Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Community Chat -> We got downsized!
Post Info TOPIC: We got downsized!
Workinrvers


RV-Dreams Family Member

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We got downsized!
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We have been fulltiming since April of 09 when we sold the house and moved into our 5th wheel. Our plan has always been to stick with our full time jobs until DW could reach a magic number of years of service added to her age in order to qualify for company susidized health care along with a monthly pension.

We have lived in the 5th wheel in a KOA about 20 miles from our former home and have been working hard to realize our dream of early retirement and travel.

2 weeks ago "life" hit us square in the face when DW's company cut her and about 20 of her co workers. They say it was due to technology making things more "efficient" but almost everyone that they cut were all the most tenured and experienced of the team (and also the highest paid!).

After the initial shock and emotions we were able to sit down and take a serious look at where we are at and where we want to be.

I get a small pension and DW will qualify for a small  pension as well so we will have a "little" monthly income but will need to supplement that with work camping.

So now instead of launching in 2015 we are looking at hitching up and heading out in 2012. 

We are looking forward to finally being able to do some traveling even if we have to work camp in one place for a few months at a time.

 



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Phil and Rudee
http://workinrvers.blogspot.com
2002 Winnebago Journey DL
2007 Dodge Dakota
2011 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited
Waggin Tails


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Some times it is those bumps in the night that cause is to change directions. In your case it was a bump in the economy. There are a bunch of work camping opportunities out there that should allow you fulfill your dream. Good luck on you new direction. Looking forward to meeting you on the road some day,

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Jerry & Carol Pearson (+ fur babies)
FullTime since 2012
04 Winnebago Adventure, 06 Grand Marquis
www.waggintailsrv.com

156394_20130628083653_02.jpg
Workinrvers


RV-Dreams Family Member

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thanks Jerry and Carol. Guess we are still in a state of shock over this. One thing for sure, we are in a much better position now than we would have been had we not sold the house and moved into the 5th wheel when we did! Our original plan was to keep our noses to the grindstone paying off our bills and building a nice nest egg. Well not all the bills will be paid and the nest egg will be smaller but we are better off than some of the others that have lost their jobs. Guess we are doing our best to make lemonade out of lemons. smile

Look forward to meeting you (and other "Dreamers") as well! You never know, that guy in the golf cart leading you to your site next year may be me !! biggrin

 

Phil



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Phil and Rudee
http://workinrvers.blogspot.com
2002 Winnebago Journey DL
2007 Dodge Dakota
2011 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited
tnsauerkraut


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I understand how you feel. I got laid off last November. After searching, unsuccesfully, for several months, I decided to open my own business...Dog World Resort.

Our fulltime dream is off in the future a little bit - 9 more years - but at least those nine more years will be spent doing something I love...provided my business succeeds!

Good luck to you both!

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"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did do. So throw off the sail, away from the safe harbor.
-Mark Twain
Jim01


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Sometimes things happen for a reason. Take advantage of your new situation and plan from here.

There are many folks full-timing who don't have much income or a large nest egg and if you really want to, you can do it too.

Take it one step at a time and  try to look at it as a new unexpected adventure. (which it is).

Good luck, we'll be watching for you out here on the road.

Jim



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Jim and Linda
Full-timers from 2001 to 2013
http://parttimewithjandl.blogspot.com/ 
2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel pulling a Heartland 26LRSS TT
May your days be warm, and your skies be blue.
May your roads be smooth, and your views ever-new.
TxYellowRose


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I firmly believe that things do happen for a reason, even if we are not aware of that reason at the time.  Although your job ended sooner that anticipated, I bet you guys will be just fine.  There are sooooo many work opportunities out there for us full-timers, not just the typical workamping positions.  Heck, we've turned down some that were full-time jobs - park/resort managers, etc.

Hang in there, regroup and get ready to hit the road!  It is not without its speed bumps but it sure is a good life!

Cheers,

Betty

 



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1 Scotsman, 1 Texan chick, 1 Lhasa Apso/? & 4 bicycles
Set Sail in June 2010
2010 Montana 3585SA HE
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DorisandDave


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Turning your lemons into lemonade is usually the sweetest drink.  You WILL be just fine.

We are working, traveling and have bills still.....it's been two months and we already can't imagine living any other way!

 

Doris



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Doris and Dave
2005 Winnebago Vectr
2013 Ford Focus Toad

www.doris-and-dave.blogspot.com
Ckerr


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There's lots of different ways to make life work. Sounds like you guys are working through "Plan B." Since you're still working for at least a few months, DW might ask about any workkamping opportunities where you are currently staying. That's what I did. It's not a a lot, but it covers our spot and utilities and gives me something to do a few days a week while Johnny's still working. And maybe most important, I feel like I'm making a contribution and getting some workkamping experience before we can officially start traveling next year. Just a thought....

Good luck with the lemonade preparations!

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Carol

Carol Kerr Welch

Wife to Jeff, "Mom" to Chuy; Retama Village Resident

2018 Winnebago Horizon 40A,  Jeep Cherokee Limited, Harley Davidson Trike 

Realtor specializing in RV and 55+ Communities in the Rio Grande Valley

 

 
Workinrvers


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Ckerr wrote:

There's lots of different ways to make life work. Sounds like you guys are working through "Plan B." Since you're still working for at least a few months, DW might ask about any workkamping opportunities where you are currently staying. That's what I did. It's not a a lot, but it covers our spot and utilities and gives me something to do a few days a week while Johnny's still working. And maybe most important, I feel like I'm making a contribution and getting some workkamping experience before we can officially start traveling next year. Just a thought....

Good luck with the lemonade preparations!

 Good advice Carol, actually the manager here at the KOA is a facebook buddy w/ DW and heard about the lay off. She offered her some work in exchange for rent. DW is excited to be getting some experience that will look good on a work camping resume' down the road.  She still has another 3 weeks left until they boot her out the door and then she will be available to work for the campground.

 



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Phil and Rudee
http://workinrvers.blogspot.com
2002 Winnebago Journey DL
2007 Dodge Dakota
2011 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited
Froggi


RV-Dreams Family Member

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I'm excited for you guys...great attitude, already made good plans and are ready to face things head on!!!



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Donna & Stu (& Sadie, too)
2 Taking a 5th ~ Sadie Speaks ~ Fire Lily ~ ToadilyPets
nessiekatt


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I'm excited for you, now that you can get out there sooner than expected :)  I too will be out there in 2012.  I hope to see you both face to face while traveling.  I also want to thank you for your encourgement while planning my "escape" from the rat race.



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Susan
whatsupwithsusanandcompany.blogspot.com/

"Never under estimate your power to change yourself
and 
Never over estimate your power to change others"

2003 Dodge Ram 3500 , 2007 Big Horn 3670RL 5th Wheel by Heartland
RVRon


RV-Dreams Family Member

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I'll bet you guy will be just fine and will probably look back and see that they did you a favor by downsizing you.  Like you said, you're way better off having sold your home when you did than a lot of others who saw their home values plummet in recent years.  Getting on the road as fulltimers sooner than later would seem to be a plus... not a minus!

I've always loved the adage: "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans."  That and the one below my signature below.  If our entire lives conformed to our own self-imposed plan it would hardly be interesting!

 



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Ron and Joan
2005 Itasca Sunova 34A
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland

Fulltiming since 3/28/12

"With change comes opportunity"
BruceandTrisha


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Wow! What a "push" you got tp start living your dream now!  I love your positive outlook . . . instead of grumbling and complaining, you are seizing the opporunity and are excited about the change!  I'm lifting my glass of lemonade to toast the beginning of your fantastic and successful adventure!  

 



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Bruce and Trisha Barnes

Boost Your Health for Free - SMILE!

 
SK and Hutch


RV-Dreams Family Member

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I know that both of you are go-getters and will make a positive opportunity out of this.  The road has many curves and blind turns.  Just keep your eyes on your plans and good things will come to you both.  I would be proud to have you lead me to my campsite.  Hope to see you on the road.smile



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Wayne and Sherry Hutchens  FT since 3/31/2011
2010 Carraige Cameo 36FWS
2012 Ford F350, Diesel, dually

http://skandhutch.blogspot.com

 

 
Workinrvers


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Thanks for the kind words folks. We have always been a couple who "get-er done" any way we can. I remember when my son was born I had 2 full-time jobs and another part time job just to get the bills paid. You do what you have to do, right?

Wayne and Sherry sent you a pm, hope all is well with your Dad.

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Phil and Rudee
http://workinrvers.blogspot.com
2002 Winnebago Journey DL
2007 Dodge Dakota
2011 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited
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