We're not full timers but just got back from a two month 6000 mile trip. We spent very little more than we would have had we stayed home. Sure we spent around $2000 on gas but saved close to that on other expenses. If we did not also still have house expenses we would have been ahead of the game.
We are considering full timing and gas and other increases just don't seem relevant. Sorry, nay sayers, but I just don't see how it has gone out of reach for all but those who probably shouldn't be doing it anyway because their budget is so tight.
2008 Keystone Springdale 252
2004 Chevy Silverado, 5.3 L V8
Prodigy brake control and Equal-i-zer
Retired and traveling all we can!
I'm making plans on FT'ing... as I've just lost my house... and the long term economic outlook is bad for housing... so no point is struggling to get back into one. But more importantly (at least for me), I don't want to spend my late 40's thru 50's "sitting put" in another house... people spend their WHOLE LIVES workin', and worryin' about retirement... only to wind up too old to enjoy it.
I wanna see this country while I'm still young.. so I'm DOIN'IT... get back on my feet, save enough cash to buy a 5er or a RV and GO.
The economy is effecting everyone differently. Personally my wife and I are making more money now than ever. Our portfolio is looking great and our retirement accounts are doing well also. Obviously we are paying more for gas and groceries just like everyone else. But really, how much more a month is a person paying to live than they did 5 years ago...For us it's less than $150. If $150 is going to break you, than yes, you would have to be NUTS to think you could fultime.
ladymc53 wrote: 2 difference scenarios I'd like to submit for anyone's examination:
Mine: We have a nice, 10 yr. old PAID FOR 5'er, new truck that is not paid for, but will be as soon as the house sells, then we will be debt free. Our house pmt. is currently over $1,200/mo., electricity averages $250/mo. I'm not even going into taxes. We are sitting stationary till the house sells and are paying $350/mo and that includes all the electricity we want. No yard work, no garbage fees, no part time maid work to help keep an almost 4,000 sq. ft. home clean. Cheaper? You do the math.
My friend: Was renting a 3/2 small home for $850/mo, plus gas, electric, garbage, renters insurance, etc. I encouraged her to get a trailer or 5'er and convinced her how much cheaper it would be. Because of a foreclosure and bad credit they can't buy an RV. I told her about workamping. Her husband is a chef and has a full time job, so it had to be within their city (San Antonio area). She found a workamping situation that gives her free rent for a year if she works the summer (16 wks./37 hrs. a wk.) The owners have a trailer that they are renting to her for $250/mo and that includes all electricity. She ends up working a bit more each week and that's taken off her rent. She said they're saving so much money it's ridiculous. It won't be long they can pay cash for their own RV. The one they're in now is a 2005, nice and newer than mine. She plans on doing this for 2 yrs. to get ahead of the ball game. Do they have the perfect lifestyle? No, but it ain't bad! All kids are grown, 1 in college and they can pay it off quick. They love their little trailer and the lifestyle and have discovered by DOING just how much it is THEM. They don't intend to own a stix and brix again.
Can you do it? If you want to...you just have to ask yourself how big your want to is and be willing to do what it takes and figure it out. Where there's a will, there's a way.
Likewise - I am paying for a house and with the payment, insurance, taxes, upkeep, utilities, garbage and misc costs - the monthly average is near $2,000 each and every month. Plus have to mow the lawn, care for weeds, improvements and maintenance, and plus the "honey do list" that seems to be perpetual - the beat goes on.
Not that we have made that "final" decision but leaning really hard that way. Only catch is - we "love" our home. The next year or two we are going to go when we wish - month in Virginia coming up soon - December, January, February and March in south roaming around - then home in April for a while. See how that goes and if it is good - then we will opt for selling (IF the housing market is good by that time) - and our plans for "exiting" is this:::::
During our "roaming" times we will be keeping an eye out for areas or the country we may wish to settle back into - pending the creeping old age, health issues causing it (in my case it's a given - know it's coming just don't know when), and then at that time will lease a nice condo or town house. No maintenance, no mowing, no shoveling snow, and etc. We do have certain standards we will have to make sure is there - one is a more southern location to avoid the bitter cold of old man winter.
In mean time we will maintain our Iowa residncy through the business and my son located in Davenport Iowa - thus the Iowa taxes, which is far better than some out there on RV ownership and insurances, and go forward.
We will "go home" then without any realestate ownership having liquidated those assets long before and thus cause very little disturbance when we do. Our children and grandchildren will see us more this way as we can just drive to their area and spend a month or more with and around them - plus they are scattered all across the country....
That's "our" loose knit plans as of this typing.
God Bless
Bill
Bill W. Trammell
Wife - Judy
2001 Monaco Dynasty Chancellor
2008 Malibu 2LT toad
Life on the road with 2 homebases is 1/3 of the expenses I have with the sticks and bricks in MA. Once that little piece of life is disposed of, investment income exceeeds road expenses, even adjusted for inflation. Until then, I still do odd jobs and the DW has an executive position that she still really enjoys.
bigeking wrote: It always amazes me how quick the doom and gloomers come out. There are truly some people who are really hurting, but that is not everyone. I get so tired of hearing nothing but bad news, my gosh, the economy does this in in cycles just like the stock market. Certainly not all, but a majority of people who are loosing their houses, bought more than they should have. They let themselves be talked into arms, and when the payments went up they were in trouble. They could not make their payments,then the the lenders were in trouble. Oil prices going up so much has a trickle up effect, everything goes up. It has happened before and it will happen again, but do not stick your head in the sand and cry the sky is falling the sky is falling, adjust and rearrange your life, and do not do anything foolish that will get you in trouble and you will regret later.
You are so right on all points. I think some people actually want to fail at fulltiming. Granted, it's not for everyone, but there is no reason to turn sour grapes over it.
Three month summer work will buy 20K miles at $5 a gallon..so what's your beef. Maybe things didn't work out the way you plannned, but most folks can adapt and carry on. At least full time offers some variable expenses you can control...try that with the tax assessor, HOA, or whatever.
I personally stay away from black cloud people..."stinkin thinkin" never helps.
Happy Trails
06 Monaco Dynasty
99 Wrangler Toad
US Gear Tow Brake
FMCA 279843
was_butnotnow wrote: So you are planning to sell your house and go fulltime. What makes you think you can still do this in this economy?
Are you above 62 with SS or are you just cash rich? Some questions from us current fulltimers out there who are not just posting... "Ya go for it" every time we see that question come up in the forums. And we wonder if people have sat down and and done the math. Can you afford to do this and do you have a plan on how to come off the road when the time comes, as it will. So do you have funds set aside to even buy a park model trailer as an example when you just can't afford the price of fuel to drive to your dreams anymore.
I'm sorry but The American dream that we can do anything we want (in retirement) is no longer an option for a good portion of the so called middle class anymore.
If you are maybe retired military with health care, or get a pension with health Ins. and got out from under your house, and had a 401K that didn't get trashed in the tech bust a few years ago, then you might be able to go for it, and the rest of you get a life and plan, plan, plan.
If you sell your home and use all the funds to buy your RV and will have to work, more than just volunteering for a place to stay you just might be in trouble.
So the bottom line question here is do think you can still go fulltime? Tell us what makes you think you can afford to do it?
We made the full-timing decision 2 years ago... no regrets... warmer 6 months at a RV Resort where we own the lot & 6 winter months in Southern U.S.
Yes, fuel & other prices are rising but IMHO it is less expensive than living in a stick-house in the city (especially with the price of things in Canada).... besides that we avoid the severe winters of Alberta. AND, the people we have met during our travels are super nice.
BTW: do you have a part-time job as a PARADE RAINMAKER?
EH!
GeeksRUs
2008 Big Horn 3400RL
2003 F350, PowerStroke, 4x4, SuperCab, LongBox, SWB
RV Home Base @ Coyote Creek, Sundre Alberta
I never understand why people think it costs more to live in a tiny house on wheels, instead of a tiny apartment that could never go anywhere. I just don't understand the OP's question....
Personally, I've known more people that continue to work after retirement because they Want To not because they Have To. We've always considered the same thing for us. It will supplement our retirement and DH will be able to work as much or as little as he wants eventually.
Like Bubba's wife, DH has an occupation that pays him more to stay "on the road", so we took advantage of it long before SS kicks in. Balancing traveling, building retirement savings can get challenging. But like anything, it all depends on your attitude and aptitude. Sometimes you have to get creative and figure out a better way to do it.
Whether eventually we're living in a condo or a double wide, we'd like to keep an RV for work and play. But we honestly don't know what we'll be doing in 20 years. Life is constantly changing our plans.
2006 DRV Elite Suite 36TK3....our home
2008 Ford F450 Lariat CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
Offline
