fchammer1
AR, FL, PA & points in between
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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We don't give up; but we do adjust.
No more campgrounds en route -- boondocking all the way via Sam's Clubs, Walmarts, Moose Lodges, and Cracker Barrels.
No more paying exorbitant rents that go up each year. (Estimated to cost us $40K over the next ten years.) Maintenance and taxes on our RV lot will be year-round at $102 per month; lost interest income from the purchase price = another $125. $227 per month for ownership isn't bad. And the RV Resort where we bought is nicer than the campground where we used to stay -- with as much (including the ocean) or more to do!
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Dave T
Grand Rapids,MN
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Joined: 04/27/2002
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I will make up my mind in August! Roughly 600 plus gallons(rough trip)of gas to get down & back. It has always cost more to get home then the trip down. Then there is the added cost of LP.
A person hates to just sit home because how many more winters do we have left? This isn't a dress rehearsal we are going through!
2004 37B Adventurer
2003 Dodge Dakota-toad
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hendersonb
Fairfield, PA
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Joined: 09/25/2004
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Well said ladymc53. If we were to stay home this winter we would pay more for the propane to heat the house than the round trip diesel cost to sunny Florida even at 5 bucks a gallon. Not to mention the savings on no cable bill(100 bucks a month), no trash pick-up and 20 dollar a month electric bill while we are away. Going south is still the best option for us.
Robert
2008 Ford F350 Super Duty 6.4 PSD
2008 Montana 3400RL
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1fastdad
mo.
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Joined: 08/27/2007
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My MH doesn't use any gas at all when it is seting in sunny warm south florida for 5 months.
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CardinalRule
Gimli, Manitoba (Summer) Yuma, Arizona (Winter)
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Joined: 12/27/2000
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Once we are in Yuma our monthly costs are comparable to home. The extra expenses are
Fuel both ways - $2200.00 (not counting fuel used here)
Site Rental - 1500.00
Health ins. - 1300.00 (will go up with age)
Golf per round - 2000.00 (at home I would have a $800.00 membership)
I don't count wear & tear on the truck & trailer because we would be using them locally. I also didn't take into account fuel usage here for weekend excursions. I also didn't account for day to day fuel although it's a further savings (cheaper than Canada & not the distances to major stores - I live in a small town)
If I stayed home I would want a winter break so would pay far more than that for a 10 day vacation package (not including travel health ins.). I'm already money ahead.
Now lets look at our meds
Mine - saving $700.00 +
Wife - Saving 900.00 +
And then there's glasses every 2 years easily a savings of $800.00 for the 2 of use.
Scotch in Yuma $12.99 per 1.75L (Scotch here $38.00 for 1.14L)
Beer in Yuma 10.00 per 30 (Beer here $32.00 per 24)
We are far more active in Yuma and as a result our health is much better. We are not at risk for falls or snow shoveling heart attacks. We don't have to look out at 6 months of depresing weather.
All told I would rather get out & enjoy the warmer climates & the great people and friends in the South.
As the saying goes - You're a short time live & a long time dead. Get out and enjoy life - You've earned it.
(Edit) I forgot about the saving on home heating, electricity & water while the house is shut down - easily pays for our propane in Yuma.
Dave
I RV, I Golf - Therefore I Am.
'03 F250 Crew Cab 6L PSD
05 Cardinal 30TS - Custom Paint, TrailAir suspension & Pin Box, & lots more goodies
Onan Microlite 2.8 - with auto transfer
Mio C520 GPS Navigator
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Dave T
Grand Rapids,MN
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Joined: 04/27/2002
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Going south has always been an extra cost. No cost savings period! If you have a home in the northern parts, you still are maintaining 2 homes. Eating & living is the same no matter where you are! So it is a personal decision as to how much extra you are willing to pay to stay warm! I would a save few thousand dollars by staying home & turning up the thermostat. Do I want to? NO!
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Keith M
Cle Elum
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Joined: 07/28/2002
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Well there is one pretty easy way to knock down the fuel cost and that is to put the RV into storage. I saw one place out in the desert that was only $30 per month. A MH user could put his rig into storage for eight months for $240 and drive a 32mpg toad down for Washington, Oregon, or BC in as little as two days for maybe $250 including lodging each way. If you are counting the cost is $740 total back and forth and storage. By the way quite a few snowbirds already do this so its really nothing new.
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mockturtle
Northwest
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Joined: 05/31/2005
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We're going to AZ. One more winter like this one (yes, it's still here!) would probably kill us!
Husband: Derek
Dog: Bucky
RV: 2000 Aerolite 19RB TT
TV: 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 6 cyl. 4WD
This car used to be our toad, now is our TV!
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ladymc53
Canyon Lake, Texas
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Joined: 04/20/2007
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whistlebritches wrote:I'm not convinced that "this too will pass."
Oh it will...people never thought WWII would ever stop either. I remember when Oil was $20 a barrel and then dropped to $9 a barrel. (We were invested) It'll drop again - we have incentive now to come up with alternatives - they WILL find a way...just ride out the storm.
Bill & Linda
Ladymc & Shuttlebird
2008 Silver Dodge Diesel Dually 3500 - "The Silver Bullet"
Towing 1998 35 ft. Newmar 5th wheel
20K Husky Hitch & Blue Ox Bedsaver
Handheld Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS AND Sat. in dash mounted GPS in the truck
READY TO ROLL!
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ladymc53
Canyon Lake, Texas
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Joined: 04/20/2007
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Keith M wrote:Well there is one pretty easy way to knock down the fuel cost and that is to put the RV into storage. I saw one place out in the desert that was only $30 per month. A MH user could put his rig into storage for eight months for $240 and drive a 32mpg toad down for Washington, Oregon, or BC in as little as two days for maybe $250 including lodging each way. If you are counting the cost is $740 total back and forth and storage. By the way quite a few snowbirds already do this so its really nothing new.
Actually, this is the best idea I've heard yet. Not that I have the problem - but if I did, this would be my choice.
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