Individual in His Mid-Thirties Optima for Mobile Existence, Berth in a Compact Truck Permanently, Living Frugally off a Monthly Expense of $1,305
Ashley Kaye, a former Wisconsin resident, has swapped her traditional lifestyle for a life on the road in a converted Toyota Tacoma truck. After spending three years exploring the world, Kaye has adopted the overlanding lifestyle and shows no signs of settling down anytime soon.
In 2020, Kaye quit her job and had approximately $37,000 in savings. This financial cushion was put to good use when she purchased a Toyota Tacoma truck and drove it back to Wisconsin, where she had just sold her childhood home. Inspired by a couple she met on Instagram, Kaye invested around $37,000 in 2022 to set up her mobile home, creating a comfortable living space that suits her preference for small spaces.
Kaye's lifestyle is characterised as "the plan is there is no plan." She travels at her own pace, spending two to three nights at any destination. Her adventures are split between travel days and leisure days, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the culture and beauty of the places she visits.
So far, Kaye has traveled to 20 countries, with her journey taking her from the United States to Central and South America. In March of 2023, she had necessary upgrades made to her Toyota Tacoma truck in Baja California, Mexico, preparing it for the challenging Pan-American highway. Kaye's goal is to travel the entire length of the highway, from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina.
Despite the uncertainty that comes with her nomadic lifestyle, Kaye finds comfort in her camper and the freedom it provides. She is currently writing about her experiences on Bored Panda, sharing her stories and insights with a wider audience.
Returning to the U.S. full-time is unlikely for Kaye, but she is considering a life in the South of France, Spain, or Italy after her adventure. For now, however, Kaye is content to keep exploring the world, one destination at a time, living her life without a fixed plan.
According to Kaye's experience, living and traveling full-time in a converted Toyota Tacoma truck costs her approximately $1,305 per month. This includes all her expenses while she is on the road, allowing her to maintain a comfortable lifestyle without settling down. Not having a job to fill her time was Kaye's biggest struggle after quitting her job, but she has since found fulfillment in her travels and the people she meets along the way.
Kaye's experiences serve as a testament to the power of taking a leap of faith and embracing the unknown. By leaving behind her old life and embarking on a journey of self-discovery, she has found a new sense of purpose and contentment. For Kaye, the overlanding lifestyle is more than just a way to travel; it's a way of life.
In 2023, Ashley Kaye decided to redesign her home-and-garden, investing around $37,000 to convert her Toyota Tacoma truck into a mobile home, catering to her preference for small spaces. When she's not on travel days, Kaye enjoys immersing herself in the culture and beauty of the various countries she visits, adopting a travel lifestyle characterized by no fixed plan.
