Jayco-noslide
Galesburg,Il., USA
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Joined: 11/24/2004
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What's the word out there about the effect of fuel prices and inflation in general and its effect on workamping? Does it seem that employers are having trouble geting workers to committ? Have any of you cancelled or changed plans because of the situation. We have committed to a July 1 start at a job 1600 miles away but I am rather worried about the longterm future of the RV lifestyle.
Jayco-noslide
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Mr. Camper
ARKUSA
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Joined: 01/30/2004
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On our last camping trip a couple of weeks ago we had a nice campfire going and several couples from nearby came over and we had a good conversation about this when one of the husbands said, "Maybe we should park our RV's in destination campgrounds and then trade the keys with others and drive without towing." At the time nobody laughed, but it got everyone to thinking. We were toying with the idea of doing some workkamping this summer when the cost of diesel went through the roof and we opted for a seasonal site closer to home for the summer and a short granddaughter visit for 2 weeks.
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Lou3NLyn1
USA
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Joined: 12/08/2004
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Perhaps our situation is different than many folks. We worked all winter for our site and electricity, so essentially we lived free except for food. We traveled from South Texas to home to see family and doctors and that was right at 1300 miles and $600.00. We then traveled almost 1000 miles to our summer job at a cost of $500. We will work here this summer and clear something on the order of $9000. So, we spent about $1100 to get to a place where we will net $9000....AND live free all summer except for food and entertainment seems like a reasonable exchange to me. Of course we are financially in a position where we are NOT depending on those earning to pay ANY bills, it all goes towards enjoying this lifestyle. We have good income from elsewhere that allows us to pay bills and put away money for savings.
Lou
Lou & Lyn
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ORbiker
Eugene, Oregon
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Joined: 02/17/2005
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We are thinking of workamping.
I was thinking that the miles might be tax deductible.
I (2-10-05) bought a 2002 F350 CC SWD PSD and a new 2003 Citation 10'8. Rancho 9000X & Toyo M55's.I have been a tent camper all my life. I wanted more comfort while doing my Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol & Crater Lake Ski Patrol duties.11
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tandkj
Full timer
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Joined: 08/04/2003
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We workamp when we feelthe job is right for us and we bank the money. The military retirement, as well as a corporate retirement take care of the bills and fuel. Or it did until the price went to $4.00. Now we dip into the banked money. We are spending the summer Sheridan, WY workamping.
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HappyKayakers
Sebastian FL for the winter season
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Joined: 11/28/2005
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ORbiker wrote:We are thinking of workamping.
I was thinking that the miles might be tax deductible.
There's a form on the IRS website for moving expenses(can't remember the number right now) but you have to meet 2 tests: distance and time. Most of us would meet the distance test, few would meet the time test (how long you have to work in the new area before it counts).
Joe, Suzanne (Kayak Queen), kayaks, bicycles and inline skates.
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jf44
Timpson Tx
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Joined: 02/27/2004
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I think the gas will slow down a lot of volunteer's , we're not
going to drive a long distance for a free campsite and pay for everything else. We can live a lot cheaper at home. People that make
payments on rv's and tv can't afford to go anymore to enjoy rv'ing.
Looked forward to retirement, now its here, all the high prices keep
us down.
* This post was
edited 04/29/08 08:07am by an administrator/moderator *
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Fulltimer50
Eloy, AZ
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Joined: 07/07/2001
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One thing we are thinking about is to make shorter moves and stay longer. We will not leave Fl for WA for a 3 month summer job.
George
99F250XLT/SC/LB/4x2/3.73LS/gauges/JNB BypassReg/ Airlifts/Rancho 9000s/DS Predator Tuner/203*TS/Coolant filter/Jimmyjammers/Oilguard/4"turbo back/Suncoast tranny/BD EBrake.
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DianneOK
Sioux Falls, SD
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Joined: 03/19/2004
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It will not slow us down. We will continue to travel as we have in the past. We will still stay 3-4 months in a spot, then move to the next one, even if it is across the country.
We love what we are doing and fuel prices will not stop us. Our fiver is our home and it will remain so.
Dianne
Fulltimers (9 years)
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was_butnotnow
Fulltime: Emery, SD
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Joined: 05/28/2003
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You can look at it a couple of ways... Now I'm talking fulltimers here.
Some might think they should workamp or volunteer for the summer when they used to just travel and see the sights as they feel they could save money by not driving. That will relate to less openings for others that used to do it in the past. More people doing this and the compensation rate goes down do to over supply of workers.
Or people just don't travel this summer as workampers and stay close to a home base so more demand for the services of workampers.
Or the general public doesn't travel and so less need for workampers. Campgrounds empty etc.
What will it be...
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