Since hindsight is usually clearer, I'm interested in tips to prepare for fulltiming? I figured this would be the place to post!
I am 20 years away from retirement, but want to know: What would you have done differently to prepare? I realize that economy, price of gas, and no social security(?) may shoot my dreams, but any things I can do now to protect my retirement dream?
Just curious, thanks!
2006 Chevy 1500 Z71 crewcab
2004 Jayco Jay Feather 23D
Save-save-save!!! Do without a lot of the frivolous things in life, since you will just have to get rid of them anyway when you hit the road. It'll be worth it.
2Bcomfy wrote: What would you have done differently to prepare?
Not a thing. We're ready to retire and hit the road 3/4 time. We've gotta have a home and a wooded back yard to come home to now and then. Sooner or later, the kids'll take the truck keys from us and we have to live somewhere!
I guess there might be just one thing I'd do differently come to think of it. I'da stay'ed in college the first time in 1971 and not managed to get myself kicked out and told not to come back.!
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!
AIR FORCE RETIRED "EITHER LEAD,FOLLLOW,OR GET OUT OF MY WAY"!
2006 GMC 3500 SLT CC DRW 4X4 D/A LBZ,PREDATOR & FS2500 OIL FILTER
2004 HR PRESIDENTIAL 30 SCD 5'ER.
CHEROKEE & CHEYENNE, MINI DOXIE'S
LOADED LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN, FLYIN LIKE A JET PLANE!!
First, I'd say, enjoy today first. There are no guarantees for the future. Then I'd suggest putting all the funds you can into retirement accounts. Amazing how savings can accumulate in 20 years. Then make sure everything you own is paid off before that retirement date. Those are my suggestions of the day! Good luck, but don't think you will need it since you are thinking ahead already.
I have to totally agree with granite about enjoying today. DW and I are making plans for after retirement in 1273 days (but who is counting), but we still are enjoying today. Since our first date 12 years ago today, we have visited all 50 states and approximately 160 National Parks, National Monuments, and National Recreational Areas.
One thing that has greatly helped us financially is that we use a budget program. You will be amazed at where the money goes if you keep track of it. Our budget has helped us get totally out of debt, which makes it easier to travel when retirement gets here.
Good Luck.
Jim & Junnie
2005 Sunline Solaris T-2553 Our Web Site
beartruck wrote: Save-save-save!!! Do without a lot of the frivolous things in life, since you will just have to get rid of them anyway when you hit the road. It'll be worth it.
I totally agree with this statement. Even though DH and I lived frugally, we still had stuff that we had to get rid of in the end. And we did not have that much "stuff". You can check out our experiences with selling the house and everything in it at our website: Laura-n-Sasha.com Full Timing in 2007. It was in 2007 that we sold the house. Now workcamping in 2008.
Other things that you can do now (because who knows, you might retire early, we certainly are trying.):
Volunteer at a park - you gain the experience and you feel good at the same time;
Figure out a budget now and save for your ultimate adventure;
Learn skills such as mowing, weeding, planting gardens and flowers, how to fix the RVs, cleaning etc. These are skills that I see workcampers having. Not everyone can work indoors getting the phone calls and computer work. But make sure you have that knowledge too.
I would also suggest reading the book: Your Money or Your Life, there is a link to the book on my website, on the home page. After reading the book, you might find your "retirement" is more likely 5 years down the road instead of 20.
See you down the road,
If you aren't "good" with money/investing - get a money manager now.
Keep your debt down so when you're ready to go you are debt free.
I wish I had saved alot more money (of course if the company CEO hadn't robbed our company blind I'd have about 100K more then I do)
Diversify your investments !!! If I hadn't had all my money in my company 401K I'd have alot more money right now.
Like others have said - enjoy today !! Get a RV and travel - enjoy - live - love - laugh - blah blah blah
Laura-N-Sasha wrote: I would also suggest reading the book: Your Money or Your Life, there is a link to the book on my website, on the home page. After reading the book, you might find your "retirement" is more likely 5 years down the road instead of 20.
I would ditto this book. It's the exact book we used and yep... it was more like 5 years for us. The other book was The Complete Tightwad Gazette. You can get both through the library. If your library doesn't have them, request through the interlibrary loan system. That being said... these are two books that will return their cost multiple times even if you just crack them open for 5 minutes
I too have heard good reports on the book, but start by saving yourself some money and buy it from Amazon.com. Saving is the key to everything. If you tighten the budget now, that will also help when you do go because you will need less to live on.
In addition, start to study RVs now to be an expert by the time you get ready to make the purchase of the home on the road. There is no doubt that there will be many changes in what is used over the next 20 years, but if you follow the process you will know and understand what has changed and why. The best way to get a great RV is to know more about them than others who are in the business.
Plan what kind of RV life you wish to lead well in advance of the time to begin your trip. The more you know the better your chance of succeeding. A good plan is always helpful when it comes time to act. It is also the biggest single factor in success. The plan that you make now should be a living, changing thing that will grow and develop as you pass through the next twenty years so that when the day does arrive, you will be ready and you will know both what you will do and how you will do it.
I appreciate your tips and will head off the library to get the 2 books mentioned! I love the idea of workcamping or using my job skills(educator and home health).
I am already a tightwad, so I've got that part down.
If you have any more ideas, I would appreciate them! Thanks!
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