If you had Eight Years to Plan - RV-Dreams Community Forum

mds1 · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you had Eight Years to Plan

manycats · RV-Dreams Family Member

If we had started planning eight years ago we wouldn't have bought our current house.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we first got the "vision" in 2013, our plan was an 9-10 years. Instead, we found ways to cut that to what now is a 4-5 year plan. It's amazing what a long term plan and sticking to a budget can do when you put your mind to it. What changed? We woke up to the fact that the so-called day to day life of the so-called "American Dream" is something of an illusion and real life happens when you take time to actually experience it. We started doing this in the S&B and stopped collecting stuff and started culling things by asking do we still need this or want this? That was only the beginning. Those first few steps have cemented for us, that we are on the right track with our lives now.... full steam ahead to the promised land. smile

-- Edited by biggaRView on Sunday 16th of November 2014 06:46:31 AM

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

We started out with an eight year plan. Then we caught the bug - bad. Moved our date ahead four years. Then we went to an rv dreams rally, and our condition worsened. Moved our date up another two years. I guess the one thing I would like to have had different would be that we had our truck paid off before we started (April 2016 is the magic date) but I wouldn't really change our decision to hit the road earlier because even though we have to work a few months each year, we love our life on the road.

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

I went fro concept to fulltiming in 6 months..

If I had your kind of time, I would not worry much about the rv or type, or even fulltiming in general.. you can learn that at your leasure.. and the rigs and such will all be different in 8years, as will technology etc.. don't sweat it..

I'd focus on your travel destinations.. and a tentative schedule..some will say go free .. don't make reservations.. stay flexible.. Ok to a extent.. But you DO NEED reservations in the winter.. or you risk staying in places you don't like. I think you need a plan, and to stay focused and organized.. If you drive by that place you wanted to see .. it will cost you more money to go back to it later..

Wife and I are scrambling now, looking a head as far as 6 months to make those plans to add to that "bucket list" , and to be sure we hit them along the way..

I started a index card file by state. if I see something We wnt to do, or see.. we put it on a index card..You have 8 years. in 8 years, you have all the places you want to see and do in a nice organized file..

just a thought.

mds1 · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Junkman wrote:
I started a index card file by state. if I see something We wnt to do, or see..

Your the second person to recommend that. It was suggested to do the same thing but in an Excel spreadsheet that would be searchable.

You have me thinking hard about it now. Especially as I read other's blogs where they have described real special places they would visit or stay again. I could see having it organized by State. Maybe by area of the State like north, south, east and west. Then wherever we are we could plan the route based on current information such as traffic, weather, road conditions. I'd think your idea would be a great way to avoid missing an ideal stop.

This is for sure a long-range planning item. I just added it to my list to do for 2015. I'm keeping a list by year on my blog at http://ourfutureinanrv.wordpress.com/decisions-check-list/2015-decisions/

Thanks,

-- Edited by mds1 on Sunday 16th of November 2014 09:02:37 AM

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Makes sense on the excel spread sheet.... for the wife that would be good.. But I can write faster than I type..lol

Not sure what searching would be for?
I also have a wall map that goes along with the index cards.. though, no room in the rv for it..lol

be sure to print it or save it online somewhere !

-- Edited by The Junkman on Sunday 16th of November 2014 09:11:21 AM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mark,

First of all, welcome to the forums. It is a good source for information, partly because some of the participants here aren't shy about telling about their mistakes. I've even done that a few times.

For your research on places to see, let me provide another website for you. It is called My RV Talk, and under "RV Destinations," there is a thread category labeled "State by State." That includes travel information and sights to see for each state that is provided by the forum members.

If nothing else, it might benefit you to at least read the threads for information.

Terry

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

If I had 8 years, I would have learned to live on much less. Thinking back to our purging process, some of the things we owned and considered important were just anchors that weighed us down. So much money went into stuff we just never used. My suggestion would be for every item you can resist buying, take the amount of money that item cost and put the in the bank.

Jim

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

mds1 wrote:
It was suggested to do... in an Excel spreadsheet that would be searchable.

We are using an Excel spreadsheet for exactly that (among other items). Every time we read about a sight, campground, or activity that we think would be interesting, it goes on the sheet, indexed by state, time of year, and a half a dozen other relevant factors. It will sure make planning a lot easier when the time comes. For us, digital is the way to go. Just don't forget to back it all up somewhere regularly and in a safe location.

-- Edited by biggaRView on Sunday 16th of November 2014 05:00:16 PM

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Diana and Jim wrote:
... My suggestion would be for every item you can resist buying, take the amount of money that item cost and put the in the bank.

Jim

Great idea, and we are already putting any money made on things we are now purging into the RV fund also.

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

That is great! I love the spreadsheet also. We are doing our finances that way, but you are taking it to a whole new level! In my working days, I used to say (on pretty much a daily basis) that Excel was the greatest computer program ever written. I still believe that to be true.

If you are still in a S&B, it would be beneficial to adopt the mindset when shopping 'Where am I going to put this in the RV?' We also started thinking along the lines 'How much does it weigh?'

Jim

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

In my 60 years, I have never planned anything 8 years in advance so I just would have no suggestions. Right now, it just wouldn't be practical to plan ahead that far as so many things can change over that amount of time. I would also be afraid that moving toward the plan for 8 years, I would miss a lot of other opportunities. We are very flexible - adventure.

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I joined this forum in August 2010, and I plan to transition to my next career in December 2015, when my wife & I hit the road full-time to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity & National Parks while we take in this great country of ours. It's been four years, but it has gone relatively quickly and has allowed us to visit numerous RV shows and has allowed me to do tons of research. Over the last four years, we transitioned from Tucson to DC, down-sized from 3,000 sqf to 1,300 sqf residence, which enabled us to donate "lots" of extra stuff that we no longer need, and sold our home of 14-years in Tucson.

With one year to go, we are now in the "which DP" (manufacturer) do we want to buy (we already know our budget). We have a tentative plan to purchase the RV & TOAD in January 2016, with travels commencing thereafter, including scheduling time on our calendar to spend with my wife's family helping on the Farm during Harvest. For us, this five-year period is perfect ..."for us." But for others, six-months is plenty.

I wish you well in your planning process, but I have noticed on this site, as well as others, that there are those who plan for a period of time, only to cancel their plans to RV due to their life's circumstances changing.

Tim

Bobc · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have been planning now for about 2 years and have about 18-24 months to go for take off.
We are in a slow stop now. But we already have decided on a 5th wheel and have it down too 2 choices, have a good idea on what will need for a truck, have a rough budget and have a flexible time frame to start,
Working slowly on purging the house and hopefully making progress on getting it ready to go on the market in the spring.
One thing that we have open is home base and for now I think that will be the last thing we do, as health care is ever changing right now and that will be the biggest part of making that decision. The other big thing will be sale tax and excess tax on a very expensive trailer and truck. I break into a sweat thinking about that bill.
Right now I just feel like I have reached everything to death and just need to back off on that part and just work on checking stuff off the existing list.we are so excited to start our new adventure, but this part is starting to wear on us a little. Fortunately I love the hunt, but not so much so for the wife.
I am very jealous of those who were able to start there new adventure in 2014.

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

I should clearify..I had always "said" we would travel north america in a rv.. for the past 20 years.. Never did we plan it.. as we did not see that we would have the opportunity ...Ie cash, to do it..or attempt it.

Once we seen a chance we could make it work.. we pulled the trigger, 6 months later.. we where doing it... learning as we go , but we are very fast learners.. still wish I knew where I was headed though..lol

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I should have also mentioned that after two years of research (yes I'm a slow learner confuse ), we have decided on SD for Residency. For us, the best financial deal going, and with the resources of "DakotaPost," very user/RV friendly.

mds1 · RV-Dreams Family Member

biggaRView wrote:
We are using an Excel spreadsheet for exactly that (among other items). Every time we read about a sight, campground, or activity that we think would be interesting, it goes on the sheet, indexed by state, time of year, and a half a dozen other relevant factors.

Would enjoy knowing what column headings you are using on your spreadsheet.

I know if does not take eight years to plan for the journey, other than to some degree, finances. We have already discovered a few benefits of planning so far out:

We know how much we need to budget for our retirement plans rather than just saving as much money as we can and then the day to retire just creeps up on us. We found plenty of advise online as to what full-timing is expected to cost, added a percentage for inflation – and BAM – we have a budget to shoot for.
Knowing we are going to be selling off most, if not all the “stuff” and our home, suddenly changed our spending habits in a positive way.
Having a definite goal with a date assigned to it is exciting and gave us something to look forward to.

We can retire in as little as four years but decided working the extra four years, with more savings and a larger pension, would give us flexibility later. We may also buy a rig a couple of years early.

-- Edited by mds1 on Sunday 16th of November 2014 07:11:27 PM

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Honestly, if I had 8 years to plan, I would have driven my husband nuts. Seriously, I'm a planner by nature and I drive him nuts planning 4-8 months out, which we have to do given his art show schedule.

If I had that long, I think I would have started purging much sooner, fixing up the house, finding ways to learn to live in a smaller space, etc. We recently met a couple who won't be going on the road for another 4 years, they've sold their house and are living in a small one bedroom apartment, saving money, continuing to purge and researching. I really liked that idea, maybe we would have had more free time to explore the area we lived in vs. weekends of yard work, etc.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

mds1 wrote:
biggaRView wrote:
We are using an Excel spreadsheet for exactly that (among other items). Every time we read about a sight, campground, or activity that we think would be interesting, it goes on the sheet, indexed by state, time of year, and a half a dozen other relevant factors.

Would enjoy knowing what column headings you are using on your spreadsheet.

Well, we are adding columns as needed, but have also current rates (I know they will change but it's still useful), amenities (for CGs), proximity to medical care, website, ratings (out of 10, either our own or other people) distance nearest other attractions. we could probably add more but I don't want to devote so much time to it that it takes away from other stuff... err activities.

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have a hard time selling furniture, household items and such. If it were me, I'd start purging now. I guess the people around here are either dirt poor or cheapskates. I found it better to simply donate most of my household items to family and charity than to get frustrated and even a little angry with some absurd offers. We had a town yard sale and I put some very nice items out, for what I thought was a reasonable price - such as a pair of lamps I bought for $40 each for a couple years ago. I hung a $5 price tag on them, thinking that if anyone wanted a nice lamp that looked like new, that a $40 lamp for $5 was a pretty good deal. I got offers of 50 cents each, $2 for the pair, etc. I finally just gave them to a friend, I figured if I was going to just give them away it would be to someone who I knew would appreciate them, not a dealer wanting to mark them up and resell them in a thrift store somewhere for $20 each having only invested $1. I gave away a nice piano, a stainless refrigerator/freezer with icemaker, a weed eater, chainsaw, and a large, commercial, three- oven, dual-fuel stove (very $$$), etc. rather than sell them for pennies on the dollar. I did have sympathy for one poor, older, disheveled gentleman (I recognized as my garbage man.) who was looking for a deal on my riding mower. I figured that it was worth at least $400-$500 from the prices I've seen for used ones at local lawnmower shops, but I let him have it for $50 bucks (I think he would have had too much pride to take it if I offered it to him for free.) to help him out, and so I didn't have to look at it anymore. I was just so worn down by all the cheapskates wanting something for nothing. I thought of advertising on Craigslist, but heard of too many stories of "buyers" robbing sellers at gunpoint, or coming back later to burglarize their homes that I have decided against it so far.

I'm going to put my 98 Nissan Altima up for sale next. I was thinking of asking $1,500 (It's in decent shape but needs a bath and detailing- probably more than it's worth though.) but would be willing to take $500 (Which is about what a dealer will give me for it - before they cleaned it up and sold it for $1,500.), just so I don't have to continue to insure it every year. Watch, someone will come by and offer me $100. I should hide my shovel and baseball bat now before I go to jail for threatening someone with it. Maybe my expectations are too high.

Chip

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sushidog wrote:
I have a hard time selling furniture, household items and such. If it were me, I'd start purging now. I guess the people around here are either dirt poor or cheapskates. I found it better to simply donate most of my household items to family and charity than to get frustrated and even a little angry with some absurd offers. We had a town yard sale and I put some very nice items out, for what I thought was a reasonable price - such as a pair of lamps I bought for $40 each for a couple years ago. I hung a $5 price tag on them, thinking that if anyone wanted a nice lamp that looked like new, that a $40 lamp for $5 was a pretty good deal. I got offers of 50 cents each, $2 for the pair, etc. I finally just gave them to a friend, I figured if I was going to just give them away it would be to someone who I knew would appreciate them, not a dealer wanting to mark them up and resell them in a thrift store somewhere for $20 each having only invested $1. I gave away a nice piano, a stainless refrigerator/freezer with icemaker, a weed eater, chainsaw, and a large, commercial, three- oven, dual-fuel stove (very $$$), etc. rather than sell them for pennies on the dollar. I did have sympathy for one poor, older, disheveled gentleman (I recognized as my garbage man.) who was looking for a deal on my riding mower. I figured that it was worth at least $400-$500 from the prices I've seen for used ones at local lawnmower shops, but I let him have it for $50 bucks (I think he would have had too much pride to take it if I offered it to him for free.) to help him out, and so I didn't have to look at it anymore. I was just so worn down by all the cheapskates wanting something for nothing. I thought of advertising on Craigslist, but heard of too many stories of "buyers" robbing sellers at gunpoint, or coming back later to burglarize their homes that I have decided against it so far.

I'm going to put my 98 Nissan Altima up for sale next. I was thinking of asking $1,500 (It's in decent shape but needs a bath and detailing- probably more than it's worth though.) but would be willing to take $500 (Which is about what a dealer will give me for it - before they cleaned it up and sold it for $1,500.), just so I don't have to continue to insure it every year. Watch, someone will come by and offer me $100. I should hide my shovel and baseball bat now before I go to jail for threatening someone with it. Maybe my expectations are too high.

Chip

I feel your pain.. The whole country is like this.. Not just where you are.

In the end, I ended up sending alot of stuff to auction, and didn't look back.

marianne57 · RV-Dreams Family Member

2riker2go wrote:
We started out with an eight year plan. Then we caught the bug - bad. Moved our date ahead four years. Then we went to an rv dreams rally, and our condition worsened. Moved our date up another two years. I guess the one thing I would like to have had different would be that we had our truck paid off before we started (April 2016 is the magic date) but I wouldn't really change our decision to hit the road earlier because even though we have to work a few months each year, we love our life on the road.

We're very similar to you 2riker. We started with a 5 year plan and after going to the April rally have now decided to list our house in April 2016 too. We would have reconsidered some purchases and luxuries that in the end we will sell and do without quite well, I'm sure. It was money that could have been better used. If we could go tomorrow I'd be gone, but at least moving it up 3 years is cool and like you it will allow us to start debt free. If you're not taking it with you in 8 years....really ask yourself if you truly need it and good luck!

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jake62 wrote:
I should have also mentioned that after two years of research (yes I'm a slow learner ), we have decided on SD for Residency. For us, the best financial deal going, and with the resources of "DakotaPost," very user/RV friendly.

tnat assume you are over 65 and on Medicare, otherwise health insurance coverage is going to be a real problem With a SD address.

barb

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Nope. I'll be 57 by the time I retire next year. Under my BCBS Plan, its pricing is Nationwide with no differences in rates. I can actually utilize any facility nationwide, but just have to declare the network that I plan to use. For example, I lived in Virginia for 18-months while being an Arizona resident, and my BCBS plan was exactly the same. I simply notified BCBS that I switched networks from Tucson to N. VA without any issues.

Can you furnish specific information why BCBS plan/rates would not be honored if you're a resident of SD? I guess I'll be calling BCBS later today to confirm their plan is indeed Nationwide, with no limitations depending on the State of residency, but thanks for the heads-up.

-- Edited by Jake62 on Monday 24th of November 2014 02:41:08 AM

-- Edited by Jake62 on Monday 24th of November 2014 02:49:08 AM

FinanceGuy · RV-Dreams Community Member

I would focus on acquiring some serious passive income producing assets. A strong defensive game (limited spending) can only get you so far. I focus on a strong offense and am d@mn good at it so that I don't have to play the defensive game.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

ALL BCBS plans are state plans. Are you talking about an individual policy or an employer policy? BCBS in SD does not cover fulltimers - in fact I believe that they require that you to be in the state 6 months of the year. It is quite possible to see a physician in another area who excepts BCBS, we've done it several times, but you will find that for small states, they will only pay for emergency care, not routine care - that has to be with a primary care physician in their area.

Barb

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barb,

This is not an individual plan and maybe that's where the confusion lies.

I just got off the phone with BCBS Federal, since I work for the federal government. My employer plan carries into retirement and is "nation-wide" at the same monthly premiums I pay now. They confirmed I can claim SD as residency and receive care from one of their primary physicians anywhere in the country. I currently live in DC and they said my "network" would be SD if I claimed SD residency; however, I can visit any network BCBS physician, including those I have now in DC and I pay the same rates.

Tim

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Federal BCBS plan is actually a self-insured planned with BCBS doing the administration, very different from what an individual or a person working for a small company in any state. For those full timers who are getting individual insurance, SD doesn't work for them. So if you need chemo and have SD BCBS they want you getting treatment in Rapid City, for instance, where they have negotiated prices with hospitals, clinics, labs, not at MD Anderson in Houston, where costs will be.SIGNIFICANTLY higher.

Barb

Cowdog353 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would have saved more! I did ok but more is better for sure. Would have bought and paid for my choice of RV when retiring. might had done more daydreaming/planning where to go and when.

Jim

mds1 · RV-Dreams Family Member

FinanceGuy wrote:
I would focus on acquiring some serious passive income producing assets. A strong defensive game (limited spending) can only get you so far. I focus on a strong offense and am d@mn good at it so that I don't have to play the defensive game.

Although I can retire in four years at 55, we are waiting until 59 because of finances. The longer we wait, the larger the pension payment. Working for a county government here in Missouri also opens up a second pension plan which I'm eligible for by 56 years of age. We plan to start pulling out 4% on a 401K and are waiting till 59 1/2 to avoid penalties, although I've heard there is a way around that rule. That's the plan for "passive" income at this point. Hope we can make it till then and not get the urge to move on at 55. We owned a small business at one time and invested what income we could to create the income through cash investments rather than something like rental property. I've got an idea how to create income on the road without workamping, but that is something for the future. Figure we will volunteer for a spot or maybe paid jobs within reason. I'd love to make the move in four years but want the flexibility better finances provides.

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

FinanceGuy wrote:
I would focus on acquiring some serious passive income producing assets. A strong defensive game (limited spending) can only get you so far. I focus on a strong offense and am d@mn good at it so that I don't have to play the defensive game.

Start a new thread or something.. I need to learn about the offense side.. lol.. no joke.. Just bought a cheap house to flip.. seems like slow money, and not enough of it..

Dave and Denise · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congratulations on setting a terrific goal for 2023. I am a firm believer in long term and short term goals.

We have been "planning" for probably 10 years now, with this being the year it should all come together. You asked what was the "one thing you would have changed if you had 8 years to plan?" At this point the only thing I would have changed would have been to make sure I had some experience driving a truck pulling a trailer.

In 8 - 10 years so much changes, be it health, family, economy, etc. our lifestyle plans have had to change accordingly.