Why do you want to become a full time RV'er

There can be many reasons for becoming a full timer. More reasons than can be listed here I'm sure. My reason, I've recently had my life put into perspective. My dad passed away this past February. He smoked for most of his life and cancer finally took his life. He also had suffered 2 heart attacks last year. I'm embarrassed to say it took his illness to convince me to quit smoking and try to change my life. I only hope it's not to late for me.

I've tried to work hard all of my life and do what was expected of me. But I've never taken the time to smell the roses as they say. I've had the career and house and cars but for what? The economy goes down the tubes and you are left holding the bag. I was lucky as a child, my family lived in California (dad was in the navy then) all of my aunts, uncles, and grandparents were back east in Kentucky.

So Mom and Dad would drive us cross country each year to visit family. We would take a different route each trip.

One year we would go north and see Mt. Rushmore. Next year we would drive south and see the Grand Canyon. The next time we drove straight across the middle and saw everything they could find for us to stop and see. I didn't realize it then but we were getting a heck of an education. I want to see all of that again and then some. I want to stand at the rim of the Grand Canyon and look down at the hugeness of it all. I want to see the balloon fest in Albuquerque, to go panning for gold out west, the Alamo in Texas, I want to stand at Mt. Rushmore again, see Graceland in Tennessee. I want to visit as many Civil War battlefields as I can.

The bottom line is I don't want life to pass me by anymore. So I'm taking steps to prepare myself for this next stage in my life. I'm ready to sell it all, work for minimum wage and for camp site. I really want to do and see these things again.

To do all of this I need to prepare as much as possible, not only by getting rid of as much debt as I can. Selling everything and quitting my job, but I need to get myself as healthy as possible. Prescription drugs cost a lot of money and getting them filled on the road can be quite a challenge, I'm guessing. So we are beginning to eat better, take care of ourselves so we can cut out the blood pressure and cholesterol meds. Besides feeling better and being healthier our budget takes a little cut so the savings from medicine can go into some other line item which reduces stress and makes you feel better.

So getting to see this great country, getting healthier, and saving money.

I call that a Win Win situation.

Tires - Part Two

Weighing your Motorhome

• The RV must be level on the scale
• Inflation Pressure should be Adjusted to Handle the Maximum Load
• All Tires on the Same Axle Should Carry the Same Inflation Pressure
• REMEMBER: If Possible, Weigh by Individual Wheel Positions. If Not, Weigh by Individual Axle Position.
• REMEMBER: Make sure Weigh is taken with load already added.

Taking the weigh and then adding the load will not accurately show the final

load weigh .

This includes Passengers, Food, Clothing, Water, Fuel, Supplies AND any

Towed Vehicle.

• A Difference in Weigh From Side to Side May Indicate That Redistribution of the Load is Necessary.

Weighing Your Travel Trailer

• Weigh the Trailer Fully Loaded
• First Weigh the Trailer Unhitched from the Tow Vehicle. The Total Weigh must be Less than or Equal to the GVWR for Safe Operation – Otherwise Contents must be Removed
• Then Weigh the Trailer by Wheel Position (Preferred) while Hitched to the Tow Vehicle.
• While hitched, the Tow Vehicle should also be weighed
• Proper Hitch Height is Required for a Level Trailer and even Distribution of weigh between the Front and Rear axles.
• Inflation pressure should be adjusted to Handle the Maximum Load, and all tires on the same axle should carry the same inflation pressure.

Where to Weigh my RV?

The Only way to determine tire loads is to weigh the RV!

• Storage Company Lots
• Grain Elevators, Gravel Pits, Recycling Companies and Commercial Truck Stops
• DOT Roadside Scales
• RVSEF – At many RV Rallies & Events

-Visit RVSEF web-site for Rally

Weighing Schedule: www.rvsafety.org

Where to find Proper Inflation

If you Have Not weighed your RV

Use pressure shown on manufacturer's placard

-Coach – Located near left side of driver's door

-Towables – Located near outside left front of trailer

If you Have weighed your RV

Use tire company load/inflation tables

-Provided by vehicle manufacturer's

-Published by tire Manufacturer's
-Web site – www.goodyear.com/rv

Inflation Pressure Control—Best Practices

• Make regular tire inflation pressure checks once per month in storage, before each trip and each morning during trips
• Inflation should be checked when tires are cold
• Do NOT bleed air from hot tires
• Use proper sealing metal valve caps or quality flow through valve caps
• Check inside duals as well as outside tires
• Use an accurate gauge
• Tires that have lost more than 20% of their Recommended pressure (Cold) should be considered flat
• Flat tires should be professionally inspected and repaired
• If one wheel position on an axle carries a heavier load, inflate both tires to pressure adequate to carry the heavier load
• Equal pressures maximize the drivers ability to control the coach and will accommodate shifting of loads from side to side.

Air pressure carries the load, not the tire!

The Up's and Down's of Inflation

1. A 10 degree Fahrenheit air temperature change will change inflation pressure 2% in the same direction. That's an increase of 2 psi on a 100 psi tire when the temperature increases 10degrees.
2. “Working Inflation” increases 5-15 psi when a tire warms up.
3. Atmospheric pressure changes .48 psi for every 1000 feet change in altitude. If a tire has 100 psi at sea level your gauge will read .5 psi higher for every 1000 foot increase in altitude.

I attended a seminar at Camping World last weekend and this is the information I received from them.

Tires aren't pretty. Part 2 on Friday

Size Definition – Reading a Tire

Motor Home Tires

11R22.5

11= Cross Section (Inches)

R= Radial

22.5= Rim Dia. (Inches)

Towables

ST225/75R15

ST= Special Tires for Trailers

225= Cross Section in (MM)

* 75= Aspect Ratio

R= Radial

15 Rim Dia. (Inches)

Light Truck

LT235/85R16

LT= Light Truck

235= Cross Section (MM)

* 85= Aspect Ratio

R= Radial

16= Rim Dia. (Inches)

• Aspect Ratio = Section Height divided by Section Width. Lower number= Shorter Sidewalll & Wider Tread.
  Understanding Tire D.O.T. Numbers
  MC3TPXAW1204
  MC = Mfgr. Plant Code
  3T = Government Size & Ply Code
  PXAW = Manufacturer Construction Code
  1204 = Tire Build Date (12^th. Week of 2004)

Terms

• GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

The Maximum Weight Rating Established by the Chassis Manufacturer

• GAWR – Gross Axle Weight Rating

The Maximum Weight Rating That Each Axle Can Support

• Tire Load Limits

The Maximum Load Rating for One Tire at a Specific Pressure As

Shown on the Load & Inflation Table. The Maximum Load and

Inflation Pressure is Shown on the Sidewall.

Tire Load Limits

• It is important to remember that exceeding the GVWR can cause premature wear and tear on the RV's components. The RV may have failures or need repairs due to excessive weight, although the weight factor may not be clearly evident. In the worst case, an overweight situation creates hazards.
• It is possible to be within your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and your Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and still be overloaded on an individual wheel position.
• Unless you know the load being carried by each wheel position, you have no way to know the proper inflation of your tires. Improper inflation leads to improper wear, reduced life of the tire, and greater potential for rapid tire failure.

Negative Effects of Tire Overload/Underinflation

• Loss of Fuel Economy

Higher Expense

More Fuel Stops

• Possible Tire Failures Due

Tire Overheating

Fast or Irregular Wear

• Down Time
• Reduced Braking Performance
• Reduced Handling Capability
• Reduced Casing Durability

Conclusions

• Wear Rate is Optimal When The Tire Operates at the Correct Inflation Pressure
• Underinflation is Worse Than Overinflation, since not only does the Tire Wear Unevenly, But it Also Generates More Heat from Overinflation.
• Correct Inflation Pressure is Key to Satisfactory Tire Performance.
• Underinflation Results in Decreased Fuel Economy.

Ticks

How To Remove Wood Ticks

Ticks Are Nasty

So nasty in fact, that they should have their own horror film. Oh wait - they do. And get this – Seth Green is in it. The trailer will gross you out and make you hate ticks even more so, here it is.  If that was the world we lived in I probably wouldn’t be writing this article. I’d be looking online for homemade flamethrower plans. Fortunately, we don’t live in that world and ticks are only about 3/16th of an inch long (phew).

Sooner Or Later You Will Get A Tick

Getting ticks is just a reality of spending time in the woods. I grew up  dealing with this and it doesn’t bother me a bit. The thing is, to remove a tick you first have to find the little buggers. It’s easy to do if you look for them, which brings me to the next fun part of this article…

The Tick Check!

Tick checks are so well known that there’s even a hit song about it. It only takes a second to do, but it’s very important. Do you really want to go to bed and feed those guys all night? Yuck is right. To do this you’ll need either another person or a hand held mirror and a wall mounted mirror.

1. Check your clothes first, then get down to your underwear.
2. Check your legs (especially inner thighs), arms and chest.
3. Have someone check your back, or do it yourself with a hand mirror and a mirror behind you.
4. Check your hair by massaging your fingers through your scalp (like you’re putting shampoo in).
   

If you find one don’t be alarmed. It’s not a big deal and you’re going to be just fine. However, don’t just yank it out.

How To Remove Wood Ticks

Simply grab the tick as close to the skin as possible with either a tweezers or a tissue and pull it out – SLOWLY AND STEADILY. Don’t twist it and don’t jerk it.

That’s it. If you want to get medieval and throw it into the campfire, go for it. I usually just throw them back into the woods. I’m not naive enough to think that killing it is going to make a difference in the tick population, and I grew up with them so I don’t really need vengeance. I just send them on their way, after having a stern talk with them about avoiding me in the future.

Re posted from #50campfires

Shop for your RV

First, Let's talk about towable's. 5^th. Wheels, Travel Trailers, and Toy Haulers.

Why pick one of these over a motor home? No engine to maintain, money will figure in to some, they cost less than a motor home. For a lot of people being able to pull into the campground, unhook and go exploring while the RV stays in camp is another reason. Not only is there less rig on the road, but if someone wants to stay in camp and others want to run about, everybody can be happy.

Travel Trailers can come in size from 12 to 35 feet, and you can expect to pay $9,000 to close to $100,000 for a new model. Features can range from almost nothing to super deluxe. From a galley with only a 2 burner stove and a fold down table for a bed to a complete kitchen with microwave full stove and 2 compartment sink, and a separate bedroom with wall mounted TV. You can get them with 1 to 4 slide outs

Toy Haulers are just like travel trailers with an added garage on the end. The purpose of this garage is so you have some place to store our toys. Like ATV's, Motorcycles, Hunting equipment. The back door drops down so your toys can roll right out. Toy Haulers can range in price from around $10,000 to over $100,000. And be anywhere from 20feet to 39 feet. Some toy haulers have sleeping quarters in the garage so you can sleep up to 8 people. By taking the garage with you expect to lose some comforts and spaciousness in the living areas.

 

 

5^th. Wheels require the use of a pick up truck with a special hitch located in the bed of the truck. Just like travel trailers 5^th. Wheels come with all of the modern conveniences of home. They can come with up to 4 slide outs. They also have larger windows for better viewing of the surrounding area. Although RV full timers have to downsize quite a bit. 5^th. Wheels come with a basement garage where a lot of storage area can be found. Keep in mind due to how large 5^th. Wheels can be, weight could be an issue, so make sure your tow vehicle can handle the job.

 

 

Class A Motorhomes most often resemble a fancy tour bus heading down the road. Most times they are a couple or family heading to their next camping destination. Class A's are built on a special large chassis and have all of the comforts of home. Full kitchens, a/c and heat, washer and dryers, and the best of entertainment systems. They will range in length from 20 to 40 feet and can cost anywhere from $50,000 to over 1 million. Many have slide outs and can sleep 6 comfortably. Class A's are designed for towing another car behind them. When you arrive at camp unhook the car. The Motorhome stays at camp while you go exploring the area.

Class C Motorhomes are built on van frames and stay looking like a van, from there back everything changes. The body is wider for more living space. The best way to tell you are looking at a Class C is by the sleeping area over the cab. The length of Class C's range from 20 to 35 feet. Cost starts about $45,000 and goes up from there. Slide outs are becoming more popular with Class C's. They can be found with most of the same comforts as most other RV's. Kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, TV, and foldout couch. They too are equipped to tow a car behind

Even baby steps will get you going in the right direction.

STEPS FOR PREPARING TO GO ON THE ROAD FULLTIME

Sell, give to your kids, donate, give away. However you say it DOWNSIZE. Learn to live with less, you can't take everything with you.

Join every forum you can, and read every post, ask any question you can think of. Ask for help. Subscribe to some magazines on camping full time. Facebook has a bunch of RV'ing communities you can join. Gather all the information you can.

BE A SPONGE

Never, never, never buy at an RV show. The sale man's job is to get you to sign on the dotted line, DON'T. even when they tell you this is the lowest price I can give you. If possible wait for winter when they will be hungry to sell and then get a better price.

Don't beat your head against the wall looking for the perfect rig. You will not find it. If you travel full time for many years you're needs and wants might change, maybe you will need a bigger rig. Maybe you will want to downsize.

Remember, you're the Boss. Don't let family and friends talk you out of your dream. Just because they don't understand the full time lifestyle doesn’t mean they have the right to change your mind. If they finally get it, Great. If not, their loss. Just send them lots of post cards. That will really make them jealous.

Steps for getting on the road

STEPS FOR PREPARING TO GO ON THE ROAD FULLTIME

Sell, give to your kids, donate, give away. However you say it DOWNSIZE. Learn to live with less, you can't take everything with you.

Join every forum you can, and read every post, ask any question you can think of. Ask for help. Subscribe to some magazines on camping full time. Facebook has a bunch of RV'ing communities you can join. Gather all the information you can.

BE A SPONGE

Never, never, never buy at an RV show. The sale man's job is to get you to sign on the dotted line, DON'T even when they tell you this is the lowest price I can give you. If possible wait for winter when they will be hungry to sell.

Don't beat your head against the wall looking for the perfect rig. You will not find it. If you travel full time for many years you're needs and wants will change, maybe you will need a bigger rig. Maybe you will want to downsize.

Remember, you're the Boss. Don't let family and friends talk you out of your dream. Just because they don't understand the full time lifestyle doesn’t mean they have the right to change your mind. If they finally get it, Great. If not, their loss. Just send them lots of post cards. That will really make them jealous.

End of the budget. Propane and Tags

   Propane will be one of those things that will vary greatly by each person.  Will you be in a campground most of the time or will you be boondocking more often.  Most recreational vehicles can run off of propane or electric to power your refrigerator and stove.  If you are staying in a campground and paying by the day your electric should be included in your fees so it won't make much cents to use your propane. 
   However if you stay by the week or month you will probably pay for your electric separately  so you need to do a little research to figure out is it cheaper to use electric or your propane.

   Now if you are boondocking you won't have much choice but to use your propane to cook and run the refrigerator since you won't have anywhere to plug your rig into.  Although if you invest in a generator you can use electric.  You now have the cost of gas to consider for the generator to run.
   Some other things to consider is the noise of the generator.  Do you have neighbors near you to disturb, is the generator big enough to run everything you might want to run.  Can you get the generator out and set up by yourself if need be?


Paying the tag fees for your RV and vehicles whether a tow or toad will depend on what state you claim as your domicile. 
The cost of tags won't be a make or break budget item, but it is something you need to consider.  My recommendation is to buy the book "Choosing your RV Home Base. Available  at the Workamper News bookstore.

Texas, Florida, and South Dakota seems to be the 3 main choices that most Full time RV'ers choose for their home base or domicile.

None of them have a state income tax, all have reasonable vehicle registration fees, none require that you be in the state for some period of time before becoming a resident, and all allow the use of a mail forwarding address for establishing domicile. There are differences between these states, so some research would be required to determine which is best for you.

 

 

5th. Wheel Pros & Cons

I found this article posted by Explorer RV Insurance. I'm not promoting their company, just some good information since we are looking at 5^th. Wheels.

Full time living in a fifth wheeler: discover more about the pros and cons of choosing fifth wheelers.

Many RV enthusiasts love fifth wheelers or gooseneck trailers – and for good reason.
But, is full time living in a fifth wheeler the right choice for you?
Let’s take a look at some strengths and weaknesses of these trailers to help you decide.

Advantages of fifth wheelers

Better space: With its gooseneck design that extends over the towing vehicle and its lack of a driver’s compartment, a fifth wheeler provides another several feet of usable living area. Its higher ceiling creates a more spacious feel, and also provides more overhead storage space to reduce clutter – a common problem among RVers.
Enhanced safety: Fifth wheelers tend to perform better than other RVs on the road. Being attached to the towing vehicle’s bed means a reduction of the annoying sway experienced in most RVs. The result is a more comfortable, stable ride with a better center of gravity. Plus, a fifth wheel handles turns with more ease.
Luxurious: Simply put, a fifth wheeler’s interior just feels more luxurious than most RVs. There’s plenty of cabinet and countertop space, as well as room for appliances – which lends itself to kitchens that are a joy to use. The additional space makes it easier to accommodate full-size appliances, king-sized beds, recliners, slide-out pantries, snack bars, large entertainment systems with big-screen, swivel-based televisions and other amenities often not found in smaller RVs.
Greater water storage: These vehicles generally can store more fresh water, which allows you to stay longer at campgrounds that don’t have water hookups.

Disadvantages of fifth wheelers

Poorer gas mileage: A fifth wheeler uses heavier materials that increase the weight load for the towing vehicle. And that leads to reduced fuel efficiency, and more money spent on gas.
Towing: Their extra weight means fifth wheelers need to be pulled by a heavy-duty truck. To make it easier on the truck’s transmission, consider a lighter-weight version of a fifth wheeler – or buy a towing vehicle with more horsepower.
Expensive: Gooseneck vehicles generally have a higher retail cost per square foot than travel trailers; loaded versions can exceed $100,000. Because of this, a previously owned fifth wheeler might be a good option.
Extra steps: With its bi-level design, these trailers can be more difficult to navigate for those with mobility issues.
Lower clearance: A fifth wheeler usually sits higher than a travel trailer, which means less overhead clearance space – and a greater chance of bumping the top of the vehicle.

Memberships

The information I have listed below has been taken directly from each company's website. I do not endorse or recommend any of these membership clubs. You should go on line and research each of them on your own.

                   Thousand Trails

Select the Zone (region) that you want to camp in below. The enrollment for One Zone is $0—you only pay the $525 annual fee (less than $44 per month)! You can also add Multiple Zones with a one time enrollment of $795 for each additional Zone—or enroll in all four Zones for just $1,995 (a $1,185 savings!) No matter how many Zones you purchase, your annual fee is just $525.

How Our Annual Camping Pass Works

Year Round Camping Starting at $525!

The Zone Camping Pass is an annual camping pass that provides flexible, any-time access at Thousand Trails—America's premier network of family campgrounds. Customize your annual camping pass by selecting the "zone" (region) you want to camp in, or buy a multizone pass to expand your access. You pay only for the zones you want to camp in. It's that simple.

No matter how many zones you purchase, your annual fee is just $525. That comes to less than $44 a month. And for a limited time, the one-time enrollment fee is waived for the first zone you purchase.

After your first 30 days of camping each year, a modest daily usage fee of $3 will be charged, to defray the costs of our amenities.

                                               Coast to Coast

I could not find any prices for Coast to Coast on their site.

To become a Coast to Coast member, you first must join any one of the affiliated membership campgrounds which becomes your "home resort." Once you join the home resort, you are then eligible to become a Coast to Coast member. And that means hundreds of affiliate RV resorts and campgrounds in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, literally from coast to coast, become available to you and your family for only a few dollars a night.

Coast to Coast has partnered with Camping World to provide RVers interested in joining Coast to Coast and membership camping with a free 3-day/2-night stay at one of the beautiful membership campgrounds in the Coast network

                          Passport America

http://www.passportamerica.com/

Passport America - The First and Original 50% Discount Camping Club is the most popular discount camping, rving, family recreational resource available. Since 1992 we have provided the best discounts on nightly camping rates to thousands of members at hundreds of campgrounds, RV Parks, and resorts nationwide. We at present offer 1841 campgrounds affiliated with Passport America in the US, Canada, and Mexico for our members to save money while they camp. New campgrounds joining almost daily! Join Passport America today for only $44.00 a year and become a part of the lowest priced, fastest growing, and most exciting discount camping club of its kind, or continue the 50% savings                                       Escapees About Escapees Joe and Kay Peterson had been full-timing for eight years before they started the Escapees RV Club on July 4, 1978. There was no grand idea of what the club would become; it was started through Kay’s column in Woodall’s Trailer Travel magazine. She asked the question that if a club was started to help people enjoy RVing, would anyone be interested in joining? She received a couple dozen responses and began to think big: One day there might be one or two hundred people in the club! Today there are over 32,000 member-families. Those who joined the club were immediately asked for a name for the club. Escapees was suggested by Harry and Peg Lewis, SKP #22. The first Escapade was held in February 1979, near Bakersfield, CA. Twenty-four families, including nine children, attended. Today Escapades are attended by as many as 1,500 members. Escapades are open to everyone regardless of whether they are a member of Escapees. Please view our Escapade pages to see if one is near you! Rainbow’s End, in Livingston, Texas, became the Escapees headquarters in April 1984. Located in East Texas, it is six miles from Livingston and approximately 70 miles north of Houston. Rainbow’s End was the first park created, followed by seven more Rainbow Parks, eleven SKP Co-Op parks and two new Escapees Rainbow Parks Unlimited parks. What is a SKP? SKP was originally used as an abbreviation of Escapees. (Say S-K-P fast and it sounds like Escapees.) Many members began calling themselves SKiPs because it was easier to say. It has become a commonly used nickname. Escapees (SKPs) are Special Kinds of People who are always ready to help each other, but S-K-P can more accurately be used to designate the three distinct concepts on which the club is built. S - Stands for SupportOne important benefit of Escapees is the support members get from each other as they travel. Because some Escapees travel long distances from their home base and families, and because they may be on the road for many months at a time, it is important to be part of an extended family of travelers. Support also includes the many benefits and optional services that the Escapees Club provides. K - Stands for Knowledge Members often say that the money-saving tips they get from Escapees magazine alone more than pay their annual dues. Learning is also the keynote of the annual Escapades. Going to an Escapade is like attending a concentrated five-day college course on RVing. P - Stands for Parking One thing that makes the Escapees RV Club different from other RV clubs is that it offers members places to park. In addition to home-base benefits for those who join an SKP Co-Op or Rainbow Park, all Escapees members may use short-term parking at Escapees parks. This includes Rainbow's End campground, located at the international headquarters in Livingston, Texas. Helping Each Other Escapees RV Club has a strong caring tradition that is an important part of our support network. Escapees members are well known for their volunteer spirit. You will find Escapees involved in many of your favorite charities or helping someone who is in need. We also have an important tradition of helping fellow Escapees; wherever you see the house-in-a-wagon logo, you know there is a kindred soul. All Escapees are expected to honor the logo by giving the assistance they can when help is needed. Mission Statement Our mission is to provide a total support network for RVers. We are committed to excellence. We are dedicated to providing Support, Knowledge, and Parking and will never stop striving to improve. We are honest in everything we do. Escapees offers a multitude of services, which include a mail forwarding service that caters to your personal needs, discount park system, as well as discounts on affiliated services. The fee to join Escapees is $60 per year with an enrollment fee of $10. For applications and more information about Escapees RV Club, request our information kit. If you are ready to join, visit our store or call us at 1-888-757-2582.

Insurance and Maintenance

Insurance

One of those things you don't want to pay for but don't miss those payments. If you are driving a Class A or Class C motor home and pulling a tow-able or if you are driving a truck pulling a 5^th. Wheel it will be necessary to have insurance on both vehicles. 

You will need to find an insurance company that will insure your RV. It's important to let the insurance company know that you are a full time Rv'er, otherwise they might not cover any claims you submit. Make sure you have a full time policy. You can get almost instant quotes on line from most companies.

Most companies will bill you monthly, quarterly, ½ year, or yearly. No matter which payment option you choice make sure you break the payment out monthly so you can budget accordingly.

Maintenance

Another item you don't want to have to use but will sooner or later is maintenance on the 5^th. Wheel and truck. Things break on RV's and trucks need oil changes and other not so fun things will go wrong. 

FYI buying an extended warranty on a new RV will go a long way in cutting expenses when they do break down.

No matter what amount you decide on for your monthly maintenance budget stick to it and save that amount each month. Don't be tempted to use that money for other things. You will need it sooner or later for something that is going to break or blow

Health Insurance, Prescriptions, and Over the Counter Drugs

Health Insurance           

    These budget items are so far out there in space there is no way for anybody to accurately give advice on. So let me just say this.

   Until the new health care plan is put into effect or some version of it it will be hard to figure any type of budget cost. You can go on line and get some quotes from different companies and then ballpark a cost for you and your family.

    That is if you aren't over 65 and on medicare or you will not be covered by a company plan. I've seen some fulltimers that carry a catastrophic policy only and cover everything else out of pocket. I think the #1 reason for getting in shape and staying in good health. So take your vitamins and save some money along the way.

Prescriptions

    Again this is different for everybody. Another great reason for getting in shape and eating healthy. If I can lower my blood pressure and keep it down, on my budget I'll save almost $400.00 per year. I'm sure I can find something to spend that on.

OTC Drugs

    Its a fact of life as you get older you find you have more aches and pains on a daily basis. So depending on how many pills you take each day will depend on this budget item. Arthritis rubs, aspirin, vitamins and any others will all add to the budget.

   The bottom line here is: There's just no way to accurately budget for these line items. All you can expect to do at this point is to ballpark your figures and make adjustments as needed each month.

Food cost

I've actually broke this line item into 2 categories. Groceries and Eating out.

Groceries

   As I've said there are only 2 of us so our food cost is not all that much. We aren’t fancy eaters. We are more down home than up town. We currently budget $320.00 per month or $80.00 per week. Now let me just say we don't stick to our budget 100%. We shop at 2 or 3 stores a week depending on what's on sale. Some weeks we go over our budget when we stock up on sale items, but on the plus side we are always under budget the following week. We plan our weekly meals then go shopping.

Eating out

   We go out to eat every Saturday night and I mean every Saturday night. Here's the reasoning, Barb works 40 hours a week like I do. She cooks every other night of the week so I figure she deserves a night off from cooking. We budget $120.00 per month for dining out. That comes out to $30.00 every Saturday. You know the saying (Happy wife, Happy life).

   We shop at publix, Aldi, and Kroger and use their loyalty card that saves us more and right now also saves on fuel. Its been suggested that when you set out full timing you get all the loyalty cards you can and use them whenever you can.

Fuel

First you need to ask yourself

Do I buy a diesel engine RV or gas. That is the question, or at least one of the big ones.

Driving a diesel RV does cost more to fill up, but the engine will last a lot longer. Of course repairs will also cost a lot more. You'll have more power getting over that hill up ahead with a diesel. On the flip side gas is cheaper as are repairs. You can do some of the repairs on a gas engine yourself.

Fuel eats up a big portion of an RVer’s budget. There are some things you can do to lower your fuel cost.

1. Stay in one spot longer. Most RV parks charge different rates. Daily, Monthly, and Seasonal. Figure the best rate for your stay. The longer you don't travel down the road, the more fuel you are saving.
2. Slow down. You're driving or towing your house down the road, What's the hurry? Unless you have to be somewhere. Driving 50-55mph will save a lot of cash. And you can enjoy the scenery.
3. Generators run off gas. Limit how often you run your generator.
4. Don't tow a toad. If you drive a class A or C motor home towing a toad will increase your fuel use.
5. Tow a toad. It will cost less when sight seeing or shopping to drive a toad instead of unhooking the motor home and driving it.

Fuel will always be one of the highest budget items you have, but it can be managed. Depending on distances traveled and gas mileage, what you spend on fuel will vary greatly.