Comments on: The cost of full-timing. Can you afford it? http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/ RV Campground & Camping Information - RV, Motorhome, Camper, Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Owners Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:13:05 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: A.&E.George http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/comment-page-1/#comment-78871 A.&E.George Tue, 19 May 2009 14:32:31 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3100#comment-78871 We are looking forward to RVing with a 5th wheel in about four years.Our basic income will be Social Security, which is why we are researching this suject.We enjoy reading about all the situations and comments , and are looking forward to much more. Thank you all for the many ideas and lifestyle options. We are looking forward to RVing with a 5th wheel in about four years.Our basic income will be Social Security, which is why we are researching this suject.We enjoy reading about all the situations and comments , and are looking forward to much more. Thank you all for the many ideas and lifestyle options.

]]> By: TravelingOnTheOutskirts http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/comment-page-1/#comment-73312 TravelingOnTheOutskirts Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:57:27 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3100#comment-73312 About 6 months ago we started crunching the numbers to see if we could be full-timers. Our montly budget is about 1500$. We got a workamper job to pay for our lot and we're planning on freelancing on the side to get some extra spending money for mini-trips around the area on the weekends. I think it's completely possible to go full-time, you just have to let go of all the usual crap people think they "need". We bought our trailer used so we wouldn't have the monthly payment. We sold everything we owned to get the start-up money. I just wish we could get by with an electric vehicle rather than gas! ~Jessica~ About 6 months ago we started crunching the numbers to see if we could be full-timers. Our montly budget is about 1500$. We got a workamper job to pay for our lot and we’re planning on freelancing on the side to get some extra spending money for mini-trips around the area on the weekends.

I think it’s completely possible to go full-time, you just have to let go of all the usual crap people think they “need”. We bought our trailer used so we wouldn’t have the monthly payment. We sold everything we owned to get the start-up money. I just wish we could get by with an electric vehicle rather than gas!
~Jessica~

]]> By: Bette Wilkinson http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/comment-page-1/#comment-72937 Bette Wilkinson Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:00:55 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3100#comment-72937 This is our 3rd year of full timing and we love it.We joined 2 travel clubs before we retired and get to stay at no charge at their parks.Sometimes we have to pay $2.00 a day for 50 amp service.We can stay 2 to 3 weeks at a time.The yearly dues are cheap.We have done some workamping and enjoyed it.We live only on our Social Security and haven't had any problems.We are so lucky to get to see the good ole USA.We have met so many people and have made many lifetime friends..We follow the weather and love having beautiful weather all year.We think this is the way to go .Whats nice is that you if you want to spend a month or two somewhere,a lot of parks are under $300.00 a month.We travel in a fifthwheel which is a lot cheaper than in a motorhome where most also have to tow an extra vehicle.That also makes your insurance a lot higher and repair costs too. This is our 3rd year of full timing and we love it.We joined 2 travel clubs before we retired and get to stay at no charge at their parks.Sometimes we have to pay $2.00 a day for 50 amp service.We can stay 2 to 3 weeks at a time.The yearly dues are cheap.We have done some workamping and enjoyed it.We live only on our Social Security and haven’t had any problems.We are so lucky to get to see the good ole USA.We have met so many people and have made many lifetime friends..We follow the weather and love having beautiful weather all year.We think this is the way to go .Whats nice is that you if you want to spend a month or two somewhere,a lot of parks are under $300.00 a month.We travel in a fifthwheel which is a lot cheaper than in a motorhome where most also have to tow an extra vehicle.That also makes your insurance a lot higher and repair costs too.

]]> By: Joe Lent http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/comment-page-1/#comment-72843 Joe Lent Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:04:54 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3100#comment-72843 It's definetly cheaper to live on the road than own a house. There are nice parks for $250 a month that include all utilities except propane and electricity. Or $75-100 a week including electricity. With some boondocking and my generator, I average $10 a day for rent and $200 a month for gas. No property taxes, no yard expenses, no winter clothes, no trash collection, and no big utility bills since I move with the weather. My total gross income is $1,000 a month before medical premiums and pills. I've been a fulltimer for 16 years, minus three while caring for an elderly parent. Love It!! It’s definetly cheaper to live on the road than own a house. There are nice parks for $250 a month that include all utilities except propane and electricity. Or $75-100 a week including electricity. With some boondocking and my generator, I average $10 a day for rent and $200 a month for gas. No property taxes, no yard expenses, no winter clothes, no trash collection, and no big utility bills since I move with the weather. My total gross income is $1,000 a month before medical premiums and pills. I’ve been a fulltimer for 16 years, minus three while caring for an elderly parent. Love It!!

]]> By: (Dick) Richard W. Houghton http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/comment-page-1/#comment-72834 (Dick) Richard W. Houghton Fri, 27 Feb 2009 02:33:10 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3100#comment-72834 I'm a retired USAF enlisted, Have been full timing in Japan for over 10 Years' Love the freedom of going when & where I, Please. The Cost's are very low, THERE ARE NO FULL HOOK-UP'S anywhere. The Free-Way's are the "BEST in the WORLD " . The " FOOD is the Best'. The People are all friendly , The Yen -to-Dollar is a bite hard on the Pocket book. However the cost's if you were to live in Hotel's / or Motel's would be Two-To-Three times the cost's of full timing in an RV. And to the Japanese THEY are called Camping Car's, Not-Motor-Homes. As I'm writing this short note on full timing in Japan, I'm sitting in my living room of my 1992 'Flair by Fleetwood class A Was 31.5 feet long , Now is 28' feet long. Due to the extended 'WHEEL-BASE of this unit the Overhang was too long to be legal in Japan. I' in 1997 cut off the rear area of the Couch to be able to get it Plated. The Quean bed was turned side ways, all item's moved /or removed. Would " LOVE " to have a NEW couch in Japan, However due to the Law's MAX Width is 8' Feet . All new couch's are 8'6'' Eight Feet 6 Inch's wide. The Wheel Base is the " MOST IMPORTANT " Figure however as it controls the swing-out of the couch on turn's. This 78'' inch wheel base would wipe out the whole guard rail next to the couch as you pulled out after a stop next to the guard rail. In Traffic situation's you could wipe out an entire lane of traffic if you turned suddenly while driving. This happened to me on the First day in Japan in a Parking lot. I had turned as I,normaly would when departing the parking space however the over hang of the couch side swiped my own car that was parked next to the Motor-Home. NOT CLOSE AT ALL. Normal Spacing. Then came the most Costly Item in the "HOMALAGATION " Changing the Couch over to the "JAPANESE " codes to be used in Japan. The Normal couch in America has one Entry Exit door on the right side of the couch. In Japan one must have an EXIT DOOR on the LEFT SIDE also. This extra DOOR COST over $ 5,000.00 Yes' Five Thousand Dollars to install In Japanese Yen . They cut a Large hole in the wall of the bath room wall, one must step up over the toilet to be able to exit via this door. It's only opened once every Two Years when they conduct the semi-annual Safety inspection of the Couch. I'll STOP HERE and give further information on this BLOG as anyone may ask for more info on full timing in the Land of the Rising Sun, One Day ahead of You'. DickYamazaki@aol.com I’m a retired USAF enlisted, Have been full timing in Japan for over 10 Years’
Love the freedom of going when & where I, Please.

The Cost’s are very low, THERE ARE NO FULL HOOK-UP’S anywhere.

The Free-Way’s are the “BEST in the WORLD ” . The ” FOOD is the Best’.

The People are all friendly , The Yen -to-Dollar is a bite hard on the Pocket book.

However the cost’s if you were to live in Hotel’s / or Motel’s would be Two-To-Three times the cost’s of full timing in an RV.

And to the Japanese THEY are called Camping Car’s, Not-Motor-Homes.

As I’m writing this short note on full timing in Japan, I’m sitting in my living room
of my 1992 ‘Flair by Fleetwood class A Was 31.5 feet long , Now is 28′ feet long.

Due to the extended ‘WHEEL-BASE of this unit the Overhang was too long to be
legal in Japan. I’ in 1997 cut off the rear area of the Couch to be able to get it
Plated. The Quean bed was turned side ways, all item’s moved /or removed.

Would ” LOVE ” to have a NEW couch in Japan, However due to the Law’s MAX
Width is 8′ Feet . All new couch’s are 8′6” Eight Feet 6 Inch’s wide.

The Wheel Base is the ” MOST IMPORTANT ” Figure however as it controls the
swing-out of the couch on turn’s.

This 78” inch wheel base would wipe out the whole guard rail next to the couch
as you pulled out after a stop next to the guard rail.

In Traffic situation’s you could wipe out an entire lane of traffic if you turned suddenly while driving. This happened to me on the First day in Japan in a
Parking lot. I had turned as I,normaly would when departing the parking space
however the over hang of the couch side swiped my own car that was parked
next to the Motor-Home. NOT CLOSE AT ALL. Normal Spacing.

Then came the most Costly Item in the “HOMALAGATION ” Changing the
Couch over to the “JAPANESE ” codes to be used in Japan.

The Normal couch in America has one Entry Exit door on the right side of the
couch. In Japan one must have an EXIT DOOR on the LEFT SIDE also.

This extra DOOR COST over $ 5,000.00 Yes’ Five Thousand Dollars to install
In Japanese Yen . They cut a Large hole in the wall of the bath room wall, one
must step up over the toilet to be able to exit via this door. It’s only opened once
every Two Years when they conduct the semi-annual Safety inspection of the
Couch.

I’ll STOP HERE and give further information on this BLOG as anyone may ask for more info on full timing in the Land of the Rising Sun, One Day ahead of You’.

DickYamazaki@aol.com

]]> By: The Boomer Chronicles » Blog Archive » Friday Links Variety Show http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/comment-page-1/#comment-64811 The Boomer Chronicles » Blog Archive » Friday Links Variety Show Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:36:59 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3100#comment-64811 [...] How cheap is it to RV full time? [...] [...] How cheap is it to RV full time? [...]

]]> By: dennis http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/comment-page-1/#comment-64373 dennis Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:41:22 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3100#comment-64373 always enjoy reading your comments tony, where can I post my time with a first time ranger while hosting in idaho, we enjoyed the campers never had a bit of trouble but the ranger was the ranger from h... just a warning for new camp hosts always enjoy reading your comments tony, where can I post my time with a first time ranger while hosting in idaho, we enjoyed the campers never had a bit of trouble but the ranger was the ranger from h… just a warning for new camp hosts

]]> By: Tony Cornett http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/comment-page-1/#comment-64290 Tony Cornett Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:39:28 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3100#comment-64290 Alpenliter, It always seems no matter what we do or where we live we seem to do it within our means. I saw my nest egg dwindle, but not due to the downturn in the economy, but due to some serious unforeseen health issues which I detail in my book and how we survived. Full-timing actually made it easier believe it or not. Now that the nest egg is gone I still live comfortably on my pension which includes health coverage and stay within my means and really feel it is easier in my current lifestyle. The age old question of can I afford it really boils down to to one of do you want to? Great comments above echo my feelings in that you can adjust to meet your needs etc just as you would in living in a conventional home. Workamping or hosting in my case really was a financial savior for that moment of time. I live month to month and still dealing with a few health issues, but would I change the ways I live? Nope, not on a bet. Why? I love it and some nay sayers might not agree, but I live so much cheaper and enjoy it to boot so I have won on both ends of the stick. The purpose of the post was awareness so those seeking the lifestyle would have some idea. Again it depends on each persons needs and the costs can vary widely, but it can be done if you plan, research and can stay within your means in the manner in which you divide to full-time. Gaylord was right too ya know.;-) I'm a simpleton I reckon and those material thing days are long gone for me. It doesn't take a lot of money to make me happy. My happiness comes cheap. I'm currently living with an ocean view out my big bay window for $350 per month. You can't rent an apartment for that. If i decide I want to travel this summer which I do, I have a great place to rerun to called "home" in my home.;-) On my website I wrote an article titled "Will you live your dream looking out the backyard window"? It kind of explains my personal take on things. Here's the link... http://firedude.thefiredude.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=51 Tony http://firedude.thefiredude.com Alpenliter,
It always seems no matter what we do or where we live we seem to do it within our means. I saw my nest egg dwindle, but not due to the downturn in the economy, but due to some serious unforeseen health issues which I detail in my book and how we survived. Full-timing actually made it easier believe it or not. Now that the nest egg is gone I still live comfortably on my pension which includes health coverage and stay within my means and really feel it is easier in my current lifestyle. The age old question of can I afford it really boils down to to one of do you want to? Great comments above echo my feelings in that you can adjust to meet your needs etc just as you would in living in a conventional home.

Workamping or hosting in my case really was a financial savior for that moment of time. I live month to month and still dealing with a few health issues, but would I change the ways I live? Nope, not on a bet. Why? I love it and some nay sayers might not agree, but I live so much cheaper and enjoy it to boot so I have won on both ends of the stick.

The purpose of the post was awareness so those seeking the lifestyle would have some idea. Again it depends on each persons needs and the costs can vary widely, but it can be done if you plan, research and can stay within your means in the manner in which you divide to full-time. Gaylord was right too ya know.;-) I’m a simpleton I reckon and those material thing days are long gone for me. It doesn’t take a lot of money to make me happy. My happiness comes cheap. I’m currently living with an ocean view out my big bay window for $350 per month. You can’t rent an apartment for that. If i decide I want to travel this summer which I do, I have a great place to rerun to called “home” in my home.;-)

On my website I wrote an article titled “Will you live your dream looking out the backyard window”? It kind of explains my personal take on things. Here’s the link…

http://firedude.thefiredude.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=51

Tony
http://firedude.thefiredude.com

]]> By: Alpenliter http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/comment-page-1/#comment-64282 Alpenliter Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:45:18 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3100#comment-64282 As we have watched our 401k erode away, it was tempting to put retirement off a few years to build our nest egg back up. But we have always managed to live on what we make, so if it is just our Social Security, so be it. I once asked Gaylord Maxwell for the best advice for fulltiming and he told me "Do it sooner than later". We will adjust our travel and our stays and our workamping to fullfill our goal of fulltiming. Thanks for another great post Tony! As we have watched our 401k erode away, it was tempting to put retirement off a few years to build our nest egg back up. But we have always managed to live on what we make, so if it is just our Social Security, so be it. I once asked Gaylord Maxwell for the best advice for fulltiming and he told me “Do it sooner than later”. We will adjust our travel and our stays and our workamping to fullfill our goal of fulltiming. Thanks for another great post Tony!

]]> By: Tony Cornett http://blog.rv.net/2009/01/the-cost-of-full-timing-can-you-afford-it/comment-page-1/#comment-64273 Tony Cornett Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:02:09 +0000 http://blog.rv.net/?p=3100#comment-64273 "Toad" stands for the vehicle towed behind a motor home. “Toad” stands for the vehicle towed behind a motor home.

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