Possible Part Timing to FTing plan... - RV-Dreams Community Forum

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Possible Part Timing to FTing plan...

D and M · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brian,

We have been stationary now for almost 2 years. I will be retiring in August and we will finally be hitting the road. The 2 years have given us time to work out bugs, figure out how everything works, add items, and get the rig organized and ready to roll. Due to many factory issues we have needed that time to get everything fixed thru the dealer. The winters have been difficult and we are ready to kiss them goodby for good. I think your plan sounds doable and could be a good opportunity to get you where you want to be sooner.

Good Luck,

Dave

The Restless Youngs · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brian/Cindi,
We've been stationary since June with a launch goal of April....so almost a year. I agree with Dave as it has given us some time to get everything figured out, organized, etc. and honestly, we've been able to save more money than we thought as we've basically banked our mortgage and taxes, and we find we don't eat out nearly as much as it's much more of an effort as restaurants aren't as convenient in the boonies. The winter has been sort of tough in the Northeast, but for the most part have managed okay. DH calls it Survivor--The RV Edition! You may be able to find some other housing options less expensive than an extended stay...(airbnb.com, etc.) Your plan sounds totally doable and right now wish I would have thought of Florida for this winter!!

Hope it works out for you!!!

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Even if Cindi finds some difficulty, there are always people around the campgrounds and mobile techs to help out (at least that would be what I would resort to if Mitch wasn't around and something needed fixing that I couldn't handle - which is pretty much everything!)

Not to put a damper on things, but I've come to discover that all my plans are made in bubbles, so for both of you, the key is to be as flexible as possible and just go with the flow. But I think this is the case in life - not just RV'ing. Personally, I think if you can handle it financially and can be away from each other for extended periods, then go for it! Live the dream!

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Park the rig in a large enough campground. There are plenty of people with enough experience that are willing to help. For the techy stuff being close to an rv center and shopping Center is a plus. I would say doable.

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

While not 3 months, I did spend 3 weeks by myself in a State Park (with permission for that extra week) while my husband was out of state. The folks at the park were very friendly and checked up on me often. I had no problems until the last day when someone stole our kayak. I'd stay by myself again if need be. I felt very comfortable. Like other said, I'd choose a park that was nearby a good sized town with a good amount of people in it.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'd think you've got a fairly good idea there, Brian, especially since you two would only be separated for a few months at a time. My biggest concern would be with Cindi driving the rig herself, unless you intend to move the rig and then return to your "home base" up north.

Have her start to posting on the forums herself, then if she has questions, she can always ask the folks here for solutions to problems. The three months wouldn't be too bad of a thing. When Jo and I first moved to Oklahoma City, she would have lost too many college hours if she transferred, so we lived separately for 9 or 10 months while she finished college near our old home.

Oh, and we are still living static. Just in Colorado now instead of Oklahoma.

Terry

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, I would probably use some time to "relocate" the rig with her in this scenario and then drive/fly back. We could winter up here like Diana and Jim are doing in Michigan, and many others, but I don't think that's an option for us... never say never, though.

Cheryl, if we have learned anything in life... you've got to be flexible and the only thing you can control is yourself and your reaction to the chaos going on around you.

Cori, I forgot all about airBnB, thanks. Debbie, Pieere & Dave thanks for the suggestions also.

Now, if I could just get a transfer to a warmer climate, that would solve a lot of issues. confuse biggrin biggrin

Brian

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brian,

As Cori, Greg Terry and Jo can attest, winter is definitely doable in a rig up north...but down south would be better. Even as cold as it was, our rig doesn't seem too worse for the wear. We did spend a lot on skirting, propane and electric, but we are WAY ahead of what we were spending in our S&B. We were fortunate to have a great campground and a stable water and electric supply. And in our case, that skirting and the little oil filled heater under the rig was key.

North or south...it sounds like you have got a plan brewing! :)

Cori: Survivor - the RV edition. That sums it up! :)

Jim

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sounds like a great plan, plus now you get to start thinking about where you want to go for your first winter south and the route there and back, built in traveling vacations while you help Cindi with the relocation!!

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Update...

Just got latest estimates of the value of the S&B yawn ... and with additional data plugged into our budget calculations for expected ACA expenses (the last item to get good numbers on) it now looks very promising for a 2017 PTing start (better than 50%) and 2018 (nearly 100%) Both plans still require PTing until a 2019 FT target date (still TBD). Seeing as we have legal action started in the "Pit Bull incident", we'd like to get a favorable resolution to that ordeal before we begin any plan.

Knowledge is power. I'm now crunching numbers on swapping our S&B mortgage for a 3 year (or less depending on how the numbers fall) RV note. We'd be debt free by our FTing target date. smile

Dale, I think Cindi would like a winter in NC to be with grand-daughter and her 2 children. Her hubby is in the USMC.

Jim, the winters up here make me nervous about living in the rig, but we're not completely averse to it. I'll need to get a handle on those winterizing costs and procedures to be able to live in the rig during IL's sometimes icy deathgrip. I haven't checked into potential campgrounds that even operate during the winter near here. I remember living in near Houston way back when I first moved to the USA... they measure winter in hours below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. biggrin That's my kind of winter. biggrin biggrin biggrin

Brian

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good to see you have a plan.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bernie, we've had a plan since shortly after we decided going FT was what we wanted to do. The nice part is our target date has constantly moved up as we learn more and different options reveal themselves to us. So even the plan is evolving to fit new data. Ultimately, the one thing that will push us to go FT earlier than mid-2019 will be how quickly real estate prices come back in our area. It's starting to look promising.

Brian

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

Brian you know I am all for getting out there as soon as possible and I do believe with a little training Cindi would be fine in a stationary situation...most of the difficult stuff for me has been around moving. But I do want to caution you that you might feel resentful...living out of a hotel and working while she basks in the beautiful weather :) Not that Cindi doesn't deserve it, but it's tough bring the one in the cold...I know from recent experience. That being said you can live MUCH cheaper in the rig and even with two separate domicile costs...financially you would probably come out ahead overall. The other thing I like about the plan is allows for a transition period which I am a huge fan of as well. Just be honest with yourself about how much you are personally willing to sacrifice. So you don't find yourself resentful a few months down the road.

Much luck to you both...I'm routing for you...Trace

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lee and Trace wrote:
...Not that Cindi doesn't deserve it, but it's tough being the one in the cold...I know from recent experience...

Us "Canucks" are a hardy bunch. I can handle it. biggrin Cindi, being a southern gal, well she's not very amenable to it.(LOL) But take or leave it?... I choose leave it, definitely.