I haven't posted much this week. I've been spending most of my time sorting through my stuff for Goodwill runs or throwing away. For some reason, even with experience, I don't have the urge at this time to sell on eBay or Craig's List. I have also been spending time taking care of things on my list before I depart.
I just wish I could make up my mind on what type of RV to buy when the time comes. I know from past comments, emails received and general discussions on different RV forums, that the right RV will "hit" me either when I see it, drive it, like the floor plan, etc. Still that process is frustrating at times.
I spend a lot of time reading my blog list and then from that list finding blogs they are reading. So I have a "million' sites bookmarked with information and files of RV's for sale that I like. Lots to look at and study.
It is not if I am going to do this but when. No doubts. The only questions now, are what to buy and when to buy. How long will the RV market be a buyers market? Best to buy new or a few years old and should I consider a model over 12 years old that was top of the line when new and is still in good shape? Those are just some of the questions that go through my head while I look at RV's for sale.
I do know that the hounds and I need to get out on the road. I don't really want to be a long distance landlord if my house doesn't sell but I also don't want the status of my house determine my departure date. I know I will have an "end plan" when I leave and I also know that I have no idea how long I will full-time. I do know I want to boondock the majority of the time.
Some of the things I want:
I want solar panels, I want tanks large enough where I can boondock for a few weeks if not a month at a time. I will have my big screen HD tv for my sports addiction and I plan to either take out the dinette set and install a desk for my computers, and to eat on....basically like I do now at home. I want an outdoor shower for not only me after a day at the beach but also to keep my dogs clean. I can say I want a Class A most of the time, yet at times a Class C feels like it would be the right type to have.
I am still not convinced that a trailer pulled by my V-8 Toyota 4Runner is the way to go for me. Maybe my 4Runner can be my toad. Anyone out on the road seen a 4Runner as a toad? I know that Jeeps seem to be popular.
So I leave you on this Friday night (Saturday Morning really) at 12:11am, with my mind made up that I am definitely going to do this and I know what I want but still no clue on what type of RV to buy. Tomorrow will be a day of digging into my LIST and hopefully marking them off my list to make my departure closer.
How long did it take you to buy an RV after you made the decision to RV full-time?
November 18, 2011
November 16, 2011
More Changes
I started thinking last week of trading my Camry for a different car just because there are a lot of them for sale on the car lots and on different web auto sites. I thought it might be easier to trade that car than sell it. They are a popular car, yet many available. I also wanted a better car for the winter weather. In the past I have had Toyota 4Runners and always liked them, but the used ones with low miles are hard to find.
Last Friday I had a salesman at the Toyota Dealership I have dealt with in the past, call me about a 4Runner that had been traded into his lot, 1 owner, bought new at that dealership and all the service was at the dealership. I told him when I bought the Camry to let me know if he ever had a 4Runner traded in and gave him specs on what I was looking for. So I did some research on the 4Runner and made the trade on Monday. It's a great trade. Camry's are great cars but I love 4Runners. If I eventually trade or sell all cars before I leave, the 4Runner will sell much easier than the Camry.
So, with that trade, it brought up a different option. With the V-8, same engine that is in the Tundra and Land Cruiser, it will tow up to 6,500 lbs. Just out of curiosity I started looking at different trailers. The Casita, Jayco and one very interesting... TrailManor. Could these be used for full-timing?? Some do.
So I have gone the full spectrum of looking and trying to decide on RV's. From the Class A's, the C's and now trailers.
Anyone out there have experience in trailers? I noticed on some blogs of couples with dogs full-timing in a trailer pulled by a small SUV or small truck. I will study those in the meantime to read about their experiences, but if anyone has any experience in the Truck/Trailer combo, let me know.
I had another couple of things checked off the list Monday and Tuesday. My new Larsen storm door was installed, more things were sorted to go to recycling this Saturday and a lot goes in the trash pickup tomorrow morning.
My "to do" list is decreasing on things I HAVE to do before departing.
Last Friday I had a salesman at the Toyota Dealership I have dealt with in the past, call me about a 4Runner that had been traded into his lot, 1 owner, bought new at that dealership and all the service was at the dealership. I told him when I bought the Camry to let me know if he ever had a 4Runner traded in and gave him specs on what I was looking for. So I did some research on the 4Runner and made the trade on Monday. It's a great trade. Camry's are great cars but I love 4Runners. If I eventually trade or sell all cars before I leave, the 4Runner will sell much easier than the Camry.
So, with that trade, it brought up a different option. With the V-8, same engine that is in the Tundra and Land Cruiser, it will tow up to 6,500 lbs. Just out of curiosity I started looking at different trailers. The Casita, Jayco and one very interesting... TrailManor. Could these be used for full-timing?? Some do.
So I have gone the full spectrum of looking and trying to decide on RV's. From the Class A's, the C's and now trailers.
Anyone out there have experience in trailers? I noticed on some blogs of couples with dogs full-timing in a trailer pulled by a small SUV or small truck. I will study those in the meantime to read about their experiences, but if anyone has any experience in the Truck/Trailer combo, let me know.
I had another couple of things checked off the list Monday and Tuesday. My new Larsen storm door was installed, more things were sorted to go to recycling this Saturday and a lot goes in the trash pickup tomorrow morning.
My "to do" list is decreasing on things I HAVE to do before departing.
November 13, 2011
Major Things Off List & Questions
Yesterday turned out to be a great day to knock off a couple of things off of my list that needs to be done before I depart. First, had a friend come over with a "man eater" machine. We cleared out some wild overgrown brush on the back of my property line, to the point of being at the level to where I can use a lawn mower in the future.
The big thing that was knocked off the list was selling my old '94 Chevy Truck, within an hour after putting the for sale sign on the window. I was wanting to clean it before selling and that was going to happen after I finished the yard work of clearing that brush. Just out of curiosity I went ahead and put the sign on the truck anyway while we worked. The buyer test drove it and paid in cash, the price I was asking for.
There is no surprise I have a lot of interest in people wanting to buy my 2003 BMW Z4, with a different color than what you see most of them painted. I will drive my other car until I am finally ready to leave.
With the high winds today 25-40mph from the SW, I will be working inside, doing more things on my "list before departure"....sorting what goes to goodwill, what is sold or thrown out. Based on responses I think the things I am selling will be sold locally before I even have to put it on Craig's List.
I get comments for both ideas of selling my house. Put the sign up immediately and sell as is....or wait until I do some improvements I had planned on doing when I was planning on living here, then put the for sale sign out.A few friends locally think based on what I want to do here before I leave and what I need to do once I find an RV, that I will be gone within 5 months.
Even though I have feedback on these questions, I would like to throw out a few of them to get some ideas from you.
1. Best TV satellite service - plus what kind of dish?
2. Best cell phone / internet service
3. If I remodel by taking a chair out and putting in a desk for my computer, what do you normally do with the chairs / tables you take out when remodeling a RV?
Friends of mine are becoming excited about the RVing full-time idea, even a couple of them that were somewhat negative when I first mentioned what I wanted to do.
The big thing that was knocked off the list was selling my old '94 Chevy Truck, within an hour after putting the for sale sign on the window. I was wanting to clean it before selling and that was going to happen after I finished the yard work of clearing that brush. Just out of curiosity I went ahead and put the sign on the truck anyway while we worked. The buyer test drove it and paid in cash, the price I was asking for.
There is no surprise I have a lot of interest in people wanting to buy my 2003 BMW Z4, with a different color than what you see most of them painted. I will drive my other car until I am finally ready to leave.
With the high winds today 25-40mph from the SW, I will be working inside, doing more things on my "list before departure"....sorting what goes to goodwill, what is sold or thrown out. Based on responses I think the things I am selling will be sold locally before I even have to put it on Craig's List.
I get comments for both ideas of selling my house. Put the sign up immediately and sell as is....or wait until I do some improvements I had planned on doing when I was planning on living here, then put the for sale sign out.A few friends locally think based on what I want to do here before I leave and what I need to do once I find an RV, that I will be gone within 5 months.
Even though I have feedback on these questions, I would like to throw out a few of them to get some ideas from you.
1. Best TV satellite service - plus what kind of dish?
2. Best cell phone / internet service
3. If I remodel by taking a chair out and putting in a desk for my computer, what do you normally do with the chairs / tables you take out when remodeling a RV?
Friends of mine are becoming excited about the RVing full-time idea, even a couple of them that were somewhat negative when I first mentioned what I wanted to do.
November 12, 2011
This Morning is Like Camping
This morning here in southern Indiana is what I envision some of you going through at your camp sites this morning. It's a bright sunny day, blue sky, but a chill in the air and 47 F. Having a hot cup of Starbucks in my hand, made in the kitchen and just a few steps away from being outside with nothing around. I can't wait to feel that, to see that. What interrupts my "camping" morning is the early Saturday morning traffic on a US highway 125' down the hill. I use to see a lot of RV traffic on that highway but not nearly as much since 2008.
That decrease in RV traffic made me think the industry was drying up and the short time in 2005 that I thought of full-timing, lasted about as long as my friend's stay that summer, 5 days in his 37' Southwind RV that he had been full-timing in for the previous 3 years. He is the one that told me about workcamping. That visit just barely got the RV fire burning.
So I get ready to start my Saturday with a list of things to do, ALL THINGS that lead me to my departure date. Some of those 19 items can be checked off after today.
I received more local support for "Decision Made", via email this morning. As I stood outside drinking coffee and waiting for the post office to open for mailing a package, I could "feel" myself standing the same way, drinking the same coffee out of the same cup....some where in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Central Calif.
Your RV pictures make me dream.
The hounds within 1 hour....ONE HOUR....had completed their weekend morning routine....go outside to dump their tanks while I make coffee, back inside for the daily breakfast bone (the large ones bought at Costco), back out for a final survey of "their" field....and then within 1 hour of waking up....are all three together sleeping.
It's a dogs life.
I am wondering if RVing full-time is a "dog's life" with a little RV maintenance thrown in just to keep you honest.
Have a great Saturday and be safe if you are traveling.
That decrease in RV traffic made me think the industry was drying up and the short time in 2005 that I thought of full-timing, lasted about as long as my friend's stay that summer, 5 days in his 37' Southwind RV that he had been full-timing in for the previous 3 years. He is the one that told me about workcamping. That visit just barely got the RV fire burning.
So I get ready to start my Saturday with a list of things to do, ALL THINGS that lead me to my departure date. Some of those 19 items can be checked off after today.
I received more local support for "Decision Made", via email this morning. As I stood outside drinking coffee and waiting for the post office to open for mailing a package, I could "feel" myself standing the same way, drinking the same coffee out of the same cup....some where in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Central Calif.
Your RV pictures make me dream.
The hounds within 1 hour....ONE HOUR....had completed their weekend morning routine....go outside to dump their tanks while I make coffee, back inside for the daily breakfast bone (the large ones bought at Costco), back out for a final survey of "their" field....and then within 1 hour of waking up....are all three together sleeping.
It's a dogs life.
I am wondering if RVing full-time is a "dog's life" with a little RV maintenance thrown in just to keep you honest.
Have a great Saturday and be safe if you are traveling.
November 11, 2011
Decision is Made
It might seem quick but since October 21 I have spent practically every hour at home on the internet reading blogs, reading forums, asking questions, emailing my questions to people on the road, looking at different RVs for sale late into the early morning hours (1am-3am) on a daily basis. Then asking local people that I know that RV part time about their experiences, getting sometimes new but a lot of the same consistent answers. After this intense research, reading how people got started RVing fulltime, their why's and what happens when you are tired of RVing. Then going over my financial analysis and making sure my finances can support life on the road. .....today I spent not even thinking about RVing, nor looking what Class A or C was for sale. Thus the later than normal blog post tonight.
I spent most of my day-off from work today, looking at different SUV's for sale. Finding out what my vehicles are worth for putting them up for sale. I read my usual large amounts of sports news, took a nap, walked the hounds longer than normal. Then after watching my favorite college team play their first basketball game of the season, I sat outside in the cold on a bright clear night, just enjoying what was around me. It was beautiful outside.
Still not thinking about any plans, not a thought on what RV to buy and no urge to read any thing about RV's tonight, just enjoying the environment around me. Not thinking about RV's .... THAT surprised me, because that is ALL I have been thinking about since October 21. For those just reading this blog....I had this urge to sell everything and hit the road this past April 2011, then came up with every justifiable excuse not to do it and talked myself out of it.
Then late tonight, totally unexpected I had a feeling of a lot of relief knowing in detail what I was going to do. No doubts, no questions, just a really good and exciting feeling on what I really wanted and how I was going to do it.
The decision came to me and it was quite clear.
1. Put the house up for sale immediately, I'll be getting signage Saturday morning and putting it up for all to see.
2. Downsize my 2 cars and 1 old truck to just 1 vehicle that will be used until I leave.
3. Start listing things I want to sell on Craig's list hopefully all by the following week, November 18.
4. Spend this weekend sorting what goes to Goodwill and what gets thrown away and by Sunday drop it off at the Goodwill.
5. Write my departure date in BIG font on my white board right above my desk.
6. Work fast on downsizing / simplifying my things.
7. Upon sale of the house, by an RV for cash
8. If house is not sold 1 month before that date, rent it out (good local rental market)
9. If house is rented, use part of my savings and the funds from selling my vehicles to buy an RV for cash.
I will be working fast on sorting and moving stuff I no longer need and in some cases have not used in YEARS!! Based on my past experience, once I make a decision, I work fast on what needs to be done and things happen fast to make my decision happen.
This is going to be fun!!
I spent most of my day-off from work today, looking at different SUV's for sale. Finding out what my vehicles are worth for putting them up for sale. I read my usual large amounts of sports news, took a nap, walked the hounds longer than normal. Then after watching my favorite college team play their first basketball game of the season, I sat outside in the cold on a bright clear night, just enjoying what was around me. It was beautiful outside.
Still not thinking about any plans, not a thought on what RV to buy and no urge to read any thing about RV's tonight, just enjoying the environment around me. Not thinking about RV's .... THAT surprised me, because that is ALL I have been thinking about since October 21. For those just reading this blog....I had this urge to sell everything and hit the road this past April 2011, then came up with every justifiable excuse not to do it and talked myself out of it.
Then late tonight, totally unexpected I had a feeling of a lot of relief knowing in detail what I was going to do. No doubts, no questions, just a really good and exciting feeling on what I really wanted and how I was going to do it.
The decision came to me and it was quite clear.
1. Put the house up for sale immediately, I'll be getting signage Saturday morning and putting it up for all to see.
2. Downsize my 2 cars and 1 old truck to just 1 vehicle that will be used until I leave.
3. Start listing things I want to sell on Craig's list hopefully all by the following week, November 18.
4. Spend this weekend sorting what goes to Goodwill and what gets thrown away and by Sunday drop it off at the Goodwill.
5. Write my departure date in BIG font on my white board right above my desk.
6. Work fast on downsizing / simplifying my things.
7. Upon sale of the house, by an RV for cash
8. If house is not sold 1 month before that date, rent it out (good local rental market)
9. If house is rented, use part of my savings and the funds from selling my vehicles to buy an RV for cash.
I will be working fast on sorting and moving stuff I no longer need and in some cases have not used in YEARS!! Based on my past experience, once I make a decision, I work fast on what needs to be done and things happen fast to make my decision happen.
This is going to be fun!!
November 10, 2011
My Mind is Hopping All Over the Place
Found some new answers on an rv forum, looked at more Class C's and A's. Read all the blogs I follow and then did some strange searching.....strange! For some reason I started checking car lots for possible trades with my Camry. I looked at 4-Runners, FJ Cruisers, Hummers H3, Mini's. Then had a very strong urge to go wheel 'n deal tomorrow and come back home with a new vehicle.
Can anyone tell me why?? During this process of getting rid of everything I own, that I would have the urge to go trade vehicles?
I am really not sure how to take that way of thinking. Maybe it happened when a friend sent me a text saying she swore she saw snow flurries 25 miles away. When I have snow, it is a huge problem getting up my 100' inclined driveway. Maybe that is why I started looking at SUV's. I use to have a 4-Runner and loved it.
I am finding more and more Class A blogs that are boondocking. It is the type of boondocking I would do, so I am thinking that is probably the way I go....Class A. If I didn't have the hounds, that might have changed to a Class C but they are coming with me, so it keeps looking like a Class A is the way to go. I had asked on the forum if I found an older Class A priced about the same as a '06-''09 model but had more features, was in good shape and comparable condition for the similar amounts of money, which should I buy? Some of these older models have some great features and floor plans but I am somewhat skeptical of buying an RV that is over 12 years old.
Saw some great pictures today from blogs I follow with people out on the road. From the beaches in Florida to the mountains in Utah.
The discussion came up with a friend of mine today about the cost of maintenance of a RV and how they are "money pits". She and her husband had an older one that she admitted they rarely used it but it was still costing them money as it just sat there. So I took her estimated figure, plus some annual figures for rv maintenance from different blogs of full-timers and divided them by 12 for a monthly cost. I then took the last two years of my house maintenance (painting, landscaping, and interior repairs, etc) and divided my actual cost by 24 to get a monthly cost for my last two years. The monthly figures were very very similar, almost scary, they were so close. My house maintenance totals did NOT include the mortgage, taxes and insurance I had paid for my house. In most blogs and forums I have read, I find the maintenance comparison between an rv and a house to be very similar in my case.
Then the age excuse is always brought up, what if I get sick, what if my dogs need a vet. The results would be the same if i were here in a house or full-timing in an rv. I guess I will always have friends, co-workers, etc try to talk me out of this. A few think it is awesome and can "see you doing this", and there are some that think I am totally out of my mind. They seem to have forgotten that I have never really followed the straight and narrow road that is expected in society. That is one reason I have always had a lot of fun.
Well that is all I have for tonight. I have tomorrow off for Veterans day. I want to thank all the vets out there that read this blog, for your time of service to this great country....old vets and young vets alike. A big Thank You to all!
I'm going to back to looking at 30'-32' Class A's and maybe longer. vbg
Can anyone tell me why?? During this process of getting rid of everything I own, that I would have the urge to go trade vehicles?
I am really not sure how to take that way of thinking. Maybe it happened when a friend sent me a text saying she swore she saw snow flurries 25 miles away. When I have snow, it is a huge problem getting up my 100' inclined driveway. Maybe that is why I started looking at SUV's. I use to have a 4-Runner and loved it.
I am finding more and more Class A blogs that are boondocking. It is the type of boondocking I would do, so I am thinking that is probably the way I go....Class A. If I didn't have the hounds, that might have changed to a Class C but they are coming with me, so it keeps looking like a Class A is the way to go. I had asked on the forum if I found an older Class A priced about the same as a '06-''09 model but had more features, was in good shape and comparable condition for the similar amounts of money, which should I buy? Some of these older models have some great features and floor plans but I am somewhat skeptical of buying an RV that is over 12 years old.
Saw some great pictures today from blogs I follow with people out on the road. From the beaches in Florida to the mountains in Utah.
The discussion came up with a friend of mine today about the cost of maintenance of a RV and how they are "money pits". She and her husband had an older one that she admitted they rarely used it but it was still costing them money as it just sat there. So I took her estimated figure, plus some annual figures for rv maintenance from different blogs of full-timers and divided them by 12 for a monthly cost. I then took the last two years of my house maintenance (painting, landscaping, and interior repairs, etc) and divided my actual cost by 24 to get a monthly cost for my last two years. The monthly figures were very very similar, almost scary, they were so close. My house maintenance totals did NOT include the mortgage, taxes and insurance I had paid for my house. In most blogs and forums I have read, I find the maintenance comparison between an rv and a house to be very similar in my case.
Then the age excuse is always brought up, what if I get sick, what if my dogs need a vet. The results would be the same if i were here in a house or full-timing in an rv. I guess I will always have friends, co-workers, etc try to talk me out of this. A few think it is awesome and can "see you doing this", and there are some that think I am totally out of my mind. They seem to have forgotten that I have never really followed the straight and narrow road that is expected in society. That is one reason I have always had a lot of fun.
Well that is all I have for tonight. I have tomorrow off for Veterans day. I want to thank all the vets out there that read this blog, for your time of service to this great country....old vets and young vets alike. A big Thank You to all!
I'm going to back to looking at 30'-32' Class A's and maybe longer. vbg
November 09, 2011
THE List
It was a productive day at work. I sat down today and wrote down everything I need to do at home before I can leave. Currently that list stands at 19 items. I then made a list of things I would like to add, change or need to take with me on the RV that I buy, before I hit the road. Currently that list stands at 14 items. Some are easy to get done, others will take time to complete.
How long will the list take to complete?
I spoke of my plan a few days ago but it listed different options. This is my plan, not my lists.
1. Rent my house
2. Sell 2 cars and an old truck
3. Either sell, donate, and throw away EVERYTHING I don't need to take with me. (with aircraft carrier experience I know how to travel light)
4. When I am CLOSE to leaving, give my 30 day notice at work, I feel that is more than a fair amount of time for my "will be shocked" employer.
5. Keep what savings I have plus what I get from the sales of my cars for an "emergency fund".
6. Live on my military retirement.
7. Load the hounds and hit the road
8. ASAP
How long with that take? I am not sure, many things on my lists determine my departure....Still, I am thinking no longer than 1 year and most likely sooner, with a goal as soon as possible.
After I am on the road, I am going to have some fun before I even think about workcamping, work with some online ideas (past experience) or what some call "fake jobs". I want to go spend days in places where you cannot hear anything but nature...no noise but nature. Just like I have done in the past 12 years, I will record every penny I make and every penny I spend in my yearly spreadsheets. I have one financial spreadsheet, with a tab for each year and then a tab where I can compare expenditures of the current year to the prior year. I love excel spreadsheets...for everything. :)
Then after I have some "on the road" data to work with, I will then decided if I am a workcamper or fully retired, with an eye out for volunteer work.
I am going to look for a Class A, 30-32' long, 1 slide minimum, outdoor shower, just to list a couple of things. I don't need to get out in the boonies, I just need to make it down dirt roads and be self contained.
Well, I would post more....but I need to get started on this list !!!
How long will the list take to complete?
I spoke of my plan a few days ago but it listed different options. This is my plan, not my lists.
1. Rent my house
2. Sell 2 cars and an old truck
3. Either sell, donate, and throw away EVERYTHING I don't need to take with me. (with aircraft carrier experience I know how to travel light)
4. When I am CLOSE to leaving, give my 30 day notice at work, I feel that is more than a fair amount of time for my "will be shocked" employer.
5. Keep what savings I have plus what I get from the sales of my cars for an "emergency fund".
6. Live on my military retirement.
7. Load the hounds and hit the road
8. ASAP
How long with that take? I am not sure, many things on my lists determine my departure....Still, I am thinking no longer than 1 year and most likely sooner, with a goal as soon as possible.
After I am on the road, I am going to have some fun before I even think about workcamping, work with some online ideas (past experience) or what some call "fake jobs". I want to go spend days in places where you cannot hear anything but nature...no noise but nature. Just like I have done in the past 12 years, I will record every penny I make and every penny I spend in my yearly spreadsheets. I have one financial spreadsheet, with a tab for each year and then a tab where I can compare expenditures of the current year to the prior year. I love excel spreadsheets...for everything. :)
Then after I have some "on the road" data to work with, I will then decided if I am a workcamper or fully retired, with an eye out for volunteer work.
I am going to look for a Class A, 30-32' long, 1 slide minimum, outdoor shower, just to list a couple of things. I don't need to get out in the boonies, I just need to make it down dirt roads and be self contained.
Well, I would post more....but I need to get started on this list !!!
November 08, 2011
Did You Think I Was Going to Quit?? ... No Way!!!
I am assuming my followers looked at the title of my post last night and thought "oh, he's going to quit before he even starts". That thought NEVER crossed my mind. What you don't know about me is my mind has always been going , will be going a 1,000 mph all the time. A friend of mine stopped by my work one day while I was answering an email, while talking on the phone and talking to the person standing at my desk....all at the same time. I'm not sure what you call that, but it probably isn't a good thing. Plus, I analyze....too much.
So last nights post was nothing more than me putting some of my mind travel down on paper (blog) for all to see, when I am usually having this discussion with my dogs and expecting them to give me answers. :)
About the time I think I have it down what I want, I read a new blog, look at their rig, read their story and then start looking at A's or C's again. Today it was a "C" day. Yet, there is just something about putting those sides out and having room in an A. I know C's have slides but still, a lot of room in those A's. Sadie (bloodhound) would probably enjoy that as would I. The basset's??? They don't really care about much...they are totally laidback, just a good soft blanket, bed or couch, some food, a daily walk and they are good to go. Today Winston (basset) and I took the old pickup to the local "Feed Store' to pick up some dog food. He was a happy camper when I told him he was going to go in the truck, couldn't stop that deep basset barking.
Anyway, back to the subject at hand.
New blogs, new ideas, new rigs, new thoughts, my house, my cars (1 Z4), etc, etc, etc. You get the picture. My mind going that 1,000 mph, ALL the time. Knowing what I would like to do but not knowing if I should take a gigantic leap or go as planned. (2yrs, 7mos). Local suggestion is to keep the house, keep the Z4, sell the other car, work until May 2014, then hit the road. She says my left side of my brain is running wild right now.
I've looked at the start of blogs that I follow, to see how long it took different people to hit the road full-time after they first had the thought. (I think I'm right on schedule and all of this is normal thinking). How long did they take to by their RV? What was their financial situation, how many repairs have they had on the road, were they shut down, what type of work do they do on the road if any at all. Boondocking, or national forests, rv parks etc.
Yes, same questions I have had the past 3 weeks, but they keep re-appearing. I even fight with myself between a C and an A class RV. Will the A be able to boondock like some people say it will? Will it be more handier for me to have a C even thought it might be smaller inside with 3 hounds?
I know these questions have been asked on this blog before and many have answered either by commenting or by email and I thank you for those comments and suggested links. They really have been a great help. In fact all of the info has made me want to full time even more than when I started this blog a few weeks ago.
So, if all of this is not boring to you, hang around and see what happens. Comment when you want and enjoy the humor. I will laugh about these times around a campfire some day, asking myself and others...."What took me so long" ??
So last nights post was nothing more than me putting some of my mind travel down on paper (blog) for all to see, when I am usually having this discussion with my dogs and expecting them to give me answers. :)
About the time I think I have it down what I want, I read a new blog, look at their rig, read their story and then start looking at A's or C's again. Today it was a "C" day. Yet, there is just something about putting those sides out and having room in an A. I know C's have slides but still, a lot of room in those A's. Sadie (bloodhound) would probably enjoy that as would I. The basset's??? They don't really care about much...they are totally laidback, just a good soft blanket, bed or couch, some food, a daily walk and they are good to go. Today Winston (basset) and I took the old pickup to the local "Feed Store' to pick up some dog food. He was a happy camper when I told him he was going to go in the truck, couldn't stop that deep basset barking.
Anyway, back to the subject at hand.
New blogs, new ideas, new rigs, new thoughts, my house, my cars (1 Z4), etc, etc, etc. You get the picture. My mind going that 1,000 mph, ALL the time. Knowing what I would like to do but not knowing if I should take a gigantic leap or go as planned. (2yrs, 7mos). Local suggestion is to keep the house, keep the Z4, sell the other car, work until May 2014, then hit the road. She says my left side of my brain is running wild right now.
I've looked at the start of blogs that I follow, to see how long it took different people to hit the road full-time after they first had the thought. (I think I'm right on schedule and all of this is normal thinking). How long did they take to by their RV? What was their financial situation, how many repairs have they had on the road, were they shut down, what type of work do they do on the road if any at all. Boondocking, or national forests, rv parks etc.
Yes, same questions I have had the past 3 weeks, but they keep re-appearing. I even fight with myself between a C and an A class RV. Will the A be able to boondock like some people say it will? Will it be more handier for me to have a C even thought it might be smaller inside with 3 hounds?
I know these questions have been asked on this blog before and many have answered either by commenting or by email and I thank you for those comments and suggested links. They really have been a great help. In fact all of the info has made me want to full time even more than when I started this blog a few weeks ago.
So, if all of this is not boring to you, hang around and see what happens. Comment when you want and enjoy the humor. I will laugh about these times around a campfire some day, asking myself and others...."What took me so long" ??
November 07, 2011
A Lot of Thinking
Another normal day of reading RV information, in some cases read for a 2nd and 3rd time. Looked at A's, than back at C's. Ran a lot of numbers through my head, whether to pay cash or finance. Currently my mortgage balance is so low that I am unable to write off what little interest I pay every month. While walking the hounds through the field behind my house, I wondered if it was really fair for the 3 of them to be RVing or keeping their life the way it is. Here is a picture of that field. You can slightly see the path I make while they walk 25' out on retractable leashes.
I did look at C's while I was at work today. I saw some different and good ideas how people used that space above the cab for their large tv's, and computer equipment. I am going to need to arrange for my 46" HD tv, as a sports junkie that would be hard to give up. Computers I use right now is an iPad and an iMac with a large 27" monitor that I think I can make arrangements with some slight modifications (office desk) to keep that monitor. Here is my current set up:
I am pretty set on a A's 30'- 32', and only started looking at C's after reading a blog where a couple had spent 4 years full-time RVing and running their computer business on the road. I really don't think I would use the overhead bunk if I had a C, so any ideas about large tv's and computers are welcomed. On a A I already have some pictures of fitting large screen and my computer set up.
I also thought about this blog. I've gained a lot of good information from comments, emails, suggested links but at the same time it is kind of different for me to go public with my thoughts. Yet, I got this idea to start a blog now and not waiting until I started on my RV trip because most of the blogs I started reading a few weeks ago and currently, all started the same way. I guess in a few years it will be nice to go back and look into these earlier blogs and recall just how many different directions my mind was going.
To all the A owners out there on the road that boondock, what is the smallest road you ever traveled on to get to a great camping spot? To all the C owners out there, how many of you wondered if you should have bought a C after you lived in an A for a while and why?
Why do I ask that? The example is the picture of my computer set up. I spent months researching which iMac to buy or a MacPro or a MacAir. When I decided on a iMac, then it was either the 27" or the 21.5" iMac. Even the day I went to the store to make the purchase I looked at each side by side for over an hour and walked out with the 21.5 Then months later I kept thinking about the 27" I passed up. Instead of selling my 21.5 iMac and boxing it up and shipping it to someone that would have bought it outside of my location, I decided to buy the 27' monitor and plugging it into the iMac as a 2nd monitor. I love having two monitors.
So if I bought a C and was happy with it, would I always be wondering about an A????
This picture was taken last August when the temps were really hot but the hounds were wanting to walk.
I am pretty set on a A's 30'- 32', and only started looking at C's after reading a blog where a couple had spent 4 years full-time RVing and running their computer business on the road. I really don't think I would use the overhead bunk if I had a C, so any ideas about large tv's and computers are welcomed. On a A I already have some pictures of fitting large screen and my computer set up.
I also thought about this blog. I've gained a lot of good information from comments, emails, suggested links but at the same time it is kind of different for me to go public with my thoughts. Yet, I got this idea to start a blog now and not waiting until I started on my RV trip because most of the blogs I started reading a few weeks ago and currently, all started the same way. I guess in a few years it will be nice to go back and look into these earlier blogs and recall just how many different directions my mind was going.
To all the A owners out there on the road that boondock, what is the smallest road you ever traveled on to get to a great camping spot? To all the C owners out there, how many of you wondered if you should have bought a C after you lived in an A for a while and why?
Why do I ask that? The example is the picture of my computer set up. I spent months researching which iMac to buy or a MacPro or a MacAir. When I decided on a iMac, then it was either the 27" or the 21.5" iMac. Even the day I went to the store to make the purchase I looked at each side by side for over an hour and walked out with the 21.5 Then months later I kept thinking about the 27" I passed up. Instead of selling my 21.5 iMac and boxing it up and shipping it to someone that would have bought it outside of my location, I decided to buy the 27' monitor and plugging it into the iMac as a 2nd monitor. I love having two monitors.
So if I bought a C and was happy with it, would I always be wondering about an A????
This picture was taken last August when the temps were really hot but the hounds were wanting to walk.
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| The Three Amigos |
November 06, 2011
A Plan Coming Together
After the initial rush of thinking about resigning from my job, buy a RV, pack up and leave ... a plan is finally starting to develop mentally. This is after 3 solid weeks of reading for hours and hours, asking a lot of questions here and on forums and looking at RV's from a Class C to a Class A. I have not test driven one yet.
#1 What I would like to do, is buy an RV soon, pack up just what I need and take off. That would mean resigning from a job, leaving my house full of my stuff without downsizing. Then come back within the year to downsize my assets, put the house on the market if I decided that full timing was for me. (no doubt it will be). I could live on my savings during this time and I wouldn't mind workcamping part-time.
#2 The best plan is to wait 2 years 7 months until my retire date. During this time downsize all of my assets, buy an RV after test driving with some weekend trips. A training period for me and my hounds. Also the real estate market here is slow but my house could be a fast seller for those wanting to downsize or a starter home. It's priced right and a good location.
#3 Start the action plan NOW with plans to start the journey as soon as my house sells. Start downsizing immediately, furniture, cars, an old truck. Place the house on the market now and then give my 30 day resignation letter at the time my house sells. With May 2014 as being the date I leave even if the house is not sold.
#4 Do the same thing I am doing now, until May 2014. Read, study, enjoy my "virtual" RV trip through the different blogs I read and wish I was doing that right now. Look and look at RV's, take weekend trips with them by renting or make a purchase.
Decisions, decisions....at least to put this plan in motion I think I will start listing things on eBay and Craig's List and start to see some movement. Put a plan with dates together and start checking things off as I go. I want to turn my important files from paper to pdf files, my cd's to digital, my books to ebooks and my movies to electronic media. Looks like I have a lot to get started on.
Enjoy your day on the road, it's a beautiful day here in the "tropics" of southern Indiana.
#1 What I would like to do, is buy an RV soon, pack up just what I need and take off. That would mean resigning from a job, leaving my house full of my stuff without downsizing. Then come back within the year to downsize my assets, put the house on the market if I decided that full timing was for me. (no doubt it will be). I could live on my savings during this time and I wouldn't mind workcamping part-time.
#2 The best plan is to wait 2 years 7 months until my retire date. During this time downsize all of my assets, buy an RV after test driving with some weekend trips. A training period for me and my hounds. Also the real estate market here is slow but my house could be a fast seller for those wanting to downsize or a starter home. It's priced right and a good location.
#3 Start the action plan NOW with plans to start the journey as soon as my house sells. Start downsizing immediately, furniture, cars, an old truck. Place the house on the market now and then give my 30 day resignation letter at the time my house sells. With May 2014 as being the date I leave even if the house is not sold.
#4 Do the same thing I am doing now, until May 2014. Read, study, enjoy my "virtual" RV trip through the different blogs I read and wish I was doing that right now. Look and look at RV's, take weekend trips with them by renting or make a purchase.
Decisions, decisions....at least to put this plan in motion I think I will start listing things on eBay and Craig's List and start to see some movement. Put a plan with dates together and start checking things off as I go. I want to turn my important files from paper to pdf files, my cd's to digital, my books to ebooks and my movies to electronic media. Looks like I have a lot to get started on.
Enjoy your day on the road, it's a beautiful day here in the "tropics" of southern Indiana.
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