First, I apologize ahead of time if it seems I am just whining. LOL I'm just stressing over this part.
My biggest concern/issue with heading out to FT is my job. I need to work full time to pay my bills at least for another 4-5 years before I can be debt free and move around. However, I am in no mood to sit through more winters to get there. I want to FT by the end of the year (As long as I can find a job elsewhere)
So my question is, are there others out there who technically FT, but in one place, and still work (not 'from home')? I can't live in my Airstream here in the Philly area, it's just not doable so I need to move, definitely someplace warm(er). the other caveat is my actual job/skills; I have worked myself into a specific niche with companies few and far between. (And I've been looking for different options for months) It has become my full-timing Achilles heel. Is there anyone out there who experienced non-mobile job challenges before/during full timing? Am I making any sense? Lol
I am ready to go otherwise! eh
Lucky Mike said
06:13 PM Mar 25, 2014
I guess I would pick an area with a climate you like.....and get that resume' out there...land the new cubicle and do it !!!!!
cherylbrv said
06:25 PM Mar 25, 2014
If you are willing to find something else to do to support yourself on the road, there are several threads here on the forum about how to make a living. Good luck!
FT Dreamin said
06:44 PM Mar 25, 2014
Fortunately there are no rules with full timing! Like Lucky Mike said - pick the area you desire and start seriously campaigning! Resumes, letters, phone calls, headhunters, network - bring out the big guns! Something will pop! And just think - relocating will be a breeze!
MerryPaws said
06:44 PM Mar 25, 2014
I would love to do something else but if I don't have my current salary the bills will not get paid. I have some debt and wish I didn't, or heck I would gladly take a pay cut and do something different, interesting and fun! :) In a few years...
Lucky Mike said
07:15 PM Mar 25, 2014
I dont know what you do for a living.....but unless your at the top of the pay scale , some one is out there looking for your skill set with the same pay or better
looking at options......can broaden ones options
TRAILERKING said
07:16 PM Mar 25, 2014
Maybe in a few years you can just jump in "Puck 'n' Penelope" and tour around.
Hahaha..........Just had to say that!
PIEERE said
07:20 PM Mar 25, 2014
I don't know much about your debt dilemma; but Lucky Mike, Cherylbry; and Ft dreamin and I agree! Pick and area; Google it then research; research and more research; locate an area where the employers are hiring; get the resume to them; call them after a week then every 3 days thereafter. The trick will be trying to match your bills to your projected salary.
In the Fall of 2009 the company I worked for downsized; I was fortunate to have a motorhome and a friend who helped me put the stoppers on; all four brakes and gave it a mediocre tune-up. It took me a while to find paying jobs; but the Summere of 2010 landed my first; had to travel about 850 miles; it lasted 5 months; then I landed another holiday rush season stocking job and had two months of R&R and then founded a 10 weeks job; then the 5 monther; then the holiday rush again. I made about 13K$; spent about 6K$ traveling; food. Had 7K$ to pay down bills and about half was for off timne expenses.
You will not get rich work camping; the best is to find the Warm spot that has employ then go there; pay down the bills; get comfortable with some cash saved and then locate those seasonal jobs! PIEERE
WestWardHo said
07:40 PM Mar 25, 2014
MerryPaws,
It's possible. Read and retread your tag line. You will find a way. If no this year, perhaps the next. Expand your search options, write a list of your job skills/strengths and build a resume around those. I've been there/done that. You can too. Don't forget to network like crazy!
Hoping it all comes together for you soon!
Sherry
Camper Chronicles said
05:52 AM Mar 26, 2014
Hi Merry,
I'd look at the problem a different way. If you were downsized you would be forced to work through these issues sooner rather than later. So if this is something you really want to do think about what you would do if you lost your job and approach it with the same level of intensity. That being said it's fine to work your way through this slowly and carefully and being debt free is a really good thing, but for me I always knew I could lose my job at any time and that gave me the mental freedom to really get serious about pursuing this lifestyle.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
06:24 AM Mar 26, 2014
Everyone above is right.
Set up a scenario of "What if" and work thru it. Chances are you'll find your answer to your current situation.
Sometimes you have to look outside your comfort zone or be pushed outside the box to find the answers you need.
Would you care to say what your job or career is?
MerryPaws said
07:20 AM Mar 26, 2014
Alie and Jims Carrilite wrote:
Would you care to say what your job or career is?
I am a CAD detailer; I draw construction drawings for museum exhibits (mostly children and science museums. but I do not design them). Any companies I have found in my field are not hiring (or they are in cold climates LOL). Its a tight, private industry. I do have a degree in architecture but going back to that is not financially possible as I never pursued a masters, so I would be falling back into intern status after 15 years. All other CAD jobs I find require some type of engineering degree/experience which I do not have. If I had other skills I would be GLAD to switch careers.
Anyway, yes, I need to back out of my corner somehow. That's the part I am working on, a bit unsuccessful at the moment. Thanks everyone, I will get there eventually I am sure, but the uncertainty is a bit discouraging.
Lucky Mike said
07:30 AM Mar 26, 2014
could you lower your cost of living by moving into a campground seasonally in your area and downsizing...taking the extra money and paying down?
Seasonal rates for the areas around you are from 2500 to 4000 for 7 months in the park.(April til oct 15 or 30th)
MerryPaws said
07:53 AM Mar 26, 2014
Lucky Mike wrote:
could you lower your cost of living by moving into a campground seasonally in your area and downsizing...taking the extra money and paying down?
Seasonal rates for the areas around you are from 2500 to 4000 for 7 months in the park.(April til oct 15 or 30th)
I COULD, but I only pay $625/mo for my small apartment now so $500+ electric in a park (I checked the price) would almost be a wash. Not to mention I have a lease until September and I can get out of it if I prove that I am moving far away for a job, but not if I am just skipping out and moving down the street. Thanks for the ideas though! I am all for brainstorming
bigboomer said
08:07 AM Mar 26, 2014
Merry,
We decided to go full time 2 years ago knowing I would still be working full time. I work in construction as a Sr. PM building skyscrapers in NYC and have had to tough out the past two winters in our 5er in the Catskills. We are hoping that in the next year that I can finish the projects I am on and hit the road and do some true workamping but for now we stay put. Would we do it again? In a heartbeat.....we love it.
As a CAD detailer you can certainly advertise you services in construction blogs, Linkedin, etc. and with most companies having FTP sitss and file sharing sites you could definitely work in a warmer climate while doing business in colder climate companies.
Set your sights on an area and go for it.....but just make sure you have all your ducks in a row!
Good luck,
Les
MerryPaws said
08:58 AM Mar 26, 2014
bigboomer wrote:
I work in construction as a Sr. PM building skyscrapers in NYC
As a CAD detailer you can certainly advertise you services in construction blogs, Linkedin, etc. and with most companies having FTP sitss and file sharing sites you could definitely work in a warmer climate while doing business in colder climate companies.
----------------------------------
Thanks for sharing , Les. So do you have a job for me? Lol j/k
Unfortunately, my current boss will not let me work remotely. They're all about personal contact when the carpenters have questions about my drawings. but if he's faced with me leaving or using me remotely maybe he will reconsider. I have not pitched that yet. But yes if I switch fields I may be able to work remotely its just a different level of job search that may not be full time contracts. I will explore those options once I get some rv wi-fi knowledge from the spring rally. So bring all your ideas for that topic!
FT Dreamin said
09:19 AM Mar 26, 2014
Merry - don't forget landscape design - fairly easy to do remotely & as a freelance. Hook up with a few smaller landscapers who currently do not have the resources to employ one in house - it adds a very professional edge to a smaller landscape firm.
Just thinking outside the box
Terry and Jo said
06:10 PM Mar 26, 2014
This won't be an answer to your options with regards to your CAD work, but also consider this if you choose to move elsewhere. In many places, specifically certain areas, you might find that your cost of living will be much less than in Pennsylvania. There are some websites out there that allow one to compare areas with regards to living costs. As an example, homes in the Oklahoma area (where we live) are cheaper than what they probably are on both of the coasts. For instance, we once had a home that was about 1650 square feet that we bought for around $85,000. A family member told us that we could move to Idaho and have a home of the same size for about $150,000. Needless to say, we didn't move. Gasoline is cheaper here as well.
A lower level of cost of living might make it easier to adjust to a lower salary.
First, I apologize ahead of time if it seems I am just whining. LOL I'm just stressing over this part.
My biggest concern/issue with heading out to FT is my job. I need to work full time to pay my bills at least for another 4-5 years before I can be debt free and move around. However, I am in no mood to sit through more winters to get there. I want to FT by the end of the year (As long as I can find a job elsewhere)
So my question is, are there others out there who technically FT, but in one place, and still work (not 'from home')? I can't live in my Airstream here in the Philly area, it's just not doable so I need to move, definitely someplace warm(er). the other caveat is my actual job/skills; I have worked myself into a specific niche with companies few and far between. (And I've been looking for different options for months) It has become my full-timing Achilles heel. Is there anyone out there who experienced non-mobile job challenges before/during full timing? Am I making any sense? Lol
I am ready to go otherwise!
eh 
looking at options......can broaden ones options
Hahaha..........Just had to say that!
In the Fall of 2009 the company I worked for downsized; I was fortunate to have a motorhome and a friend who helped me put the stoppers on; all four brakes and gave it a mediocre tune-up. It took me a while to find paying jobs; but the Summere of 2010 landed my first; had to travel about 850 miles; it lasted 5 months; then I landed another holiday rush season stocking job and had two months of R&R and then founded a 10 weeks job; then the 5 monther; then the holiday rush again. I made about 13K$; spent about 6K$ traveling; food. Had 7K$ to pay down bills and about half was for off timne expenses.
You will not get rich work camping; the best is to find the Warm spot that has employ then go there; pay down the bills; get comfortable with some cash saved and then locate those seasonal jobs! PIEERE
It's possible. Read and retread your tag line. You will find a way. If no this year, perhaps the next. Expand your search options, write a list of your job skills/strengths and build a resume around those. I've been there/done that. You can too. Don't forget to network like crazy!
Hoping it all comes together for you soon!
Sherry
I'd look at the problem a different way. If you were downsized you would be forced to work through these issues sooner rather than later. So if this is something you really want to do think about what you would do if you lost your job and approach it with the same level of intensity. That being said it's fine to work your way through this slowly and carefully and being debt free is a really good thing, but for me I always knew I could lose my job at any time and that gave me the mental freedom to really get serious about pursuing this lifestyle.
Set up a scenario of "What if" and work thru it. Chances are you'll find your answer to your current situation.
Sometimes you have to look outside your comfort zone or be pushed outside the box to find the answers you need.
Would you care to say what your job or career is?
I am a CAD detailer; I draw construction drawings for museum exhibits (mostly children and science museums. but I do not design them). Any companies I have found in my field are not hiring (or they are in cold climates LOL). Its a tight, private industry. I do have a degree in architecture but going back to that is not financially possible as I never pursued a masters, so I would be falling back into intern status after 15 years. All other CAD jobs I find require some type of engineering degree/experience which I do not have. If I had other skills I would be GLAD to switch careers.
Anyway, yes, I need to back out of my corner somehow. That's the part I am working on, a bit unsuccessful at the moment. Thanks everyone, I will get there eventually I am sure, but the uncertainty is a bit discouraging.
Seasonal rates for the areas around you are from 2500 to 4000 for 7 months in the park.(April til oct 15 or 30th)
I COULD, but I only pay $625/mo for my small apartment now so $500+ electric in a park (I checked the price) would almost be a wash. Not to mention I have a lease until September and I can get out of it if I prove that I am moving far away for a job, but not if I am just skipping out and moving down the street. Thanks for the ideas though! I am all for brainstorming
Merry,
We decided to go full time 2 years ago knowing I would still be working full time. I work in construction as a Sr. PM building skyscrapers in NYC and have had to tough out the past two winters in our 5er in the Catskills. We are hoping that in the next year that I can finish the projects I am on and hit the road and do some true workamping but for now we stay put. Would we do it again? In a heartbeat.....we love it.
As a CAD detailer you can certainly advertise you services in construction blogs, Linkedin, etc. and with most companies having FTP sitss and file sharing sites you could definitely work in a warmer climate while doing business in colder climate companies.
Set your sights on an area and go for it.....but just make sure you have all your ducks in a row!
Good luck,
Les
Just thinking outside the box
This won't be an answer to your options with regards to your CAD work, but also consider this if you choose to move elsewhere. In many places, specifically certain areas, you might find that your cost of living will be much less than in Pennsylvania. There are some websites out there that allow one to compare areas with regards to living costs. As an example, homes in the Oklahoma area (where we live) are cheaper than what they probably are on both of the coasts. For instance, we once had a home that was about 1650 square feet that we bought for around $85,000. A family member told us that we could move to Idaho and have a home of the same size for about $150,000. Needless to say, we didn't move. Gasoline is cheaper here as well.
A lower level of cost of living might make it easier to adjust to a lower salary.
Terry