Welcome sherri......1000 to 1200 is a tight budget, I do it on the basics food ,fuel,must haves.....and I have to boondock almost the whole month to do it.
I also make a few bucks here and there to keep it comfortable......if you are talking not workamping or some type of residual income coming in.....you will be boondocking
fuel & propane ....I budget 400 food................... budget 400 ins.& phone /Internet.......200 dumping & overnite.........100 back up funds..................100
I always have money left over,that I just put into back up funds......again I boondock....I have solar power, and normally only travel every 2 weeks.....I also make money above my budget doing shows and fairs ,...also flipping decent RVs
you have to really like nature and spending alone time to East coast boondock..........if you are in the central or west coast areas there is alot more boondocking areas and alot more people around. but its nice and a very simple lifestyle I also dont seem to go without all the modern conveniences , I just appreciate them more when I use them
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 28th of January 2013 07:49:38 PM
Sherri said
02:24 AM Jan 29, 2013
Hi, my name is Sherri. I've been here before and have been dreaming since. I am about a year and a half away from RV'ing and sometimes get pretty discouraged but I'm sure going to do it. I'm not sure how some solo rv'ers make it financially but I am certainly going to give it a good shot. I have a home that I now rent out that needs to be sold. I live in another state where I now rent an apartment myself. I feel I need to start preparing by ridding myself of all the excess stuff that I've accumulated all these years, oh, where to start. If there is anyone out there who has any financial advice, its always appreciated.
I plan on getting a class C, Born Free seems to be a good one on the market. Is RV insurance expensive? I plan on buying the RV outright when I sell my home, so there won't be payments there but, of course, maintenance is required. Can one do this on about $1000 a month?
PIEERE said
03:01 AM Jan 29, 2013
It depends on how extravagant you want to live. Are you wanting to travel a lot! If so; I would go diesel as the fuel mileage is quite a bit more than gas. Are you going to tow a vehicle? Diesel has more torque for pulling. I'm not sure about the cost of maintenance for gas or diesel; gas has to be more often; but hold less fluids; shop labor rates may be higher for the diesel because all shops won't work on diesels. The diesel engine should outlast a gasser. I would go with the Class B; it eliminates the front overhead bunk for a more streamlined and would save fuel. The area above the cab is where they put an entertainment center. If you are by yourself it would make more sense as generally they put the bedroom in the back. You will have a lot of responses I am sure and all have their suggestions. Pieere
Terry and Jo said
03:03 AM Jan 29, 2013
Welcome back, Sherri.
Without knowing your lifestyle, it would be hard to say whether $1000 a month would be enough. What you might do is go to Howard and Linda's home page and click on the link for the "Site Map." From there, you can probably find their financial pages, which might give you an idea of what it is costing them and comparing their purchases and lifestyle with your way of living. It may not answer all your questions, but it should be helpful.
Good luck.
Terry
Technomadia said
03:15 AM Jan 29, 2013
Hi Sherri -
Living on the road for $1000/month might be feasible, depending on many factors - the most important one being your own unique style and preferences.
You'll need to account for your camping fees somehow - you can reduce them by 1) investing up front to make your rig autonomous with alternate energy sources and ample water systems so you can stay off grid or 2) finding workamping opportunities to get your camp fees paid for or 3) have a vast network of friends/family/kind folks who live places without RV parking restrictions who invite you to stay with them.
You can also reduce costs by slowing down the pace and getting monthly rentals instead of paying daily/weekly rates. This saves on fuel costs too. Keep some budget for handling repairs on your mobile house - things will break, and it will need routine maintenance.
RV insurance will depend on many factors... your age, your RV, driving record, state of domicile and coverage needs. Would recommend contacting a full-time RVer aware agency (Poliseek, Millers, etc. are often referenced) and asking for a quote... make sure to ask for 'full timer coverage', which is different than just standard RV insurance.
The rest of your expenses, in my experience, don't change too much. You still have to eat, account for your healthcare needs (insurance? self pay?), do laundry, be entertained, etc.
Assess your current expenses, research what it'll realistically cost to be on the road and lay it out. When it comes down to it, only you can answer the question if you can do any lifestyle on a certain budget. We're all different, with different expectations and desires.
Welcome sherri......1000 to 1200 is a tight budget, I do it on the basics food ,fuel,must haves.....and I have to boondock almost the whole month to do it.
I also make a few bucks here and there to keep it comfortable......if you are talking not workamping or some type of residual income coming in.....you will be boondocking
fuel & propane ....I budget 400
food................... budget 400
ins.& phone /Internet.......200
dumping & overnite.........100
back up funds..................100
I always have money left over,that I just put into back up funds......again I boondock....I have solar power, and normally only travel every 2 weeks.....I also make money above my budget doing shows and fairs ,...also flipping decent RVs
you have to really like nature and spending alone time to East coast boondock..........if you are in the central or west coast areas there is alot more boondocking areas and alot more people around. but its nice and a very simple lifestyle I also dont seem to go without all the modern conveniences , I just appreciate them more when I use them
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 28th of January 2013 07:49:38 PM
I would go with the Class B; it eliminates the front overhead bunk for a more streamlined and would save fuel. The area above the cab is where they put an entertainment center. If you are by yourself it would make more sense as generally they put the bedroom in the back.
You will have a lot of responses I am sure and all have their suggestions. Pieere
Welcome back, Sherri.
Without knowing your lifestyle, it would be hard to say whether $1000 a month would be enough. What you might do is go to Howard and Linda's home page and click on the link for the "Site Map." From there, you can probably find their financial pages, which might give you an idea of what it is costing them and comparing their purchases and lifestyle with your way of living. It may not answer all your questions, but it should be helpful.
Good luck.
Terry
Hi Sherri -
Living on the road for $1000/month might be feasible, depending on many factors - the most important one being your own unique style and preferences.
You'll need to account for your camping fees somehow - you can reduce them by 1) investing up front to make your rig autonomous with alternate energy sources and ample water systems so you can stay off grid or 2) finding workamping opportunities to get your camp fees paid for or 3) have a vast network of friends/family/kind folks who live places without RV parking restrictions who invite you to stay with them.
You can also reduce costs by slowing down the pace and getting monthly rentals instead of paying daily/weekly rates. This saves on fuel costs too. Keep some budget for handling repairs on your mobile house - things will break, and it will need routine maintenance.
RV insurance will depend on many factors... your age, your RV, driving record, state of domicile and coverage needs. Would recommend contacting a full-time RVer aware agency (Poliseek, Millers, etc. are often referenced) and asking for a quote... make sure to ask for 'full timer coverage', which is different than just standard RV insurance.
The rest of your expenses, in my experience, don't change too much. You still have to eat, account for your healthcare needs (insurance? self pay?), do laundry, be entertained, etc.
Assess your current expenses, research what it'll realistically cost to be on the road and lay it out. When it comes down to it, only you can answer the question if you can do any lifestyle on a certain budget. We're all different, with different expectations and desires.
We've kept our monthly travel expenses online for years, and you're welcome to take a look at what it costs us to stay on the road:
http://www.technomadia.com/the-finances-how-to-afford-it/
- Cherie