Hello to everyone. I'm just starting to learn about the RV Fulltime lifestyle and what all is involved. Wow!! What alot to know. My "Other" Half (not gonna say which is the "Better" Half) and I are just starting to talk about living this life when he retires in 6 years. So far, despite how much I'm realizing I DON'T know, I'm loving the idea. I've been reading through this website for about a week and am amazed at the wealth of knowledge I've already gained from it. I already have 1 1/2 pages of websites to research and 3 pages of questions. Every time one question gets answered, 10 more pop up...LOL But, we have six years to learn everything we need to know.
Ok, about us....I live in PA, work 40 to 70 hours a week on night shift, care for my parents whom I moved in with me a year ago as they both have Alzheimers, and am getting my 20 yr old son back into life, the workforce, and college after recuperating from a broken back. After my father's recent stroke, it was brought rather forcefully to my attention that I wouldn't be able to care for them at home much longer, they need much more attention than I can give them. The Other Half lives in OK and works 60 to 70 hours a week. He is also trying to help his 25 yr old son get back on his feet after life knocked him around some. And he plans on retiring in 6 years. We're thinking I should retire with him, we should both sell everything we own, and hit the road in an RV. We have 6 years to get our families settled, pay off our debt, and get a chunk of money in the bank.
And to learn.....the more I learn, the dumber I feel, but the more I love the idea. I will apologize in advance if I drive you crazy with my 8000 questions over the next 6 years....LOL But, I'm a happy dummy, because I love listening to advice!!! Thank you and I can't wait to un-dummy myself with your help...LOL
Gummy said
01:45 PM Jul 4, 2009
Let me be the first to welcome you and say Happy 4Th of July. We have all had question when we started to think about full-timing and you will find all those answers here at RV Dreams. There is a wealth of information here so ask away. Gummy
Judy said
02:17 PM Jul 4, 2009
Babs, welcome to this forum. Both hubby and myself are from Pa. the north eastern part of the state. Where do you live? We moved to N.M. in 1995 and love the state. Sold our home 3 yrs ago and now we have full timed for 3 yrs. Looking for a small home again but will still RV. southwestjudy
Jim01 said
05:07 PM Jul 4, 2009
Welcome to the forum!!
You're right, there's a ton of things to learn, but you've got the time. I'm sure a lot will change by the time you go full-timing, but by following a forum like this with so many helpful people, you'll be able to keep up with the changes.
Good luck with your plans,
Jim
Babs09 said
07:34 PM Jul 4, 2009
Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful welcomes. Give me a year....you'll be saying Oh, no....not her and her questions again....LOL
It does sound like a great lifestyle, something to look forward to and work towards.
Judy, I live in NE PA as well, about 5 miles from the NYS border in a tiny little farming town. It's a nice area....but the winters are getting old and I'm ready for warm weather year round, even if I have to chase it down.
Every spare minute I get, I'm reading through Howard's journal and these forums. They are extremely interesting and I love how nice and concerned everyone is. It gives me a really good feeling about the community I'm looking to join. Thanks again.
foxriverguy said
11:27 AM Jul 6, 2009
Babs,
You have a full plate, but you also have a lot of time. You sound like an eager learner and so you will do well.
I suggest that you start selling stuff you know you won't need and bank the money and do not touch it. Also ask yourself everytime you think about buying something : Do I really need it?
Good luck in your quest and best wishes to you in taking care of those aging parents.
AnnDon said
07:56 AM Aug 4, 2009
Greetings Babs -- "Happy Dummy" must be a Pennsylvania term. I say to my self quite often "Dumb ----, oh well, atleast I am a happy Dummy" and then continue plodding on. Ann
Terry and Jo said
08:33 AM Aug 4, 2009
Welcome, Babs.
You have begun in a good place with some of your research. Howard and Linda have a lot of information here, not to mention the experience of many on the forum.
We are also a few years away from full time traveling, although once the house sells, we will be full timers in a fifth wheel. Thus, wa are also researching a lot. I went back to the beginning of Howard and Linda's journal entries and copied and pasted every entry into Microsoft Word so that I have all that information on my computer. Thus, I don't have to rely on internet access to search archives.
We fully understand your situation of being in two different places. Back in 1988-89, Jo and I were separated while she finished her last year of college. (It would have caused her to lose too many college hours to have transferred.) We were sure glad to get back together again.
Just as an aside, we also live in Oklahoma. Not sure where you "other" half is, but we are near Oklahoma City.
Good luck on the research and enjoy the dreaming.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 4th of August 2009 08:34:23 AM
princess tonya said
10:16 AM Aug 4, 2009
Hi Babs. I'm brand new too. I already knew I didn't know anything. My hubby and I are still young (in our mid 20's) and neither one of us have ever had an RV before. Nor did our parents. We are truly "flying blind" at this point. But I am so glad that this web site is here. Good luck at learning all you need to to make this lifestyle work.
Ok, about us....I live in PA, work 40 to 70 hours a week on night shift, care for my parents whom I moved in with me a year ago as they both have Alzheimers, and am getting my 20 yr old son back into life, the workforce, and college after recuperating from a broken back. After my father's recent stroke, it was brought rather forcefully to my attention that I wouldn't be able to care for them at home much longer, they need much more attention than I can give them. The Other Half lives in OK and works 60 to 70 hours a week. He is also trying to help his 25 yr old son get back on his feet after life knocked him around some. And he plans on retiring in 6 years. We're thinking I should retire with him, we should both sell everything we own, and hit the road in an RV. We have 6 years to get our families settled, pay off our debt, and get a chunk of money in the bank.
And to learn.....the more I learn, the dumber I feel, but the more I love the idea. I will apologize in advance if I drive you crazy with my 8000 questions over the next 6 years....LOL But, I'm a happy dummy, because I love listening to advice!!! Thank you and I can't wait to un-dummy myself with your help...LOL
Both hubby and myself are from Pa. the north eastern part of the state.
Where do you live?
We moved to N.M. in 1995 and love the state.
Sold our home 3 yrs ago and now we have full timed for 3 yrs. Looking for a small home again but will still RV.
southwestjudy
Welcome to the forum!!
You're right, there's a ton of things to learn, but you've got the time. I'm sure a lot will change by the time you go full-timing, but by following a forum like this with so many helpful people, you'll be able to keep up with the changes.
Good luck with your plans,
Jim
It does sound like a great lifestyle, something to look forward to and work towards.
Judy, I live in NE PA as well, about 5 miles from the NYS border in a tiny little farming town. It's a nice area....but the winters are getting old and I'm ready for warm weather year round, even if I have to chase it down.
Every spare minute I get, I'm reading through Howard's journal and these forums. They are extremely interesting and I love how nice and concerned everyone is. It gives me a really good feeling about the community I'm looking to join. Thanks again.
You have a full plate, but you also have a lot of time. You sound like an eager learner and so you will do well.
I suggest that you start selling stuff you know you won't need and bank the money and do not touch it. Also ask yourself everytime you think about buying something : Do I really need it?
Good luck in your quest and best wishes to you in taking care of those aging parents.
You have begun in a good place with some of your research. Howard and Linda have a lot of information here, not to mention the experience of many on the forum.
We are also a few years away from full time traveling, although once the house sells, we will be full timers in a fifth wheel. Thus, wa are also researching a lot. I went back to the beginning of Howard and Linda's journal entries and copied and pasted every entry into Microsoft Word so that I have all that information on my computer. Thus, I don't have to rely on internet access to search archives.
We fully understand your situation of being in two different places. Back in 1988-89, Jo and I were separated while she finished her last year of college. (It would have caused her to lose too many college hours to have transferred.) We were sure glad to get back together again.
Just as an aside, we also live in Oklahoma. Not sure where you "other" half is, but we are near Oklahoma City.
Good luck on the research and enjoy the dreaming.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 4th of August 2009 08:34:23 AM
Hi Babs. I'm brand new too. I already knew I didn't know anything. My hubby and I are still young (in our mid 20's) and neither one of us have ever had an RV before. Nor did our parents. We are truly "flying blind" at this point. But I am so glad that this web site is here. Good luck at learning all you need to to make this lifestyle work.