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!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: under $1200.00


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2950
Date:
under $1200.00


I budget 1200 a month and it works with no frills.......

Fulltime boondocking...Free
Fuel................................400....includes LP per month
tv..internet..phone............100
2 or 3 Campground stays....100
food................................400
laundry& misc...................100
emergency fund................100

All leftover funds not used are left in that account to accumulate for things that happen

I boondock full time and use only 1200 a month as shown from my disability......I normally am out 2 weeks and will rent a site in a campground for a day to do laundry and dump and replenish water. and get back out there......I do sub my budget with odd jobs and Flea market vending.........I have a Generator onboard and solar Electric and solar hot water


its doable but its cutting it thin to a no frills budget.......I notice a rebound of about 500 dollars every 2 or 3 months extra by keeping on budget and not touching the account...it will build itself up , but remember ....blow a tire or have a mayday you cant handle yourself and it will become a bad day


I have met some doing it for less than 1200........its very possible if you can really manage money and totally understand frugal!!!



-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Thursday 4th of April 2013 03:01:10 PM



-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Thursday 4th of April 2013 03:01:55 PM

__________________

 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 980
Date:

Its doable, read about this couple... http://rvroadtrip.us/about.php

Please unlock your caps button, it makes it hard to read.

Edit by moderator: Activated link.  Terry



-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Thursday 4th of April 2013 06:14:28 PM

__________________

Carrilite Home

Volvo Pickup

Alie & Jim

Morgan- DD

Sallie- 4 legged lab

Tabitha & Brooke -other furballs

FullTiming since March 2013

jt


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 46
Date:

IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE FULLTIMING FOR UNDER $1200.00 A MONTH. IF YOU ARE I WOULD LIKE TO HERE FROM YOU.

WE ARE GOING FULL TIMING SOON. EVERY THING WE HAVE IS PAYED OFF AND WE HAVE NO CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS.

JT      biggrin

 



__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1248
Date:

Lucky Mike - what about insurance -- vehicle and health? Prescriptions? In putting our someday budget together, I'm finding the biggest expenses are going to be our insurance payments!

__________________

Cheryl B. in her new RV

(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)

2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)

My blog is http://mitcheryl-rv-journey.blogspot.com/

My business: www.AZAdminSolutions.com

BVC


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 33
Date:

cherylbrv wrote:

Lucky Mike - what about insurance -- vehicle and health? Prescriptions? In putting our someday budget together, I'm finding the biggest expenses are going to be our insurance payments!


 I agree cherylbrv, I'm finding that insurance is going to be the big hurdle for us as well. We also have fairly expensive life/long term care policies (they are combined) along with our health insurance.



__________________

Bruce & Val    2002 Monaco Monarch 32'



RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 6
Date:

I recently wrote an article on how to live full-time RVing for $1000 a month.  It is bear bones but doable.

Article can be found at http://campingembroidery.com/blog/2013/11/rving-on-about-1000-a-month/

Edit by moderator: Activated link.  Terry



__________________
Raymond Laubert 2007 Safari Simba Promotional Products for Campgrounds and Campers


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 505
Date:

I just came across Van-Tramps year end costs for 2013 and found it interesting: www.van-tramp.com/wp/the-cost-of-2013-year-end/

__________________

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 651
Date:

There's also vehicle insurance costs, registration, driver's license and mail service costs to consider. Plus there's the Obamacare penalty if you feel you cannot afford health insurance, vision, dental, first aid, as well as medical costs. There's also rv maintenance (things like roof coatings, anodes for water heater, sewer hose replacement, bearings, tires, etc.)

I plan on wintering over in the RGV of TX near the coast where there's very good fishing which I will be using to supplement my food budget, but then there fishing/hunting licenses gear and bait expenses which will have to be factored in too. Clothing, towels, linen can be purchased inexpensively from goodwill, garage sales, etc. If you have a computer, don't forget e-mail acct., repairs, upgrades, etc..

Some things we may forget are dump fees (if you're not staying in a RV park) and generator/solar system maintenance, fuel, repairs, etc. I've been cutting my own hair for many years but ladies like to go to a hairdresser occasionally, plus there are personal care items (like soap, shampoo, razor blades, deodorant, shave cream, hair care items, toothpaste/toothbrushes, etc.) that some lump into the food category, but I think are a separate category that can also contain household cleaners, laundry soap, bug spray, etc.. If you have any pets there's pet food, vet expenses, flea treatment, pet meds, etc.

There are many inexpensive RV parks under $300/mo (some much less) that include wifi, cable and many amenities (pools, recreational activities, libraries, exercise facilities, etc.). Something simple like bath house usage saving on making your own hot water, toilet paper, etc., saving on dump fees, the convenience of having 110v power, sewer, water etc. needs to be considered too as they makes low cost campgrounds a real bargain.

Chip

__________________

1999 National Tropical Class A gasser

Toad - 2.4l Chevy Cobalt SS with 400k miles and counting.



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 505
Date:

Sushidog: There are SO many ways to make cuts to one's budget. First would be concentrating on being healthy and that includes the pets. I have 2 dogs that are older and stay healthy but we limit the vet to the annual visit and don't load them down with poisons using natural medicine. Vision shouldn't be costing that much unless you have a medical condition involved. We do eye exams every two years and purchase our glasses through Zenni Optical online where even a strong prescription with progressive lenses runs around $90.00. We are both covered by VA Healthcare but we only go to update our records every two years as again, natural medicine.  With such a low income, there should be public health services, possibly Medicaid and in some states, Medicaid is being expanded to allow for more income.  The water heater anode we had could be cleaned off a few times before replacement and not sure all have one anymore, roof coatings didn't seem that high (the smaller the unit, the less the cost) but my husband did the work and we always waited for a sale. We used the plain sewer hose, well, plain everything.

Most public libraries now have internet and cell phones, plain again, have some internet features. We never upgrade a lot of things unless it was a necessity with the computers and we kept them, plain again. I've been cutting the hair of everyone in our family for over 20 years including my own and started because of a combination of saving money and keeping the family healthier. We limit chemical exposure when we can and yuck, some salons don't seem that sanitary.

Although going through lean times in the past seemed unpleasant, I now see what a true blessing those times were because I know the difference between "want" and "need" and know that in order to feel good about myself and make it through another day, I don't need to purchase something. It is all about trade-offs.

RV parks under $300.00? I'm guessing that would limit where I would be able to stay and I would rather rather cut my budget and be where I wanted to be. I wouldn't want to live like the person in van-tramp but knowing that it can be done feels like a positive thing to me.

While not full-timing at the moment, I know what it feels like to have everything you own, right there on the road with you, the feelings of freedom. Again, it's about trade-offs and just how much you want something as to the amount of sacrifice you are willing to make.




-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Thursday 2nd of January 2014 07:56:35 AM

__________________

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2950
Date:

If one had an rv and was only given 1200 a month.......its kinda like sitting in your S&B....you will find a way to budget it and make it work......you will also find a way to come up with more!!

__________________

 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 651
Date:

I'm not trying to discourage anyone, I'm just pointing out some of the expenses that one must consider. Many S&B expenses will cease. Some will be replaced by others, like fuel, while others will disappear. I'm currently renting a mobile home in the country and have seen my expenses drop to less than half of when I owned my S&B. The interest I now save on my first and second mortgages, the money I save in property taxes and homeowners insurance amount to more than the stated $1,200/month. My utilities are less than half of what they were too. You can't believe how happy I was to sell my lawn mower! Some expenses will be replaced by others, like fuel, but most will simply go away. Incidentally I'm paying $600/mo for rent now, but nice local campgrounds with full amenities (free wifi, cable, pool, spa, recreational activities, etc.) can be had from $345 mo. here if I had a suitable FT RV.

As far as cheap RV parks (that one would still want to live in) heres a few of my winter favorites (Though there are many more.)
1. Seaway RV Village, Arroyo City/Rio Hondo TX - $225/mo + electric ($1800/yr or only $150/mo yearly) Great for fishing as it's right on the water with your own fishing pier! campsouthtexas.com/seaway/index.html
2. Route 1069 RV Park, Rockport, TX. - $230/mo includes cable and wifi, plus they just put in a new pool. Big sites and nice trees.
3. Mobile Village RV Park, Aransas Pass, TX - $280/mo including 300KWH of electricity! Optional cable TV costs $1/day extra, cheaper than I pay at home. Fishing.
4. Rio Largo RV Park, Elephant Butte, NM - $145-$165/mo depending on site includes cable and WiFi.
5. Twin Buttes Ct. Douglas, AZ - $185/mo. + elec. beautiful mountain views, wide open spaces

I guess it all depends what you are looking for - amenities and city conveniences or mountain/ocean serenity. The point is you have options.

Chip

__________________

1999 National Tropical Class A gasser

Toad - 2.4l Chevy Cobalt SS with 400k miles and counting.



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1395
Date:

I have one comment; I lived on less; and know now I can make it on my $1273 monthly income. I wrote a longer post about when I was work camping from Dec. 09 to July 2013. No rent or utilities and traveled to and from gigs; even visited my daughter and family then.
The most important is to just this: Do what makes you comfortable in your own skin! You only get one life to live and it sure beats hating what you are doing to keep up with what society tells you to do! PIEERE 

Whoops that was more than One! LOL!



-- Edited by PIEERE on Thursday 2nd of January 2014 09:52:41 AM

__________________

Life is too short. Live it Now!

Currently at Shady Acres RV Park   Lebanon; Tennessee

http://1Irishrover.blogspot.com

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1509
Date:

Include maint. costs on your RV set up. Oil, tires, etc. Not to mention if a motor or tranny gives up.

__________________

My Dreams...............Her Nightmares.

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 505
Date:

Looking at van-tramp's budget, I see he spends 1,093 per year on dining out. I wouldn't be dining out and I'm guessing he wouldn't either if an emergency expense came up. I also noted that he has $472.00 for auto service and $154.00 for home repair each year. Keep in mind that with a vehicle that is older, you generally only pay for liability insurance which in our case on our van and auto are very, very low since we have an excellent driving record and credit rating. Also, in his case, if you read some of his blog, he would more likely than not just trade the van off buying something around the area of $4,000 if I remember right. Some people have a survival instinct and some don't. You'd be surprised how creative you can become to be debt-free if you want bad enough. It's all about wanting something bad enough or proving you have what it takes when it counts.

There's also over $3,000 a year for gasoline so that would be another resource that could be redirected to an emergency or other necessity.  Budgets are flexible and handling a budget crisis on the road will be no different than handling it in a home.



-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Tuesday 7th of January 2014 07:18:14 AM

__________________

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2950
Date:

what if your heat source or A/C stopped working in your S&B
the roof needed replacing
your utilities went up
your car lost the motor or transmission

if your going to live on the road at 1200 a month there is a good possibility that that is your budget for your home plus some.

just like your static home , when problems start to arise you do your best to correct them while there small and inexpensive to fix.......if you wait they get bigger and more $$$$$$$$

yes it is very possible to live out here for 1200 a month and there are lots of us out here doing it!!

can you pull out of your driveway with no savings and only 1200 a month coming in , yes ......can you live a 5000.00 per month lifestyle .....No

it is good to look at all the negatives...yes they can happen , but if you use them as the reason to not do something even your stick and brick life is going to get real tough . Planning and budgets are just a way of life and we always adjust to whats available to us.

__________________

 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1395
Date:

I agree Mike; If one seeks out the negatives; that is exactly what one will recieve. On the other hand; if one seeks out the positives, that's what one recieves! Not saying that bad things won't happen; one just has to deal with them as they come and then enjoy the great times!

__________________

Life is too short. Live it Now!

Currently at Shady Acres RV Park   Lebanon; Tennessee

http://1Irishrover.blogspot.com

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2950
Date:

Im with you ED.....I know we have both had our 10.00 weeks in the last year and we are still here with a smile on our face!!!!!!!!!

__________________

 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 255
Date:

All I know is that if either myself or my DH is not around or can't work, neither one could keep our S&B by him/herself. Utilities, mortgage, upkeep, taxes, etc. are just too expensive for one person. As Mike said, you can adapt to whatever you have on hand in an RV, not so easy in a S&B. My dream is still alive, it will be done on a bare bones style, probably by using the bones to make soup, but it will be done. We've never been rich, so what's the difference?

__________________
Dyana L. Smiley


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2950
Date:

I have never gone hungry or done without in my RV......I have had to do several boondock stints that were rather long to re adjust the lack of finances a few times.....

with solar the lights stay on!
water for the tanks and dumping , worse case 40 a month.

you dont use gas if you keep moves short!....ok maybe a little

Solar hot water makes for a good day and a warm bath!

I could live my normal S&B Basics in an RV for 400 a month and be living well in a boondock mode...(which I try to do all the time while Im out there)

Like it is always said......you just have to know your comfort level....most coaches are designed to Boondock in some way........a few very basic additions can carry you very well even doing 3 day bursts of boondocking.

if Im in an area where touristing is why I stopped and Im not planning on hanging out except to sleep at the campground......I dont stay in the campground....thats 3 days of boondocking even running the genny is cheaper than one day in the campground.

stopping one night a week in a campground or so keeps the price down durring the spring and fall....and then its only to water up ,dump waste and full charge the batteries....and of course do laundry and socialize!

__________________

 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!



RV-Dreams Community Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 7
Date:

What is BoonDocking??



__________________

May all be blessed as you enjoy the beauty of the world that the Lord has given us. 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 3721
Date:

1 Angel wrote:

What is BoonDocking??


 Boondocking or Dry Camping, is camping without hookups.  



__________________

Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5398
Date:

Barbara,

Boondocking is basically camping in an RV without hookups for electric, water, or sewer.

Terry



__________________

Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us