RE: Cost to Full-ime: What goes up, what goes down?
My wife and I were trying to get a handle on expenses if we choose to full-time one day. Without figuring the initial cost of the RV, here is what we have:
Expenses that decrease:
Homeowners' Insurance
Property taxes
Utilities
Car insurance (2 down to 1)
Home maintenance
Expenses that Increase:
Service and maintenance on RV
Gas or diesel
Apartment rental- modest 1 bedroom (this is unique to us - we want to maintain a small stick home for a number of reasons - at least it's offset by not having to rent a self-storage place).
Campsites: 365 x $25
This is just a start for us. What are we missing so far?
Hi Rich,
first off, do check some of the websites out that have expenses, you can check out ours at August Expenses, I just posted it. Even though we are full timers, we do so in a Truck Camper, which is much smaller than most. We have a car and a truck, plus a motorcycle, so the vehicle insurance is the same as it was before full-timing.
The biggest change in expenses has been the "decorating" one. You have furniture in the MH, you have carpet and tile already, don't need more.
You probably will not need fancy clothes, neckties, or panty hose, so decreases in clothing will go down.
You might spend more on food, both in the grocery stores and out to eat as you check out an area.
Athough you are not doing "Home" maintenance on a stick and brick, you are doing maintenance on a RV. So lawn service and maid service would be down, but roof service, maintenance on the vehicles, making sure pipes don't freeze or burst, buying water filters, chemicals for the black tank, cleaning the rig inside and out are just a few of the things you will need to do. Plus, if you have an apartment, you will probably have to do some maintenance there.
Utilities will be a wash because you have an apartment.
Of course, if you don't have the apartment, you can sell the things that you were planning to keep in a self storage area. Or you can get a bigger rig and take them with you.
Campgrounds- looks like that has been discussed to death. The only thing I would mention is that staying longer, to really get an understanding of the area, is always a good way to go, and getting a monthly site is much cheaper than a daily one.
Good luck!
RE: Snowbird/Snowriver
We are very saddened by this news. We have a Snowriver that has been as dependable as any other very well made product. We are sorry for Bob too.
RE: Then final word on Weekend Warrior
I hope the dealers will stand up for the customers, but this industry is a little weak on after-sale services.”
Pot calling kettle Black!
After-sale services are typically needed for maintenance and regular wear-and-tear issues, not for fixing flawed designs or fixing what should have been built right the first time at the factory!!!
RE: This isnt good...Open Road/Pilgrim shut down.
Verrrrry seldom do banks make mistakes.
But when they do, watch out!
Of course, after IndyMac's failure, there have been about 5 small bank failures and about 9 credit union failures. I'm sure we will continue to see more of them.
RE: Towing a used book store
I know it would not be allowed in Federal Parks - esp. National Parks.
Also private parks would have a problem with it, if they had a bookstore themselves, or if they do not allow selling on the property. The campground that I'm at would definitely have a problem with it.
RE: volunteer workcamping at national parks??????
would like to hear from anyone who has done this for a full hook up site around the country. what was your experience like, i know they are probably a far cry from the normal amenities found in a regular rv park or campground, but would like to hear how it went. and was there any repercussions at tax time
I volunteered from January 2007 to end of March 2008. The experience was fabulous, I would strongly suggest it to all those that can do it. The National Parks need the volunteers.
I received a full hook up site with Water, Sewer and Electric plus enough valuable experience which will get me paying jobs within the National Park Service in the near future.
There were no problems with tax time, we actually could claim deductions (as I volunteered for about 4 months before we moved onto the site) for driving back and forth. I was able to claim deductions for clothing/hiking boots that I needed to buy for the volunteering gig, plus laundry fees.
Check out our website (link below) and check out Full Timing 2007.
Amenities are what you make of them. A private campground would have the cable hookup, but close quarters. Lots of rules, maybe a bunch of amenities, but you would also get paid, and have to report at tax time. When you volunteer, it is a free site.
At the national park, we had over 2 acres at one site, a huge spot at another part of the park, and a cabin for the winter. Each place had its own amenities but we were able to hike whenever we wanted, check out the wildlife, and usually had internet (via our Sprint card - not via them.) We probably stayed healthier too. That alone is worth a lot.
RE: What will jumpstart the baby boomers into buying again.
...One age group that is really unpredictable is Gen X--you know the ones with the weird hair and body piercing...that snowboard...do flips and twists in the air on skateboards and bikes...you know the ones that can't afford to buy a $500k home but still want the American dream. This group has and will have serious $$$$ to spend (unless they get stuck with a 90% Social Security Tax rate)!
Generation X is a term used to describe generations in many countries around the world born from 1965 to around 1980. In the U.S. Gen X was originally referred as the "baby bust" generation because of the small number of births following the baby boom.
Generation Y (sometimes referred to as "Millennials", "Echo Boomers") refers to the cohort of individuals born, roughly, between 1980-94. The rise of Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, texting, IM and other instant communication technologies may explain Millennials' reputation for being peer oriented and for seeking instant gratification. (wikipedia)
Generation Z is the generation of people living in Western or First World cultures that follows Generation Y. Experts differ on when the earliest members of Generation Z were born, from 1990 to 2001. Several other names have been used to refer to this population group, including "Generation V" ...even the "Google Generation". It is claimed that members of Generation Z are very active consumers, with a high degree of influence over their parents' purchasing decisions but also having a high degree of cynicism toward corporations, government, and other large institutions, with little brand loyalty.(wikipedia)
I fall into the Gen X. "People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation)" Etc. The Who.
RE: Changes on Fuzion 302
DunDoneIt - Love your rig and love the pictures.
http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l350/DunDoneIt/Fuzion/IMG_0066.jpg
I have noticed, and this seems to be the case on most all TH and other RVs, - sleeps 8 to 10, but only one towel rack! What is up with that?
RE: Camping Yard Sale/For Sale
I know that the national parks would not allow selling of stuff in the campground. I'm not sure about state parks, but I'd say no to that. Best to ask the campground manager first, especially if there is no bulletin board. But I think it is a great idea.
RE: Early 20s Considering Doing This
I'm 24 and I am considering living out of a motorhome of some kind. I am really tired of the suburban life and I can't see myself living in a city either. I am a single person and plan on never having kids. I'm a moody artist type and I like to be able to have my own space and the ability to move whenever I feel I need to. I don't own a home and I have the option of living with relatives and saving up some money to pay for whatever vehicle I choose. I have a little debt from college, but for the most part, I have no ties to anything. The only problem I have now is saving up enough to buy a motorhome.
So from what I've explained, after I buy my motorhome, would it be possible for me to work full time for part of the year at a minimum wage job (while living out of the motorhome), and be able to save up enough money so that I wouldn't have to work the remainder of the year? I spend a lot of time reading and creating and doing other things that require lots of free time, and this is why I ask.
Hi Jon (and others),
First off, Welcome to the Forums! We are so glad that you are here. Don't mind some of the people that want to shut down your first post, I see the moderator agrees.
OK now onto your questions, plus I have a few for you.
You stated that you are the artistic type who hates suburban life and does not see yourself in a city either...totally understandable. So I am assuming you would want to be out in the country? Checking out the wildlife out there...Great Idea.
You say you have debt - get rid of the debt BEFORE you get on the road. It makes life a ton harder. Get the book Your Money or Your Life (you can see it on our home page) and follow the steps, it gets you out of debt and helps you plan for the future and what to do with your money. If you are working and living with friends now, continue to do so especially until that debt is gone. Then be frugal and save as much as you can.
A single person can decide not to have kids at any age. We did and it definitely helps reach the goals that much faster.
I would check the forums and ask questions about different RV types. Trailers can be the cheapest and also the cheapest made - be careful.
You have a college education, what was your major? The seasonal jobs at the National Park would be able to use you especially if you are artistic, because they are always needing rangers for working on programs for kids. And they are always hiring seasonal help. You can make anywhere from $10 to $15 a hour. Go to www.USAJobs.gov, set up your id, create a resume, and start applying now for jobs next year (It usually takes 6 months before they start offering jobs for next year - I started in July last year and got offers in March of this year!)
National Park, Forestry Service, BLM lands, all need rangers of some capacity. And being young, you could also, if wanted and for more money, get into the LE (Law Enforcement) program. They can train you.
Quite honestly, this is what I should have done after school, gone to work for the National Park Service. But I went the way of the private sector instead (Environmental Geologist), and burned out 10 years later. Now I am getting back to it after three different careers.
Sasha and I are full timing in a Truck Camper. You do not need all of the stuff people talk about. We do not have a "gasp" TV, our laptop/iPod works fine. We do not have a "gasp" microwave, our stove top/grill outside works fine. If you do not buy a lot of things, don't have a lot of things, then you do not have to sell so much to get on the road. You are, in a sense, and where some people would want to be - footloose and fancy free.
Can it be done? YES! Should you do it? Absolutely!
If you like you can check out our website - being updated as I write, or you can PM me with specific questions.
RE: Another Assault on RV Parking
As I and Sasha have stated before, the Washington DC Metro area does not like RVs.
There are hardly any campgrounds, there are hardly any storage facilities, and the storage facilities they do have are either completely booked solid, or extremely high prices.
The people on that street need to get a grip. And I'm sure the RV cost more than some of those houses. Bringing down the neighborhood, yeah right. They people on that street are jealous of the RVer. And moving - that area was hit just as hard as others in the nation, not easy to move anymore.
But read the comments afterwards, at least they are pretty funny.
I don't often read the Washington Post, I get the news elsewhere and the articles seem so slanted in one direction that I do not feel they are objective.
RE: Close Encounters of the...
one moose, two moose, three moose. No meese or mooses.
That uncle must have some interesting pheromones to attract moose.
RE: New post old topic
The hours worked before you get paid does seem a little high. What is the monthly rate of the sites? If you have that number, is it roughly the 30 hours/week times $7.50 times 4 weeks? That's $900 a month for the spot. That would be really expensive in that area.
You figure wifi is about $20 a month, cable is about $20 a month (I don't know, we don't have it), laundry $20 a month (if you get really dirty!) and propane is $3 or so a gallon, so I'd say we go through about 40 gallons every 6 months (that would be heavy usage) so maybe another $20 a month. Add that up and your looking at $80 a month "free" stuff, which puts the price down to about $820. Is that what the rate of the monthly site is? Then you know.
Doing a little math is usually the way to go to see how good or bad they "help" the workcampers. But after all is said and done, your feeling on the place is also important - do you get the warm fuzzy when you are talking to the owners? Have you looked the campground up on RV reviews or RV.net campgrounds? Do your research about them as they are going to do research on you. We will all congratulate you in the end, as it is ultimately your decision.
Good Luck
RE: Question to the Toy Hauler group
OK, this is open to everyone, but it will probably be of most interest t the THs out there.
What do you think the response would be for a full hook up RV Park, catering to THs, in the California City area where each spot is larger than normal, fenced, and caters to 'full timers.' By Full Timers I mean folks who rent the spot by the month (or year), leave their TH there with their toys in it, and use it as a weekend / holiday 'cabin.' Better than average security at the RV Park, so the toys and other items would be safe.
Does anyone besides me think this would be something that would work?
Joe T.
I'm sure you have checked all the laws and whatnot regarding people staying for the year or the season first.
Can you ride right out of the campground onto the trails? Will people be able to ride their ATVs in the park? Would the spaces/sites be big enough for the huge groups of riders per site? Are there fire laws in effect there, that you could only have a fire during certain hours? Is there a washing area for rigs and toys?
And would there be a person there ALL the time for security? Meaning people would live onsite - either workcampers or the owners. If you have such things, it is possible and doable and people will come.
RE: Retirees - Decision to Retire
Hi All,
I would STRONGLY recommend that instead of going to "financial planners" that you actually take a look at your finances yourself. Truly track your expenses for at least a couple of months (then it could be come a habit!) and learn about stocks, bonds, and CDs.
The average CD is earning between 4-5% right now and it is less scary/lower risk than stocks. You can put money into a CD and the interest can be taken out on a monthly or quarterly basis. That way the principal is not touched. You can get CDs from 6 months to 7 years, plus I have heard of some CDs that are even longer than that. Once the CD comes due, you would re-invest. It is pretty simple really. Same thing is true with US Treasury Bonds. AND there are no brokerage fees.
Although we do have money in a 401K, the stocks are really taking a beating right now. Unfortunately, that means our 401K is too. But as we really can't touch it for a while, I am not too concerned. I just don't think we will be putting too much money into it next year.
As others have stated, to the OP and others,
1. make sure you have NO Debt - not even a mortgage debt, before you go into the full-timing gig. It makes everything much harder to live.
2. Live WAY below your means - if you can, save over 50% of your take-home pay, so that the money can be socked away for later and put it into something safe.
3. Learn as much as you can about your own finances - are you going to have a "financial planner" when you retire (and are full-timing) - who will continue to tell you what to do with your hard earned money? Won't it be better if YOU knew your own finances?
Once the above is done - then GO For IT!
RE: PSA Test Help
OK, what I would do is call up the insurance company, find out the cheapest state for doing the test, and found out the best doctor there. The test "should" (Haha dealing with insurance companies!) be covered under your medical plan.
