So, today he asks me.... - RV-Dreams Community Forum

mooline · RV-Dreams Community Member

So, today he asks me....

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well, the one part of your question I definitely have an opinion about!! LOL I don't think you're too young to do this! My DH and I are planning to full time in hopefully 3 1/2 to 4 years. We will be 56 and 47.5. smile

I asked my DH about the second part of your question, as he also is the "handy" type who likes to keep busy. He says he's looking forward to taking a break from always fixing up things and doing repairs. He hopes to explore some new hobbies, like photography and exploring the country, being active in a more recreational way. And of course, there will always be the maintenance of our home on wheels. He most definitely does not plan to be parked in a lawn chair watching the rest of the world going by!!

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

I didn't realize that either being in an anchored house or being of a certain age bracket determined your interests and lifestyle.

You are in the best position to answer the question - if you stay exactly where you are, what will he do??

Actually, being in a traveling lifestyle should naturally enhance opportunities for interesting activities, rather than limit them. You'll meet more people, see new things, experience new foods, everything about you life will be expanded, not contracted.

We are back in Milwaukee right now, visiting relatives and some friends we haven't seen in almost 5 years. Most of them are still doing the same things as before we left. We on the other hand have visited 49 states, been to dozens of national parks, seen most of the nations monuments and "places to see", and over all been doing things they only wish they could do.

It will be fine, go for it!

-- Edited by Luvglass on Sunday 12th of September 2010 08:25:34 AM

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Fred is right on. We embarked on the adventure in 2007. Up until that time we both worked 60-70 hours a week. Work was our life. After 3 years (I'm the guy) I will tell you that with new locations and people we have no problem keeping busy. I think we do more now than in our past life. Your concern is unfounded I think.
In 2007 we were 57 & 55.

-- Edited by igotjam on Sunday 12th of September 2010 08:45:24 AM

janni · RV-Dreams Family Member

I (we) can totally relate to this post. I am like you and am never out of things to do or "want to do" in the future. My DH has a few concerns as he doesn't like to be sitting around. I think they have had such busy lives in the past from chasing the dollar to support their families that, for some, relaxing a little and changing their day to day, doesn't come without concern. With that said I will say that buying a motorcycle, taking up rc airplane hobby, and the future plans of a little workbench with some woodworking tools is all in the works. I always keep reminding him that the "goal" is to travel, see all we can, and just enjoy all that life has to give. These last two winters of snowbirding have given us the chance to meet some really neat people, start our motorcycle rides, see and take pictures of the most beautiful of God's creations, and stir something in us to take to the road fulltime.
Good luck with your plans.

Froggi · RV-Dreams Family Member

I know many RVers younger than you that full-time and are never bored. Keep in mind, you determine your own pace. Now if you want to sit in the desert boondocking for months on end, then he'd better find a hobby like photography, woodcarving, etc. LOL!

Seriously, we find we have to take down days to rest...there is always something to do. As to the social interaction, all hubby needs to do is open the hood of your vehicle and stand there. Guaranteed within 15 minutes there will be several guys gathered around chatting.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Oh, there could be so much to do. First of all, if your unit would be like ours, he'll spend a LOT of time just learning all about the systems built into the RV.

After that, there is the maintenance. I remember from my 18-wheeler days of a guy that each day, while his trailer was being unloaded by a pump, that he would take a wrench of some particular size and go around his rig tightening each bolt that was the size of that wrench. Next time, it would be a different size of wrench. With that system, he managed to always keep things tight and adjusted just about every month.

If he is like me, he also likes to keep learning. Not necessarily new trades, but just new things. For that, the internet is a valuable tool, even if only to find good books or magazines on the subject. And, while on the internet, I'm sure that his expertise would be helpful for other RV'ers, so he could answer questions on RV forums.

Or, perhaps begin a website and write articles for that website that are related to his expertise, or new venture.

How about volunteering at an animal shelter, working at a food bank ran by a church or group like Salvation Army, Good Will, etc, or other places that don't need people all the time?

I would imagine that the ideas of what he could do would be endless, provided he looks around the area where you are to see what is available.

Plus, a lot of fun can be had with photography without having to go overboard on cameras and equipment. While I am a "serious, amateur" photographer (meaning I'm quite willing to spend $2500 for a camera and lens), photography doesn't require such expensive equipment. I've certainly taken good pictures with cameras costing a lot less. Plus, with digital cameras, you don't even have to print out all the photos. (By the way, if photography is an interest to him, feel free to ask me any questions that he might have regarding choosing a camera.)

There are even websites out there where he can post his pictures online for free. They may be more limited than some other sites, but sometimes the key word is "FREE".

Anyway, have fun looking for things to do.

Terry

Remi · RV-Dreams Family Member

I wouldn't say too young since I am 34 and embarking on this after almost killing myself working 12-20 hour days for the last decade. I plan to resurrect old hobbies as well as pursue new ones and other interests I never seemed to have time for. Add to that experiencing life, learning more and more about my rig, not to mention customizing it, and doing whatever from day to day to bring in $$$ as that is a necessity, both fiscally and for my sanity at the moment, lol. I really don't for see boredom being a major issue.

mooline · RV-Dreams Community Member

You guys are the best. Thanks so much for taking time to write with suggestions, thoughts and comments.

I'm confident we'll be fine - and I am sure that he'll be just as busy as he wants to be.

Two years, +/- and we'll find out... :)

Thanks again!

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are both younger than you and have been full-timing for seven years. We are not looking to quit anytime soon, we love it.

Lucky Streak · RV-Dreams Community Member

Buy him a book called "1000 PLACES TO SEE In the USA & Canada BEFORE YOU DIE" by Patricia Schultz (her second such book)
After you see/visit all of them check back and we can come up with a few thousand more places in the good old US of A.
Being smile

50-ten myself, I thought that I was fairly well travelled having visited 32 of the 50 states. Not according to this book.. we got around 950 more places to go yet...

Bill

TDCDintheRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just received "1000 PLACES TO SEE In the USA & Canada BEFORE YOU DIE" in the mail today. My sister sent the book for my christmas present, she knows we are working toward going full time. Our bucket list just got a lot longer.
Tom

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I was given an early retirement package that was too good to turn down so I retired at 47 years old. Unfortunately I was to young to tuch the money without penalty so I had to get another job. However, I did find that for about two months I became a couch potato. Finally I got so bored that I started tackling project around the house that had been put on hold while working. I actually began treating these like a job. Start at 8AM, 15 minute break at 10AM, one hour lunch at noon...etc.

I was able to get a lot of projects completed that had lingered for years. At some point I used the same strategy in my search for a new job. I devoted 8 hours per day looking for work. It paid off and here I sit in my corporate office working at skimming through the RV forums. Kind of like a couch potato again....

-- Edited by The Bear II on Thursday 30th of December 2010 10:16:45 AM

rjenkins · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with you Bear, need to add some structure. I am not retired yet (grrrrr) but for the first time in a long time, I took the last two weeks of the year to burn off my remaining vacation time without actually having a plan of going anywhere. About 3-4 days into my 15 days off I realized I had been nothing but a couch potato. I would have very good intentions when I woke up but by the end of the day I had basically done nothing.
I started wondering what I would do if I was retired. Is that what it would end up being even if I was travelling in an RV, the only difference being couch potato in an RV instead of a house? Yikes!
Well I did what you did. I created a list of things to do for the week and things to do by the day. I treated it like work and it actually became very satisfying, not to mention getting things done around the house that I had neglected for some time.
You need to create a routine that also has flexibility in it when you are travelling!