While talking with a financial advisor last summer. The question was asked, "What does retirement look like for you?" My first thought was I don't know. I had assumed I would work up until the end due to have my daughter late in life at 42. So after spending the night thinking it over. I thought, I have always like the idea of camping and traveling the USA. So the dream was hatched. Buy an RV and see the country. My wife of 29 years past away in 2010, I'm now a single parent of a 16 year old high school student with plans to go to college. So now, I have this dream of living full-time in an RV. What's the plan? Win the lottery, yeah right. Here’s the other plan sell the house, for enough to pay off mortgage, pay for college and downpayment on RV. Time frame for all this would be after High School Graduation in ’15 and when I turn 62 in Nov ’17. I’ve been thinking of a 36’ to 40’ Motorhome. The only income I will have will be Military Retirement and SS. I plan on doing some work camping when and if I can find it. So that is the dream and the plan, where do I go from here?
GENECOP said
12:28 AM Apr 3, 2013
Sell the house, nothing wrong with State College, Student Loan, Aid, Etc...now hit the road, do some work camping, have some fun, you have earned it...
Terry and Jo said
12:48 AM Apr 3, 2013
Welcome to the RV Dreams forums, Chester. It is good to have you as part of the family. So, feel free to ask questions as your research and planning progresses. There are a lot of knowledgeable folks here with ready answers for you.
As for where to go, I'd say to start with checking out RV shows and RV dealers to see what is available. If your interested in the possibility of going with a used unit, there are a number of websites that will let you get a good idea of the costs involved with the used ones. If considering used, as you look at different places, ask about RV techs that will give a used RV a close look and give you an idea of what may have problems and explain how systems work together.
Good luck with the research and planning.
Terry
Bob and Cheri said
01:32 AM Apr 3, 2013
Welcome to the best and friendliest forum on the net. Ask questions, read, and ask more questions. Remember the only dumb question is the one not asked.
Also thank you for your service.
Bob
Lucky Mike said
01:49 AM Apr 3, 2013
Welcome to the forum!!
PIEERE said
02:15 AM Apr 3, 2013
Chester; Welcome and Check out the Workamping thread. Workamper News has jobs listed in all 50 States and Canada. It has a subscriber fee but in my opinion has the most for paying jobs. It is harder to find paying jobs in the winter in Campgrounds; there are less open yr round. How ever there is seasonal positions in most large cities for the holiday season. Search; Search and research and ask many questions as many on here have much acquired experiences.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
01:09 AM Apr 4, 2013
GENECOP wrote:
Sell the house, nothing wrong with State College, Student Loan, Aid, Etc...now hit the road, do some work camping, have some fun, you have earned it...
X2
Go for it while you can enjoy it!
RVRon said
01:56 PM Apr 5, 2013
Welcome to the forum! Your plan sounds great. We've recently completed our first year as fulltimers and life couldn't be better! From our perspective the earlier you can enter this life the better suited you are to travel, workamping and doing the things you really want to do. Nobody has any kind of guaranteed life span and who is to say you will have all the time in the world? We chose to retire a few years earlier than our "full" SS retirement age for that very reason. Your choice of RV will really depend on how much you can afford to spend. As a single person you probably don't need all the space that a couple would need so you might want to think even shorter. I've seen single fulltimers traveling in everything from pop-up campers to 45' motorhomes. Something in the 30' range sounds about right... easier to maneuver, great availability of campsites, less expensive to buy and operate.
Lastly... thank you for your military service and good luck!
Olywa said
04:27 PM Apr 8, 2013
I have been a member of this form for years, I don't post often but I read it just about everyday. We are about a year away from retirement we downsized over a year ago and now live in the lower level of our daughters spit level, great practice for the move to the 5th wheel. The fultime life style has been my dream for years, husband likes the idea and wants to give it a try but I worry that he won't be able to adjust, grateful he is willing and if it becomes to big of an issue we will find a place in the sun and settle down there. Looking forward to meeting all of you down the road but have to admit a little scared but really excited too.
Red Wolf said
05:13 PM Apr 8, 2013
I agree with starting as soon as you can. One caveat, however. If you enjoy the peace and wildness of State Parks, you may wish to "downsize" your dream to about 32 feet. There are many coaches that are first class in this length. We'll be watching your posts and enjoying your travels with you. Yahoo!
Hina said
03:48 AM Apr 12, 2013
I'm with Red Wolf.... as a single person, a 36-40 footer is a lot (more $$$, gas, restrictions) I'm in a 25' travel trailer, and it's the perfect size for me.
MarkS said
04:49 PM Apr 13, 2013
Don't wait. Buy the RV now and get it paid down before you move into it. Or move into it it and stay static like Terry and Jo until you can travel. I calculated the difference between taking my social security at 62 and 66. With the additional money paid at 66, it would take about 12 years to catch up with what I draw starting at 62. We can get by just fine with our SS and pension so why wait. Look at veterans benefits to pay for some of the off-springs college. If you haven't used your GI bill you can transfer it. There are additional programs to help out. Personally, I made my kids get theirs the old fashioned way. They earned it. Welcome to the forum. You can learn all you need to enjoy the lifestyle right here. Many of these folks have their PhD in RV.
Blackvelvet55 said
11:40 PM Apr 24, 2013
Sorry for the delay. I would like to thank you all for the welcome and your advice and support. I'm looking forward to the day that I can join you on the open road.
While talking with a financial advisor last summer. The question was asked, "What does retirement look like for you?" My first thought was I don't know. I had assumed I would work up until the end due to have my daughter late in life at 42. So after spending the night thinking it over. I thought, I have always like the idea of camping and traveling the USA. So the dream was hatched. Buy an RV and see the country. My wife of 29 years past away in 2010, I'm now a single parent of a 16 year old high school student with plans to go to college. So now, I have this dream of living full-time in an RV. What's the plan? Win the lottery, yeah right. Here’s the other plan sell the house, for enough to pay off mortgage, pay for college and downpayment on RV. Time frame for all this would be after High School Graduation in ’15 and when I turn 62 in Nov ’17. I’ve been thinking of a 36’ to 40’ Motorhome. The only income I will have will be Military Retirement and SS. I plan on doing some work camping when and if I can find it. So that is the dream and the plan, where do I go from here?
Welcome to the RV Dreams forums, Chester. It is good to have you as part of the family. So, feel free to ask questions as your research and planning progresses. There are a lot of knowledgeable folks here with ready answers for you.
As for where to go, I'd say to start with checking out RV shows and RV dealers to see what is available. If your interested in the possibility of going with a used unit, there are a number of websites that will let you get a good idea of the costs involved with the used ones. If considering used, as you look at different places, ask about RV techs that will give a used RV a close look and give you an idea of what may have problems and explain how systems work together.
Good luck with the research and planning.
Terry
Also thank you for your service.
Bob
Search; Search and research and ask many questions as many on here have much acquired experiences.
X2
Go for it while you can enjoy it!
Welcome to the forum! Your plan sounds great. We've recently completed our first year as fulltimers and life couldn't be better! From our perspective the earlier you can enter this life the better suited you are to travel, workamping and doing the things you really want to do. Nobody has any kind of guaranteed life span and who is to say you will have all the time in the world? We chose to retire a few years earlier than our "full" SS retirement age for that very reason. Your choice of RV will really depend on how much you can afford to spend. As a single person you probably don't need all the space that a couple would need so you might want to think even shorter. I've seen single fulltimers traveling in everything from pop-up campers to 45' motorhomes. Something in the 30' range sounds about right... easier to maneuver, great availability of campsites, less expensive to buy and operate.
Lastly... thank you for your military service and good luck!
I'm with Red Wolf.... as a single person, a 36-40 footer is a lot (more $$$, gas, restrictions) I'm in a 25' travel trailer, and it's the perfect size for me.
Sorry for the delay. I would like to thank you all for the welcome and your advice and support. I'm looking forward to the day that I can join you on the open road.