I got a book from the Toronto Public library. "Nomadland: Surviving America in the twenty-first century" by Jessica Bruder. It is a study about the life of elderly nomads in America.
I loved the narrative style. It feels like reading a novel, yet it is not. The author studies the life and working conditions of these people who chose to live in their vehicles.
I always thought the vandwellers are not educated to have jobs. This book is really an eye-opener. Many vandwellers have a degree and had good jobs before. Then, life happens, the economy changed and jobs vanished. There was no money to pay for the mortgage. They can't sell the house because the current price won't even cover the mortgage debt. They were forced to walk away from the house, they paid for years! Because of their age, they can't find good-paying jobs anymore. They hit the road and work whatever comes on the way.
The working conditions Amazon provide for the seasonal workers was shocking. How a rich company like that can treat their employees like crap?
The book is not glorifying the nomadic lifestyle as a fun way of living. It was amazing to find out the websites helping the nomads to find jobs and parking.
The book made me find the movie "Nomadland" on Amazon. Rented it and watched it too. I loved the movie.
The book and movie made me realize the blessings of everyday life. It also encourages paying off the mortgage faster and having a bigger emergency fund. It also taught me the realities of nomadic life!
What are your thoughts about living in a van and surviving on low paying seasonal jobs?
Bindu
Thanks for the recommendation. Will add that book to my reading list.
ReplyDeleteThat was interesting and educational for you -- and us too.
ReplyDeleteI've read that book too. I thought it was way too long. She makes her point very quickly which was likely her original article in one of the magazines. It is a very sad story but not a new one considering how many people have been homeless for a very long time.
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