Minimalist Era vs Van Life and Tiny Homes Living: A Retiree's Perspective
MINIMALISM AND RETIREMENT There's a reason I've chosen to use "versus" in my title. After six decades of watching societal trends come and go, I've learned that not everything is as interconnected as it seems. Today, I want to explore a question that's been nagging at me: Is minimalism and downsizing truly aligned with the van life and tiny home movements? In three words: Not exactly. Let me take you back. I remember the 1970s when the first wave of van life emerged. It was a time of social upheaval when young people were challenging the established norms of the American Dream. Back then, abandoning the white picket fence fantasy for a life on wheels was an act of rebellion. Now, it's become a marketed lifestyle. Fast forward to my retirement planning, and I see how these movements have transformed. What was once a counterculture statement has become a multi-billion dollar industry. The U.S. van life market is now worth over $1.7 billion, with social media...