Our Money Situation - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

Our Money Situation

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

More money unless your careers allow you to work professionally and relocate in the RV. If not, you might want to orient your career path such that you could work on the road. Workamping is not something you can typically live on without supplemental income, and you need savings and social security for retirement. Pursuing a career that will pay more on the road than workamping is a good way to get out there ASAP. But IMO 150K is not enough to be comfortable with longer term. Now, if you just intend to fulltime for a few years and then start working again that is a different plan....(notice I did not mention sticks and bricks if you get off the road).

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mark/Jena, I admire your goal to of debt free living in 6 years. If I read correctly, once you sell the S/B you will take the profit and purchase the RV with plans to live in it for 6 years thus saving $144000 inaddition to adding to your 401k plans. You do not need a million bucks in the bank to live a life of freedom on the road. You do need a plan and you need to live the plan.

I highly recommend you investigate Howard and Linda's budget posted on rv-dreams website. This will give you an idea of the cost associated with living on the road. Next, establish your travel budget. This should give you an idea of you will have sufficient funds to get on the road.

DISCLAIMMER: I am not a professional financial planner and am only rendering my opinion.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mark & Jenna,

In reading through RV forums for many years, it seems the typical fulltimer lives on about $2500 per month.

So your $150,000 (rounded up) would allow you to stay on the road for about 5 years without any other source of income.

You'll need more money or a solid source of income you can depend on. Plus if you don't plan on staying on the road forever, you'll need to build up a nest egg for when you are ready to settle down.

The $2500 is just living expenses. It doesn't take into consideration replacing the RV if needed. So you'll need an emergency fund or savings plan to replace the RV or buy a place to live when ready to come off the road.

Hdrider · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'll start by saying we do not full time YET.

However from what I have read the average $$ per month needed may just be the $2500 mentioned above. I know we are planning on $3000 per month for when we do go on the road.

You might want to speak with your finance advisor and see what he or she feels you can get on returns with your $140,000. Then decide how much more you will need to have in your nest egg to achieve a return that you would feel comfortable living with. Or have a plan for making money while on the road.

To answer your question,,,, no,,, my opinion is $140K is not enough. I wish it was,,,, I'd be gone!!!!

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks everyone for your responses, we thought that it would not be enough but wanted to hear from some of you. We're both new at this and needed some advice so we now feel more confident that we need to rethink our situation.

Mark

Readytogo · RV-Dreams Family Member

There are many out there fulltiming with not even being close to $144,000 saved. There is alot of information on this website. H & L did not have much more than what you will have saved in 6 years (including interest) when they started fulltiming. They have been on the road now for almost 6 years. They have workcamped along the way. Alot of people are doing it but everyone is different. Only you can answer that question for you.

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

Well, we would not by any means retire but work camp at the locations we decide to stay at. We're hoping to generate enough cash to pay all our bills and maybe a little extra to sustain ourselves for a long time so we can enjoy our full timing.

I was looking at H and L budget and it seems we could do it if we were aggressive about the work camp thing and if we get into some financial trouble I guess we would get full time jobs again. But I'm thinking that having no debt with about $150,000 in savings we could be good for a long time. Thoughts?

azrving · RV-Dreams Family Member

$2,500-3,000 per month!! Really? confuse I don't spend that much now and I have a house 5 vehicles, motorcycle, boat, RV, 4 teenagers, 3 dogs, 1 cat, etc. LOL

Many on here would even have you believe it cost just as much to live in an RV as the S&B but that just ain't so! biggrin Some just live too high on the hog IMO.

Bills we are taking on the road:

RV & Truck---- $0.00 (paid for)

Life Insurance-$65.00

RV/Truck Ins---$110.00

Food------------$350.00

TV---------------$0.00 free (we use our antenna)

Verizon---------$59.95 (nationwide plan)

Eating Out-----$0.00 (don't eat out now and that won't change on the road)

Fuel-------------$200.00-300.00 (figured on staying camped for 2 week intervals)

Misc-------------$300.00+ (dog food, oil, repairs, water, dumping tanks, campground memberships, and anything else that comes up)

Health Insurance--0.00 haven't had it since I closed my business in 2006. That's why I carry a large life insurance policy. Cost too much! I may look into a catastrophic policy before hitting the road.

Campgrounds Fees-$150.00-350.00 (we will boondock as much as possible and stay @ membership discounted CG's, State/Federal parks, etc)

We will be able to make it on 1,000-2,000 per month without any problem. I lived in our TT for 8 months (2006 by myself) and it only cost me 300-400 per month.

http://www.rv-boondocking-the-good-life.com/full-timervbudget.html

http://www.roadslesstraveled.us/Budget.html

http://www.rvlifestyleexperts.com/free-rv-info/getting-started/budgeting/

http://www.fulltime-rving.com/cost-of-full-time-rving.html

http://www.roamingtimes.com/iloverving/rv-on-a-tight-budget.asp

http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/fulltiming.html

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=91511&p=3&topicID=40574734

bonnie and clyde · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Mark and Jenna,

I have not figured out for myself how much we need, but this I know. There is a point where one must follow their dreams or they may never happen. I think you will know in your gut when to make it happen. I am a believer in having an exit plan and a living plan, but at some point, one must pull the trigger. Best to you

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have no idea how many times I have heard, read about, or know someone that worked hard their entire life so they could travel and see the country. Then, within a month, six months, a year or whatever, one of the couple died, had serious health problems, or ____ fill in the blank. If you can scratch out a way to go and do it, go and do it. You never get back yesterday and you are not guaranteed tomorrow.

WhoSaidYouNeedMillions · RV-Dreams Community Member

Mark and Jenna,

In deciding whether to stop working and hit the road at age 48, I had many of the same questions you have. After figuring it out for my own situation, I decided to write a book which I self-published. Some people have found it helpful. The book is called "Who Said You Need Millions? Retirement Strategies for the Rest of Us." It's available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble online or at the publishing company's website: www.booklooker.com. Booklocker has an excerpt so you can check it out for free at:

http://assets.booklocker.com/pdfs/3360s.pdf

What I figured out for me was that I needed a lot less money than most of the financial experts said I did. I can't tell you whether your nest egg will be enough for you but the book might help you figure that out. I also write a blog (although I have been lazy lately and haven't posted much) which you can find at www.whosaidyouneedmillions.blogspot.com.

Good luck in your quest.

Jon Edelfelt

09WinnebagoView ... currently traveling in AZ.

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks so much for the responses they've been extremely helpful. We redid our budget and we figured we could save around $210,000 in the next 6-7 years. We really want this to come to froition so we've been beating our budget to death to see how we stand after 7 years.

But ya'll are right where at some point we just have to bite the bullet and just say we're going now and throw caution to the wind and hope for the best. I believe that if we save that much money we should be OK for awhile while we work camp and pursue our dream.

We'd love to hear from you concerning this and what your thoughts are.

Mark

DorisandDave · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mark and Jenna,

Dave and I are in our mid 50's. We sold the S&Bs and sold or gave away everything else. We do have payments on our 5er and truck AND have a lot less in the bank than you are planning on having when you hit the road, but a bit more in our retirement plan. We don't plan on hitting our retirement funds OR SS until age 66 and are really going to try and put it off until 68.

With that said....we hit the road March 25th, 2011. We have a budget and we stick to it. We found a job that allows us to travel AND make some money...we don't touch the savings and this month we even ADDED to it.

What you are planning is very doable. We had jobs, house, cars, toys and ALL the bills and maintenance that go with them. We had a few things happen in our lives the last few years that changed the way we think. Particularly....why are we waiting to do this, we need to get on it before we can't!

So, if it is something you REALLY want to do and you work out how to make some money while you do it (workamping doesn't mean just working and camping at a campground) and the budget you can live with, then why not?

If you have no payments on your 5er, motorhome, trailer or whatever you get or your toad or tow vehicle than living on $2000 or less a month is not only feasible, it's VERY feasible.

Good luck and let us all know how your journey is going!

Doris

-- Edited by DorisandDave on Sunday 24th of April 2011 08:32:36 AM

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another idea might be to work part of the year. There are some jobs out there that workampers do that provide good money in a short period of time. We know a few folks who do these jobs and then don't work the rest of the year. Examples are Amazon.com, beet harvest, fireworks, Christmas trees. These are all short term jobs that pay good wages.

Melstar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dan, where is the Amazon.com job and what does it consist of doing?

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Amazon hires workers for the Christmas holiday rush. I believe that have 3 areas around the Country where their call centers are. It's pretty intense work with long and early/late hours but it's good pay and their are campgrounds nearby with a bunch of other Amazon workcampers.

2010 information:

They need 900 to 1000 workers between the Campbellsville, KY,
Coffeyville, KS, and Fernley, NV locations for various lengths of time and various jobs. I will warn you though, if 10-11 hours of HARD work on your feet isn't for you, you won't like it. Night shift pays a little more and all the overtime at the end really adds up.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23859899.cfm

IWantaCampMore · RV-Dreams Family Member

Nice !

Comprehensive. I'm intrigued and in deep thought of our situation. Thank you for this post.

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

That's interesting about Amazon as I am not afraid of physical labor nor is my wife but we are afraid of stress and that's why we're considering going on the road to get away from our stressful jobs. Life is too short to have to deal with stressful jobs that you squeak by on with what they pay.

Anyway, thanks for the Amazon information as that could possibly be our salvation during the winter (holiday) months to earn some extra money. I've been looking at workcamping jobs on the workcamping.com website and it kind of gives me piece of mind that we could actually do our plan in 7 years.

Thanks all that responded, these really help us with our decision to move forward with our plans.

Mark

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Melstar wrote:
Dan, where is the Amazon.com job and what does it consist of doing?

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=91511&p=3&topicID=29490531

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

Just out of curiosity and I know everyone is different but I'd like to pose this question anyway. When you workcamp do you just try to get your stay and hookups for free at a camp site or do you work to make extra money to put in your savings?

I've noticed some workcamp advertisements to just pay for the stay and hookups and others do that plus pay extra for extra hours worked.

Mark

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've done both...generally we volunteer our time to cover the cost of the site (less than 24 hours/week combined). Jobs that pay usually mean 40 hour work week. It's also a different mentality when working for $$. That's why we prefer volunteer work.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We just volunteer. It's a laid back atmosphere, work has never been either hard or long hours, we save about $700 that we would have spent in commercial campgrounds and we of course drive much less. Also it's nice to help the different park agencies.

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you all for your input on this but unfortunately (or fortunately) we have to put our RV plans on hold as my wife is pregnant. This was not planned but we are both very excited about this news. So our 15 year plan has been postponed to the 18 year plan. smile

Thanks again all for your valuable input and we are very much looking forward to retiring in our RV after we raise this wonderful child we're bringing into the world.

Mark

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congratulations.

djpotts55 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congratulations on the 18 year plan and the great family news.

Living in an RV starting now, cutting your expenses by not owning a home, and increasing your savings will make it easy to hit the road full-time in 18 years.

You mentioned your 401(k) plan and don't forget you can also fund a ROTH IRA for both you and your wife each year with after tax, earned income. The husband can fund a second ROTH IRA for the wife, even if the wife is not employed. Don't know if this will pertain with you once the baby comes along, but keep it in mind.

Once you are ready to hit the road, definitely take advantage of Workamping if you need to supplement your income.

Here is an article that I wrote that you might find useful.

Costs to Live the Full-timing RV Lifestyle

Hope to see you on the road some day in the future!

HomeSweetRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

Way cool, some very good information in this thread.

I think your budget depends greatly on how much travelling you do (fuel cost), what parks you stay at and pay for, and how much you dine out vs cooking for yourselves.

For us, we are on the "Must-have/Nice-to-have" plan. It is working well so far, as everything we purchase, we ask the question.....is this a 'must-have', or a 'nice-to-have".

Now, I'm off to read more information from all these links so kindly shared here!

HomeSweetRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

"Eating Out-----$0.00 (don't eat out now and that won't change on the road)"

That is absolutely amazing to me! What determined self-discipline! I think we need to work harder on that one!

Thanks for the 'food for thought'!

MaryBee · RV-Dreams Family Member

azrving wrote:
$2,500-3,000 per month!! Really? I don't spend that much now and I have a house 5 vehicles, motorcycle, boat, RV, 4 teenagers, 3 dogs, 1 cat, etc. LOL
Many on here would even have you believe it cost just as much to live in an RV as the S&B but that just ain't so! Some just live too high on the hog IMO.
Bills we are taking on the road:
RV & Truck---- $0.00 (paid for)
Life Insurance-$65.00
RV/Truck Ins---$110.00
Food------------$350.00
TV---------------$0.00 free (we use our antenna)
Verizon---------$59.95 (nationwide plan)
Eating Out-----$0.00 (don't eat out now and that won't change on the road)
Fuel-------------$200.00-300.00 (figured on staying camped for 2 week intervals)
Misc-------------$300.00+ (dog food, oil, repairs, water, dumping tanks, campground memberships, and anything else that comes up)
Health Insurance--0.00 haven't had it since I closed my business in 2006. That's why I carry a large life insurance policy. Cost too much! I may look into a catastrophic policy before hitting the road.
Campgrounds Fees-$150.00-350.00 (we will boondock as much as possible and stay @ membership discounted CG's, State/Federal parks, etc)
We will be able to make it on 1,000-2,000 per month without any problem. I lived in our TT for 8 months (2006 by myself) and it only cost me 300-400 per month.
Thank you for posting this!!!!
I had been worried about how we were going to make it once we go full time, especially when I see people living on 2-3000 per month!

Thanks to this economy and being self employed for most of our lives, we have no savings and will be leaving with what money we get for selling 34+ years of our junk, we estimate
we will have about 15-20,000.
We plan on workcamping so we can get our lot, electric and such for free, I will have an income of about 1,800 per month from my online business and I was worried we might not be able to live on that until I saw your post...so THANK YOU!
Life has to be chaper on the road if your truck and rig are paid for and you don't live to high on the hog...I pay right now $1,000 per month just on my mortgage not including taxes, insurnace, up keep, trash, electric, cable, internet blah..blahh

TXRVr · RV-Dreams Family Member

bonnie and clyde wrote:
Hi Mark and Jenna,
I have not figured out for myself how much we need, but this I know. There is a point where one must follow their dreams or they may never happen. I think you will know in your gut when to make it happen. I am a believer in having an exit plan and a living plan, but at some point, one must pull the trigger. Best to you

AMEN!

Put another way...Out of 100 people there may only be two swans. The other 98 are just plain ducks. The swan is an inspiration, the duck is just another duck.

This site is named RV Dreams...is it not??

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

MaryBee wrote:
I had been worried about how we were going to make it once we go full time, especially when I see people living on 2-3000 per month!

One can live this lifestyle on a wide range of budgets and savings account balances - it all depends on what your own preferred style is, and where your comfort zone is.

We have our life scaled to be flexible.

We're also self employed (and currently in our late 30s) running a small tech company. The monthly income we earn is variable based on projects we currently have going on and how motivated we are to work. But because we've avoided as many financial committments as possible, we have the luxury of working on our terms - when something inspires us.

If we want/need a lean month - we're capable of boondocking and/or exhanging services for free camping (whether at campgrounds or with friends with land). We can slow down the pace and not burn as much fuel. We can eat in more and trim the food budget. We can not spend money on movies, events and entertainment.

But there are simply some things we can't trim back on - sufficient insurance (full timers RV, vehicle, health), internet connectivity, preventative maitenance on our bus, feeding the cat, etc.

We can be lean in the budget and quite comfortably live on $1250-$1500/month. For $2000-2500/month, we feel abundant and fairly carefree in our spending without compromising our style.

In our 5 years of living on the road full time, last year was our most expensive - averaging out at $2800/mo. But that included several months of non-RV travel - including a month living on Amtrak trains in search of our bus conversion, a few months in the US Virgin Islands, lots of hotels, plane trips, etc. Our first year on the road, 2007 - traveling 12,000 miles in 16' teardrop, was our cheapest - probably around $1000/mo.

We keep our monthly expense log here as an example:

http://www.technomadia.com/the-finances-how-to-afford-it/

- Cherie

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

What a great thread with so many excellent suggestions along with the different situations and scenarios that a lot of you have posted. This is definitely excouraging to us to see what we can and shouldn't do which is exciting for us as we want to get on the road when the proper time comes. I'd like to thank each and every one that has posted which makes for great reading and possibly help others out as well. Our decision to go on the road is very real and we are doing what we need to do to make it happen with all of your help with these different situations that you've explained in this thread and I thank you. It's a very tough decision to know when is the proper time to sell the S&B and go for the 5er but thanks to this web site we are more knowledgeable and feel encouraged to make it happen when we are ready.

On a side note, we now have a beautiful baby boy named Cory that is just the light of our lives. He's now 2 months old and is a bundle of joy and we couldn't be happier.

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well congratulations! Down the road you may want to consider taking the little one with you on the road. There are many families that full time.

jbarrett72 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're one of those families that will be on the road! We have a 2yr old that we're taking with us. Just as soon as the S&B sells.....anyone looking for a house in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan????

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Your attitude is similiar to mine! I have been doing this on and off since 1998 and the memories of the people; places and things i have experienced can never be replaced. When I started I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. We only get one go-around on this planet and decided to make the most of it. My close call the end of March confirmed; money helps; but the freedom is irreplaceable. Pieere

bonnie and clyde wrote:

Hi Mark and Jenna,
I have not figured out for myself how much we need, but this I know. There is a point where one must follow their dreams or they may never happen. I think you will know in your gut when to make it happen. I am a believer in having an exit plan and a living plan, but at some point, one must pull the trigger. Best to you

rvingft · RV-Dreams Family Member

Its good you are looking at the numbers ....our suggestion is to be open to opportunities that you may not even realize exist. Focus more on what you WANT your day to be like as a full-time RVer and the opportunities will present themselves.

This worked well for us when we made the decision we wanted out of the storage management business and into something that allowed us to earn a good living, but RV full-time also. We knew workcamping would NOT be it, as we still needed to buy the RV/truck and didn't have a big savings account. A career we didn't know existed manifested for us and we are now mobile OSHA hearing technicians, travelling the heartland of the USA. The company provides a good salary, benefits and the equipment, we just need the RV to earn an additional $1800 a month per diem. That more than covers our RV travel expenses.

In less than a year, we have purchased the truck and are now looking for the right fifth-wheel for our needs. Our employer pays our travel expenses. We knew what we needed to live on and focused on an opportunity that would meet that need and voila! Here we are!

A few forums mention gate guarding ... that is another option that appears to generate $4K monthy income with lots of expenses covered by the company - not you. WE can live on $4000 a month in an RV - many full-time RVers live on 1/2 that biggrin

There are pros & cons with each opportunity, but the bottom line is focus on what you WANT and it will appear. Be prepared for the opportunity too. Scale down on the "stuff" that weigh you down ... we ate off paper plates for 4+ months while getting rid of and storing "stuff" we would use when in the RV.

When this opportunity came, we were able to give a 2 week notice and we were "OUTTA HERE" because we were prepared ahead for whatever was coming our way. It doesn't work for everyone, but it sure worked for us confuse

dixonge · RV-Dreams Community Member

We have similar situations to the original poster. The wife's pension kicks in around 2017. We started planning in 2007, and quit our jobs in 2011. During that time we got out of our house (no equity) and sold all our stuff and paid off all our debt and saved up a pile of cash. Unfortunately when we headed out of town we had slightly less cash than is being discussed here. But we had some plans for income on the road. Some of those have worked out, mostly not. It's something we are still working on.

Our original plans were to RV for several years, and we intended to use lots of solar and boondocking to keep expenses low. When we changed our plans to RV for only one summer season and then move overseas, it sort of shot our RV budget in the foot. We tried to just camp in a tent, which worked real good for about 30 days. :) Then we got tired of several aspects of that and upgraded to a used pop-up camper. To be fair, it was probably the largest model of pop-up ever manufactured, w/ a 14-foot body and two king-sized beds, and a dining/kitchen slide-out. But still, it was a pop-up! We lived in it for six months.

Our original plan was to travel really slow, which cuts down on gas expenses. Our new plan had us going through 23 states in six months. So our gas was higher than we wanted, and we did no boondocking so we paid campground fees every night. We also stayed in some hotels during the occasional pop-up repair, and we stayed with friends and family here and there. If you count from the day we bought the pop-up in May until the day we pulled back into my parent's house in November we averaged around $1500 a month for basic living expenses. We spent an extra $1000 on a repair that we felt should have been warrantied, but fighting that would have kept us in a motel in California for who knows how long so we ended up just paying it.

In comparison, in April we spent around $600 for living expenses while housesitting in Mexico. In August we'll housesit a yoga retreat near Puerto Escondido and right on the beach. In Sept./Oct. probably a house on Lake Atitlan. In-between we'll do inexpensive B&B's or hotels.

Stay creative. Think outside the box.

For inspiration on traveling with kids, check out these folks, some of whom we have met here in Mexico!

http://fulltimefamilies.com/

http://www.discovershareinspire.com/

http://livingoutsideofthebox.com/

http://familyonbikes.org/

http://vagabondtales.com/

Edit by moderator: Activated links. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 23rd of May 2012 10:24:57 AM

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the posts, there's some great information. This past weekend we bought our first RV, it's a 16 foot Conquest TT that's brand new and was on sale for $8,800 down from $15,000 so we acted on it. I think it'll be a fun starter for my wife and especially my son who will grow up to have some great camping experiences.

I think this purchase will keep our juices flowing for continuing to save money for when we retire and buy the 5er that we'll eventually live in. Doing a lot of research and maybe just maybe we could get one sooner than later and travel with our son and possibly home school him on the road. This is something my wife and I are talking about and there's a lot of good websites (and great links from Dixonge) that discuss this possibility and it maybe a good way to raise our son.

Thoughts?

Mark

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mark,

I think it's a great way to start out. We started in a 19' foot used travel trailer many, many, many years back but still have fond memories of camping with the kids. It also sounds like you got an outstanding deal! Good luck in your adventures.

blijil · RV-Dreams Family Member

A couple of comments as I have enjoyed the developement of this topic.

First is when considering a budget I find that I must know where I am at. That means setting a budget and tracking my spending for a couple of years. Big eye popping realities came when we looked at the miscellaneous category. It can be almost unmanageable and flexes its muscles on a regular basis. Just like your modification to the 18 year plan (congratulations). Grandbabys, road repairs, health both yours and those importanat to you, and whatever things you like to do can cause big changes in the budget. Campground cost vary widely and if you travel from here to there invariably you get stuck paying outrageous rates for a few days.

Second the lifestyle requires you to be flexible. Work camping 40 hours a week (many I have observed work more like 60) will reduce the miscellaneous category but might also increase your desire for luxurys. After all you work hard and deserve them. Sometimes the local economy requires you to adjust your diet and eating out to stay on budget. Sometimes weather, accidents, and anything else you don't think about forces you to adjust. If you are of the nature to lean back and adjust then you are in a great place for full timing.

Finally, you will probably spend your money the same way you do now. If you are savers then you will remain savers in a new environment. If not well then you will meet new challenges. Just from the sound of your questions I would guess you have some discipline and are looking for more flexibility. Your 18 year plan can accomodate that if you continue to think outside the box.

Have fun in your new RV.

Larry

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with Larry, if "miscellaneous" has too much in it you need to add more budget items. I also see people treat cash as a budget item and not track cash transactions. This might been OK when in a house, but it is easy to spend hundreds a month in cash when on the road. My father was a banker and made me carry a small notebook and keep track of my cash use and it definitely was an eye opener. These are general comments and not directed at anyone in particular.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mark and Jenna wrote:
Just a quick question, do you all fill up the grey tank and black tank before dumping into the sewer or do you just run the hose and keep it open to let it flow constantly?
Thanks for reading and hope you all have a great 4^th of July and be safe.

Mark and Jenna,

NEVER leave the valve open on your black tank. If you do, solids will build up right under the toilet and will be a mess to clean out later. (Yep, I speak from experience on that one.) With your black tank valve closed, you are allowing the liquid in the tank to soften up and "liquify" the solids so they will flush out easier.

Keep monitoring the levels as your grey tank will fill up sooner than the black tank will. You will also want to have your grey tank as full as possible when it gets time to dump your black tank so you can use the water from the grey tank to flush the lines after you've emptied the black tank and closed it off.

Some had written of leaving their grey tank open until the black tank starts to get close to full and then closing it so as to "fill" the grey for flushing purposes. Others have said that continual draining of the grey tank leads to a build-up in the lines and hoses in some way. Possibly, they are referring to some food particles that manage to get washed down the drain.

Remember that the slinky hoses have all those little depressions made by the "V's" that allow them to be expanded and compressed. Those depressions will collect stuff.

If your system has a black tank flush, it is beneficial to flush the tank after it empties to further clean out the black tank before closing it up and flushing the hoses with the grey water.

Terry

EDIT: Will you look at that, It took me so long to compose my answer that Ken answered much sooner and probably with fewer words than I did.

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 3rd of July 2012 10:29:57 AM

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

Well we went on our first camping trip to Skidaway Island in Georgia this past weekend in the immense heat and had a great time (thank goodness the AC worked well in the camper). The camp site was great with a lot of tree coverage for shade and would definitely recommend it and we’d go back again. Our son Cory seemed to have a good time but honestly we didn’t do too much but spent most of our time organizing the camper and playing with Cory. We did connect the electricity but not the water since we were right next to a bath house and we were only there for one full day. Tomorrow we’re going to go to Charleston in a camp ground called Oak Plantation which has full hookups including sewer so we’ll hook up the water, electricity, and sewer and I’ll take my first shower in the camper which will be interesting because I’m not a small guy and it’s a tiny shower even though it’s a tub shower.

Camping gear is quite expensive to start out because we had to buy everything but I guess when you have all the tools and equipment it’s definitely a cheap vacation to camp at a camp ground in the long run. At Oak Plantation for four nights ran us about $133 which is so much cheaper then a hotel room for four nights plus you meet a lot of people camping and so far they’ve all been so friendly.

Just a quick question, do you all fill up the grey tank and black tank before dumping into the sewer or do you just run the hose and keep it open to let it flow constantly?

Thanks for reading and hope you all have a great 4^th of July and be safe.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you choose, you can leave the grey tank open to the sewer, but DO NOT leave the black tank valve open. A lot of water is required to keep the waste in suspension and flush adequately when you do dump. We find the black tank is good for 8 to 10 days with just the two of us. You do want a black tank flush attachment unless there is one built in. Several varieties are available, all of which work as advertised. Just make sure you use them. A good level is good to have in the grey tank to clear the hose after dumping the black tank. We have two grey tanks and one black tank. I leave all the valves closed and then have a weekly "flushing party" and clear all of them. Dump the black while flushing well. Then the greys are dumped. After that, close 'em all. If the grey is allowed to remain open, there will be a soap scum/body oil (stereate solid waxy buildup) on the hose which will smell to high heaven. Of course, you can do it any way you wish.

Mark and Jenna · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the answers, it's pretty much what I thought but wanted to hear it from experienced campers. I appreciate it !

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry and Jo wrote:
Terry
EDIT: Will you look at that, It took me so long to compose my answer that Ken answered much sooner and probably with fewer words than I did.

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 3rd of July 2012 10:29:57 AM

Well, I got a 'scuse. I spent a lot of years writing operating manuals for gas plants and refineries. I had to write according to the readers. If they had to refer to a manual to operate a piece of equipment, it had to be short and to the POINT, right now!! I had to practice being terse.

Beth-Cal · RV-Dreams Community Member

Wow! I really hope $100,000+ is not needed to begin full timing. If so I am in big trouble!! I have no where near that but plan on working (I'm a nurse) agency/temp on the road. I have made myself believe it is all about how you want to live that will determine the amount it cost. But this is the same for S&B living, right? I do not live above my means now (actually I live well below) so I will not start when I give up a permanent job.

I hope I am not kidding myself......

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Beth ....when I first started out on the road it was with a backpack and a sleeping bag,,,,life on the road is what you make it. your stay at home budget is almost no different than your on the road budget. you save when you can and you tough it when you have to.

all it takes is simple planning and frugal living in one of the best atmospheres you will ever enter into........if you plan on Nursing on the road , once you get your contact base set up thru good temp services away you go doing what you love to do !!!!

your decisions are yours ,but also your fears are yours to

my backpack and sleeping bag led to a 42 foot Diesel coach and financial independence for the rest of my life!!!

A DREAM IS ONLY A DREAM UNTIL YOU DECiDE TO MAKE IT A REALITY!!!!!........and then its only yours to control

Good luck!!!!..........and its really is beautiful out here even on the bad days!!!!!

Pinky-AzNative · RV-Dreams Community Member

Mark and Jenna,

We have two children ages 12 and 13. One with learning disabilities. We have been home-schooling for 4 years and plan to go full time on the road as soon as we sale our home. When we did a small trips we found home-schooling easier and more educational on the road. Plus we find less issues with the children than when they were in public schools. The kids are excited about us planning to go on the road full time and constantly talk about places we have studied that they want to see. I love the attitudes of the children now that they have been out of public school and their willingness to do and join in family activities. We are excited about the possibility to make the U.S.their school learning area ASAP.

Liz and Walt

Beth-Cal · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hello Lucky Mike:)

Thank you kindly. I needed to hear that. I am looking forward to this adventure and I do believe there is never really a good time to alter your entire life...you just do it and make it work. And that is exactly what I plan on doing.