RoadLife wrote: If you don't do it now, it will never happen. Sounds like an adventure in the making.
My DW and I have been planning to go fulltime for 12 years. We have RV'd since the early 70's. Our original plan would have us hitting the road in the summer of 2013 or early 2014. I sat down 3 months ago and calculated our situation. We are putting RoadLife's thought into practice and should be on the road in August this year.
We have an escape procedure in place incase we don't like fulltiming or health becomes an issue. But we have to try to know for sure we didn't miss out on the adventure.
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
I don't see too many issues with the health declining. Both kids have said I'd have a place should I need it. I will have to set up something financially so they can't bleed me dry (who can kid about that). My youngest has the less abrasive personality, and has cared for me after prior surgeries. I do have to consider my travel desires - maybe if doctors approve, one trip around the country, then stick to the east coast. I believe I can plot out a travel timeline and work my appointments into it. My rheumatologist will write future bloodwork orders, so that's not an issue, and she will do phone interviews. My eldest can pickup the rx that can't be faxed, fill it and ship it to me.
Don't quite understand why folks feel the stick n brick to be mandatory with healh issues....anyone with insight to that?
Good Sam and others have Emergency Medical Assistance which might be something I will want to investigate further. I have ERS which is worth every penny.
I do have a cat (12 yrs old) and a pit bull who is about 1 yr old. At present, the dog is a bit too strong for me to handle, but if I blindfold her I might be okay with the control. The cat got munched years back and had 3 serious surgeries (didn't expect him to last this long), so anytime?? His recovery was in the bathroom with litterbox on one side, food/water on the other. In 7 or so years that cat has resided in that room - might not sleep in his wicker basket with pillow - he does a week or so in the sink, toilet lid (and does get down when someone enters the room and asks him to get down), tank lid, shower seat, shower floor. Don't know how well he'd travel.
An unfortunate issue will be division of the 'family heirlooms'.....lots of antiques, and family heritage. I've been in touch with a museum, but need some appraisals done - ug.
This is becomming an interesting proposal.....keep up the feedback.
As we live longer more active lives than our parents we have no pattern to base our lives on.
I think there's a point when all the "stuff" we've accumulated becomes more of a burden than a comfort. Fulltiming is one of several ways to downsize our lives.
At what point do we cut the ties with the next generation? I have my nephew freeloading in an apartment I own. I just turned 65. Isn't it supposed to work the other way by now?
My father-in-law had the perfect way to illustrate the break.
He raised 11 kids in a coal mining camp in West Virginia. They had a huge kitchen table made of planks where they could all sit down to meals. When one of the kids would leave home he would saw a foot off of the table! I married the youngest daughter. By the time I saw the table it was a 3' X 3' square.
I think retirement age should be an age of independence. Time to disburse the family heirlooms. Not my resources. Let the kids rely on themselves or each other. They'll need to learn that after I'm gone anyway. If I feel the need to contribute to their well being, I'm full of advice. If they'll listen.
I can't imagine moving in with one of my kids. At that point in our lives they'll just be relatives that I haven't seen all that much in the last 50 years. They'll be in their 70's and I'll be in my 90's. I figure I'll live independent until I go to an assisted living facility. Where I'll be among my peers.
'03 GMC 4500 Topkick with Duramax/Allison
'04 36' McKenzie Medallion triple slide
Cabover kayak racks w/18' touring kayaks.
Bicycle carrier on the front with a street bike & a mountain bike
Snowbird W/Ohio camper dock
Patti: Stop worrying about the future, live for today, do what you want to do don't ask the kids; they have their own life. It is nice to know that if something seriously happens to you, you have a place to live. Get rid of "stuff" and go and enjoy "your" life. Good luck and hope to see you on the road. We are heading your way next month should be around MD late April.
Vince & Liz Delpidio
Tom, Jerry, Princess, Lizzie and Emily
2007 CT Coachworks 40' Siena
Master Tow, Tow Dolly
2012 Hyundai Tucson
sunkatcher wrote: My lovely wife is always saying “put it out there, HE is listening”. If you have a dream and share it the universe can help.
Like Ron's wife, we found when it was the right time for fulltiming, everything fell into place. It happened 12 yrs before we expected it to because someone was watching over us. 0:-)
If your health fails while on the road, what's the worst thing that could happen? Someone has to fly to your location, drive you and the RV home. Same thing can happen in a sticks and bricks. Health fails and you can't mow your own grass, mop your floors, need wheel chair access and have to move to a nursing home. No difference.
Our kids/grandkids are in our full-time final phase for when we can no longer drive. Phase 1 is work fulltime and travel, phs 2 is semi-retire and travel, phs 3 is to just travel!
2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3 (38RSSB3)....our custom home w/2011 upgrades
2010 Ford F450 KR CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
After 40 years of fulltiming, I gave it up due to losing my wife and my desire to not be involved in being single around a lot of fulltime couples. That is the only reason (or at least thats what Ive convinced myself of). It helps keep my sanity.
I think what you are asking is very simple . Actually the question you should ask is "What do I expect from fulltiming?" That is the key, what you expect. Can it be done? Sure it has for many centuries, but they just call it something different .
Only you can determine if thats what you want to do. Is it a good life? Was to us. Will it be to you? Again Only YOU can determine what you expect and what you are willing to give up to achieve all the great reviews you read on here and hear about in the parks.
Remember, if everyone who went fulltime were happy with it, there would be very few homes in the U.S.
Instead of US tellling you what YOU want to hear, why dontyou take a few minutes and tell us what YOU expect from fulltiming and then we can discuss those things.
Don't quite understand why folks feel the stick n brick to be mandatory with healh issues....anyone with insight to that?
It sounds like you are single. You definitely don't need a stick n brick to deal with health issues. First, join the Escapees RV Club. If you need help and meals after surgery or recouping from an illness, you can stay right in your RV next to the CARE facility and they will clean, do laundry, take you to dr. appts and feed you. You can stay there short-term until you're able to be on your own again or long-term. The Escapees RV Club has many, many "perks" for full-time RVers including a terrific mail service.
I have dealt with cancer and a shoulder and knee replacement while living in the RV. It CAN be done. Also, full-timing can be a wonderful, fulfilling experience if you can do some volunteering along the way. No need for anything strenuous or long-term. National and state parks have many opportunities and many will give you a camp space free.
Best of luck to you!
Extremely Happy Full-Timers for 16 years
.... now trying to adjust to 3-season traveling - and it isn't easy!
2004 40' Newmar Dutch Star Diesel Pusher
2004 Jeep Liberty
Again, I thank you for your input, suggestions and advice.....
I'd forgotten about Escapees....
definately something to factor into the plan (notice I am plotting a bit more seriously).
Not sure of all the details, but am plotting to sell off one s&b, keep the one with lower taxes (at least for a while). Sell, divide my possessions (including photos and historical heirlooms). CD most of the funds, maybe a small annuity. Utilize my eldest's address for mail, etc. (at least for the beginning), and begin re-budgeting for transportation, lot rent (cg fees, etc), propane, groceries and 'regular expenses' (ie., auto insurance). The info on this forum is wonderful. I will have to look into the small conveniences such as a cell phone booster, the pros/cons of wireless internet via cell phone or something like the Tengo which I've tried a few times and like (longer term, cheaper). Lots of little things to investigate more seriously.
As long as I can drive and have the truck, I think I can do this.
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