Six month update
So after six months we are positioned to be a success. The RVing lifestyle is looking like something we can do. The reason I say that is because we love being on the road and seeing the country and love being out with no one but us. Boondocking is our favorite. Another reason is that the money it takes to keep going will be easy to obtain over the next few years. The house is rising in value seemingly daily.
A few things that I will need to do the the house before selling are installing new windows and fixing up the kitchen and bathroom. I think I can do all for under $15k. I think spending that will increase the value at least $20k and make it easier to sell our 62 year old house.
We have narrowed down our rig to used 5th wheel about 30' long. We will start looking at used rigs in year 5 or so and wait to jump on a deal when it presents itself. Wish list will include but not limited to solar and a washer/dryer combo.
I also am getting more and more excited to start workcamping. I get emails daily listing jobs that pay a per hour salary and space rent with full hook ups. Working in a customer service role is not something I do for a living now but am excited to start. I love helping others in need and being of service to my RVing community.
A few things to research are: health insurance, solar power, mobile internet and boondocking locations.
Next month we are going to Big Bear Lake for a few days and in October we are going to northern California and cruising down the coast taking about 10 days. Really looking forward to that trip.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
402 weeks remaining...
At 402 weeks before retiring, I am feeling great. I'm really considering smaller and smaller rigs that could be replaced more often, since they don't seem to last all that long. This way I can keep getting "new" old rigs every few years without breaking the bank. The first few years I really wanna get out and see things and experience what this great nation has to offer. Work camping also sounds very good -- I can't wait to get my first job on the road.
The finances are going great. $11k of debt paid off already and excited to get it all paid off. I have been spending for years and it feels good to start to reverse the damage. For all you out there who think you can't get ahead, don't give up. I thought that for years and just recently found that I could get out of debt and get ahead and still have a good life without feeling deprived.
I also recently found out that more people are following this blog but not commenting, so if you're one of those people please say hi!
Until next week, SAVE SAVE SAVE and DREAM DREAM DREAM....
The finances are going great. $11k of debt paid off already and excited to get it all paid off. I have been spending for years and it feels good to start to reverse the damage. For all you out there who think you can't get ahead, don't give up. I thought that for years and just recently found that I could get out of debt and get ahead and still have a good life without feeling deprived.
I also recently found out that more people are following this blog but not commenting, so if you're one of those people please say hi!
Until next week, SAVE SAVE SAVE and DREAM DREAM DREAM....
Thursday, July 10, 2014
403 weeks remaining...
This week I found a few Facebook groups that discuss full time RVing. This has been a great resources for question and answers for people like me planning a full time lifestyle.
Had a few great emails regarding Elk's lodge camping and membership with Ingrid from http://livelaughrv.net, which was so helpful. Congratulations on completing your first year full timing. This gives me hope that I too can do it.
For all you bloggers out there, keep blogging so I know what to expect.
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvdreamers/
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/ftrving/
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingthervdream/
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvtips/
Had a few great emails regarding Elk's lodge camping and membership with Ingrid from http://livelaughrv.net, which was so helpful. Congratulations on completing your first year full timing. This gives me hope that I too can do it.
For all you bloggers out there, keep blogging so I know what to expect.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
404 weeks remaining....
So this week I would like to talk about our progress with savings and getting out of debt. Our savings has been stepped up a little more in the past two weeks, saving as many pennies as possible. With still a little credit card debt remaining, we are getting very excited about living without debt which is the biggest thing we hear is needed before we get out on the road. I have historically been a spender and buy things I want without thinking. These last few months have been an eye opener on how much I was wasting. I am really enjoying saving and wish I would have started years ago. Once we got started, the ball really started rolling and we can see the end of debt and a lifestyle of living within our means.
This month marks 7 1/2 years remaining till we hit the road and we really can see ourselves living in a RV full time. We talk about it almost every time we are in the truck. I have been listening to a lot of podcasts about fulltiming and am getting a lot of ideas and things to think about. Recently I have found a few blogs and podcasts of people that either changed their minds or just plain quit the lifestyle. I found that a little disconcerting but will continue researching and dreaming.
I'm hoping more people begin to read this blog and comment. If you read this blog and can offer any tips or suggestions, please comment and like this page or just let me know you were here. I think this blog will get more exciting as the years go by.
See you on the road.
This month marks 7 1/2 years remaining till we hit the road and we really can see ourselves living in a RV full time. We talk about it almost every time we are in the truck. I have been listening to a lot of podcasts about fulltiming and am getting a lot of ideas and things to think about. Recently I have found a few blogs and podcasts of people that either changed their minds or just plain quit the lifestyle. I found that a little disconcerting but will continue researching and dreaming.
I'm hoping more people begin to read this blog and comment. If you read this blog and can offer any tips or suggestions, please comment and like this page or just let me know you were here. I think this blog will get more exciting as the years go by.
See you on the road.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
405 week remaining....
Well today I have only 405 weeks until we split this joint. The housing market is booming where we are -- not sure how long this can continue. It's up over $100k this year alone. So that means we need less then $97k more. We also decided on not getting a new 5er and finding the best deal we can find, so that if there are issues we can just dump it and get another. This could save thousands over a new rig.
I have joined the "Living the RV Dream" Facebook page and am loving all the posts. Some of the questions will keep you thinking and all the answers really help. I have decided to get CoachNet as our towing service after hearing about some people's problems with Good Sam.
Next week we're off to Sequoia National Park for the Fourth Of July holiday. Friends, family and camping along a river is all I need!
I have joined the "Living the RV Dream" Facebook page and am loving all the posts. Some of the questions will keep you thinking and all the answers really help. I have decided to get CoachNet as our towing service after hearing about some people's problems with Good Sam.
Next week we're off to Sequoia National Park for the Fourth Of July holiday. Friends, family and camping along a river is all I need!
Monday, June 2, 2014
408 weeks remaining....
Well, we're closing in on 400 weeks soon and it's got me thinking. So far I have upped my 401k savings and paid off an additional $10k in debt. At this rate I think I will totally have enough to retire on time. I search the web daily to find an answer to how much money I will need, how long I will live and will I actually be able to pull this off. I'm getting tired lately and energy is low. What if my health keeps me from living the dream? I will keep that fear on the back burner for now and stay focused on saving the money, because without that the dream will be dead before it starts.
Can't still believe we are on track!!
Can't still believe we are on track!!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
We're back....
We're back from our trip up the Eastern Sierras and visiting some great places.
First stop was the famous Alabama Hills, a range of hills and rock formations to the east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the Owens Valley, west of Lone Pine. This place is amazing. Since the 1920s, it has been used for location filming for many, many film and television projects. There is plenty of space and there are lots of scenic boondocking spots. It is BLM land, so camping is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. The wind was blowing so hard when we were there, we had to leave earlier than planned. We were afraid the wind would tip over our rig.
Next was Mammoth, CA, where we stayed the night, watched some time-traveler TV from the 70s and got a good night's sleep. While there we visited Hot Creek. It was a short but steep walk to the bottom. Signs said the hot pools were closed due to dangerous conditions.
Buckeye Creek
First stop was the famous Alabama Hills, a range of hills and rock formations to the east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the Owens Valley, west of Lone Pine. This place is amazing. Since the 1920s, it has been used for location filming for many, many film and television projects. There is plenty of space and there are lots of scenic boondocking spots. It is BLM land, so camping is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. The wind was blowing so hard when we were there, we had to leave earlier than planned. We were afraid the wind would tip over our rig.
That's us down there!
Next was Mammoth, CA, where we stayed the night, watched some time-traveler TV from the 70s and got a good night's sleep. While there we visited Hot Creek. It was a short but steep walk to the bottom. Signs said the hot pools were closed due to dangerous conditions.
Hot Creek
Next stop was Bridgeport, CA. This is where we camped next to Buckeye Creek, not far from Buckeye Hot Springs. This is a remote area where camping is allowed. One of the most beautiful spots we've ever camped - we could have stayed here for weeks on end. Another post will be on my camping blog later about how to get to this site.
We took a day trip to Bodie State Historic Park, a great place to visit if you're nearby and are interested in ghost towns. It is very well preserved, its last inhabitants having left in the 1940s.
Old gas pumps in Bodie
After leaving Bridgeport we traveled down the Grant Lake to park the trailer while we visited Yosemite National Park. Beautiful place but too crowded for us.
Then we took off for the Inn at Benton Hot Springs. Now this place is awesome. There are only nine sites, but each one has its own private natural spring hot tub. Clothing optional hot tubbing under the stars! Our employers are lucky we ever came home.... Cait will post about this location on my other blog.
Benton Hot Springs
It was a terrific trip. We tried to make it a little preview of what fulltiming could be like. We did almost all of our own cooking, conserved water and propane, and spent quite a bit of time just reading, going for walks, and taking it easy. We're ready!
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