Skid Row Joe wrote: I never wrote that the OP couldn't get by on $40,000 a year. I wrote that if he could, "more power to him." Not at all what you've been writing.
Which implies that this is an almost impossible situation and I mentioned that not only isn't it impossible, that you can live quite comfortably on $40K a year.
1) Second, to the poster that said $40K per year was to little - you're wrong. Barb
2) I was responding to a statement made that even 1M in wasn't enough because at 4% withdrawal that was to small amount to make it.
Barb
My only implication here is that I did not write what you claimed I wrote.
Your posts 1) and 2) above, are not true.
I have a sweet tender nature, however I enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions.
We sold everything, & gave up great careers 3 years ago (in our early 50's) after the death of one of our children. We only had 75,000 in savings (because we always spent whatever we made). We paid cash for our truck & 5th wheel with the profit from our house. Our retirement income is only 1,700 a month. We do not like workcamping. It seemed to much like slave labor, but we have gotten jobs to supplement our income. We stay put somewhere for up to 5 months, & we travel constantly for at least 2 months each year. We will never be rich with money doing this, but we are so much happier it's hard to believe we've had this chance. We don't need a big or even little house to be happy. We have the best back yards wherever we go. We sleep great & we're not starving by far. Many people work & wait because they think they never have enough money. If you can give up the ties to all the stuff, & enjoy the area wherever you are, this is a wonderful lifestyle. We will never be too old to live in a camper. When we are very old we might not travel much, but why stress about the future. We're living today...no one knows what tomorrow may bring. Good luck with your decision.
What an interesting compilation of responses. So it looks like we have three primary groups here: Those who jump to conclusions having limited data, those willing to take reasonable risk to ensure happiness; those requiring all lights on the boulevard to turn green before stepping off the curb.
Let's clear up a couple misconseptions - I don't participate in RV.NET for anything other than the entertainment value. and we don't live payday to monday on a $100k salary. I rather liked the reference to the comedy channel.
A few enlightenments from the recent few days; My current trailer is not suited for the FT option, The happiest seem to have a defined pension if not a steady flow of real income to get them thru, earmarking some of the home sale proceeds to future housing makes sense, The airline providing the best service in the air isn't with a flip on the ground (ok, this one didn't come from you guys but I did say "recent few days" and referenced the comedy channel earlier. - it's residual frustration from corporate live)
Now don't go beaten on each other about what's right and wrong - there's a hundred ways to get there. Personally, I enjoy working - just coming to the realization that the next 5 are going to be frustrating years
And by the way, testing the lifestyle before committing is so simple I'm embarrassed I didn't realize it earlier
* This post was
edited 06/07/08 08:09pm by AUWing *
From someplace in SE Wisconsin
2006 Silverado 2500 Ext-cab / reg box / D/A
2006 Jayco Eagle 325BHS
2001 Goldwing, Cyclemate trailer and a tent (to remind me why we have the Jayco)
1999 BMW 1200C (007 bike) too cool to part with
Quote: Personally, I enjoy working - just coming to the realization that the next 5 are going to be frustrating years
Wait until you get to that last year, then the last 6 months and finally that last month! The days seem to drag by at work and yet, at home trying to get everything done, tied up, moved out, given away, etc., they seem to fly by. But when it is finally over, you'll love it. Best nights sleep I had in years and years was after closing the door to my office, leaving cellphone behind, and walking out the building - - I felt like a ton of bricks had been lifted off of my shoulder.
Barb
Barb & Dave - full-timing Traveling catpanions Kit (age 18) and Shadow (age 11) Figment II (2002 Alpine 36 MDDS) Mischief (2004 Subaru Forester Toad) FMCA - F337834, SKP #90761 http://homepage.mac.com/barbaraok/ Our blog
Yep, Barb, I worked all my life until the second heart attack (some people still say they didnt realize I had one), then I realized I had all the money in the world I would need to live out my life. I just walked out one day, never again answered the phone, etc.
Took me about six months to realize that GOD did not make me to be a slave to toys, money, etc. I passed the Jones long ago and it got me nothing but sleepness nights and big fat bank account.
Wow, I wouldnt trade this retirment, non working, careless, lazy, sloppy, lifestyle for all the money in the world and all the big houses.
just wonder how many who brag about all thier money and 401ks are actually living in a basement suite somewhere. i call bull on a lot of it,, thats my take. i've got 2 mil in the bank and own 3 properties in van, do you beleive that?
Yep, I'm jealous too, I dont have any 401Ks or anything except my social security, va check, and investments. Dam lucky XXXXXXX smart ones got them other things with letters in them.
2freelife wrote: We sold everything, & gave up great careers 3 years ago (in our early 50's) after the death of one of our children. We only had 75,000 in savings (because we always spent whatever we made). We paid cash for our truck & 5th wheel with the profit from our house. Our retirement income is only 1,700 a month. We do not like workcamping. It seemed to much like slave labor, but we have gotten jobs to supplement our income. We stay put somewhere for up to 5 months, & we travel constantly for at least 2 months each year. We will never be rich with money doing this, but we are so much happier it's hard to believe we've had this chance. We don't need a big or even little house to be happy. We have the best back yards wherever we go. We sleep great & we're not starving by far. Many people work & wait because they think they never have enough money. If you can give up the ties to all the stuff, & enjoy the area wherever you are, this is a wonderful lifestyle. We will never be too old to live in a camper. When we are very old we might not travel much, but why stress about the future. We're living today...no one knows what tomorrow may bring. Good luck with your decision.
Offline
