This is the best advice I have seen and not just for full time rv'ers but great for those that need to learn to budget. Very comprehensive list of expenses and quite a few things that I think many people would not consider. Love this Great job.
That was a helpful video... We love free stay so we mostly stay free when we camp... We love to boondock out ... therefore we have no fees to pay... if we cannot get internet we usually find a star bucks in town while we travel... hope to see you out there ....
Lone Star Travelers Hi! Glad you found this useful. We don't stay at free campgrounds that much, but we have some favorites state and local parks that are fairly inexpensive. It is not always how much an area costs that makes it beautiful.
Very good to discuss money management. I will be living on a shoestring by choice. I love this video because many people do not really talk about money management. (All of what is involved) Great Video.
+Christine Lowery (BEACHCRICKET) Hi Christine. Sorry it took so long for me to approve your comment. TH-cam's filter seems to have lost its mind and marked you as spam. I didn't see your comment until DH got my laptop out from under the bed storage. I can't get at it by myself and usually use the phone or tablet. For some reason, your comment didn't show up on those. Living and traveling on a shoestring can be rewarding and fun. Been there (forced there, actually), done that, and enjoyed it after my pride healed. Just try to make sure there's a little slack in your string to take care of surprises. A surprise that dents your emergency fund is an annoyance. A surprise that drives you into debt and threatens your chosen lifestyle is a tragedy.
Yes lots too consider, my bus gets 14 mpg and no storage space really,but im definatley putting on a roof rack. Bugeting money in this day and age is important.Everything is outrageously expensive here!!!
+2000talon I watched your bus video. That is cool. The nice thing about doing it yourself is that you can take all the clever storage ideas you see in other units and make them your own. I saw one really small trailer with a wood stove like you are planning to use. Unfortunately, I did not get to video the inside. Wish I could have. See my Seen on the Road video for a very brief glimpse. It is at the end.
Well thought out and informative video!!! I part time RV and have for nearly 40 years. I still love my house and am glad I own it. People forget to consider the equity one can have when buying property. My house I bought 35 years ago for $288. a month now has over $500K equity. I'm glad I made the investment. I went to school so I could have a good career, worked some, played some, invested some, saved some, spent some. Moderation. I see so many young full timers and wonder what is going to happen when they get older? Will a van still be comfortable? Working odd jobs be as rewarding? I wonder about the RVers I knew over the years, now in their 70s and 80s. I wonder what they are doing now? When getting in and out of a rig is difficult, vision, memory and driving skills fade what are those RVers doing now?
+MrDisneyCollector For us, selling our house was right. We did not want to return to it or to Florida. Florida was good to us. But my allergies are terrible there and we both get nagging sinus pressure headaches in Florida that we do do get at high elevations. The money is tucked away. We will have choices about what we want to do when fulltiming is no longer fun. We have met the people you talk about who seem to be gambling with their futures and we wonder about them. However, we also know that nothing is guaranteed. Our own careful plans were destroyed 25 years ago by health issues that drove us out of our comfortable house and into a 32 foot trailer, and nearly bankrupted us. We got back on our feet. We rebuilt our lives. We were fortunate that we had enough time and were able to do so. Some people cannot, and they must cope with whatever life brings them.
Absolutely understand. The only thing we can do in life is maybe stack the odds in our favor. I think about the Ben Franklin quote that goes something like, "Nothing like a good wife, loyal dog and ready money." I also recall the fable of the grasshopper and the ants. The grasshopper played all summer as the ants worked and stored food for winter. When the winds turned cold they survived and the grasshopper froze. I'm grateful my parents gave me a good work ethic and taught me to save.
+maryanne eggers I make my own cleaning products but there is still the problem of storing a big 5 gallon bucket. I guess you could make a smaller batch though.
+dechinta ?? five gallon bucket? I have a large box of baking soda, a gallon of white Vinegar, a box of borax, and some tea tree essential oils for most of my cleaning needs. While I do make laundry soap, I make a "butter" that is stored in quart jars. 1 tablespoon per full load AND can be used for other purposes as well. =)
Very good and thorough! I was wondering as we are new 1000 Trails Elite members how you were able to stay at an Encore park for so long at what seems to be a discounted rate?
Encore runs winter specials for seasons. You'll see them in the magazine and online. We got a fabulous 3-month special for $999. We paid $500 per month for 2 more months with our TT discount because the weather was still wonky up north.
I don't think many people really know what they spend. They think about food and rent, but forget about laundry and hair cuts and dog grooming. They end up paying extra fees for monthly insurance payments . They end up paying high bank card interest because a repair took them by surprise and they didn't plan for surprises. They buy more RV than they can pay for and end up with debt that restricts their choices.
I buy books at the Friends of the Library bookstores or at thrift stores. Or I am also a member of paperbackswap dot com and swapadvd dot com. I also buy and sell on half dot com and Ebay. Of course, you have the obstacle of having things mailed and remailed from your son, but still....I've been buying and selling books since 1978 so buying a "new" book or dvd freaks me out. I am an extreme cheapskate, although I will spend money on something I want if I can't get it used.
Lydia Lewis I would describe us as middle class, Lydia. After a medical issue that financially destroyed us in our early 40's, we lost our jobs, our house, and most of our savings. If that had not happened, we probably would be rich, now. We worked hard and got back on our feet. We paid off our debt, lived within our means, and saved our money. That means that now, in our retirement, we can live fairly well. If you are trying to send me on a guilt trip because we made good decisions, even when it was tough to do so, you can forget it. We built our good fortune, got no handouts from anyone, and deserve the benefits we are reaping. The vast majority of US citizens can and will build their own lives with their own decisions. If your life is bad, there is a good chance that it is bad because of you own lousy decisions.
Jean on the Road sorry we tryed doing all of that .but had to file bankruptcy down the road. and its hard to get started on a life that we would DIE for. rving is our way to live but cant get going. thanks for understanding.,😐
Lydia Lewis So! You had to file bankruptcy. What are you doing, now, to make this life you want happen? Are you both working, sucking up as many hours as you can get and socking the maximum amount away in your 401K. If you have few or no marketable skills, are you getting some? I got my accounting degree at 50. Are you driving beaters or taking the bus, or are you driving newer cars with big loans and high interest payments? Do you have a high end smart phone? A big cable bill? Do you get your nails done? Go out to eat frequently? Pay more than you have to for rent or buy things you don't really need because of ego? You got a fresh financial start with that bankruptcy. What have you chosen to do with it?
Jean on the Road I understand that this video is a year old, but that was a brilliant answer. Most Americans live waaay beyond their means and save practically nothing for emergencies, say nothing about retirement. Enjoy the fruits of your good decisions, you’ve earned it.
Great info. Good point about the groceries going up due to having to purchase smaller containers.
This is the best advice I have seen and not just for full time rv'ers but great for those that need to learn to budget. Very comprehensive list of expenses and quite a few things that I think many people would not consider. Love this Great job.
+Cogal H. Thank you.
Good money review. Should be helpful to many RVers. Thanks
That was a helpful video... We love free stay so we mostly stay free when we camp... We love to boondock out ... therefore we have no fees to pay... if we cannot get internet we usually find a star bucks in town while we travel... hope to see you out there ....
Lone Star Travelers Hi! Glad you found this useful. We don't stay at free campgrounds that much, but we have some favorites state and local parks that are fairly inexpensive. It is not always how much an area costs that makes it beautiful.
Very good to discuss money management. I will be living on a shoestring by choice. I love this video because many people do not really talk about money management. (All of what is involved) Great Video.
+Christine Lowery (BEACHCRICKET) Hi Christine. Sorry it took so long for me to approve your comment. TH-cam's filter seems to have lost its mind and marked you as spam. I didn't see your comment until DH got my laptop out from under the bed storage. I can't get at it by myself and usually use the phone or tablet. For some reason, your comment didn't show up on those.
Living and traveling on a shoestring can be rewarding and fun. Been there (forced there, actually), done that, and enjoyed it after my pride healed. Just try to make sure there's a little slack in your string to take care of surprises. A surprise that dents your emergency fund is an annoyance. A surprise that drives you into debt and threatens your chosen lifestyle is a tragedy.
Yes lots too consider, my bus gets 14 mpg and no storage space really,but im definatley putting on a roof rack. Bugeting money in this day and age is important.Everything is outrageously expensive here!!!
+2000talon I watched your bus video. That is cool. The nice thing about doing it yourself is that you can take all the clever storage ideas you see in other units and make them your own. I saw one really small trailer with a wood stove like you are planning to use. Unfortunately, I did not get to video the inside. Wish I could have. See my Seen on the Road video for a very brief glimpse. It is at the end.
That was a really good recap. That's a really cool travel locations map you have on the bed. You have a very nice looking Motorhome!
Tina
Thank you. Hubby found that fabric, so I made him a quilt.
Well thought out and informative video!!! I part time RV and have for nearly 40 years. I still love my house and am glad I own it. People forget to consider the equity one can have when buying property. My house I bought 35 years ago for $288. a month now has over $500K equity. I'm glad I made the investment. I went to school so I could have a good career, worked some, played some, invested some, saved some, spent some. Moderation. I see so many young full timers and wonder what is going to happen when they get older? Will a van still be comfortable? Working odd jobs be as rewarding? I wonder about the RVers I knew over the years, now in their 70s and 80s. I wonder what they are doing now? When getting in and out of a rig is difficult, vision, memory and driving skills fade what are those RVers doing now?
+MrDisneyCollector For us, selling our house was right. We did not want to return to it or to Florida. Florida was good to us. But my allergies are terrible there and we both get nagging sinus pressure headaches in Florida that we do do get at high elevations. The money is tucked away. We will have choices about what we want to do when fulltiming is no longer fun.
We have met the people you talk about who seem to be gambling with their futures and we wonder about them. However, we also know that nothing is guaranteed. Our own careful plans were destroyed 25 years ago by health issues that drove us out of our comfortable house and into a 32 foot trailer, and nearly bankrupted us. We got back on our feet. We rebuilt our lives. We were fortunate that we had enough time and were able to do so. Some people cannot, and they must cope with whatever life brings them.
Absolutely understand. The only thing we can do in life is maybe stack the odds in our favor. I think about the Ben Franklin quote that goes something like, "Nothing like a good wife, loyal dog and ready money." I also recall the fable of the grasshopper and the ants. The grasshopper played all summer as the ants worked and stored food for winter. When the winds turned cold they survived and the grasshopper froze. I'm grateful my parents gave me a good work ethic and taught me to save.
One way to save money at the grocery store is by making your own cleaning products. I have saved hundreds of dollars this way.
+maryanne eggers I make my own cleaning products but there is still the problem of storing a big 5 gallon bucket. I guess you could make a smaller batch though.
+dechinta ?? five gallon bucket? I have a large box of baking soda, a gallon of white Vinegar, a box of borax, and some tea tree essential oils for most of my cleaning needs. While I do make laundry soap, I make a "butter" that is stored in quart jars. 1 tablespoon per full load AND can be used for other purposes as well. =)
Sounds like I'm using the wrong recipe!
Very good and thorough! I was wondering as we are new 1000 Trails Elite members how you were able to stay at an Encore park for so long at what seems to be a discounted rate?
Encore runs winter specials for seasons. You'll see them in the magazine and online. We got a fabulous 3-month special for $999. We paid $500 per month for 2 more months with our TT discount because the weather was still wonky up north.
Jean on the Road
Wow that's great, thanks for the info!
Great Video- I really appreciate the effort put into it. Have a great day-
is the car u tow automatic
No. It is a manual. It's a pain, but it will never get stolen. Few thieves can drive a stick shift.
Realistically, the only thing you might save money on is rent. Food, phone, most things will be the same as living in a house.
I don't think many people really know what they spend. They think about food and rent, but forget about laundry and hair cuts and dog grooming. They end up paying extra fees for monthly insurance payments . They end up paying high bank card interest because a repair took them by surprise and they didn't plan for surprises. They buy more RV than they can pay for and end up with debt that restricts their choices.
Jean on the Road
True.
I buy books at the Friends of the Library bookstores or at thrift stores. Or I am also a member of paperbackswap dot com and swapadvd dot com. I also buy and sell on half dot com and Ebay. Of course, you have the obstacle of having things mailed and remailed from your son, but still....I've been buying and selling books since 1978 so buying a "new" book or dvd freaks me out. I am an extreme cheapskate, although I will spend money on something I want if I can't get it used.
LOL...sounds like a robot
Must Be Nice TO BE RICH. 😶 $$$$ Do THis from a check every month. nooooootttt
Lydia Lewis I would describe us as middle class, Lydia. After a medical issue that financially destroyed us in our early 40's, we lost our jobs, our house, and most of our savings. If that had not happened, we probably would be rich, now. We worked hard and got back on our feet. We paid off our debt, lived within our means, and saved our money. That means that now, in our retirement, we can live fairly well. If you are trying to send me on a guilt trip because we made good decisions, even when it was tough to do so, you can forget it. We built our good fortune, got no handouts from anyone, and deserve the benefits we are reaping. The vast majority of US citizens can and will build their own lives with their own decisions. If your life is bad, there is a good chance that it is bad because of you own lousy decisions.
Jean on the Road sorry we tryed doing all of that .but had to file bankruptcy down the road. and its hard to get started on a life that we would DIE for. rving is our way to live but cant get going. thanks for understanding.,😐
Lydia Lewis So! You had to file bankruptcy. What are you doing, now, to make this life you want happen? Are you both working, sucking up as many hours as you can get and socking the maximum amount away in your 401K. If you have few or no marketable skills, are you getting some? I got my accounting degree at 50. Are you driving beaters or taking the bus, or are you driving newer cars with big loans and high interest payments? Do you have a high end smart phone? A big cable bill? Do you get your nails done? Go out to eat frequently? Pay more than you have to for rent or buy things you don't really need because of ego? You got a fresh financial start with that bankruptcy. What have you chosen to do with it?
Jean on the Road I understand that this video is a year old, but that was a brilliant answer. Most Americans live waaay beyond their means and save practically nothing for emergencies, say nothing about retirement. Enjoy the fruits of your good decisions, you’ve earned it.