I started out that way....Little by little building my portfolio, its very doable if you have a mindset that no matter how small or big the contribution is that it will grow once its there...I was almost perfectly set at 45 before circumstances put me in a better position in the end....a good financial adviser goes a long way ...and setting your comfort levels so it gets put there is the hardest part........budget ...budget ...budget!!

Hey Deborah, we are like Brian not yet there yet but the premise is the same whether you are in a SnB or RV. Putting funds aside for retirement start with "paying yourself first". IE; if one earns $3,000 a month put at least 10% to 15% immediately direct into savings as if you earned that much less to start with. Initially it may seem a shock, but if you hadn't earned it to start with you wouldn't have it to spend anyway seems to be the psych. Same as many folks we know that took early retirement do with their retirement incomes generated, they'll try to put 'x' amount still aside. These folks also find ways to cook with cheaper cuts, stretch meals, reduce CG costs by staying in one place longer or a cheaper one with less amenities, reduce fuel by staying longer in one spot also. Some folks even do their clothing laundry manually on board/outside in many forms to save laundry costs even.

If you eat out a lot, move every few days, have an older RV that needs a lot of maintenance not covered under warranty etc then you'll need a higher budget than someone else.  Amounts seem to vary from those that live at one extreme on several hundred dollars a month to those at the top end that can't seem to manage on five figures, just as in every day lives overall.  

Many RVers will also have at least a 10% RV emergency/repair fund put aside and top that up a little accordingly as well, so that when something unforeseen happens or you need new tires, the expense doesn't drag down your everyday budget. A fellow RV-dreams contributor here shared that with us a long time ago and it helped when our engine blew up a couple plus years ago, and again towards our solar install last year, enabling us to boondock indefinitely which we prefer to CG's. There's another idea for you to save some more dollars in your everyday RVing budget = boondock. Depending on what style of Resorts/CGs you are drawn to, that alone could save you several hundred dollars a month in your budget to put towards savings also.

Ideas for non techy jobs on the road that we heard of folks doing = creating things like stained glass style trinkets, wooden signs or carvings of wildlife statues, birdhouses, personalized items such as engraved metals/jewellery/acrylic etched (these are usually easy items to sell at various markets around the country). If you are a handyman/woman RV repairs, not just mechanical but plumbing, shade installs, detailing & waxing = there are a lot of older or frail/disabled RVers that need someone to do things for them = if your business was emblazoned somewhat on your RV relating to what you offer you might be surprised who'd approach you (admittedly most RV parks don't allow blatant business set up but with discretion you'd be shocked what business goes on in RV parks, just as there does in churches). Quite a few folks enjoy creating various things and selling them on etsy or eBay or at flea markets, others find various niche market items they can buy or drop ship and create a website to generate orders and avoid storing large items due to limited RV space. Some others have created on line training courses in photography and made a business around that by offering free tips and tricks and then "pay for this ebook or online course etc" = maybe you could start setting up something around a niche area as a Chef offering free info on-line and then create some items that they have to pay for. Folks typically will if they feel they are getting value for their dollars based on what tips and tricks you have offered them free. Some offer an annual subscription to access to some members only area on their websites.

Deborah there are so many ideas, it's really whatever your mind can conceive. There are also a lot of non-retirement age FT Rvers, that volunteer at Wildlife Refuges, CG Hosts, etc for either a free site for few hours or actually get paid an hourly rate and a free site to supplement their incomes. Some do it for the summer months and snowbird in the winter or even the reverse. Don't forget virtual assistants, traders, surveys & secret shoppers, the list truly is endless.

Hope some of the above gives you a few ideas of a teeny handful of many areas folks create incomes on the road.

SD.

-- Edited by Someday on Tuesday 4th of August 2015 01:54:08 PM

Thank you for the responses! The money part is easily the scariest part of this idea.

A few things about us:

- We don't own a home. We have been renters our entire lives.

- It is difficult in our industry to find a position where you can grow and stay with the same company for years and years, building up a portfolio. Benefits of any kind are hard to come by in the business.

- We don't have any children, but have 2 beagles and a cat.

- $25K and our trade-in/ sale value on our two cars that we own are pretty much all the money that we have.


We were thinking about following the ranch chef/ private chef positions around the country depending on the seasons. I've worked for many years on ranches as a chef and was thinking we could "boondock" (is that the right term) on the ranch, something I've seen done many times before.

I guess, just like having a S+B home, life in an RV depends on how you budget your earnings and expenses.

The suggestions and links were VERY helpful. We are also considering purchasing a home in Buffalo right now since the housing market is excellent here and putting our plans on hold for a few years (but I really dislike that idea. I like the idea of striking out right now, while the inspiration is strong with us).

Thank you so much for the encouragement and great advice! I am sure we will have many more questions as we get further into this idea!

Well knowing a bit more than I did before, I would really hate to throw a wet towel on your plans.... but, and you knew it was coming, time to take a deeeeep breath and STOP. Many on here will tell it's a wonderful life and it surely does have some perks, but it's not for everyone and it certainly requires some financial security..... if, your plan is not well considered. Go to work on learning every aspect of RVing Full Time. Understand the costs involved, what can go wrong, develop a budget, get a real handle on what income you think you will have... be realistic here, kidding yourself will get you into a deep pile of doodoo real fast. Pick the brains of the RV "brain trust" on here and other RV forums. That way you can go into this with a clear vision and how to accomplish it. 

Having said all that, I don't want to discourage you. Just change around the thought process. 

In the mean time, burn down the debt, and save save save. At the same time research is your friend, knowledge is power. Good luck. 

Deborah, I would echo what Brian has said above this post. Read it, then read it again and again and digest. For sure you will hear of the wonders and freedom of the RV FTing lifestyle, but it isn't that straight forwards for all folks. There are a few we've read about here that have had one mechanical or slide out or roof or other issue, and are up a gum tree with no emergency/contingency fund put aside to cover this. If they get two or three issues with their rigs then they are well and truly "hooped". Hence why it is strongly urged by many to ensure you have some form of a back up plan or good emergency fund before deciding to go into the FT RVing lifestyle. People generally care about others avoiding known pitfalls, and truly aren't trying to rain on anyone's parade with their dreams. LuckyMike has been a prime example over the years of what anyone can achieve with a little knowledge, determination and commitment = so glad to see him back on the forums writing again :) :) :)

Bottom line, any of us can achieve and do anything we set our minds too. "If it's to be it's up to me" has been my mantra for many years, as well we have achieved what we have or not in our lives by understanding and believing "I am where I am in life because of the decisions/paths I've chosen to take". I had a negative mother growing up (she passed when I was 19), she was a hard worker, drank a little too much but a good woman overall, albeit spent more time worrying what others thought and volunteering her time outside of her family when it should have been directed more into her family = charity begins at home. I used to often say to her "life is what you make it mum" to which she'd often retort "Or what others make it for you". Sadly she attracted what she did in her life, and thank heavens I learned what not to do from that instead of monkey see monkey do.

If you truly believe and put the action plans in place Deborah you can get to your Nirvana destination in life, whatever yours may be. Happy Travels.

SD