RV Living Frugality - Part III

Continuing with the tips listed in RV Living Frugality - Part I and RV Living Frugality - Part II, here are some other ways you can save money as a full time RVer:

9.  Holidays – Remember how many times you promised yourself you'd keep it simple? You are going to love holidays without hassles!  Long-distance gifting requires quality over quantity, so you need to pick one special gift for those nearest and dearest to you.  Plan ahead and follow up with a phone call.  And for all those people you feel "obligated" to give to - gift cards, either small individual amounts or a large amount for an entire family. 

10.  Banking – You cannot go into the full-time RV lifestyle without having a good budget.  Incidentals will happen, so you need a little extra savings set aside for them (blown tires, breakdowns, extra campground nights, etc.).  Just about all of your bills can be sent to you and paid electronically, but you should set this up in advance and plan to have a secure internet connection for banking purposes.  Contact credit card providers to let them know you will be travelling; some will put a security block on your card when they see charges from different states - you don't want to be filling up your rig and have that happen!  Get an Ally debit card for cashing checks and getting money out at ATM's with NO FEES.

11.  Income – Diversify your income streams and consider how each will impact your taxes.  Save whatever you can, whenever you can.  Investigate residency domiciles to find the best bang for your buck, but don't jump into anything until you have been full-timing for awhile.  Think about employment and it's ramifications (our daughter got additional college financial aid, because I took a part-time job and Jim didn't work at all).   Don't live beyond your means, as tempting as that may be with the wonderful enticements all around you! 

Most people find the full-time lifestyle to be a bit more expensive than they expected.  We, on the other hand, found it to be much more affordable than we thought it would be.  Everyone has a different situation and different goals.  You really need to consider each aspect of your life; what you are willing to sacrifice, and what you cannot live without.  For us, that means staying put for 6 months at a time, wherever that may be.  We don't use a car during most of that time and we live in a small, pre-owned motorhome without the bells and whistles.  Despite those hardships, we absolutely love our lifestyle! 

I hope these tips help you make the choice that is best for YOU. Good luck to you, and safe travels wherever you may roam!

We made it out in the nick of time!

We stayed in NY right up til the last week of October, and it was very, very cold!  The snowflakes began falling the week after we arrived in FL.  Needless to say, I have a greater appreciation for those brave souls who do cold-weather camping.

 

The highlight of this trip was when Jim and I visited some of his friends in Myrtle Beach, SC.  They hadn't seen each other in over 20 years.  I learned that very little has changed about my husband since his younger days.

 

We also had the opportunity to stay in a lovely RV resort next to the beach.  Never, have I seen so many golf carts in a single place!  It was so relaxing as we lounged around on the beach watching the few tourists that remained ride horses up and down the shoreline.

 

Some highlights of the trip included camping on the top of a mountain in Hancock, MD, waking up to the sounds of ducks in Savannah, GA, and seeing several cotton fields along Interstate 95.  Once we got out of the colder climate, it was nice to take our "sweet time" exploring each place we stayed at.  An added bonus was the minimal amount of traffic to contend with this time around.

 

I am so happy to be back in FL where we have both been warmly welcomed.  As far as work is concerned, I am swamped!  It truly does seem like "feast or famine" comes into play in the world of freelance.  I have been offered a "work-camping" job (part-time), which I will be squeezing into an already hectic writing schedule.

 

I do want to send a shout-out to my friend Lorraine Reguly.  She lives "way up North" and is running a giveaway on her blog.  If you get the chance, please stop in and play along.  I'm on my way over there right now to join the fun!  Just click on this "link" and let her know Aleshia sent you. 

 

 





 







The Next Adventure

We are getting ready for the next adventure! In two weeks, we are going to be on the road again. I haven't posted lately due to a HUGE project in the works, which is taking up each and every moment of my life. The folks up North have proven that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" with all of the social activities we are invited to! Emmie has returned to college with a new roommate and a new dorm. I felt so much better about settling her into the new digs.

Most RV friends in our social circle have already left us for warmer weather, but we decided that we would stay for most of October to celebrate some very special birthdays: Em is turning 20, our little grandson turned 2, and our niece just had her sweet 16 birthday. Thanks to Durham Editing and E-Books, I was able to write memoirs for my sister and I and turn them into a published work. My niece read them out loud during her birthday party with her grandparents present. It was a very precious moment that I will cherish always.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Autumn. It is so hard to believe that the holidays are coming soon!

God bless,

~ Aleshia