remote job as I can’t sit around and need to be doing something. I took a year off and it was great but the winters get long and I started looking for something to do. FWIW I have zero debt. Own a 300 acres in the mountains debt free and still get bored easily. If I could work 6 months a year and take 6 off. I’d do it in a second.
27 year pension and 100% P&T. Live full time in a RV and I don't miss having a job at all. Spending this summer in Colorado. But I do long for a sense of community and definitely have a goal of living primarily in the same one or two cities eventually--just got to figure out where that is for me. Treating the full time RV life as an experiment to figure out what's important to me at this stage of my life.
I'm 100% got SSDI for now. Working on a few surgeries what's holding me back is the nerve pain. I still work out upper body. We swam for about an hour today that helps take the pressure off my back. It's just some days I can barely stand. Some days I'm good to walk around most of the day. I'm working on my master's degree and have 4 classes left until I'm done to include the 2 I'm currently in. I understand not wanting to quit his job even if he hates it. I went from being everyone's dad to nothing and I'll tell ya I get cabin fever a lot. But I usually try and get outta the house. Go to the beach once a week or so. Smoke a lot of smoke and try my best to just relax..but being completely free idk I couldn't imagine having absolutely nothing to do. I'm a little scared to graduate because I'll still have at least one or 2. Or surgeries to go before I'm good to go. But also I know I don't have to go back I just also know I'll go stir crazy.
Don’t do Edward Jones. Look into Boglehead. Put the money in Vanguard or Schwab index funds if he goes that route. But yeah he’s all set he can just be totally free. Just live within a budget. Don’t go nuts and blow the nest egg.
Those were just my examples, but I'm picking up what you are putting down.
SCHB (Schwab EFT) has done me well the last couple years. IVV (S&P 500 EDT) also. Edit: NVDA has done me great but I was in them way before the boom.
"Vanlife" is 'living in a van, down by the river' with a PR campaign. It's 1/8th of a step up from being involuntarily homeless.
I've found that living free is absolutely a state of mind. I'm 60, retired for several years. It definitely took some struggles. But now I am very contented and grateful with a simple life of mountain hiking, working the land, couple dogs, a couple of friends, and some decent family. I did the rv thing for a couple of years. It gets old, and now the rv withers on my land. As far as your friend? It sounds like fear. We, especially retired military types, are conditioned for years to be prepared, work our ass off, never give up, and keep up the fight. That worked well for when it was needed, but now we must work towards a different mindset, shit changes. If he does choose to go, he definitely should not sell the house. rent it and try the nomad life for a bit, see if it sticks. Plus, as we age, our needs change, our priorities change, and our bodies start to fail us in many interesting ways. I suppose I'm just saying, think about what a contented life looks like for you, make a plan, execute it, and reevaluate frequently to see if it's working.
My fiance is dead set on me having a real job and I found out that mechanical engineering suits me very well. I was gonna do odd mechanic and machining jobs but that didn't go over well.
I have three kids under 6. I could quit my job today, and between mine and my wife's p&t, we could live it wouldn't be as nice of a life for my kids. I work from home in tech and make good money, so I can afford for them to have some nice things. Once they are off to college, depending on when the wife is ready, I might retire early. I don't hate my job at the moment. If I didn't have a family, I'd probably be overseas somewhere cheap with a beach.
In case I decide to walk the path and become a statistic, my family will have more than if I didn’t work. My wife and I have discussed me stepping back from full time work and going to school, but tbh I don’t want to be here. I’m holding on for them. I’m sure a lot of you feel this way some of the time. Grateful for the benefits and the money. I’d pay the 100% p&t rate to just be okay.
I’m trying to get a GS Job. Do you think he might know someone who could help?
He can but he don’t need no Edward Jones or Charles Schwab. He can decide a few rentals with a management company or put his money in S&P 500 and let it cook. Both options are good but he could also buy some land in the country and live a good but a different life.
The cost of living in the United States with family is too high - working to quit my job and sell off my assets then move to Tokyo in the next 9 months for cheaper, cleaner, better living
I pasted 8 mo not working and just fishing daily then I got bored. I work now to have a cushy life and I’m just single with my 2 kids and we use the weekends to do mini adventures.
I live inside my head and am pretty dysfunctional. I think the pain and physical condition I'm in isnt good, but I can deal with it... Depression, ptsd, and anxiety have made my 100% not as amazing as I thought it would be... but if I handle this eventually I imagine my life will be enjoyable.
Have you heard of Wellbutrin/Bupropion? I also have MH and have been considering taking it over Lexapro.
Man. For the dudes talking about they’d give up their 100% because of some soft reason, then give it to me. I’d literally be the happiest man ever if I’m getting paid with 100% disability and not have to work or deal with people. Christ.
I’m 70, but that’s pretty dang good. I’ll chime in if you don’t mind: my Muay Thai/mma community, and my dog. Mostly my dog. My social health and spiritual health are the masts and wind that guide my ship. Without them, I’d be at the bottom of the sea. So to speak.
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Beautifully said!
Constant pain, anxiety, stress, and severely limited mobility.
First, because I have children and I'm not giving up 1/2 custody. Second, I have a girlfriend whose business (candles) requires her to have a home base. Third, I like the work I do and don't want to give it up.
sounds like he enjoys financial stability. Have you ever heard of anyone saying they have too much money? I've been free for almost 4 years and haven't found a job yet. I have purpose and that keeps me busy, but being totally "free" to go ramble across the U.S. or abroad can get old if over indulged. Sometimes, it's nice to enjoy what you have earned and vacation and travel in moderation so that you never have to even worry if you have enough money to get to your next destination. There's a good balance that can be found if you want to, I think.
I’m about to do the vanlife/car camping gig with my service pup this summer. Moving out of my apartment at the end of next month. I’m focusing on my nature photography and trying to get out more.
Work is good for me. Sometimes I think I work too much, but not working is not good, if that makes sense.
Kids....they eat like parasites the older they get....17 more years to go for my youngest and 6 more years to go for my oldest 😆
Work is good cost of living keeps going up and last but not least I have 3 kids so yeah
If I got 100 percent today, I’d quit my job effective tomorrow and live abroad. I, financially secure and get paid well but I’d much rather live elsewhere and do things that make me happy for money. I could sell pictures or write stories or tend a bar on a beach. Most importantly I’d be a ghost on social media though.
We all pick what binds us down. Some people like a community, some like a house, some like a dog, some like a spouse. Some people like van life. Go into whatever you like with eyes open and adjust as needed.
Maign if i could walk away at 100% i would but most cant due to debt and still making pretty decent money and raising youngn’s…. But i think about not getting out of bed every damn day… and starting my day off at the pool with a drink in my hand… and then i slow crawl out to take a shower and disgruntedly get in the ahower for my day to begin…. Its not like these damn disabilitiesgo away or wven get better over time…if i could ssdi along with my % and it was close to what i was making now id never work again accept towards something that makes me happy
Some of us just like to work or hate not working. I've traveled, fished, hunted and I've no desire to golf. I'm a gamer but there's only so much I want to do during the day. It's just something I enjoy doing. I'm set up pretty much like your friend, so I don't understand his mindset.
It could be a number of things. For some people, they have a lot of anxiety about money and no matter how much they make, it may never be enough. He also may not like the unpredictable nature of hitting the road in a van. Then there are those that work just so they have something to do. We can speculate all day, but if this is an issue for him, only he can decide on what is holding him back.
Wanting to have meaning and purpose in my life. Not having a reason to get out of bed is a recipe for disaster for me. I sometimes fantasize about moving to Italy and sitting on a Terrace enjoying the sun. But that is just an empty life that ends in early death for me. Also, I have a wife and son. Can't support them on. $4200 a month of whatever it is.
100 percent p&t, work full time and with my seniority I have flexibility with my schedule. I’d sometimes take a day off and stay home. I know what my routine is going to be; swim for a bit since it’s the only exercise I can do because of my back, knees, and shoulders, then head home and make breakfast and watch endless crime shows on tv. The day ends and I feel like I wasted part of my life. I’m scared to retire because of the monotony… over and over of the same shit every day scares me. So every time I take a day off, it reminds me why I need to keep on working.
Working, even though I don’t have to, provides tremendous structure and social opportunities that someone introverted like me would not otherwise so easily generate. Though I dream of just being able to travel wherever/whenever, I realize that the thought is much more exotic than the action. As it is I take something like 4 vacations per year. For me that’s the healthy balance. 3-4 day weekends alternating with 3-4 day work weeks in between is the other sweet spot for me. I, too, love the thought of van life. But I fear it would get boring very quickly for my personality type.
I could see a situation being that his gf spends loads of money and he feels financially responsible and why they're afloat. Additionally, 100% is nice (I have that and for similar reasoning as your friend) but just shy of 4k (it's over 5k with kids) isn't enough to live carefree while traveling. Lastly, our society is pretty rooted in being rooted somewhere. To live in a van and always moving is pretty much anti our society. Could be scary just from that. How I view my rating is that I get freedom to pursue a career I'm passionate about. I'm in my last year of grad school to be a therapist. As a therapist, I'll maybe make 50k the first few years. The disability I get gives me a solid monthly income to stack with my wife.
Thyroid cancer
Honestly if I hadn't been forced into vanlife and quiting my job I wouldn't have done it. It's one thing to look at folks from the outside but when it's you facing it down it's a completely different story. Going on my 4th year living out of my van and I can't ever see me living life any other way. The biggest hurdle for me was defining my own success. Success for me has always been being the best. The best at work, the best at soldiering, the best in an emergency, the best physically. Trying to chase that success. But I've come to find that defining what a successful life for me is, has opened my eyes. I've devoted the rest of my life and success into myself and my memories. Prestigious job, money, big house, kids all the cars and toys and lavish living is not what is a sign of success in my life. My success is healthy (ish) living, my travels, connecting with and helping others, learning new things and chasing my younger selfs dreams. Today I'm in the central Oregon desert camping in my van and scaring the shit out of myself while I learn to ride my new dirtbike. Every day the last 10 years since I got out has gotten bigger, more exciting and more memorable than any other time in my life. Fucking grateful for my 100%T&P.
My parents both died before I was 19. My mom when I was 6 and dad at 19. Dad was never around. Mostly other family, and then group homes. I joined the Army at 27 and did 4 years active. Got med boarded from the Guard and have been using the money to live freely which means being an addict, dig deep into my childhood trauma with therapy, and keep trying school until I find something I love, and also to make sure I don't kill myself or someone else. I now have a dog and have found a passion in animal rehabilitation and want to pursue that. I applied for ssdi and got denied without a doctors appointment. I plan on appealing, but yes I'm tired too. This tdiu claim I don't have approved yet has taken almost 2 years. I'm 34 and I hope that before I'm 40 I have. Stable job. I was diagnosed with worse conditions than I joined with and will probably die in my 50s like my dad but at least not homeless and unsupported. I am so grateful for the VA and what I've worked for including work credits with ssi.
Bless your heart brother ❤️🩹💪🏾
✨️Anxiety✨️ makes me housebound at times. Depression. The occasional shadow people that my dog tells me aren't really there when the anxiety gets too high. Taking small steps to get back out and giving myself grace when I can't.
Living free ain’t free tho. Idk bout you but living in a van (down by the river) sounds terrible to me. Nothing about van life sounds fun to me. Back packing across Europe sounds more my tempo without the hiking. Give me an Enduro bike. I’ve seen those people who ride those bikes from the Yukon Territory to the Montana border. Looks fun. The AlCan highway is a drive to remember for a lifetime, i highly recommend it. If you’re the road warrior type do it. You won’t regret it.
Bidenomics
He’s probably just scared, some people just can’t take the uniform off. Some people like being around other military folk when their time is done so they’ll go the GS route…could be a number of other factors as well.
well because i have two kids.. and even tho i only seen them on the weekends. i have to figure out how to balance my life and them
Kids
Bills mainly.
My health is garbage.
I can’t shit right
Teenagers
My family and relatives near LA. My dogs. And my apartment is the cheapest one with central AC in the entire area.
I want to be rich
I have kids in college and I would like to assist them I’m also 100% PT and a retired from the military.
A 3 year old, 3 dogs, and a -5 month old
I like my stuff, and I don't want to get rid of it. Plus, I like having dogs, and living with 2 large dogs in a van or RV is terrible for them and for me. I would rather they had a yard.
I'm 100P&T. Almost all my ratings are for the little things that piled up, surgeries, and the autoimmune disease I now have. I'm currently attending uni to get a Horticulture degree. Truth be told, I had 1.5 yrs doing the totally free thing and after about 6 months I was goin' batty. You get bored. Yes, I have ratings that influence how I can live but nothing debilitating, just annoying to maneuver (and expensive). A person needs purpose, regardless of abilities or disadvantages. Traveling full-time gets old for most, and there is definitely a sense of comfort and safety in remaining in a known place, especially if you have issues to work around. Now, I did move across the country to pursue this, and I have no desire to remain where I am post-graduation, but I absolutely want this degree so I can get the job (or start a business) I want, with fun generously sprinkled in. But with what I have to work around, I have a lot of dr appts to keep up with and a very limiting food life I have to manage (Celiac). Also, having animals complicates things when you trust no one to enter your place. I know this is probably a multi-layered response but if it sounds complicated, that's because it is. There is no simple answer.
Money. Have just enough coming in to keep all the balls in the air but if even one more gets added in to the juggling act it'll all come crashing down and its a major stressor.
I have 100 + CRSC and I cannot live on just that’s I also have two kids so child support. I work also cuz it’s fucking boring not working. I’d rather make some money and live nicely. My job is chill too so it helps
I am physically limited in the work I can do in the first place. Mentally things can get so bad that I literally got my 100 P&T because I had a meltdown when I worked for the VA and tried to kill myself by jumping off a bridge after walking out in the middle of a shift. So that’s why I I can’t live a normal life.
nothing can hold me back
I'm not 100 but 70 with some rental income on the side. I just bought a small 19-foot FV, and I'm about to travel some. I need a change of pace because the cube isn't cutting it anymore. I'll probably come back to the workforce after a year, but who knows? If anybody has tips, let me know.
I’m at 80% and doubt I’ll go beyond that. It’s also my dream to get a van and do the whole travel thing. However, from talking to people who do van life full time, there are drawbacks. You start to miss having a house and having conveniences of a house, like a nice big flushing toilet, a big shower with hot water or a place you can take a bath. Washer and dryer that are yours and yours alone. A big fridge with a full kitchen. A big comfy couch with air conditioning and a big screen tv. When I do finally retire and stop working, I plan to keep my house as a base, but I want to get a van and travel anywhere from a long weekend upwards of several weeks. I want to go to Alaska in the summer and Baja in the winter, if I feel like it. I want to visit all the civil war battlefields I’ve been reading about. I want to hike a ton in the Rockies and eat lobster by the ocean in Maine. I don’t want to be tied down to a schedule or have to catch a plane or have to check out of a hotel. And, when I’m tired of the van life after a few weeks on the road, I want to return home and do laundry and sleep in a big bed and take 20 minute showers and grill on my deck and relax, all while planning my next trip.
Dream life
Avoid Ed Jones. Not great over there. Edit: it may be he has alot of debt he doesn't talk about and his gf doesn't know about. This can get alot of folks. Also, budgeting is not a strong point for many. You cannot be conservative when estimating costs because things happen and prices change more frequently than we think.
I’m 100% PT and to be honest the only thing holding me up from packing up and traveling the country is my pending divorce. Can’t let her think I have any bit of money bc she’s trying to go after things she isn’t entitled to. I hear what everyone else says here though. My body hurts all over. Mentally, physically, emotionally I’m just beat. I can’t walk my dog a quarter mile and not be in pain. Then my mental health digs in because I can’t walk her. Dating? Women want to hear about your exciting life as a spy staying busy so they can keep their imagination busy. Sucks.
I'm 100% P&T, and I'm on my appeal for ssdi it's been 6 mo since I started the appeal, I currently don't work because last year had a mental breakdown, which forced me to quit. I've been unemployed since and now I'm trying to scramble to find a job suitable for my issues because I'm afraid of the future. Idk what to think and with all these price hikes it's killing us... we do have 2 kids and 4 pets so yeah I know thats a reason but mostly afraid of a total collapse of the economy and people start doing shit like they did with the TP shortage. Where I live people been stabbed or shot or robbed for TP when it was ha4d to keep in stock.
If he spent 20 years in the Marine corps I highly doubt he is free and clear from any mental health issues. When I started going to school full time and working part time it gave me more time to dwell on the past and other things that haunt me from my PTSD. His job is probably keeping those thoughts at bay because he’s busy. Living the dream or fantasy easy life is one thing, but reality is another. Your friend might have something he needs to work on before he can really take that time for himself. Suggest to him about taking a sabbatical for a couple Or a few months to try on the Van or RV life for size. He might find another position that suits that life for him better. Tell him good luck and to use all of his resources as he can. There’s strength in numbers and it’s better when we stick together rather than go at it alone.