We have been fulltiming since April of 09 when we sold the house and moved into our 5th wheel. Our plan has always been to stick with our full time jobs until DW could reach a magic number of years of service added to her age in order to qualify for company susidized health care along with a monthly pension.

We have lived in the 5th wheel in a KOA about 20 miles from our former home and have been working hard to realize our dream of early retirement and travel.

2 weeks ago "life" hit us square in the face when DW's company cut her and about 20 of her co workers. They say it was due to technology making things more "efficient" but almost everyone that they cut were all the most tenured and experienced of the team (and also the highest paid!).

After the initial shock and emotions we were able to sit down and take a serious look at where we are at and where we want to be.

I get a small pension and DW will qualify for a small  pension as well so we will have a "little" monthly income but will need to supplement that with work camping.

So now instead of launching in 2015 we are looking at hitching up and heading out in 2012. 

We are looking forward to finally being able to do some traveling even if we have to work camp in one place for a few months at a time.

thanks Jerry and Carol. Guess we are still in a state of shock over this. One thing for sure, we are in a much better position now than we would have been had we not sold the house and moved into the 5th wheel when we did! Our original plan was to keep our noses to the grindstone paying off our bills and building a nice nest egg. Well not all the bills will be paid and the nest egg will be smaller but we are better off than some of the others that have lost their jobs. Guess we are doing our best to make lemonade out of lemons.

Look forward to meeting you (and other "Dreamers") as well! You never know, that guy in the golf cart leading you to your site next year may be me !!

Phil

Sometimes things happen for a reason. Take advantage of your new situation and plan from here.

There are many folks full-timing who don't have much income or a large nest egg and if you really want to, you can do it too.

Take it one step at a time and  try to look at it as a new unexpected adventure. (which it is).

Good luck, we'll be watching for you out here on the road.

Jim

I firmly believe that things do happen for a reason, even if we are not aware of that reason at the time.  Although your job ended sooner that anticipated, I bet you guys will be just fine.  There are sooooo many work opportunities out there for us full-timers, not just the typical workamping positions.  Heck, we've turned down some that were full-time jobs - park/resort managers, etc.

Hang in there, regroup and get ready to hit the road!  It is not without its speed bumps but it sure is a good life!

Cheers,

Betty

Turning your lemons into lemonade is usually the sweetest drink.  You WILL be just fine.

We are working, traveling and have bills still.....it's been two months and we already can't imagine living any other way!

Doris

Ckerr wrote:

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There's lots of different ways to make life work. Sounds like you guys are working through "Plan B." Since you're still working for at least a few months, DW might ask about any workkamping opportunities where you are currently staying. That's what I did. It's not a a lot, but it covers our spot and utilities and gives me something to do a few days a week while Johnny's still working. And maybe most important, I feel like I'm making a contribution and getting some workkamping experience before we can officially start traveling next year. Just a thought....

Good luck with the lemonade preparations!

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 Good advice Carol, actually the manager here at the KOA is a facebook buddy w/ DW and heard about the lay off. She offered her some work in exchange for rent. DW is excited to be getting some experience that will look good on a work camping resume' down the road.  She still has another 3 weeks left until they boot her out the door and then she will be available to work for the campground.

I'm excited for you guys...great attitude, already made good plans and are ready to face things head on!!!

I'm excited for you, now that you can get out there sooner than expected :)  I too will be out there in 2012.  I hope to see you both face to face while traveling.  I also want to thank you for your encourgement while planning my "escape" from the rat race.

I'll bet you guy will be just fine and will probably look back and see that they did you a favor by downsizing you.  Like you said, you're way better off having sold your home when you did than a lot of others who saw their home values plummet in recent years.  Getting on the road as fulltimers sooner than later would seem to be a plus... not a minus!

I've always loved the adage: "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans."  That and the one below my signature below.  If our entire lives conformed to our own self-imposed plan it would hardly be interesting!

Wow! What a "push" you got tp start living your dream now!  I love your positive outlook . . . instead of grumbling and complaining, you are seizing the opporunity and are excited about the change!  I'm lifting my glass of lemonade to toast the beginning of your fantastic and successful adventure!  

I know that both of you are go-getters and will make a positive opportunity out of this.  The road has many curves and blind turns.  Just keep your eyes on your plans and good things will come to you both.  I would be proud to have you lead me to my campsite.  Hope to see you on the road.