Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Mobility versus Security

For many people in this fast changing world we live in both in the United States, Europe and in various other places, mobility often trumps security especially for people under 30 to 40 years of age. Especially since so many people who were trying to own their own houses have now lost them, for many, this dream may be permanently dead for a variety of reasons. However, if one is single or with a significant other and sometimes being mobile also works with children if they are being home schooled or on independent study, many will choose now a mobile versus secure life, whether this is temporarily or until something else can be found. Often one can own their own camper, mobile home or trailer, and with this comes its own kind of security especially if the truck, camper, mobile home or trailer is paid for. In fact, owning outright their truck, van, camper, mobile home or trailer might be the single most important thing on these people's minds because if they own their vehicle outright no one can then take it away from them like they might have their house or condo.

The other potential advantage is that one can go wherever the jobs are at that time of year and I have known in previous years single people who often (if their vehicle was paid for) living on 3000 to 5000 a year just by picking up odd jobs here and there. Though many might not be suited for this kind of life, others seem to thrive living often in the most beautiful places this way worldwide for sometimes months or years.

So, unless your home that you own is completely paid for and you have money to continue to pay the property taxes, sometimes being mobile in something you own will allow you to live wherever you can find a job or even to live in the most beautiful places you can imagine, near oceans, mountains, deserts or whatever you like.

ANY home that is not completely paid for CANNOT be considered an asset these days because likely you cannot sell it and get your money out of it. However, if you own your mobile home, trailer, or truck camper or van outright, it is an asset even if it still needs repairs and a new license and insurance every year.

So, as in other eras of the past, having whatever you own paid for might be a necessity for your ongoing survival in these crazy unknown times. Just look at Hurricane Irene for one example. Just like the Navy's ships if you were watching CNN or another network on TV or internet, you could have driven somewhere the storm wasn't going to hit and been just fine.  During weather or other kinds of Crises mobility or the capacity to be mobile in an emergency might pay big dividends like in staying alive and healthy for one.

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