A New Gig for Retirees – Become a YouTube Star
Category: Adventurous retirement
January 19, 2022 — Bob Wells’ story seems like the perfect companion piece to our recent article on non-career jobs filling the vacuum for people in their early 60s. This baby boomer used to work at a Safeway, then fell on hard times. Living in his van, he discovered that he loved the nomad life – its freedom and simplicity appealed to him. So then he started a blog and website to write about his lifestyle. While satisfying, it was not renumerative. That’s when he decided to switch to videos, starting the CheapRVliving channel on YouTube, where he promotes the “nomadic tribalism” way of life.
Many Topretirements Members might recognize Bob, since he was one of the stars in the film “Nomadland” with Frances McDormand. In the movie he meets Frances (Fern) at the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, a gathering for other nomads in Quartzite, Ariz. Although he looks a lot like Santa Claus, he has created quite an empire around van living with his 500,000 subscribers. According to one report, he receives about $18 for every 1000 views.
Bob does have to work at it to support his channel and lifestyle. Every week he posts 2 videos about van living, often visiting other campers to show off their customizations and tweaks to the lifestyle. A good example of a popular video is him showing an easy way to do laundry on the road.
Bottom Line
Bob’s success with his YouTube channel is a great example of why it is important to be creative if life puts you into retirement before you planned, or your retirement finances aren’t what you hoped. There are many possible avenues to follow, whether it is a part-time job with no benefits, or starting your own business. Bob followed a path that many use to find success – he started a business about something he knew and was passionate about.
Comments? Have you thought about starting your own business in retirement, or have you already? Please share your hopes and dreams in the Comments section below.
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