I have a question I have been meaning to ask for awhile and this is by no means a negative question but I wonder what the "stats" are on the lifestyle. I always think about it when old threads get resurrected and see many name I don't recognize. So my question is for those of you who have been here for awhile what is your gut feel in the following questions?
Out of a 100 people who join the forum
How many get information and stop there?
How many start the steps (ie selling the house, purging etc) the get stuck somewhere along the way?
How many start the dream but in less than a year stop?
How many last 1-3 years?
How many are still going after 5?
I know now it's tough because people just disappear from the forum so we don't always know what happens but gut feel?
Btw I expect the percentage still on the road after 5 years to be really low..if this was easy everyone would do it.
Trace
-- Edited by Lee and Trace on Sunday 1st of June 2014 05:18:31 AM
Lucky Mike said
05:51 AM Jun 1, 2014
Thats a good question!!!......you would have to take in the age factor , most are retiree's so I would say hlf would go 5 to 10 years going full out.....alot finally find nesting areas in warmer climates and stay put
Dog Folks said
08:21 AM Jun 1, 2014
We have been in the full time mode almost 8years now.
We do not consider this lifestyle "permanent", mainly because of our age. We expect our health/age will stop us......... sometime.
This lifestyle is a stage of life, like other stages. (owning a house, having kids, etc.)
Until we are forced to hang up the keys: WE LOVE IT!
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Sunday 1st of June 2014 08:22:38 AM
cherylbrv said
08:59 AM Jun 1, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
... This lifestyle is a stage of life, like other stages. (owning a house, having kids, etc.) ...
I haven't started yet (hope to by next week if all goes according to schedule with the house closing), but I think this is a truly valid statement. Fortunately, if one finds it isn't for them, they can always change their minds and go back to a S&B. If you buy a house and decide you don't like being a homeowner after all, you can sell and go back to renting. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way with kids - you can't send them back and you're stuck for at least 18 years!!!
bjoyce said
09:37 AM Jun 1, 2014
Are you looking for encouragement or discouragement? Why are you worried about how others do?
Everyone is different and I find that with fulltiming, comparing to others doesn't seem to work. Two couples or singles that seem very similar will end up making different choices and having different outcomes even when making similar choices. All you can do is try to understand your own goals and motivations, listen to them, and then try to maximize your own success.
I find that many who start out with the idea of fulltiming realize it will not work for them and end up not starting. That is OK. We see this a lot on this forum, which is why the old timers learn to not get too attached to the wanabees and their stories. Then most get off the road before 3 years are up. Some get off the road due to health or external issues (having new grandkids is a big one), some did not understand themselves or the lifestyle well and it did not work, some were really looking for a vacation or a place to land and were not really fulltimers. I find that RV-Dreamers mostly get the lifestyle and themselves, because they did the research, including self research. More RV-Dreamers get past the magic 3 years than the general fulltimer population. 3 years is magic because by then you know it is the right choice, you know your travel style, you still have itchy feet, the bugs are out of the RV and your brain.
The Junkman said
09:45 AM Jun 1, 2014
Some info for the stats..
I'm new. Ordered a rv and should be on the road by aug. Not retired. Age 48. No income.. just worked hard past 5 years.. and gonna spend it on the road the next 3-5.. No clue after that. We buy/sell stuff for a living.. doesn't matter what it is. I suppose we will continue on the road.. and thereafter.. Time will tell.
As this forum goes.. Found it.. Lots of good info here. And I'm sure nice people.
However, I am a very straight forward and brutely honest person. Most people have trouble with that. But will stick around as long as you have me, I think.
MarkS said
12:34 PM Jun 1, 2014
I don't know if a success rate is valid for this conversation. Not that it wouldn't be fun to know. As Bill said, we are all individuals. I have a mental picture of what the lifestyle means to me. If it fulfills my ideals, I guess I would be a success. Just as we all have different approaches to finances and lifestyle in a sticks and bricks, we all approach life in an RV differently. If our choices work for us then they were the correct ones. No one can live it for you but you.
Technomadia said
12:58 PM Jun 1, 2014
To me.. success if finding your own unique balance in life happiness. Living one that is fulfilled for you in your own unique way. Full timing may or may not play a role in that, and the longevity of how long you full time is by no means a measure of 'success' or 'failure'.
Many try out full timing and quickly learn it's not for them, or other options take priority. And to me, that *IS* success. What is not success is trying to make something work that isn't bringing you the greatest amount of joy. (And to me, that applies to everything in life - career, relationships, hobbies, etc.)
That said.. the number of folks who make it as full timers long term is definitely a much smaller number than those who attempt it. We keep a link list on our blog of fellow working on the road full time RVers .. and update it about every 6 months. At each update, I end up removing at least 30% of the entries, mostly folks who had just started. Of the number of folks who contact us during their planning process, to the number of folks still on the road 3+ years later - that number is maybe 20-25%?
We see the pattern so often - someone starts out with lots of enthusiasm for the lifestyle, and then 6-12 months later encounters some sort of road bump - a mechanical issue, runs out of money, a family issue, troubling balancing work/travel, getting stuck in vacation mode - and ends up finding something else.
That said, I salute everyone who is brave enough to shake up their existing world and give something else a try. You'll never know what suits you best unless you try! But please don't ever get caught into a trap that you'll be seen as a 'failure' if you don't last 5+ years.
- Cherie
7+ years on the road, successful at life - full timing just happens to be my current right choice
DEWhit said
01:50 PM Jun 1, 2014
I don't really know what would be the criteria for declaring a change of direction and mode of living a success.
There was a point in time that everything had a price associated with it in my life.
That was the price paid for growing up in the country and working class and conservative and always scared of the "poor farm".
I do know that if I retire and stay put right here, I will probably be dead or ill within a few years from pure boredom.
I joined the military to go see anything out there and get out of a small town.
I got into a certain line of work to travel some and make a living. I hunkered down in a couple spots for the kids and travelled for fun as we could afford.
My mantra for the boss woman and me now is , " We gotta get outta this place. "
I could throw some things in the truck now and wing it and have a ball but the wife needs some more stability and 'home" in her travel plan.
So, the RV option is how we need to plan our escape.
The money is actually the least of my worries. The more you have, the more you want.
I thought of selling everything and telling the wife that we are now homeless and must hit the road but thought better of that.
I do need something big enough that the wife can drive and use to carry my big butt home when I croak.
It is the one thing I actually enjoy planning these days.
Sometimes, the very blessings you seek all your life, are the very things that get in the way at some point.
bigboomer said
02:32 PM Jun 1, 2014
Totally agree with Cherie.....success for anyone is self measured by one's own goals....if you meet or exceed your goal (s) then that is success. We had been planning our full time adventure for a dozen years, making incremental steps until we finally pulled the trigger. We are approaching 2 years in August and still absolutely love it. Is it for everyone, by no means, especially since there are lots of compromising that goe with this lifestyle and most folks will not do that for one reason or another. We hope to continue this journey for as long as the good LORD will able us to do this.
In the end whatever choices you make set incremental goals and knock off one at a time and if it is meant to be, it will be.
Good luck,
Les
-- Edited by bigboomer on Sunday 1st of June 2014 02:33:20 PM
Camper Chronicles said
06:01 PM Jun 2, 2014
Mike thanks for taking the question in the spirit it was intended :)
Cherie as I was typing the question I knew I could count on you for an honest answer. I actually turned to Lee and said I hope Cherie sees it she'll answer :) and the blog links is pretty darn close to stats so thanks for that...much appreciated.
A general comment .... Obviously success means different things to different people hence the quotation marks. I didn't want to spend a ton of time getting into that which is why I short cut it. If I thought success could be measured by societal standards I would have spent the last 25 years of my life stocking up money in the bank and buying expensive toys. Instead I raised kids and now am trying to do this. Lee and I have always chosen the road less traveled.
Bill why do I have to be looking for encouragement or discouragement? Why can't I ask the question as a means of collecting information to make a decision? I use data in every decision I make in my life...if this lifestyle won't stand up to some scrutiny it's not for me. As a matter of fact the reason I am on RV-Dreams is because Howard tested the hypothesis and shared the budget data. He proved it could be done. That being said I really appreciate your frankness in answering the question.
As a side note my grandparents are the only people I know from my personal life before who have done this and they lasted exactly 3 years. When asked why Grandma said they saw everything they wanted to see. Then they settled down in Florida and are perfectly content. As Mike said if you are retired 3-5 years works. Go until your tired of going and them do something else...you have regular money coming in and as long as your healthy you have the freedom.
For those of us who are younger it's a bit more complicated. I am 47 and 3 years from now will be 50. I suppose I can start over at 50 if it doesn't work out. Pick a city...find a new job...live in an apartment. That wouldn't be the worst thing in the world at least I would be out of New England :) But to be clear, if I absolutely knew it would only be three years I wouldn't turn my life upside down for that. If they were the last 3 years of Lee or my life sure ...but I am planning on living a long time. So I would like to get at least 5...Lee would say longer. Just asking to see what the odds are.
All of the above should be read with an understanding that I am pretty damn cranky about not getting any nibbles on my house. I am sure I'll cheer up soon.
Trace
WestWardHo said
06:23 PM Jun 2, 2014
Trace,
On this and some of your other posts I read through them to hear a big "should we" question. I know you analyze and research but I'm wondering if you might not be listening to your (and Lee's) own instincts?
I understand your feeling cranky about not getting nibbles on your house yet I still hear "am I/we making the right decision?" coming thru your posts.
It's not for everyone as you've heard over and over. You won't be able to prevent making mistakes, some expensive, if you choose this lifestyle no matter how much research you do, I've yet to hear of anyone who hasn't made a few.
You've done a great job raising those kids, bet you made a few mistakes along that way as well but it all turned out.
Follow your heart and let that mind of yours rest a little. 😊
Sherry
tigercx1 said
06:25 PM Jun 2, 2014
I ran into a couple that had just retired, sold their home and bought a small RV and were traveling the country with the intent to find an area to settle down and buy a house. They wanted to see America but were not planning on full timing for long.
Everyone has different plans and I think some have no idea how long they will full time. Sometimes just winging it can be fun :)
Mark
Lucky Mike said
06:29 PM Jun 2, 2014
the best part of being out here trace is being able to choose up.....when I first came out here I was still working , I had my cake and got to eat it too!!
I am glad I got an early start .........as you go along out here you will get to see things you've never seen before...the biggest one will be yourself & goals in a new untouched environment!!
We all enjoy the lifestyle , yet not one of us can describe the beauty of what we've found the same way or really how we got there.
Trust me....3yrs....5yrs.....20yrs , you will never regret what comes between each sunrise & sunset because each are not replicable and you took the steps to do it!!!!
Sushidog said
06:48 PM Jun 2, 2014
I don't think I agree with the premise of the question. Either that, or I don't understand it.
If someone were to retire, enjoy 3-4 years on the road before either settling down in one location, going into an old folks home or dying, would they be considered a failure? I'm not so sure. How many retire, live a few years in a fixed location, having never traveled, met new people and seen the wonderful sights this great nation has to offer only to pass away unfulfilled? Is this a superior lifestyle? To many, I guess the security of seeing their entire world shrink around them till its just them, their TV and their telephone beats the uncertainty of adventure, and keeping one's mind and body active and enlivened with new experiences. Remember, we all die in the end. It's not the permanence of a particular lifestyle that makes it worthwhile, but about the quantity of the experience. Is one's vacation a failure because one must return to work in a week or two? Or do we remember the wonderful experiences we had while on vacation for a lifetime, and isn't this the true measure of success?
Chip
cherylbrv said
07:46 PM Jun 2, 2014
I'm not really giving the question of success or failure or even time this will work out a thought. As a background, I have never been in an RV before. Thirty years ago, hubby and I used to do some tent camping and we really enjoyed that experience. We were candle-makers at craft shows and enjoyed the gypsy lifestyle. But then we decided to settle down and have a family. We promised ourselves that someday when we retire, we would love to buy an RV and travel. Of course, we are nowhere near retirement age and still need to work on the road. But it has been proven that it IS a doable thing if we work at it.
We are very excited about this new lifestyle and in our guts know its the right thing for us. But we're also very much aware that if it doesn't work out, we'll give it up and rent an apartment somewhere.
I think what I'm trying to say is that this is one instance in my life where I'm not being all that analytical. I AM doing all the research and putting together a budget and doing all kinds of scenario planning, but in terms of whether to do it or not, I just want to go with the flow. If it works, great. If it doesn't, at least we tried.
folivier said
09:11 PM Jun 2, 2014
Our plans are to continue full-time then buy a house in a 55+ community in an area mid-way between our two sons. That way we'll be close enough to enjoy our grandkids. But even once we buy a house we'll continue to spend March thru October traveling and enjoying the nicer climates. I've been watching the prices in a particular 55+ community we really like and if/when they start climbing we may buy sooner than we had planned. But we'll just stay there for the winters and keep the coach.
Does that make us failures? I really don't care as long as we can do what we want.
Terry and Jo said
09:28 PM Jun 2, 2014
I'll start with this comment first, and then after some research as to the "membership" of the RV Dreams forums, I'll come back and add what I learn there.
Last Thursday, there was a major accident involving two 18-wheelers out west of Oklahoma City. One of the drivers was killed instantly, which was probably a good thing as his rig was a mass of flaming wreckage. The other driver suffered minor injuries.
The driver killed was a member of our church and thus, a friend of ours. He was 54 years old and had only started his own trucking company within the last year or two. His wife depended heavily on him because he did just about everything from earning the living to paying the bills. Fortunately, they raised three fine girls, all of whom are married, so his wife may get some needed assistance from them.
The point is, if you really want to do this and you only get three years, that is three years that would be invaluable to you and something that you might never get if you don't make the jump.
Yes, we all make mistakes and going on the road might be one. On the other hand, think of all the new friends one could meet on the road as well as all the beauty, wonder, and knowledge that is there to be had.
Sorry that part of this message is a downer, but one can't guarantee any amount of time, so later might never come.
Terry
PIEERE said
09:49 PM Jun 2, 2014
All i can say is; "You can't imagine in your wildest dreams right now what it will be like to have the freedom to just go....to where-ever your heart and mind is content." I actually started my journey in 1998 as a single guy and I still am. People said; Are you nuts? Out there by yourself in this crazy; dangerous world. I told them maybe; but remember I also get killed walking across the road to get the mail.
I stayed on the road working seasonal jobs and found one in 2002 that lasted until late 2009 when it downsized. I had a motorhome and a hankering to get on the road again. I drove 1100 miles to a winter job in central Mississippi stayed until mid-May and went another 750 miles North to Central Iowa to work. The it was back and forth from south to north in the central america states c hasing jobs; fishing; cooking out; and enjoying starry nights until Mid-July when the summer heat and humidity were to much stress from my heart attack the end of March 2012.
I guess you can say I'm suffering a little from The Travelin' Man Blues; but I have the dream that i will finsih my bucket list and be able to go to the Great North West and see Yellow Stone Natl Park with it's hot springs gyser and then Mount Rushmore. I' will have to figure out what;s next after that!!!
I was talking with my 47 Yr. old niece today and I told her; I wonder what it would be like if I never had done this...would i have become married for the second time; found a home and settled in to a community and lived like the Jones's or Smith's. She said no; You were always a traveler!!! I'm off my Soap-Box.
Terry and Jo said
10:06 PM Jun 2, 2014
I did a quick look at the "membership list" and here is what I found:
We have 6,237 registered usernames on the forums. In the "List All Users" link in the blue bar, it shows that it takes 250 pages (at 25 users per page) to accommodate all of those usernames.
There are a total of 143 pages (143 x 25 = 3575 users) that have never even made one comment.
Then there are 26 pages (26 x 25 = 650 users) that have only made one comment.
There are 15 pages (375 users) that have only posted two comments.
And it continues sort of like that for a bit. One doesn't find the first person that has made 10 posts until one hits page 33.
It is only on page 19 where one finds that the users have reached 25 posts.
So, if one could extrapolate RV Dreams (being those interested in full-timing), I'd say that the percentage of those that have any chance of making it to be pretty darn small. For instance, those that reach 25 posts compared to the total of users (19 pages times 25 people = 475) amount to about 7.5% of the 6,237 registered users.
That is a pretty small number that has stuck with the research and "visiting" just in getting 25 posts or more. Obviously, this is not a scientific method of determining the success rate for full-timers, or even those that are part time full-timers, but the large number that never made it to that number of posts means that many are discouraged to begin with. There are also a number of those that got over 25 posts that haven't been back on the forums in a long time.
Terry
bjoyce said
10:23 PM Jun 2, 2014
"There are also a number of those that got over 25 posts that haven't been back on the forums in a long time."
Some I know are still fulltiming, some are not. I know that some that "gave back" for a while on the forum, but decided it wasn't what they were interested in doing and moved on. I hear a couple pop into the chatroom sometimes.
TRAILERKING said
10:27 PM Jun 2, 2014
Terry and Jo wrote:
.........................The driver killed was a member of our church and thus, a friend of ours. He was 54 years old and had only started his own trucking company within the last year or two. His wife depended heavily on him because he did just about everything from earning the living to paying the bills. Fortunately, they raised three fine girls, all of whom are married, so his wife may get some needed assistance from them........................
Terry
Very sorry to hear of your friend. Prayers to the family of a hard workin' man.
2riker2go said
03:29 AM Jun 3, 2014
Lee and Trace wrote:
Btw I expect the percentage still on the road after 5 years to be really low..if this was easy everyone would do it.
I read in one of your later posts in this thread that you are "cranky" due to waiting on your house sale. Believe it or not, based on my experience, selling the house truly was the hardest part of this whole process. And from reading blogs of other future fulltimers, I think it was the same for many others as well. Beyond that, I don't think sticking with fulltiming for any number of years has anything to do really with how easy or hard it is. It's more about your enjoyment of the lifestyle. We have been on the road now for just about a year and a half with no end in sight. There is someone else, whose blog I read and started just a few months before we did, who has just decided to sell their rig and truck because the life isn't for them.
Hang in there on the house sale though - as our realtor always used to tell us, it only takes one!!
PIEERE said
06:24 AM Jun 3, 2014
I had a used car salesman who said; "there is a butt for every seat". He was a top salesman just abour every month! So there is a person for every sale!!! Do'nt give upo if you really want this!
Hdrider said
08:16 AM Jun 3, 2014
Technomadia said it well, (To me.. success if finding your own unique balance in life happiness. Living one that is fulfilled for you in your own unique way. Full timing may or may not play a role in that, and the longevity of how long you full time is by no means a measure of 'success' or 'failure'.)
Everyone has a different meaning for success. In our minds for US fulltiming isn't something we see ourselves doing forever, but it might be. We have been on the road 19 months and figure if all goes well to be o the road another 4 years maybe. We just want to see the USA and then settle into a summer spot and snowbird. If that happens WE would call it a success.
If we only make it another year then we would still consider it successful because we were able to experience much more than we would have by still working and sitting still, there would be no regrets. And if we stay on the road longer so be it.
I'm certainly not going to worry about what others feel about MY success as I don't worry about theirs, and you shouldn't either (nothing meant bad by that statement).
Camper Chronicles said
04:29 PM Jun 3, 2014
Terry thanks so much for taking the time to get the information ..much appreciated truly I am sure it took a while to scan through all those pages...very sweet of you.
Camper Chronicles said
04:59 PM Jun 3, 2014
WestWardHo wrote:
Trace,
On this and some of your other posts I read through them to hear a big "should we" question. I know you analyze and research but I'm wondering if you might not be listening to your (and Lee's) own instincts?
I understand your feeling cranky about not getting nibbles on your house yet I still hear "am I/we making the right decision?" coming thru your posts.
It's not for everyone as you've heard over and over. You won't be able to prevent making mistakes, some expensive, if you choose this lifestyle no matter how much research you do, I've yet to hear of anyone who hasn't made a few.
You've done a great job raising those kids, bet you made a few mistakes along that way as well but it all turned out.
Follow your heart and let that mind of yours rest a little. 😊
Sherry
We've said all along that in order to do this we would need to sell the house and the ultimate sign from the universe that this would be the right thing is that sale. I know it's not realistic to expect the one super quick sale but it happened for Cori, and Jo, and I guess because everything has seemed so right up until this point I really thought it would be quick for us too. So it was a real letdown when nothing happened.
Sherry what your getting from my posts is not this right for me....it's how do we survive another winter here if the house doesn't sell. What I do when feeling unsure is look at the numbers. So thanks to the folks who provided the stats much appreciated. Sherry hope we get together this month and you can hear it all in person :)
Trace
Dog Folks said
12:28 PM Jun 4, 2014
Thanks for the info on positing.
I have posted 262 times since 2009, so I guess I should shut up now.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Wednesday 4th of June 2014 12:29:08 PM
BiggarView said
01:38 PM Jun 4, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
Thanks for the info on positing.
I have posted 262 times since 2009, so I guess I should shut up now.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Wednesday 4th of June 2014 12:29:08 PM
Well, it's 264 as of this post, but who's counting?
Technomadia said
03:29 PM Jun 4, 2014
Lee and Trace wrote:
We've said all along that in order to do this we would need to sell the house and the ultimate sign from the universe that this would be the right thing is that sale. I know it's not realistic to expect the one super quick sale but it happened for Cori, and Jo, and I guess because everything has seemed so right up until this point I really thought it would be quick for us too. So it was a real letdown when nothing happened.
I too started this journey thinking that the easy sell of my house would be a sure sign this was the right thing to do. I kept waiting for the darn house to sell...and months and months went on.
Finally, I evaluated the realistic market, set my price to realistic for selling it (which was below what my mortgage was for, which meant cashing out savings), emptied my crap out of it and hit the road anyway. The day we landed at our first destination, I got a cash offer on the house and it closed in 2 weeks.
Sometimes, you have to do what your heart is screaming at you to do.. and then the universe listens.
- Cherie
Terry and Jo said
08:37 PM Jun 4, 2014
biggaRView wrote:
Dog Folks wrote:
Thanks for the info on positing.
I have posted 262 times since 2009, so I guess I should shut up now.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Wednesday 4th of June 2014 12:29:08 PM
Well, it's 264 as of this post, but who's counting?
Neither of you hold a candle to me. As of this post, I'm at 3798.
Not that I like to say this, but you guys are "newbs," so just keep on posting.
Terry
Terry and Jo said
08:39 PM Jun 4, 2014
Lee and Trace wrote:
Terry thanks so much for taking the time to get the information ..much appreciated truly I am sure it took a while to scan through all those pages...very sweet of you.
Lee and Trace,
The scanning through pages wasn't all that bad. It was having to write down the numbers so I would remember them, and then deciphering my own notes when I was ready to post.
Terry
ChefMom said
05:53 AM Jun 5, 2014
I have to say that after reading through this section yesterday, I felt like someone had let all of the air out of my tires. My Husband and I, although not ready to go full time yet (he is five years younger than me and we're waiting for him to retire after me) have been researching and trying to determine what we can be doing now to make our transition easier/smoother when the time comes. We're so excited about having made the decision to move in this direction and are approaching it as we have everything else--with good planning and common sense. When I read that the regulars that post try not to get attached to people who are just planning and that the probability of following through on actually going full time does not appear to be a percentage of any significance I was deflated. I kept running through in my mind all of the reasons my husband and I might not follow through--health, money, any and all unexpected reverses of fortune, and do you know what I decided? The hell with the percentages! We will treat this like we have every other important undertaking in our lives. We're not afraid of hard work or adverse conditions and haven't reached this point in our lives without learning how to "swim uphill". So, I will continue to read your posts and will make a few of my own as they apply and will move forward toward our time to full time thinking about the "Dreams" in "RV Dreams".
WestWardHo said
07:21 AM Jun 5, 2014
ChefMom,
It's never occurred to us to try not to get attached to someone early in the planning stages because they might not make it. We can learn from all experiences and share what others have learned. We love and share the excitement of newbies even after our year on the road.
We also love meeting young waitresses in Texas, shop keepers in shoe stores, truck repair techs in TN, or Docs in NH who say, "that's what we want to do, do you like it? Have you regretted it?" We tell 'em all about RV-Dreams.com.
Sherry
ChefMom said
07:26 AM Jun 5, 2014
Sherry:
That's really good to hear!
Terry and Jo said
07:30 AM Jun 5, 2014
Karen,
I really doubt that there are that many that "avoid becoming friends" with new forum participants that are just beginning the process. With about any friendship, it takes time to develop the friendships, and in forums one isn't "face to face" with the others, so it takes a bit more time.
On the other hand, if one thinks of time spent camping, I remember meeting new people and becoming friends fairly quickly with neighboring campers. For me, this whole full-timing idea is always about meeting new people and learning new things from them. Even though Jo and I tend to somewhat be "loners," when we are out camping, we are associating with a whole different "breed of people."
So, stay positive and be more involved in the forums. One learns more that way, and if you can make one of the rallies, your experience will be greatly enhanced.
Terry
bjoyce said
09:18 AM Jun 5, 2014
People are so sensitive. Successful fulltimers have to handle bad things happening, since they will happen. It is not all sweetness and light. There will be setbacks, there will be repairs, there will be unexpected events like deaths in family, money issues, bad camping experiences, etc. If you dwell on the bad, you won't succeed. Successful fulltimers have a few wounds to prove it, but they are smiling because they feel the good times outway the bad times.
BiggarView said
10:41 AM Jun 5, 2014
Terry and Jo wrote:
biggaRView wrote:
Dog Folks wrote:
Thanks for the info on positing.
I have posted 262 times since 2009, so I guess I should shut up now.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Wednesday 4th of June 2014 12:29:08 PM
Well, it's 264 as of this post, but who's counting?
Neither of you hold a candle to me. As of this post, I'm at 3798.
Not that I like to say this, but you guys are "newbs," so just keep on posting.
Terry
I doubt we'll ever top you count-wise, nevertheless, even if we did, we'll never know enough to consider ourselves anything else but "newbs". We are OK with that.
""NEWBS"
I
I
\ I /
\I/
Jo And Craig said
10:58 AM Jun 5, 2014
Trace, please indulge me as I feel compelled to respond to your initial post. Forgiveness is requested, in advance, for the length of this post.
I am not one to beat around the bush, so let me just spit this out there for what it's worth, and this is just my take on things. It seems, for some reason, that you are trying to talk yourself out of your heart's desire. It reminded me of myself. Whenever I would go shopping (which is not very often), or wanted to buy anything for myself, I have always tried everything possible to talk myself out of. Do I really need it? Do I really want to spend the money on this? I could spend this money on something much more useful, or I could even save it. After all, I don't need this! So, I feel your pain. You are a very analytical individual. So am I to an extent. However, someone once told me that my best attributes are my worse detriments. How true is that?
You and Lee seem very happy and comfortable in your RV and seem quite happy with what it stands for... FREEDOM! You both are "campers" and have been for years, so that part is not a problem or an issue. That is where your heart is. All of us who know you can see it.
Back up to 3 years ago. I was consumed, obsessed with getting out there and RVing. BUT, life threw us a curve ball. I wanted to retire so badly I could taste it. But, I couldn't. Instead, we became caregivers and that was a long, hard job for nearly 3 years. All we could do was dream. And I had to keep working even though Craig had retired 2 years earlier than that. As some on this board may recall, I had a countdown clock on my computers to the day I turned 60 and could retire. (Did I just say 60? ) And so what did that buy me? Absolutely nothing! It just wasted each day because I was not living for the moment, like we are supposed to. I eventually had to give up counting down... to what? Well, life changed and Craig and I could do nothing, could go nowhere to speak of, nor could we even go to church together. The point I am trying to make is that things happen and life changes. You nor I can predict what tomorrow will bring, no matter how many times we have rehearsed it in our minds. Each day is a new chapter in our book of life.
How does this equate to you? Well, you are bummed because you don't have a contract on your house and some of us do. Different things happen to different people for different reasons, some of which we just don't understand. Regardless, we understand and feel your pain. Trace, I truly believe there is a purpose and time for everything. Over those 3 years the biggest lesson I learned was patience! (I have never been a patient person.) I'm not sure if you are a Believer, but everything does happen in God's perfect timing. There is a reason for everything that happens. It's part of our/your life story. If you believe and keep the faith, you will oftentimes eventually have a better understanding of why something happened the way it did, and usually not the way you (or I) had envisioned it! In the meantime, may I gently suggest that you take a deep breath, breathe deeply, try to get a different perspective, but keep dreaming, and don't worry about the rest!!! Every one of us can put pen-to-paper, but it doesn't always work out the way we want it to. After all, this is life!
Finally, over the recent past I have asked myself... What is the worst that could happen? If you are concerned about this not working out for you and Lee, what is the worst that can happen? Who said you have to go back to a sticks-n-bricks? Why couldn't you settle in an RV community, instead, and keep living your dream? Don't let "stigma" ever get in your way. Some people who do this have millions. Some have just what you see... not much. If stigma is an issue, then just pretend you have millions and keep living your dream, anyway! No one will ever know. What is worth worth, anyway? This is life, honey. You will certainly be rich in memories you would have never had, otherwise, had you not taken this chance. Just live your dream, girl, and life will take care of the rest. Just don't "let" life pass you by. See you and Lee at the campground!
P.S. Google the lyrics for "I've Gotta Be Me". This just might be your answer!
Love you!
-- Edited by Jo And Craig on Thursday 5th of June 2014 11:15:24 AM
Joel Buchan said
05:33 PM Jun 5, 2014
Have been full timing for almost 8 years so far with no end in site. The problem with all forums is they become quite repetitive. I don't consider my self to be that chatty and reframe from comments of others. Am all for aiding in promoting this life style.
You can't be real attached to family and others in order to last. One needs to be more into there own life than every one else's. Maybe that is why I just sit back and watch. I don't want to live my kids lives and they shouldn't expect me to.
I have lost my wife of 40 years shortly after starting to full timing. This didn't deter me from our goals to full time. Have had a few gal friends since and most like there village and can't give that up. So the bottom line is you have to be willing to find your own way.
blijil said
06:00 PM Jun 5, 2014
Very interesting series of response to the subject. We are starting our 8th year full time and love it planning to continue until we want to stop or can't continue. Success is in the eye of the beholder. We feel that our success in constantly adapting our lifestyle to our needs and our love of travel.
Activity on the forum is not directly related to living the lifestyle. Frankly we are too busy to spend to much time on the forum but it was invaluable in our early planning and learning days. Now we just check in to know what is going on and seldom comment.
Larry
NWescapee said
06:01 PM Jun 5, 2014
How long you stay can also seriously depend on your attitude towards the unexpected. We were talking to one couple who had been FT for a few months longer than us but they were getting ready to give up life on the road? Why? Too many unexpected things. When we started comparing stories they were amazed that despite some of the bumps in the road that we were continuing and loving it.
Their unexpected things? They didn't like how things shifted around in transit, didn't like how if they cancelled they might incur cancellation fees, didn't like "strange" food in new areas, didn't like finding a new dentist, etc.
tigercx1 said
06:03 PM Jun 5, 2014
I don't think you can define 'success rate'. Some might full time a year and see all they wanted to see and call it quits. Would they be considered failures, I don't think so.
Some might go fulltime and realize they don't like it, miss family and home base or can't afford to continue. They are not failures but for whatever reason, it was not the lifestyle they wanted.
Everyone has different plans.
Mark
Talensnana said
08:45 PM Jun 5, 2014
We will be fulltiming next year and are parttimers now. In my mind if we manage to sell the house and try to fulfill this dream it will be a success. We are not going into this with a time frame. We plan on fulltiming as long as it suits us and my health allows, whether that is a year or 10 years. Some people never get the opportunity to try or are willing to try.
folivier said
08:47 PM Jun 5, 2014
I guess some people just aren't as much adaptable. "Strange food"? Wow, we look forward to trying new food. Especially local family owned places.
But yes it is tough not finding the food you're used to on the road. I don't even look for boudin. I've found something called andouille in some cities, but it was a real stretch calling it andouille. And seafood? Unless I'm on a coast somewhere it is caught locally and prepared the same day, I will wait until I'm back in south Louisiana. Most places outside of Louisiana don't even know what Zatarains or Tony Chacheres is.
Buffalo? Elk? Delicious!!!! We found the steaks in Idaho up through Alberta were awesome and cheap. My wife picked up a few NY strips in Arco, ID for about $6/pound. I grilled a couple then we bought up all they had the next day.
Like I said earlier we plan to continue full timing until we buy another house. And even then we plan to spend 6-8 months on the road.
Camper Chronicles said
06:38 AM Jun 7, 2014
Jo And Craig wrote:
Trace, please indulge me as I feel compelled to respond to your initial post. Forgiveness is requested, in advance, for the length of this post.
I am not one to beat around the bush, so let me just spit this out there for what it's worth, and this is just my take on things. It seems, for some reason, that you are trying to talk yourself out of your heart's desire. It reminded me of myself. Whenever I would go shopping (which is not very often), or wanted to buy anything for myself, I have always tried everything possible to talk myself out of. Do I really need it? Do I really want to spend the money on this? I could spend this money on something much more useful, or I could even save it. After all, I don't need this! So, I feel your pain. You are a very analytical individual. So am I to an extent. However, someone once told me that my best attributes are my worse detriments. How true is that?
You and Lee seem very happy and comfortable in your RV and seem quite happy with what it stands for... FREEDOM! You both are "campers" and have been for years, so that part is not a problem or an issue. That is where your heart is. All of us who know you can see it.
Back up to 3 years ago. I was consumed, obsessed with getting out there and RVing. BUT, life threw us a curve ball. I wanted to retire so badly I could taste it. But, I couldn't. Instead, we became caregivers and that was a long, hard job for nearly 3 years. All we could do was dream. And I had to keep working even though Craig had retired 2 years earlier than that. As some on this board may recall, I had a countdown clock on my computers to the day I turned 60 and could retire. (Did I just say 60? ) And so what did that buy me? Absolutely nothing! It just wasted each day because I was not living for the moment, like we are supposed to. I eventually had to give up counting down... to what? Well, life changed and Craig and I could do nothing, could go nowhere to speak of, nor could we even go to church together. The point I am trying to make is that things happen and life changes. You nor I can predict what tomorrow will bring, no matter how many times we have rehearsed it in our minds. Each day is a new chapter in our book of life.
How does this equate to you? Well, you are bummed because you don't have a contract on your house and some of us do. Different things happen to different people for different reasons, some of which we just don't understand. Regardless, we understand and feel your pain. Trace, I truly believe there is a purpose and time for everything. Over those 3 years the biggest lesson I learned was patience! (I have never been a patient person.) I'm not sure if you are a Believer, but everything does happen in God's perfect timing. There is a reason for everything that happens. It's part of our/your life story. If you believe and keep the faith, you will oftentimes eventually have a better understanding of why something happened the way it did, and usually not the way you (or I) had envisioned it! In the meantime, may I gently suggest that you take a deep breath, breathe deeply, try to get a different perspective, but keep dreaming, and don't worry about the rest!!! Every one of us can put pen-to-paper, but it doesn't always work out the way we want it to. After all, this is life!
Finally, over the recent past I have asked myself... What is the worst that could happen? If you are concerned about this not working out for you and Lee, what is the worst that can happen? Who said you have to go back to a sticks-n-bricks? Why couldn't you settle in an RV community, instead, and keep living your dream? Don't let "stigma" ever get in your way. Some people who do this have millions. Some have just what you see... not much. If stigma is an issue, then just pretend you have millions and keep living your dream, anyway! No one will ever know. What is worth worth, anyway? This is life, honey. You will certainly be rich in memories you would have never had, otherwise, had you not taken this chance. Just live your dream, girl, and life will take care of the rest. Just don't "let" life pass you by. See you and Lee at the campground!
P.S. Google the lyrics for "I've Gotta Be Me". This just might be your answer!
Love you!
-- Edited by Jo And Craig on Thursday 5th of June 2014 11:15:24 AM
Hi miss Jo....that was very sweet and thoughtful and yes ma'am I do agree with you. I am a person who has to be talked into doing things for myself ... Lee has been very good good about hat over the years. I feel better btw. Was having a tough time but the weather is beautiful and we ARE getting that new boat out today...and I totally agree we need to live life in the moment. Need to balance the dreaming with the living better
Camper Chronicles said
06:50 AM Jun 7, 2014
Technomadia wrote:
Lee and Trace wrote:
We've said all along that in order to do this we would need to sell the house and the ultimate sign from the universe that this would be the right thing is that sale. I know it's not realistic to expect the one super quick sale but it happened for Cori, and Jo, and I guess because everything has seemed so right up until this point I really thought it would be quick for us too. So it was a real letdown when nothing happened.
I too started this journey thinking that the easy sell of my house would be a sure sign this was the right thing to do. I kept waiting for the darn house to sell...and months and months went on.
Finally, I evaluated the realistic market, set my price to realistic for selling it (which was below what my mortgage was for, which meant cashing out savings), emptied my crap out of it and hit the road anyway. The day we landed at our first destination, I got a cash offer on the house and it closed in 2 weeks.
Sometimes, you have to do what your heart is screaming at you to do.. and then the universe listens.
- Cherie
Thanks Cherie this VERY good advice. We just got the " what the market will bear " price for the house which is $35,000 under the appraisal. We calculated the amount we would need to be debt free and are going to list at that price in a couple more weeks. Pretty annoyed with my agent as that is where I wanted to start but it is what it is. We are not looking to get rich here but I am not prepared to wipe out my savings Or go on the road loaded with debt. Don't have it in me. So we wait. I do believe. God/ Universe has a hand in this ..just not sure what the plan is. There is a great Garth Brooks song that says "Thank God for unanswered prayers" that keeps rattling around in my head. I am struggling with the part of me that let's God guide the journey versus the chick who takes matters into her own hands. So we will start with our debt free number and see what offers we get.
Btw I keep feeling compelled to explain this. In an experiment the success rate is the number of times you get the expected results. Statistically success rate isn't good or bad it simply means what you think will happen happens. :). That's what I meant to be clear
Sushidog said
04:35 PM Jun 7, 2014
Thanks for your definition of "success." Now I get it.
Given that definition I can guarantee a success rate of zero, as the future never turns out as expected.
My dad's favorite saying was, "Man proposes and God disposes."
Chip
Jim01 said
05:27 AM Jun 8, 2014
Sushidog wrote:
Thanks for your definition of "success." Now I get it.
Given that definition I can guarantee a success rate of zero, as the future never turns out as expected.
My dad's favorite saying was, "Man proposes and God disposes."
Chip
Maybe you're setting your expectations too high.
Jim
MESSENGER61 said
11:29 AM Aug 1, 2014
Haha. I think i am a 'pre-newb' this is my first post! I am in the process of my research in full timing it. I am 61 and ready to let my wanderlust take control. My wife and i are kicking the idea around and I think it looks on the surface like it will be a great adventure. Cost, realities and other factors we have beat up and kicked all over the place....except DOWN the road (so to speak). Keep a watch for us we hope things work out so we won't have to be pre-newbies anymore. Thanks for creating this forum and i will be checking out the posts for sure.
I have a question I have been meaning to ask for awhile and this is by no means a negative question but I wonder what the "stats" are on the lifestyle. I always think about it when old threads get resurrected and see many name I don't recognize. So my question is for those of you who have been here for awhile what is your gut feel in the following questions?
Out of a 100 people who join the forum
How many get information and stop there?
How many start the steps (ie selling the house, purging etc) the get stuck somewhere along the way?
How many start the dream but in less than a year stop?
How many last 1-3 years?
How many are still going after 5?
I know now it's tough because people just disappear from the forum so we don't always know what happens but gut feel?
Btw I expect the percentage still on the road after 5 years to be really low..if this was easy everyone would do it.
Trace
-- Edited by Lee and Trace on Sunday 1st of June 2014 05:18:31 AM
We have been in the full time mode almost 8years now.
We do not consider this lifestyle "permanent", mainly because of our age. We expect our health/age will stop us......... sometime.
This lifestyle is a stage of life, like other stages. (owning a house, having kids, etc.)
Until we are forced to hang up the keys: WE LOVE IT!
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Sunday 1st of June 2014 08:22:38 AM
I haven't started yet (hope to by next week if all goes according to schedule with the house closing), but I think this is a truly valid statement. Fortunately, if one finds it isn't for them, they can always change their minds and go back to a S&B. If you buy a house and decide you don't like being a homeowner after all, you can sell and go back to renting. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way with kids - you can't send them back and you're stuck for at least 18 years!!!
Everyone is different and I find that with fulltiming, comparing to others doesn't seem to work. Two couples or singles that seem very similar will end up making different choices and having different outcomes even when making similar choices. All you can do is try to understand your own goals and motivations, listen to them, and then try to maximize your own success.
I find that many who start out with the idea of fulltiming realize it will not work for them and end up not starting. That is OK. We see this a lot on this forum, which is why the old timers learn to not get too attached to the wanabees and their stories. Then most get off the road before 3 years are up. Some get off the road due to health or external issues (having new grandkids is a big one), some did not understand themselves or the lifestyle well and it did not work, some were really looking for a vacation or a place to land and were not really fulltimers. I find that RV-Dreamers mostly get the lifestyle and themselves, because they did the research, including self research. More RV-Dreamers get past the magic 3 years than the general fulltimer population. 3 years is magic because by then you know it is the right choice, you know your travel style, you still have itchy feet, the bugs are out of the RV and your brain.
I'm new. Ordered a rv and should be on the road by aug. Not retired. Age 48. No income.. just worked hard past 5 years.. and gonna spend it on the road the next 3-5.. No clue after that. We buy/sell stuff for a living.. doesn't matter what it is. I suppose we will continue on the road.. and thereafter.. Time will tell.
As this forum goes.. Found it.. Lots of good info here. And I'm sure nice people.
However, I am a very straight forward and brutely honest person. Most people have trouble with that. But will stick around as long as you have me, I think.
Many try out full timing and quickly learn it's not for them, or other options take priority. And to me, that *IS* success. What is not success is trying to make something work that isn't bringing you the greatest amount of joy. (And to me, that applies to everything in life - career, relationships, hobbies, etc.)
That said.. the number of folks who make it as full timers long term is definitely a much smaller number than those who attempt it. We keep a link list on our blog of fellow working on the road full time RVers .. and update it about every 6 months. At each update, I end up removing at least 30% of the entries, mostly folks who had just started. Of the number of folks who contact us during their planning process, to the number of folks still on the road 3+ years later - that number is maybe 20-25%?
We see the pattern so often - someone starts out with lots of enthusiasm for the lifestyle, and then 6-12 months later encounters some sort of road bump - a mechanical issue, runs out of money, a family issue, troubling balancing work/travel, getting stuck in vacation mode - and ends up finding something else.
That said, I salute everyone who is brave enough to shake up their existing world and give something else a try. You'll never know what suits you best unless you try! But please don't ever get caught into a trap that you'll be seen as a 'failure' if you don't last 5+ years.
- Cherie
7+ years on the road, successful at life - full timing just happens to be my current right choice
I don't really know what would be the criteria for declaring a change of direction and mode of living a success.
There was a point in time that everything had a price associated with it in my life.
That was the price paid for growing up in the country and working class and conservative and always scared of the "poor farm".
I do know that if I retire and stay put right here, I will probably be dead or ill within a few years from pure boredom.
I joined the military to go see anything out there and get out of a small town.
I got into a certain line of work to travel some and make a living. I hunkered down in a couple spots for the kids and travelled for fun as we could afford.
My mantra for the boss woman and me now is , " We gotta get outta this place. "
I could throw some things in the truck now and wing it and have a ball but the wife needs some more stability and 'home" in her travel plan.
So, the RV option is how we need to plan our escape.
The money is actually the least of my worries. The more you have, the more you want.
I thought of selling everything and telling the wife that we are now homeless and must hit the road but thought better of that.
I do need something big enough that the wife can drive and use to carry my big butt home when I croak.
It is the one thing I actually enjoy planning these days.
Sometimes, the very blessings you seek all your life, are the very things that get in the way at some point.
Totally agree with Cherie.....success for anyone is self measured by one's own goals....if you meet or exceed your goal (s) then that is success. We had been planning our full time adventure for a dozen years, making incremental steps until we finally pulled the trigger. We are approaching 2 years in August and still absolutely love it. Is it for everyone, by no means, especially since there are lots of compromising that goe with this lifestyle and most folks will not do that for one reason or another. We hope to continue this journey for as long as the good LORD will able us to do this.
In the end whatever choices you make set incremental goals and knock off one at a time and if it is meant to be, it will be.
Good luck,
Les
-- Edited by bigboomer on Sunday 1st of June 2014 02:33:20 PM
Cherie as I was typing the question I knew I could count on you for an honest answer. I actually turned to Lee and said I hope Cherie sees it she'll answer :) and the blog links is pretty darn close to stats so thanks for that...much appreciated.
A general comment .... Obviously success means different things to different people hence the quotation marks. I didn't want to spend a ton of time getting into that which is why I short cut it. If I thought success could be measured by societal standards I would have spent the last 25 years of my life stocking up money in the bank and buying expensive toys. Instead I raised kids and now am trying to do this. Lee and I have always chosen the road less traveled.
Bill why do I have to be looking for encouragement or discouragement? Why can't I ask the question as a means of collecting information to make a decision? I use data in every decision I make in my life...if this lifestyle won't stand up to some scrutiny it's not for me. As a matter of fact the reason I am on RV-Dreams is because Howard tested the hypothesis and shared the budget data. He proved it could be done. That being said I really appreciate your frankness in answering the question.
As a side note my grandparents are the only people I know from my personal life before who have done this and they lasted exactly 3 years. When asked why Grandma said they saw everything they wanted to see. Then they settled down in Florida and are perfectly content. As Mike said if you are retired 3-5 years works. Go until your tired of going and them do something else...you have regular money coming in and as long as your healthy you have the freedom.
For those of us who are younger it's a bit more complicated. I am 47 and 3 years from now will be 50. I suppose I can start over at 50 if it doesn't work out. Pick a city...find a new job...live in an apartment. That wouldn't be the worst thing in the world at least I would be out of New England :) But to be clear, if I absolutely knew it would only be three years I wouldn't turn my life upside down for that. If they were the last 3 years of Lee or my life sure ...but I am planning on living a long time. So I would like to get at least 5...Lee would say longer. Just asking to see what the odds are.
All of the above should be read with an understanding that I am pretty damn cranky about not getting any nibbles on my house. I am sure I'll cheer up soon.
Trace
On this and some of your other posts I read through them to hear a big "should we" question. I know you analyze and research but I'm wondering if you might not be listening to your (and Lee's) own instincts?
I understand your feeling cranky about not getting nibbles on your house yet I still hear "am I/we making the right decision?" coming thru your posts.
It's not for everyone as you've heard over and over. You won't be able to prevent making mistakes, some expensive, if you choose this lifestyle no matter how much research you do, I've yet to hear of anyone who hasn't made a few.
You've done a great job raising those kids, bet you made a few mistakes along that way as well but it all turned out.
Follow your heart and let that mind of yours rest a little. 😊
Sherry
Everyone has different plans and I think some have no idea how long they will full time. Sometimes just winging it can be fun :)
Mark
I am glad I got an early start .........as you go along out here you will get to see things you've never seen before...the biggest one will be yourself & goals in a new untouched environment!!
We all enjoy the lifestyle , yet not one of us can describe the beauty of what we've found the same way or really how we got there.
Trust me....3yrs....5yrs.....20yrs , you will never regret what comes between each sunrise & sunset because each are not replicable and you took the steps to do it!!!!
If someone were to retire, enjoy 3-4 years on the road before either settling down in one location, going into an old folks home or dying, would they be considered a failure? I'm not so sure. How many retire, live a few years in a fixed location, having never traveled, met new people and seen the wonderful sights this great nation has to offer only to pass away unfulfilled? Is this a superior lifestyle? To many, I guess the security of seeing their entire world shrink around them till its just them, their TV and their telephone beats the uncertainty of adventure, and keeping one's mind and body active and enlivened with new experiences. Remember, we all die in the end. It's not the permanence of a particular lifestyle that makes it worthwhile, but about the quantity of the experience. Is one's vacation a failure because one must return to work in a week or two? Or do we remember the wonderful experiences we had while on vacation for a lifetime, and isn't this the true measure of success?
Chip
We are very excited about this new lifestyle and in our guts know its the right thing for us. But we're also very much aware that if it doesn't work out, we'll give it up and rent an apartment somewhere.
I think what I'm trying to say is that this is one instance in my life where I'm not being all that analytical. I AM doing all the research and putting together a budget and doing all kinds of scenario planning, but in terms of whether to do it or not, I just want to go with the flow. If it works, great. If it doesn't, at least we tried.
Does that make us failures? I really don't care as long as we can do what we want.
I'll start with this comment first, and then after some research as to the "membership" of the RV Dreams forums, I'll come back and add what I learn there.
Last Thursday, there was a major accident involving two 18-wheelers out west of Oklahoma City. One of the drivers was killed instantly, which was probably a good thing as his rig was a mass of flaming wreckage. The other driver suffered minor injuries.
The driver killed was a member of our church and thus, a friend of ours. He was 54 years old and had only started his own trucking company within the last year or two. His wife depended heavily on him because he did just about everything from earning the living to paying the bills. Fortunately, they raised three fine girls, all of whom are married, so his wife may get some needed assistance from them.
The point is, if you really want to do this and you only get three years, that is three years that would be invaluable to you and something that you might never get if you don't make the jump.
Yes, we all make mistakes and going on the road might be one. On the other hand, think of all the new friends one could meet on the road as well as all the beauty, wonder, and knowledge that is there to be had.
Sorry that part of this message is a downer, but one can't guarantee any amount of time, so later might never come.
Terry
I stayed on the road working seasonal jobs and found one in 2002 that lasted until late 2009 when it downsized. I had a motorhome and a hankering to get on the road again. I drove 1100 miles to a winter job in central Mississippi stayed until mid-May and went another 750 miles North to Central Iowa to work. The it was back and forth from south to north in the central america states c hasing jobs; fishing; cooking out; and enjoying starry nights until Mid-July when the summer heat and humidity were to much stress from my heart attack the end of March 2012.
I guess you can say I'm suffering a little from The Travelin' Man Blues; but I have the dream that i will finsih my bucket list and be able to go to the Great North West and see Yellow Stone Natl Park with it's hot springs gyser and then Mount Rushmore. I' will have to figure out what;s next after that!!!
I was talking with my 47 Yr. old niece today and I told her; I wonder what it would be like if I never had done this...would i have become married for the second time; found a home and settled in to a community and lived like the Jones's or Smith's. She said no; You were always a traveler!!! I'm off my Soap-Box.
I did a quick look at the "membership list" and here is what I found:
We have 6,237 registered usernames on the forums. In the "List All Users" link in the blue bar, it shows that it takes 250 pages (at 25 users per page) to accommodate all of those usernames.
There are a total of 143 pages (143 x 25 = 3575 users) that have never even made one comment.
Then there are 26 pages (26 x 25 = 650 users) that have only made one comment.
There are 15 pages (375 users) that have only posted two comments.
And it continues sort of like that for a bit. One doesn't find the first person that has made 10 posts until one hits page 33.
It is only on page 19 where one finds that the users have reached 25 posts.
So, if one could extrapolate RV Dreams (being those interested in full-timing), I'd say that the percentage of those that have any chance of making it to be pretty darn small. For instance, those that reach 25 posts compared to the total of users (19 pages times 25 people = 475) amount to about 7.5% of the 6,237 registered users.
That is a pretty small number that has stuck with the research and "visiting" just in getting 25 posts or more. Obviously, this is not a scientific method of determining the success rate for full-timers, or even those that are part time full-timers, but the large number that never made it to that number of posts means that many are discouraged to begin with. There are also a number of those that got over 25 posts that haven't been back on the forums in a long time.
Terry
Some I know are still fulltiming, some are not. I know that some that "gave back" for a while on the forum, but decided it wasn't what they were interested in doing and moved on. I hear a couple pop into the chatroom sometimes.
Very sorry to hear of your friend. Prayers to the family of a hard workin' man.
I read in one of your later posts in this thread that you are "cranky" due to waiting on your house sale. Believe it or not, based on my experience, selling the house truly was the hardest part of this whole process. And from reading blogs of other future fulltimers, I think it was the same for many others as well. Beyond that, I don't think sticking with fulltiming for any number of years has anything to do really with how easy or hard it is. It's more about your enjoyment of the lifestyle. We have been on the road now for just about a year and a half with no end in sight. There is someone else, whose blog I read and started just a few months before we did, who has just decided to sell their rig and truck because the life isn't for them.
Hang in there on the house sale though - as our realtor always used to tell us, it only takes one!!
Everyone has a different meaning for success. In our minds for US fulltiming isn't something we see ourselves doing forever, but it might be. We have been on the road 19 months and figure if all goes well to be o the road another 4 years maybe. We just want to see the USA and then settle into a summer spot and snowbird. If that happens WE would call it a success.
If we only make it another year then we would still consider it successful because we were able to experience much more than we would have by still working and sitting still, there would be no regrets. And if we stay on the road longer so be it.
I'm certainly not going to worry about what others feel about MY success as I don't worry about theirs, and you shouldn't either (nothing meant bad by that statement).
Terry thanks so much for taking the time to get the information ..much appreciated truly I am sure it took a while to scan through all those pages...very sweet of you.
We've said all along that in order to do this we would need to sell the house and the ultimate sign from the universe that this would be the right thing is that sale. I know it's not realistic to expect the one super quick sale but it happened for Cori, and Jo, and I guess because everything has seemed so right up until this point I really thought it would be quick for us too. So it was a real letdown when nothing happened.
Sherry what your getting from my posts is not this right for me....it's how do we survive another winter here if the house doesn't sell. What I do when feeling unsure is look at the numbers. So thanks to the folks who provided the stats much appreciated. Sherry hope we get together this month and you can hear it all in person :)
Trace
Thanks for the info on positing.
I have posted 262 times since 2009, so I guess I should shut up now.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Wednesday 4th of June 2014 12:29:08 PM
Well, it's 264 as of this post, but who's counting?
I too started this journey thinking that the easy sell of my house would be a sure sign this was the right thing to do. I kept waiting for the darn house to sell...and months and months went on.
Finally, I evaluated the realistic market, set my price to realistic for selling it (which was below what my mortgage was for, which meant cashing out savings), emptied my crap out of it and hit the road anyway. The day we landed at our first destination, I got a cash offer on the house and it closed in 2 weeks.
Sometimes, you have to do what your heart is screaming at you to do.. and then the universe listens.
- Cherie
Neither of you hold a candle to me. As of this post, I'm at 3798.
Not that I like to say this, but you guys are "newbs," so just keep on posting.
Terry
Lee and Trace,
The scanning through pages wasn't all that bad. It was having to write down the numbers so I would remember them, and then deciphering my own notes when I was ready to post.
Terry
I have to say that after reading through this section yesterday, I felt like someone had let all of the air out of my tires. My Husband and I, although not ready to go full time yet (he is five years younger than me and we're waiting for him to retire after me) have been researching and trying to determine what we can be doing now to make our transition easier/smoother when the time comes. We're so excited about having made the decision to move in this direction and are approaching it as we have everything else--with good planning and common sense. When I read that the regulars that post try not to get attached to people who are just planning and that the probability of following through on actually going full time does not appear to be a percentage of any significance I was deflated. I kept running through in my mind all of the reasons my husband and I might not follow through--health, money, any and all unexpected reverses of fortune, and do you know what I decided? The hell with the percentages! We will treat this like we have every other important undertaking in our lives. We're not afraid of hard work or adverse conditions and haven't reached this point in our lives without learning how to "swim uphill". So, I will continue to read your posts and will make a few of my own as they apply and will move forward toward our time to full time thinking about the "Dreams" in "RV Dreams".
It's never occurred to us to try not to get attached to someone early in the planning stages because they might not make it. We can learn from all experiences and share what others have learned. We love and share the excitement of newbies even after our year on the road.
We also love meeting young waitresses in Texas, shop keepers in shoe stores, truck repair techs in TN, or Docs in NH who say, "that's what we want to do, do you like it? Have you regretted it?" We tell 'em all about RV-Dreams.com.
Sherry
Sherry:
That's really good to hear!
Karen,
I really doubt that there are that many that "avoid becoming friends" with new forum participants that are just beginning the process. With about any friendship, it takes time to develop the friendships, and in forums one isn't "face to face" with the others, so it takes a bit more time.
On the other hand, if one thinks of time spent camping, I remember meeting new people and becoming friends fairly quickly with neighboring campers. For me, this whole full-timing idea is always about meeting new people and learning new things from them. Even though Jo and I tend to somewhat be "loners," when we are out camping, we are associating with a whole different "breed of people."
So, stay positive and be more involved in the forums. One learns more that way, and if you can make one of the rallies, your experience will be greatly enhanced.
Terry
People are so sensitive. Successful fulltimers have to handle bad things happening, since they will happen. It is not all sweetness and light. There will be setbacks, there will be repairs, there will be unexpected events like deaths in family, money issues, bad camping experiences, etc. If you dwell on the bad, you won't succeed. Successful fulltimers have a few wounds to prove it, but they are smiling because they feel the good times outway the bad times.
""NEWBS"
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Trace, please indulge me as I feel compelled to respond to your initial post. Forgiveness is requested, in advance, for the length of this post.
I am not one to beat around the bush, so let me just spit this out there for what it's worth, and this is just my take on things. It seems, for some reason, that you are trying to talk yourself out of your heart's desire. It reminded me of myself. Whenever I would go shopping (which is not very often), or wanted to buy anything for myself, I have always tried everything possible to talk myself out of. Do I really need it? Do I really want to spend the money on this? I could spend this money on something much more useful, or I could even save it. After all, I don't need this! So, I feel your pain. You are a very analytical individual. So am I to an extent. However, someone once told me that my best attributes are my worse detriments. How true is that?
You and Lee seem very happy and comfortable in your RV and seem quite happy with what it stands for... FREEDOM! You both are "campers" and have been for years, so that part is not a problem or an issue. That is where your heart is. All of us who know you can see it.
Back up to 3 years ago. I was consumed, obsessed with getting out there and RVing. BUT, life threw us a curve ball. I wanted to retire so badly I could taste it. But, I couldn't. Instead, we became caregivers and that was a long, hard job for nearly 3 years. All we could do was dream. And I had to keep working even though Craig had retired 2 years earlier than that. As some on this board may recall, I had a countdown clock on my computers to the day I turned 60 and could retire. (Did I just say 60?
) And so what did that buy me? Absolutely nothing! It just wasted each day because I was not living for the moment, like we are supposed to. I eventually had to give up counting down... to what? Well, life changed and Craig and I could do nothing, could go nowhere to speak of, nor could we even go to church together. The point I am trying to make is that things happen and life changes. You nor I can predict what tomorrow will bring, no matter how many times we have rehearsed it in our minds. Each day is a new chapter in our book of life.
How does this equate to you? Well, you are bummed because you don't have a contract on your house and some of us do. Different things happen to different people for different reasons, some of which we just don't understand. Regardless, we understand and feel your pain. Trace, I truly believe there is a purpose and time for everything. Over those 3 years the biggest lesson I learned was patience! (I have never been a patient person.) I'm not sure if you are a Believer, but everything does happen in God's perfect timing. There is a reason for everything that happens. It's part of our/your life story. If you believe and keep the faith, you will oftentimes eventually have a better understanding of why something happened the way it did, and usually not the way you (or I) had envisioned it! In the meantime, may I gently suggest that you take a deep breath, breathe deeply, try to get a different perspective, but keep dreaming, and don't worry about the rest!!! Every one of us can put pen-to-paper, but it doesn't always work out the way we want it to. After all, this is life!
Finally, over the recent past I have asked myself... What is the worst that could happen? If you are concerned about this not working out for you and Lee, what is the worst that can happen? Who said you have to go back to a sticks-n-bricks? Why couldn't you settle in an RV community, instead, and keep living your dream? Don't let "stigma" ever get in your way. Some people who do this have millions. Some have just what you see... not much. If stigma is an issue, then just pretend you have millions and keep living your dream, anyway! No one will ever know. What is worth worth, anyway? This is life, honey. You will certainly be rich in memories you would have never had, otherwise, had you not taken this chance. Just live your dream, girl, and life will take care of the rest. Just don't "let" life pass you by. See you and Lee at the campground!
P.S. Google the lyrics for "I've Gotta Be Me". This just might be your answer!
Love you!
-- Edited by Jo And Craig on Thursday 5th of June 2014 11:15:24 AM
You can't be real attached to family and others in order to last. One needs to be more into there own life than every one else's. Maybe that is why I just sit back and watch. I don't want to live my kids lives and they shouldn't expect me to.
I have lost my wife of 40 years shortly after starting to full timing. This didn't deter me from our goals to full time. Have had a few gal friends since and most like there village and can't give that up. So the bottom line is you have to be willing to find your own way.
Very interesting series of response to the subject. We are starting our 8th year full time and love it planning to continue until we want to stop or can't continue. Success is in the eye of the beholder. We feel that our success in constantly adapting our lifestyle to our needs and our love of travel.
Activity on the forum is not directly related to living the lifestyle. Frankly we are too busy to spend to much time on the forum but it was invaluable in our early planning and learning days. Now we just check in to know what is going on and seldom comment.
Larry
Their unexpected things? They didn't like how things shifted around in transit, didn't like how if they cancelled they might incur cancellation fees, didn't like "strange" food in new areas, didn't like finding a new dentist, etc.
Some might go fulltime and realize they don't like it, miss family and home base or can't afford to continue. They are not failures but for whatever reason, it was not the lifestyle they wanted.
Everyone has different plans.
Mark
We will be fulltiming next year and are parttimers now. In my mind if we manage to sell the house and try to fulfill this dream it will be a success. We are not going into this with a time frame. We plan on fulltiming as long as it suits us and my health allows, whether that is a year or 10 years. Some people never get the opportunity to try or are willing to try.
But yes it is tough not finding the food you're used to on the road. I don't even look for boudin. I've found something called andouille in some cities, but it was a real stretch calling it andouille. And seafood? Unless I'm on a coast somewhere it is caught locally and prepared the same day, I will wait until I'm back in south Louisiana. Most places outside of Louisiana don't even know what Zatarains or Tony Chacheres is.
Buffalo? Elk? Delicious!!!! We found the steaks in Idaho up through Alberta were awesome and cheap. My wife picked up a few NY strips in Arco, ID for about $6/pound. I grilled a couple then we bought up all they had the next day.
Like I said earlier we plan to continue full timing until we buy another house. And even then we plan to spend 6-8 months on the road.
Hi miss Jo....that was very sweet and thoughtful and yes ma'am I do agree with you. I am a person who has to be talked into doing things for myself ... Lee has been very good good about hat over the years. I feel better btw. Was having a tough time but the weather is beautiful and we ARE getting that new boat out today...and I totally agree we need to live life in the moment. Need to balance the dreaming with the living better
Thanks Cherie this VERY good advice. We just got the " what the market will bear " price for the house which is $35,000 under the appraisal. We calculated the amount we would need to be debt free and are going to list at that price in a couple more weeks. Pretty annoyed with my agent as that is where I wanted to start but it is what it is. We are not looking to get rich here but I am not prepared to wipe out my savings Or go on the road loaded with debt. Don't have it in me. So we wait. I do believe. God/ Universe has a hand in this ..just not sure what the plan is. There is a great Garth Brooks song that says "Thank God for unanswered prayers" that keeps rattling around in my head. I am struggling with the part of me that let's God guide the journey versus the chick who takes matters into her own hands. So we will start with our debt free number and see what offers we get.
Btw I keep feeling compelled to explain this. In an experiment the success rate is the number of times you get the expected results. Statistically success rate isn't good or bad it simply means what you think will happen happens. :). That's what I meant to be clear
Thanks for your definition of "success." Now I get it.
Given that definition I can guarantee a success rate of zero, as the future never turns out as expected.
My dad's favorite saying was, "Man proposes and God disposes."
Chip
Maybe you're setting your expectations too high.
Jim
Haha. I think i am a 'pre-newb' this is my first post! I am in the process of my research in full timing it. I am 61 and ready to let my wanderlust take control. My wife and i are kicking the idea around and I think it looks on the surface like it will be a great adventure. Cost, realities and other factors we have beat up and kicked all over the place....except DOWN the road (so to speak). Keep a watch for us we hope things work out so we won't have to be pre-newbies anymore. Thanks for creating this forum and i will be checking out the posts for sure.