Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
I learned (unofficially, by snooping, but I will be informed formally in a few weeks) that my current full time job of 8 years is being cut back to part time. I will lose 50% of my hours and pay, and the boss will suggest I work from home instead of the office.
Obstacle because whatever $$ I have saved up to fix the house to put on the market may need to be used towards paying bills if I can't come up with supplemental income.
Blessing because I started a business a few years ago which I have really not pursued because of time constraints (www.AZAdminSolutions.com). My best case scenario when we sold and bought the RV was that I would not really quit my job but offer my services as a client to my boss. By cutting my hours back, it (1) gives me the time I need to move full steam ahead with my business and (2) prove that I can do the work from anywhere there's an internet connection.
I guess time will tell which one it is.
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
Well I'm not sure if I should do a H a P p Y Dance......or grab the Crying towel........but you have worked so hard to get this far and I know it will all fall together for you!!!!
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1998 ...Harney Renegade DP class A
rers1@mail.com
My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)
We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
I vote with Mike and think it will all come together. Over the years, I came to learn that many of what appeared to be setbacks and mistakes were a part of getting us to where we were supposed to be. I still stew over them but keep telling myself that there must be a reason, stomp around some and say it to myself again.
Hopefully a blessing. If you get to work from home...perhaps you have laid the groundwork to do your current job while on the road and maybe pick up some additional work with the business you've never had time for! Best of luck as you sort everything out....and hopefully it is all in your favor!!
I totally agree. I have faith that things happen for a reason, even if I don't know what that is (right away, or sometimes ever). I have experienced many challenges in my life and only in retrospect can I say that if A didn't happen, I never would have gotten to B. Although I'm sort of worrying about the financial impact this will have (although we've been through tough times before and God has always provided for us; we've never lost our house and always had food on the table, even if we had to count pennies to buy milk), I do think this is a true blessing. I can see the potential for this to lead me down the path I was aiming for.
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
I actually believe it will be a "blessing in disguise"! Why do I state this? From reading your posts you seem to be a very positive person who will let nothing hold you back. Keep what you have part-time and use the other work time to focus on your business until you feel comfortable then you will be ready to get it mobile. Keep your chin up!
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Life is too short. Live it Now!
Currently at Shady Acres RV Park Lebanon; Tennessee
This is really weird timing -- my business line rang today from a new business in town looking for admin support. I haven't really been marketing and the phone hasn't rung in 6 months, and then it was a telemarketer! Coincidental timing? I don't think so. Plus, DH learned about a potential gig that can turn out to be quite fruitful, and he only learned about that today as well!
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
I'm going with Congratulations! Sounds like you're getting a kick in the rear to make some big changes that will get you closer to meeting your goal. Your tenacity and great spirit have seen you this far and I'm confident all will come together for you and yours.
Again, how soon we can hit the road is totally dependent on when we can sell the house (need to use proceeds for purchase), and that is dependent on how quickly we can finish the repairs to get it marketable, and that is dependent on how much $ we have to make the repairs!!! But I'm also confident it will happen, and hopefully sooner rather than later. It's been long enough!!!
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
Cheryl - sounds like one door is closing while another opens, never a bad thing but it sure can bring lots of changes quickly. Hoping and praying this all works out for you.
Cheryl - sounds like one door is closing while another opens, never a bad thing but it sure can bring lots of changes quickly. Hoping and praying this all works out for you.
I agree with Ruth and many on here. Knowing about the upcoming PT you'll now put 110% into your business. Hopefully you can work your business while traveling FT.
el Rojo wrote: I agree with Ruth and many on here. Knowing about the upcoming PT you'll now put 110% into your business. Hopefully you can work your business while traveling FT.
That was absolutely the plan, that I could work the business remotely while FT. This does give me the chance to build up my client base a bit sooner.
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
Cheryl, I think this is a blessing in disguise...thnigs are lining up for a reason, even though it may be scary. The housing market is really rebouding as well - have had a few friends recently sell their homes super quickly and for close to asking price. fingers crossed!
Wow...what coincidences! You are fortunate to have a heads up about the situation, and already be in a position to make your moves. Nice!! I LOVE working remotely...wouldn't want it any other way. :)
Have always believed that when one door closes, another opens. This sounds like a great opportunity for you. Good luck in your new adventure. Being from NJ myself, it seems the housing market gets stronger every day. I don't know what area you are in, but at least her in Central Jersey it is strong. I'm sure it will all work out in the end. Soon we will both be "on the road Jersey Girls"! Yeah!
Cheryl this is all so awesome, it is amazing to witness all this at work for you. His timing is always just in time and no matter how we plan and devise and orchestrate our lives it is always still His timing. Excited and happy for you and we will be looking forward to seeing where you go from now! Maybe it will be down the road sooner than you planned!
" Maybe it will be down the road sooner than you planned!" Or maybe not. It will be a great blessing that hubby is being offered this new position when mine gets cut, but it doesn't allow the freedom of travel as his freelancing gigs did. On the other hand, it gives us time to save more money for the rig we really want and perhaps even be able to get the house fixed up by the spring (still want to sell - don't want to be homeowners any more!).
We can consider renting an apartment, or even doing what some others here have done -- live in their RV albeit static for a while.
Again, time will tell. Thanks for listening!
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
It sounds like it's working out for y'all financially and you'll be getting the time you need to get your business off the ground without too much financial stress. I believe in the long run, it's your business that will let y'all be free to FT.
Glad to see you keeping your head up and staying positive.
Well, just got "the talk" from my boss. Turns out he is not offering to cut me back to 50%, but rather is going to TERMINATE my employment, effective the end of the year.
I'm very excited to have the chance to build up my business so there can be a steadier source of income once we hit the road. But with hubby's new job, our dream may have to be pushed back a few more years.
I WILL KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE THOUGH!!!
And we still do need to sell the house, so still going full speed ahead with fixing it up.
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
Cheryl: You remind me of myself. I don't know if you have ever seen Pollyanna but I play the "glad" game and that appears to be what you do also. The clerk in the store the other day said "If you look hard enough, there is always a bright side." So, I certainly feel encouraged that your dream will take off once everything lines up. It must have been a shock to be terminated though but you have just joined the crowd on that since so many people get terminated now with so many cuts but at least you had a plan in the works.
Thanks, Cathy! Yes, I am definitely an eternal optimist, always looking for the silver lining in both events and people. I also hold very strong to faith and believe things happen for a reason, the reason is always for the good (even though it may not appear that way), and they happen exactly when they're supposed to, not when we want them to. Still.... I can't wait to meet you and the rest of the Dreamer family on the road! We so very badly want to start this lifestyle already! Been 3 years in the planning.
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
I am sorry that you are losing your job sooner than expected/planned, but it is so exciting that you already have the foundations for your own business started! Seems to me now you can focus fully on that, especially since your husband has a new job, which sounds like a good one! While the new job might delay your full-time departure, building your business before you leave will give you peace of mind in the long run!
To chime in on what NurseJudy said "Jersey Girls will be hitting the road - SOON!" I am originally from Central (Monmouth County) NJ, and I am hoping that strong market rubs off a bit here in southeast PA, as we want to list our house next spring!
Thanks, Cathy! Yes, I am definitely an eternal optimist, always looking for the silver lining in both events and people. I also hold very strong to faith and believe things happen for a reason, the reason is always for the good (even though it may not appear that way), and they happen exactly when they're supposed to, not when we want them to. Still.... I can't wait to meet you and the rest of the Dreamer family on the road! We so very badly want to start this lifestyle already! Been 3 years in the planning.
You go Girl! Keeping an upbeat and positive attitude is the way to go! It sure can be difficult to follow thru on it though! Oh; How I know. Things do happen for a reason and I have to watch out for I when I try and take control of the ship! It will happen and when it does; The Big Ole Happy Dance will last you for awhile I'm sure!
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Life is too short. Live it Now!
Currently at Shady Acres RV Park Lebanon; Tennessee
Turned out to be far from a blessing. It is another obstacle yet to be overcome. The job offer my husband thought he had fell through, so now we are looking at 2 underemployed people out of work comes the beginning of the year. Even if we were able to sell the house (would need to be 'as is') I doubt there's anywhere that would rent to us, not being employed and having bad credit. But if we don't sell the house real quick, we risk foreclosure.
Quite honestly, I'm at a real loss right now. Please put me in your prayers as the future seems very bleak and scary.
Thanks
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
Wow! Wishing you the very best. I completely believe it will all work out in the end so please do your best to keep the stress down and your optimistic spirit up! It's so hard, I know, but it DOES all work out for the better, says she who is speaking from experience!!
Sending you hugs, strength, patience and courage!
Sherry
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I don't know where I'm going but I'm on my way. - Carl Segan
Our "Rolling Rest Home" 2013 Trilogy 3650RL dragged by a 2005 GMC Sierra 4x4 Diesel Dually -SOLD