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RE: first time snowbirding
Anywhere in the Tampa area should give you warm weather in February and March. Good access to Gulf beaches, flea markets are everywhere, and the rents are a little lower than the Naples, Ft. Myers areas. Ft. Myers is very crowded - lovely, but crowded. Bradenton? Palmetto? Ruskin? Clearwater? All fine places.
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PRT
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11/24/09 07:16am |
Snowbirds
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RE: florida keys
You might look at Homestead. I don't remember the name of the park there but it's supposed to be nice and then it's a straight shot to the Keys.
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PRT
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11/23/09 08:24am |
Snowbirds
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RE: When first time snowbirding.....
This is our 11th. year snowbirding and I would say we spent the first three or four winters wandering Florida, 4 days to a week in one spot, and narrowing down the areas/cgs we liked. About six years ago we settled on two parks, one for a month and then one for two months. Two years ago we bought a small park model in one of those parks and here we are for six months a year. By that point (buying) all we were using the rig for was snowbirding so we sold it that summer. Happy with the way it has worked out for us, and everyone likes something different. I think it pays to look around. Of course, gas used to be much cheaper which does need to factor in here. Have fun!!! You'll love it.
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PRT
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11/22/09 05:43pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: florida keys
If you mean the winter of 2010 you better be on the phone now finding a spot. And finding the money for said spot. The Keys are expensive to stay in - lovely, but expensive. Good luck with reservations.
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PRT
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11/22/09 05:36pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Florida Thunderstorm Warnings - awning in or out ?
I am another put it in vote. Winds can come up suddenly and losing an awning can damage more than the awning.
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PRT
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11/22/09 05:33pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Would you miss Saturday home mail delivery?
I would if Saturday was the only day my wife's Victoria's Secrets catalog came. :E
It would probably still be delivered come Monday! No such luck for you :B
Who needs the catalog? Go online any minute of any day.
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PRT
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11/21/09 03:45pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Would you miss Saturday home mail delivery?
I'd be fine with it. Two days without mail in a row would be a treat. Keep the prices of stamps and services the same (that is doubtful no matter,) and cut a day.
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PRT
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11/18/09 03:33pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: MSN reports hasard to pedestrians especially in Florida
We spend the winter just southeast of Tampa and that's an easy city to drive in. The drivers you have to watch out for are those in the golf carts (not in Tampa proper.) Those folks are evil. I now refuse to shop at a store that has golf cart parking.
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PRT
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11/17/09 06:09pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Grocery Store Savings -- your personal best?
Considering the number of coupons in extras to the Sunday paper, the paper ends up being free for the week. I just spent some time this morning clipping the ones I wanted from this Sunday's edition. You have to look for savings where you can. I don't buy stuff I don't normally use just because there is a coupon.
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PRT
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11/17/09 12:36pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: mobile internet stick
The majority of Canadians at our park, and there are a lot, are seasonal and either subscribe to the park's wifi which is not free or get cable at their site for the time they are here. You can get internet, phone and the TV - or any combination thereof.
Until we settled in one winter spot, I found that park wifi varied w/ the park. If it was there, it was very site dependent in many cases.
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PRT
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11/16/09 09:03pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Grocery Store Savings -- your personal best?
You must shop at Price Chopper, Dutch!! I do too and love the gas savings.
I don't know my personal best, but I do use coupons and if a store offers a card, I get it. I don't care who is tracking my purchases as long as I save.
I also look for savings on meat. Often when meat is going to "expire" that day or the next you will get quite a bit off the price and the sticker is on the package. I'm going to freeze it anyway, so what do I care? Day old bakery products? If you go early enough in the morning they are not quite a day old!!!
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PRT
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11/15/09 08:43pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Retired, may I ask your opinion
We both retired at 55 and never regretted it. Each of us did something part time for a few years just to keep our hand in, but not on a regular basis. Neither of us understands how we had time to work. No boredom whatsoever.
I don't think your 200K is enough of a cushion, to be honest, and the 350K for your building is not liquid. You don't mention health insurance and if you can carry it into retirement. That is a biggie. You won't get Medicare until you are 65, and you can't take SS until you are 62. Even with Medicare you will need supplemental insurance.
I'm all for retiring early and doing things while you are healthy, but I don't know that you have enough financial protection. My 2¢.
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PRT
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11/14/09 06:01pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Christmas Gift Question -- help!
Julie,
I think your idea is great and I also like ridingfamily's idea of new paint, etc...and let mom help choose. It's her room when she wants it and that's lovely. Another thought is the mattress. We never realized how horrid our guest room mattress was until we had to sleep in it since our room had wet paint and smelled not good. We got a new mattress the next day for that bed. These could all be gradual gifts. You don't want to break the bank.
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PRT
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11/13/09 09:21pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Does Insulin Require a Prescription?
Our dog was a diabetic too and needed insulin for nine years. He was 16 when we had to put him down. In NY I needed an Rx for both his insulin and the syringes. He took people insulin and had shots twice a day.
To be safe coming from Canada, I would get ahold of a hard copy valid in the US.
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PRT
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11/11/09 06:21pm |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
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RE: School bus vs. HUMUNGOUS deer! OMG!
I think you handled the deer situation beautifully and what's a few choice words between friends? LOL. I would not have a child walk while a bus was in motion period. That isn't safe.
I realize people walk in moving motorhomes and probably shouldn't, but a child on a bus is a different case.
I'm surprised that practice is legal, to be honest.
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PRT
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11/11/09 03:52pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Please help this ignorant man with gift ideas!!!!!!!
I thought a lot about this - that's not a big budget :)
Socks from Bath and Body Works. Not a tacky place, a little bit different, and on sale for 2 for $12.
Everyone likes toasty socks in the winter - unless you live in the tropics or something.
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PRT
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11/09/09 06:48pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Digital Picture Frames
We were given a Kodak frame as a gift, and it is very nice, but the only way it works is with an SD card in it.
I think they are out there that you can load pictures via USB cable from your computer and change them at will. I would look for one of those. At the moment, we have our trip to China on the frame, but I rarely fill up a card - I download everything to the computer and go from there.
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PRT
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11/09/09 05:39pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Do you stay at the same park every winter, or???
This is our 11th. year snowbirding and we wandered extensively for three or four - all in Florida - narrowing down our favorites. Then we spent a couple of weeks in each of six or so places. Two years ago, almost three, we bought a small park model in one park that we loved and now this is it for six months a year. We come down in October, go home for about three weeks in December, and come back January through April.
Wandering is good. As someone said, each place speaks to a certain person. This park spoke to us. It was one of the first places we ever went in Florida back in 2000. It isn't fancy, the amenities are nicer elsewhere, but the people here can't be beat. Of course, our little hovel is right on the river and that's a major plus. I love my river :) We have tons of activities, we are close to good shopping and medical care, and the weather is generally wonderful. We're happy.
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PRT
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11/08/09 06:52pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: I cant belive a hurricane is coming
I doubt that this will do much.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/11L_2009_5day.gif height=640 width=480
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PRT
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11/06/09 10:21pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Terrible News - Shooting at Fort Hood
I just don't get things like this. If you feel a need to kill yourself, just do that and don't slaughter innocents.
Just read this in an AP story in our local paper online. Story was timed at 10:12 PM, EST
FORT HOOD, Texas — An Army psychiatrist set to be shipped overseas opened fire at the Fort Hood Army post Thursday, authorites said, a rampage that killed 12 people and left 31 wounded in the worst mass shooting ever at a military base in the United States.
The gunman, first said to have been killed, was wounded but alive and in stable condition under military guard, said Lt. Gen. Bob Cone at Fort Hood. “I would say his death is not imminent,” Cone said. Col. Ben Danner said the suspect was shot at least four times.
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PRT
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11/05/09 08:15pm |
Around the Campfire
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