Is it too late for full time RVing?

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A dream of full time RVing? Is it too late?

My answer to that is a definite NO!

Sometimes we have dreams and plans for the future but put them off for a variety of reasons. Maybe it’s that you don’t have enough money, or the kids are still dependent, or your elderly parents need you or you want a big motorhome but can only afford a small travel trailer. It really doesn’t matter what the reasons are that we put off actually making the step into becoming full time RVers. We just keep dreaming and planning.

Then you get a wake-up call!

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Wake – Up!!

Last Friday was our wake-up call. I had to call an ambulance to our home because my husband got very very sick.  Before I go any further he is okay and on the mend but what it showed us is that things could change in the blink of an eye and if there are things you want to do then maybe you should get serious about doing it instead of putting it off until “someday”.



For some reason life seems to get in the way of dreams and hopes and before you know it you’re back in the thick of mortgages, responsibilities, life’s challenges, etc. and your dreams get put on hold.

How important are your dreams?

Yes, there are some of us who just like to dream and that’s okay. But there are others like myself whose dreams of getting back on the road almost eat at my stomach because I want it so badly.  I loved the freedom of not having to look after a yard, shovel snow in the winter, or having to stay in one spot and getting out into the world and see what there is to see.

Plus I really like the RV community and the people I have connected with and met during my travels.  When I hear from some of them and they tell me about their adventures and travels I am very happy for them (really I am) but just wish we were part of the excitement.

It comes down to priorities and what you really want to do. If you really want something you are the one who has to make it happen. You can’t leave it up to someone else thinking your dream (whatever your dream is) will just evolve because it doesn’t work that way.  Once you decide what it is you want then the planning process comes into affect.

Plan for full time RVing

What is it going to take to become full timers? Is there a certain amount of money you think you need? Do you need to purchase an RV or can the one you have work for the immediate future?

If money is a problem, can you work part-time to supplement your income or can you travel and work or create an online business?  Figure out what you need (not what you want) in the way of an income and how you are going to get it. Is it through pensions, savings, income or?

Know what it will cost you to full-time and know how you can reduce your costs if that is important.  Full time RVing can be much cheaper than living in a regular home but depending on what you need or want it can be just as expensive.  It requires a BUDGET.

Is down-sizing a problem?

A very hard thing to do is downsize from a regular home with everything that goes with it down to a shoe box. But it can be done! We have done it – actually a couple of times. It’s difficult to get rid of those mementoes from our past but maybe someone in the family would enjoy them or you could take photos of them and use them as screen savers on your computer.

Storage

If in doubt store your things for at least a year and then re-evaluate after the year because you may surprise yourself that the things you thought were so important don’t mean as much anymore and it’s time to rid yourself of them.

I could go into a lot of detail about the process of becoming full time RVers but I think it’s not about the process but more about making the decision. Is full time RVing what you dream of?

Then get started before you get a wake up call and it’s too late.

Happy travels,

Carol Ann




6 thoughts on “Is it too late for full time RVing?”

  1. Nan Wallace

    I am almost 72 with two large black dogs. I am thinking about selling the house and hitting the road. But, maybe I am getting too old. Oh, I forgot to say, I have been single for almost 50 years..so would be doing everything by myself. What do you think?

    1. Seriously? You are not too old and I think since you have been single for 50 years you are very capable and if you want to travel I say go for it. 72 is not that old anymore. I know quite a few people traveling in their RVs in their 80’s and doing well. Let me know please what you decide – would love to hear more.

  2. susan maslak

    I am single and 58. I am sick of working for the man. I feel what your saying about putting things off. People around me are getting sick. I will get way more money if i work to 65… That seems like alot of wasted time. I need a push….. Any advice. My concerns are money and being alone on the road.

    1. Hi Susan,
      Thanks for your email – nice to hear from you.
      I guess it comes down to what do you need or want in terms of expense. I am not sure if you already have an RV or have to purchase one and only you can determine your budget. There are ways of earning an income and live in an RV whether you are traveling or stationery. Lots of people are doing it. That will come down to the type of work you can/want to do or whether you can possibly earn online, etc.
      As to being alone there really is no reason to be alone if you don’t want to be. There are lots of other single people RVing and there are all kinds of clubs and groups to get involved with. Plus RVers are generally a friendly bunch and usually make everyone welcome. There’s some posts on this site about RV clubs for solo RVers and how to meet people that you have similar interests with.
      If this is something you want to do please try because if you don’t you may have serious regrets and I would hate that for anyone.
      If you have any specific questions I can help you with please don’t hesitate to ask. You can even private message me at carolann@roamingrv.com at any time. I’ll add the links to the posts you may find helpful at the end of this message. Don’t give up if its something you really want to do.
      Carol Ann

      Links to posts for solo travel http://roamingrv.com/category/solo-travel/

  3. Ken

    I have found your blog interesting. Particularly because I yearn to get back on the road again. I actually full-timed for about 5 years until a medical emergency both took me off the road and forced me into retirement. That happened about 6 years ago. the medical problem is mostly over with now and trying to get up the courage to do it again. BUT, although there were so many good memories I liked about it, the one major downer on the road, was, breaking down one too many times. Having to sit on a highway with speeding cars and trucks whizzing by at 60/70 miles and hour, for 3/6 hours, waiting for a tow, the stress, frustration, then the wrong size tow truck shows up, another 3 hour wait for the right one, being towed to some small town mechanic, who claims do be a diesel mechanic and proceeds to way over charge for shoddy work, that later has to be done again etc. etc. etc. One can only go though this so many times before stress and finances, not longer make sense to continue. This DID happen, way too many times. Although I do have some very nice memories, this ugly side of RVing is still vivid in my mind. Toward the end, all my driving was white knuckled, wondering when it will break down again or will I make it to my next destination or end up reliving that nightmare again. Maybe I just had a lemon of an RV. Yet I met and stayed in touch with so many full time people back then, and not one, is still on the road, today. The more I type this, the more I realize, I am probably just better off, sitting in my easy chair and living the life, vicariously, while reading others blog about it. Sorry for the rant.

    1. Hi Ken, I am so sorry you had so much difficulty – first with your health and then the RV breakdowns. I would hope now that your health has improved that you would consider trying the RV lifestyle again. Maybe it has to do with the RV you owned at the time. We have been RVing for years and I can only remember two problems we had. One was when we had a flat tire near Detroit and one other time in the Southern US and both times everyone was so helpful that it became an adventure that I haven’t forgotten. However, there is nothing wrong with enjoying reading about something you like from the comfort of your living room chair – whatever works for you the best. Thanks for your email.
      Carol Ann

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