Full time for just over 3 years now, loving the life despite the mechanical issues, being told to evacuate due to flooding, changes in plans due to family issues, restricting our travel a bit due to my virtual job situation that required a bit more time in the office, etc.
This year, ironically on the 3rd anniversary of our house closing, July 18th I was notified that my job was being eliminated due to corporate downsizing.To say I was shocked would not be 100% correct, I figured that with our company spin off last fall and then the announcement that my division was being merged next year with a major competitor that cuts were going to happen.However, I’ve had my best year ever of hitting my sales support quota, Q2 alone was better than any single year I’ve ever had, so I was hoping I was safe for a while.I have to say I was very surprised by the timing of this and my sales / account executives were a bit dismayed as I have a major deal we’ve been working for 2 years that should be closing this month.They escalated quickly and got my end date extended to Sept. 16th which gives me a bit more time to prepare, plan and use up all my unused vacation time, but in the end I’ll be joining the ranks of the unemployed after 27 years of continuous employment despite numerous other spin-offs, acquisitions, mergers, divestitures, etc.
I’ve been searching internally for other jobs, but unfortunately the entire company is downsizing and open staff positions are being eliminated.I’m starting to look diligently for other virtual jobs so I can continue to work from home, thus far I’m finding that the vast majority of the virtual jobs pay far less than what I’m paid now.We have added another art show to Dale’s schedule for 2016 and will increase the number of art shows in 2017.We’re considering some work camping in months with either no shows or shows with lower profits to offset costs, plus we’ll probably be spending more time in Quartzsite this winter and figuring out better ways to plan our travels with free or cheap campsites enroute.Our biggest challenge with work camping is the timing, our art show months that have historically yielded the highest profits are June, July and December, so committing to a 6 month summer work camping job is not feasible unless we want to forgo the art shows which means we need shorter term jobs or need to be able to fill in at the end of a season with some of the hotline opportunities.
Our goal is to stay mobile, we’ve been looking at our budget figuring our areas we could cut, looking at our savings and determining how long we could continue before we would be delving into the taxable accounts, etc.We’ll be learning to live on a budget again, working through health insurance options which is never easy, etc.
It’s been a mind numbing 3 weeks since I was notified of my impending layoff and I feel like I’ve been running a marathon just trying to research our next steps / options, etc.Feeling very overwhelmed right now, but we just do not want to have to settle down somewhere for the next 5 years until we can both retire.
rodeojoe said
02:38 PM Aug 8, 2016
Changes are never easy, but you will find a way to make it continue working for you! Wishing you all the best with evaluating the options and picking the solutions that work well for your needs and goals.
Camper Chronicles said
04:34 PM Aug 8, 2016
Hi Ruth,
You've been there for me the last couple of years as I went through major changes, because you started the lifestyle 6 months before I did you were a little ahead of me. I always appreciate your advice and perspective because 6 months can change many things. Since I took a buyout and left my corporate job back in October, I am a little ahead of you on this one. And although I know the situation is not exactly the same, there are some similarities.
I'd just like to say, I don't miss the job at all. Living my life with so much less stress has been an amazing experience. I truly didn't even know how much I was carrying around until it was gone. I thought I would just start worrying about new stuff, because that seems to be a pattern with me, but really that hasn't happened. Or at least not as much as I thought it would. I spent the first couple of months looking for jobs and found some, but all of them required more of a commitment that I was willing to give.
So instead we signed up for a work kamping job in Alaska. It's been extremely weird getting used to being an hourly employee and I'll be honest that first (relatively small) paycheck stung a little. But it's been a good transition for me and has given us enough money to live on while simultaneously allowing me to really think about what I wanted to do. Now that I have proven to myself that we can live on less money and still have a good time, I am not sure how eager I am to jump back into the corporate world. I haven't given it up entirely, but I feel like I want to really take some time and look for the right position for me. And for the first time in my life with no mortgage and no kids at home I can actually afford to do that.
It's been a major change to my way of thinking and hasn't gone at all how I expected it to go. I really thought we would hate this type of work. I thought we wouldn't make enough money to live on or the job would be so unpalatable that I would have to get another corporate job, but that isn't the way it has worked out at all. I am by no means convinced that I won't ever work in my field again, but I am extremely glad I have the time and space to take the kind of work I would like.
I just wanted to share that with you. If you can, try to give yourself time to really figure out what you want. And I wish you all the best,
Trace
NWescapee said
08:48 PM Aug 8, 2016
Thanks for the comments.
Tracey, I have thought a lot about one of your recent blog posts, What am I doing with my life? I am totally okay with a lesser paying, less stress job but worry about balancing that with feeling content at my job and being able to balance it with an increase in art shows which used to consume many of my paid vacation days that I no longer have.
Big fear is health insurance, we're healthy but seeing prices of 1300/MO with a 3500 deductible is daunting.
BiggarView said
07:54 AM Aug 9, 2016
Not even on the road yet, Cindi was downsized 5 years ago. Still, we slashed spending, moved things around and are making it work on what we have. Like you we are concerned about healthcare in the gap from when we hit the road and when Medicare kicks in. We have weighed those options and worked out a plan to get by during that tight patch. We are actually saving more money now than before the downsizing... not sure that says anything good about us in the "pre" days LOL. We identified every bit of wasteful spending and eliminated it. Next year we pick up Cindi's old work pension adding additional cushion to our accounts. You guys will figure out a plan that works for you.
Still and all, we are a bit jealous that you have been on the road... good and bad included. You guys rock.
Brian
NWescapee said
02:27 PM Aug 9, 2016
Thanks Brian, not sure we rock, LOL. We're just trying to figure out how to best move forward without having to give up this nomadic lifestyle.
We had deliberately decided to slow down the art shows rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t59797505/change-in-direction-slowing-down-the-business/ so while we can fall back onto Dale's business in the long term, it's not something we can ramp up quickly due to when art show applications are due and the when the events actually occur. We have been primarily relying on my income and health benefits for the past 18 months so that will obviously be a big change for us.
Hdrider said
07:11 AM Aug 10, 2016
Health care is a big deal and part of why we keep Oregon as our home state. I realize there are tax advantages in other states but it does not seem to effect us much, poor folk I guess LOL!! Diane's insurance is taken care of but for me I can get a high deductible $(7000 I think) insurance that is only a fraction of what I hear people talking about. Plus no sales tax when we buy certain things like the truck we just did and the motorhome a couple years ago plus licensing is cheap.
There are other little tricks Oregon (should not say tricks it's actually what Oregon forced me to do but to my advantage but I don't like it) that saves us even more money per year.
There are ways and I know you will figure something out.
The Restless Youngs said
01:43 PM Aug 11, 2016
I've been transitioning out of my corporate job for awhile now and most likely will wrap things up in the next six months or so. Gradually slowing things down has been a great transition and like Trace said, don't miss all the constant pressure one bit. Perhaps you could look at a remote contract job (temp) versus jumping back into a full time gig? Still get some flexibility and can remain on the road and have some additional income coming in. Some of the volunteer gigs (for free sites) also let you do one month at a time, so you could work around your show schedule?
Also, even though we still have a paycheck coming in, we still tightened the spending belt a lot. We actually had started that process once we decided to go full time because as that time, didn't know that I'd get to stay on part time. And adjusting to a budget for us hasn't been bad at all either, but the security of no paycheck, and insurance was/is a tad scary. I found our COBRA rates to be a tad more expensive than what I could find on the exchange (850 versus 800), but the COBRA had a lot better coverage than the bronze exchange plan. That was last year, so not sure what 2017 rates will bring (probably not good!!). The cost sharing ministries are interesting, although not sure that we'd go that way when we need to decide.
I know you will figure things out, but am guessing/hoping you will find that the flexibility of living this lifestyle without some of the handcuffs of a traditional corporate job will outweigh the safety of the paycheck and insurance!!
ToddandHeather said
07:54 AM Aug 14, 2016
"but we just do not want to have to settle down somewhere for the next 5 years until we can both retire."
You just been handed a tremendous opportunity.
Start with your stated goal. Now, think outside the box a bit. Plenty of opportunity exits for anyone looking to earn money while remaining on the road full-time.
Gate Guarding
Sugar Beet Harvest
Natural Gas Pipeline Surveyors (We do this)
Amazon Camperforce
Combine the above with an increase in 'Show Events' and you may find you have all the money you need plus some extra.
Full time for just over 3 years now, loving the life despite the mechanical issues, being told to evacuate due to flooding, changes in plans due to family issues, restricting our travel a bit due to my virtual job situation that required a bit more time in the office, etc.
This year, ironically on the 3rd anniversary of our house closing, July 18th I was notified that my job was being eliminated due to corporate downsizing. To say I was shocked would not be 100% correct, I figured that with our company spin off last fall and then the announcement that my division was being merged next year with a major competitor that cuts were going to happen. However, I’ve had my best year ever of hitting my sales support quota, Q2 alone was better than any single year I’ve ever had, so I was hoping I was safe for a while. I have to say I was very surprised by the timing of this and my sales / account executives were a bit dismayed as I have a major deal we’ve been working for 2 years that should be closing this month. They escalated quickly and got my end date extended to Sept. 16th which gives me a bit more time to prepare, plan and use up all my unused vacation time, but in the end I’ll be joining the ranks of the unemployed after 27 years of continuous employment despite numerous other spin-offs, acquisitions, mergers, divestitures, etc.
I’ve been searching internally for other jobs, but unfortunately the entire company is downsizing and open staff positions are being eliminated. I’m starting to look diligently for other virtual jobs so I can continue to work from home, thus far I’m finding that the vast majority of the virtual jobs pay far less than what I’m paid now. We have added another art show to Dale’s schedule for 2016 and will increase the number of art shows in 2017. We’re considering some work camping in months with either no shows or shows with lower profits to offset costs, plus we’ll probably be spending more time in Quartzsite this winter and figuring out better ways to plan our travels with free or cheap campsites enroute. Our biggest challenge with work camping is the timing, our art show months that have historically yielded the highest profits are June, July and December, so committing to a 6 month summer work camping job is not feasible unless we want to forgo the art shows which means we need shorter term jobs or need to be able to fill in at the end of a season with some of the hotline opportunities.
Our goal is to stay mobile, we’ve been looking at our budget figuring our areas we could cut, looking at our savings and determining how long we could continue before we would be delving into the taxable accounts, etc. We’ll be learning to live on a budget again, working through health insurance options which is never easy, etc.
It’s been a mind numbing 3 weeks since I was notified of my impending layoff and I feel like I’ve been running a marathon just trying to research our next steps / options, etc. Feeling very overwhelmed right now, but we just do not want to have to settle down somewhere for the next 5 years until we can both retire.
You've been there for me the last couple of years as I went through major changes, because you started the lifestyle 6 months before I did you were a little ahead of me. I always appreciate your advice and perspective because 6 months can change many things. Since I took a buyout and left my corporate job back in October, I am a little ahead of you on this one. And although I know the situation is not exactly the same, there are some similarities.
I'd just like to say, I don't miss the job at all. Living my life with so much less stress has been an amazing experience. I truly didn't even know how much I was carrying around until it was gone. I thought I would just start worrying about new stuff, because that seems to be a pattern with me, but really that hasn't happened. Or at least not as much as I thought it would. I spent the first couple of months looking for jobs and found some, but all of them required more of a commitment that I was willing to give.
So instead we signed up for a work kamping job in Alaska. It's been extremely weird getting used to being an hourly employee and I'll be honest that first (relatively small) paycheck stung a little. But it's been a good transition for me and has given us enough money to live on while simultaneously allowing me to really think about what I wanted to do. Now that I have proven to myself that we can live on less money and still have a good time, I am not sure how eager I am to jump back into the corporate world. I haven't given it up entirely, but I feel like I want to really take some time and look for the right position for me. And for the first time in my life with no mortgage and no kids at home I can actually afford to do that.
It's been a major change to my way of thinking and hasn't gone at all how I expected it to go. I really thought we would hate this type of work. I thought we wouldn't make enough money to live on or the job would be so unpalatable that I would have to get another corporate job, but that isn't the way it has worked out at all. I am by no means convinced that I won't ever work in my field again, but I am extremely glad I have the time and space to take the kind of work I would like.
I just wanted to share that with you. If you can, try to give yourself time to really figure out what you want. And I wish you all the best,
Trace
Tracey, I have thought a lot about one of your recent blog posts, What am I doing with my life? I am totally okay with a lesser paying, less stress job but worry about balancing that with feeling content at my job and being able to balance it with an increase in art shows which used to consume many of my paid vacation days that I no longer have.
Big fear is health insurance, we're healthy but seeing prices of 1300/MO with a 3500 deductible is daunting.
Not even on the road yet, Cindi was downsized 5 years ago. Still, we slashed spending, moved things around and are making it work on what we have. Like you we are concerned about healthcare in the gap from when we hit the road and when Medicare kicks in. We have weighed those options and worked out a plan to get by during that tight patch. We are actually saving more money now than before the downsizing... not sure that says anything good about us in the "pre" days LOL. We identified every bit of wasteful spending and eliminated it. Next year we pick up Cindi's old work pension adding additional cushion to our accounts. You guys will figure out a plan that works for you.
Still and all, we are a bit jealous that you have been on the road... good and bad included. You guys rock.
Brian
We had deliberately decided to slow down the art shows rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t59797505/change-in-direction-slowing-down-the-business/ so while we can fall back onto Dale's business in the long term, it's not something we can ramp up quickly due to when art show applications are due and the when the events actually occur. We have been primarily relying on my income and health benefits for the past 18 months so that will obviously be a big change for us.
There are other little tricks Oregon (should not say tricks it's actually what Oregon forced me to do but to my advantage but I don't like it) that saves us even more money per year.
There are ways and I know you will figure something out.
Also, even though we still have a paycheck coming in, we still tightened the spending belt a lot. We actually had started that process once we decided to go full time because as that time, didn't know that I'd get to stay on part time. And adjusting to a budget for us hasn't been bad at all either, but the security of no paycheck, and insurance was/is a tad scary. I found our COBRA rates to be a tad more expensive than what I could find on the exchange (850 versus 800), but the COBRA had a lot better coverage than the bronze exchange plan. That was last year, so not sure what 2017 rates will bring (probably not good!!). The cost sharing ministries are interesting, although not sure that we'd go that way when we need to decide.
I know you will figure things out, but am guessing/hoping you will find that the flexibility of living this lifestyle without some of the handcuffs of a traditional corporate job will outweigh the safety of the paycheck and insurance!!
You just been handed a tremendous opportunity.
Start with your stated goal. Now, think outside the box a bit. Plenty of opportunity exits for anyone looking to earn money while remaining on the road full-time.
Gate Guarding
Sugar Beet Harvest
Natural Gas Pipeline Surveyors (We do this)
Amazon Camperforce
Combine the above with an increase in 'Show Events' and you may find you have all the money you need plus some extra.
www.expodatabase.com/
The above web site may provide some additional opportunities for you.
Good Luck on your search!
Todd and Heather