Rambling's of a Dreamer & HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well its finally here the end of another year has just wrapped up. Goodbye 2013 and Welcome 2014. This is our departure year, the year we will hit the road as full time RV'ers. As long as everything goes according to plan. But you know what they say about plans. You plan, God laughs.

We hope to be laughing as we drive away from our sticks and bricks house around November. Still have a lot to do before that happens. We continue to clear the house of years of accumulation, I sometimes stop and wonder where it all came from. For example I found a metal box in the spare bedroom. It had a number 3 on the cover and checkerboard trim around it. After opening it I found a lock back knife inside. It had the Dale Earnhardt #3 and finish line checkered flag on the handle. I don't even like Nascar. So where did this come from and how long have I had it. It even had a sticker on the box for $4.99, it was a cheap knife. But again WHY would I have it to begin with. A mystery I'll not spend anymore time on. It goes into the garage sale box for when spring get here.

 

I wrote recently about feeling I'm not getting anything done due to winter being here and not to many people have yard sales in the cold. I know we don't. I came across some groups on facebook, kind of online community yard sale pages. You join and post pictures of the item you want to sell and any description needed and wait for people to say they want the item. The three groups I joined are all local so you can agree to meet close by and exchange money for the item sold. Not the answer to a house full of stuff to get rid of but if it gets a few things gone, so much the better.

One resolution I'm making this year is not to worry so much, but needing to earn an income while being on the road will be a thorn in my side until we actually get out there and find work. Barb doesn't think this will be a problem but as I keep telling her the glass is half empty. She on the other hand seems to see the glass as spilling all over the floor because its so full. I guess that makes us a good team, we can kind of rein each other in as needed. Although she seems to do most of the reining.

We are still debating over what floor plan we will want but I think that is a minor issue for now. For now we concentrate on emptying a full house, doing some minor upgrades and dreaming of the day we can jump off this hamster wheel.

I wish for all reading this your dreams come true, you too jump off your hamster wheel and lead the life you want, where you want to, and how you want. I can't wait to meet you out there on the road. Until that time comes, Safe Travels and HAPPY NEW YEAR. 

Should I go?

Making the decision to become a full-time RVer is one of life's "big ones." Only in a few other instances will the average person have the opportunity to choose a new direction for his or her life that will have the impact this one does. The change from a conventional life to a full-time life on wheels has outcomes as dramatic as going from single to married, from being childless to becoming a parent, or from an idle life to fully employed. It affects where you are, what you do, how you do things, who you are associated with -- in short, it's a whole new ball game. For that reason, it is definitely a question that deserves your very best attention and thought before you take the plunge.

It is a fact that not everyone is suited for full-timing. True, anyone can do it, but not everyone can do it successfully. For example, theoretically, anyone can jump out of an airplane with a parachute; anyone can raise goats on a farm; anyone can live the life of a hermit in a shack in the desert; but the reality is that most people don't want to do those things.

By the same token, from the standpoint of being physically able to, anyone can get a motorhome and live it it full-time, but not everyone wants to.

Psychological makeups are the deciding factor; not everyone has the attitudes necessary.Which takes us to the question: How do we know if we are suited for full-timing? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could simply take an attitude test and the score would tell us whether or not we should go for it? However, there are some characteristics of successful full-timers that are readily apparent to anyone who observes such people carefully. A review of some of them might help a person who wonders about his or her prospects for the full-timing lifestyle.

Anyone considering making the dramatic change in lifestyle that full-timing calls for should ask him/herself these basic questions:

Am I dissatisfied with the way I am living? If you are completely happy with the life you are living, why make a big change in it? If you get up happy, spend the day happy, love the people around you, enjoy your home and where you live, why on earth would you want to change it? On the other hand, do you have the feeling that you would like to go more, do more, see more -- a feeling that you want something more in your life than what you have and that something has to do with seeing other places, other people and other things? If your answer is "yes," then you are beginning to fit the full-timer mold.

Do I like adventure and excitement? Surprisingly, not all people do, but it is definitely a characteristic of most full-timers. They're the people who are always looking at maps and seeking new roads and places to visit. They're curious and have enough daring spirit to tackle the unknown. They listen to others tell of wonderful places they've been to, and it makes them want to go, too. Most have some of Daniel Boone's genes!

Am I a daring person? Very simply, you have to be rather brave just to tackle driving a motorhome or pulling a big trailer. Most full-timers' motorhomes are quite large because they serve as homes, so it isn't unusual for the rig to be 30-plus feet long and weigh 10-plus tons. Getting behind the wheel of such machines and joining the traffic in a city or on a winding mountain road isn't a task for a timid person. Successful full-timers are people who don't mind a challenge.

Am I a gregarious person? Full-timing is definitely a "people-intensive" lifestyle. The best illustration of that point is that RVers talk to each other. They don't need formal introductions, they don't even need reasons to greet each other and start chatting; they simply do it naturally. RVers live close to each other in parks; they have to be good neighbors in order to get along. On the other hand, if you are shy and reticent around strangers, you might find that you have a problem fitting in with the RV crowd.

Above all, do I have a good relationship with my spouse? Full-time RVers live very close to their spouses even in the largest motorhomes. It takes real understanding and the ability to compromise for a couple not to get on each other's nerves. In a house, they can get away from each other relatively easily by going into another room.

You need to answer these questions truthfully before charging ahead with the fulltime RV lifestyle.

Christmas Wish List

Well with just hours before jolly old St. Nick makes his rounds there's still time to get your wish list up to the North Pole for those last minute gifts for the RV'er. I believe these are some of the things most fulltimers might like to unwrap this year.  I know I would. 

Multimeter – This doesn't have to a top of the line meter just something you can test the power box at your campsite so you do NOT fry your RV because there was a problem. I'd rather fry a multimeter than my rig.
Weather Alert Radio – Let's face it most of us get into this life style to stay one step ahead of bad weather. It sure would be nice to know when the storm is going to hit and more importantly, Where.

Shower Head – How's the water pressure in the shower? A new Oxygenics replacement shower head will not only save water, it will push enough water pressure to get you rinsed.


T.P.M.S. - Tire Pressure Monitoring System. This bad boy not only monitors tire pressure but also the temperature of each tire so you have plenty of time to get off the road safely before a blow out happens.

Heavy Duty Tire Gauge – I'm not talking about those $2.00 jobs at the auto parts store. You need accurate readings when checking tire pressure. After all, Tires aren’t pretty but they are expensive.

Cell Amplifier and Antenna – There are a lot of areas out there that won't get real good cell phone reception so you can amplify the signal.

America the Beautiful National Parks Pass – Save lots of money and see some awesome place at the same time.

Passport America – The original 50% off camping club. Enough said.

Gift Cards – Amazon comes to mind, so does Camping World, Cabela's, any restaurant, or 100's of others.

So if you've been nice this year you just might get lucky tomorrow night. And just in case you run into Santa let him know I've been pretty darn nice myself.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Part II by Gaylord Maxwell HOW MUCH DOES IT TAKE

HOW MUCH DOES IT TAKE

The following article written by Gaylord Maxwell orginally appeared in Motorhome magazine June 2001 issue.
How much income do you need to be a full-timer? Undoubtedly, that is the question I am most frequently asked regarding living on the road. Younger people, particularly, are concerned about what kind of economic goals they should set to prepare for their future. Folks who are around retirement age are concerned about whether or not the fixed income that they have will be sufficient to maintain an acceptable standard of living. Obviously, these are legitimate concerns that must be addressed by every person who is considering taking to the road full-time.
So, how much does full-timing cost? My glib answer is: Whatever you've got. There is no specific amount that can be pinpointed as the right amount for full-timing or, for that matter, any mode of living. It's just fact of life that people live pretty much according to what their incomes will permit in terms of houses, vehicles and leisure-time activities..
People will do very much the same in the RV lifestyle as they did in "normal" life. The wealthier will have more expensive motorhomes, stay in fancier parks and indulge themselves in the way they live, while the poorer will have smaller, cheaper rigs, stay in less expensive parks and pinch pennies. Obviously, people who had high incomes during their working years will require more retirement income then people whose earnings were more modest. Both, however, will probably do well as full-timers because they will make what they do, where they go and what they spend fit their pocketbooks.
And it is a fact that, regardless of income, much of what people enjoy most about the full-time lifestyle does not depend on how much money you have. The reality is that the sun shines at exactly the same temperature on a poor fellow as it does on a rich fellow. Yellowstone National Park's famous views cannot be enjoyed any more by a rich man than they can by a poor man. The feeling of freedon that is enjoyed by most full-timers is no more intense for wealthy people than it is for those with less money. In short, full-timing is not a lifestyle that requires a definite amount of income for all participants. However, each individual who is preparing for it should have some definite ideas about how he expects to live and what the costs would be to support that plan.
Let's look at some economic realities that pertain to everyone who expects to be a full-timer. Above all, we should be aware of changing economic realities. About a dozen years ago, I did a study of full-timers' incomes to prepare for a seminar on full-timing. My figures showed that at that time the median income of those I surveyed was about $1500 a month. Many of today's retirees or near-retirees have incomes exceeding $5000 per month. I haven't seen any professional studies on this, but I would be willing to bet that the median income for recent full-timers has moved up to almost double what it was 12 years ago.
Whether or not those figures correspond favorable with those of the average retiree in all lifestyles, I don't know. But I'm sure that the recent influx of "boomers" has pushed the retirement-income median upward, and it quite likely will continue to go up. My point is that many of today's retirees have greater expectations for their retirement years than many of us in the previous generation, so they will need more income to live successfully as full-timers.
Add to the greater expectations factor the reality of increases in many costs associated with RVing. Motorhome prices, for example, have increased primarily because of two factors: diesel engines and more bells and whistles. Then there's the price of fuel, which has gone off the wall, and heaven knows where it will be next year. Campground fees are higher, partly due to the demand for more amenities and partly due to the higher operating costs that are being passed on to customers. Rising utility prices will undoubtedly drive prices up even further. (Utility costs affect homeowners even more.)
I suspect that a study of full-timers' incomes today would show that the median monthly income is in the $2,000-$2,500 range. I also suspect that in five years it will be $500 higher. That isn't to say that your income goal should by $3,000 per month for full-timing as of 2006, but that's quite likely where the median figure will by. However, even if it is that high, remember that one-half of all the folks on the road full-time will be making less - many much less - then that, and they will be all getting by just fine.
Despite the higher incomes of today's full-timers and the rising costs of some of the expenses associated with RVing, my original response to the question of how much full-timing will cost is still essentially the same: whatever you have.

Full-timing RV Aptitude Test

This week I will start a 4 week series about the RV lifestyle. First let me say none of the articles were written by me. The original author was a man by the name of Gaylord Maxwell.

From Chuck Woodbury in an article from RVTravel, 2012

Maxwell was the beloved founder, director and guiding light of the Life On Wheels conferences.

The former history teacher turned RV dealer started writing articles for TL Enterprises (Trailer Life, MotorHome, RV Business, Woodalls Campground Management) in 1972. His column in MotorHome magazine has been a feature for more than 25 years. The author of two books -- Fulltiming: An Introduction to Fulltime RVing and Home, Sweet Motorhome -- he and Margie had spent their winters in Yuma, Arizona. Among Gaylord's many honors in the RV industry was his induction into the RV Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame in 1997. Mr Maxwell died in September 2008.

                                    The Maxwell Full-timing Aptitude Test

October 1, 2000

The Maxwell Full-timing Aptitude Test

The following questions pertain to your attitudes about how you want to live your life. The objective of the test is to compare your attitudes with those most characteristic of RV full-timers in order to determine whether or not you are suited to the RV full-timing lifestyle.

Print this test and choose the answers that best describe your feelings.

1. Most of the time, I feel that

a.	I am happy and completely content with my home, family and my present mode of living.
b.	I would like to go more, do more and see more.
c.	we live in a lousy world, and there’s not much anyone can do about it.

2. My idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon is

a.	to sit in a comfortable chair, eat snacks and watch a TV special.
b.	to work at my hobby alone.
c.	to take a drive in the country on a road we’ve never taken before.

3. At a large gathering of people

a.	I sometimes start conversations with strangers.
b.	I find a quiet spot at the side and watch.
c.	I talk only with people I know.

4. When planning a trip, I like to

a.	choose roads I am familiar with.
b.	select roads I’ve never taken before.
c.	stay on the interstates when possible.

5. My spouse

a.	is my best friend.
b.	bores me much of the time.
c.	generally does what he or she likes, and I do my own thing.

6. In heavy traffic or on mountain roads

a.	I am usually nervous or terrified.
b.	I watch the scenery or the people in their cars.
c.	I am usually bored.

7. When something breaks around the house or won’t work

a.	I usually try to fix it and frequently succeed.
b.	I usually just let it stay broken.
c.	I always call an expert to come and fix it.

8. My favorite book is

a.	a romance novel.
b.	an atlas.
c.	a spy thriller.

9. I most enjoy visiting

a.	shopping malls.
b.	historical houses.
c.	flea markets.

10. Given the choice, I would choose first to see

a.	Carlsbad Caverns.
b.	my favorite soap opera.
c.	a pro football game.

11. My favorite food is

a.	at restaurants.
b.	what I (or my spouse) prepares.
c.	what anyone else prepares.

12. My idea of the perfect way to travel is

a.	by air, staying and eating at hotels.
b.	by automobile, staying at motels and eating at restaurants.
c.	by motorhome or towing a travel trailer.

13. I would love to see more of

a.	Europe.
b.	Asia.
c.	the United States.

14. I am happiest when

a.	I am involved in a familiar routine.
b.	I am embarking on a new adventure.
c.	I am alone in my favorite room.

15. My experience in RVing:

a.	Never have done it, so I don’t know anything about it.
b.	Rather new at it, but I like it very much so far.
c.	Been at it for several years and love it.

16. How I feel about my home:

a.	It provides me with the roots that I must have.
b.	I love it, I am very sentimental about it, and could never give it up.
c.	I like it but it isn’t absolutely crucial to my happiness.

17. How I feel about my kids and grandkids:

a.	I love them dearly, but I have other things to do in life that cause me to be without them much of the time, and I can live with that.
b.	If I don’t see them every few days, I am very, very unhappy.
c.	I feel that families should get together every Sunday and holiday.

18. Meeting new people is

a.	not very exciting or interesting.
b.	usually a pleasant experience and sometimes leads to new friends.
c.	a meaningless chore most of the time.

19. My preference in a vacation destination would be

a.	to visit relatives.
b.	Nova Scotia.
c.	a nice hotel in Chicago.

20. My spouse and I

a.	tolerate each other most of the time.
b.	often laugh at the same things.
c.	go along together without much fuss and feathers.

21. Given the option, I would usually

a.	drive 100 miles out of the way rather than drive through Los Angeles.
b.	drive over a curvy mountain road rather than a flat desert road.
c.	not drive at all if I could ride with someone else.

22. If I were taking a long trip in an automobile, I would be least likely to
leave at home

a.	my tool box
b.	my best suit
c.	my favorite cassettes

23. Of the following three options, I would most like to

a.	spend a month at a Florida beach condo.
b.	have a month in which to do absolutely no work or chores.
c.	drive the Alaska Highway.

24. Before I leave this earth, I would like most to

a.	visit all 50 states.
b.	save up a lot of money.
c.	be elected to a political office.

25. If I won the lottery, my first big purchase would be

a.	a new house.
b.	presents for all my relatives.
c.	a new motorhome or trailer.

Answers:

1-b; 2-c; 3-a; 4-b; 5-a; 6-b; 7-a; 8-b; 9-b; 10-a; 11-b; 12-c; 13-c; 14-b; 15-c; 16-c;
17-a; 18-b; 19-b; 20-b; 21-b; 22-a; 23-c; 24-a; 25-c.

Scoring:

Each correct answer counts one point.

23-25:	Your chances of becoming a successful full-timer are excellent. Pack your rig and get going.
20-22:	Probably you will do OK, but you may have to work on a few problems now and then. Keep the house for a while.
15-19:	Success is up in the air. It looks like you would encounter some bumpy roads as a full-timer. Test the waters carefully with a trial run (say six months) before you cut home ties.
10-14:	Success doubtful. If you try full-timing, do so with your eyes open to the fact that you need to overcome some very anti-full-timing attitudes
9 or less:	Do yourself (and others) a favor; you’ll be happier if you stay at home.

The Maxwell Full-timing Aptitude Test was prepared by Gaylord Maxwell — motorhome
enthusiast, former RV dealer, founder of Life on
Wheels

Gumby and Pokey

As a kid I had a Gumby and Pokey set of figures. If you don't know or forgot who they were just Google them. Most people my age should know Gumby and Pokey. You could twist and bend them into just about any position you wanted to, after a while the wire inside them would poke out and fun time was over. That's OK they were cheap and could be bought anywhere.

My point here is as full time RV'ers you need to be flexible like our friends Gumby and Pokey. I have learned quite a bit about becoming a full time RV'er since I started doing my research. I don't know how much more I can learn without actually getting on the road and doing it. So some of the things I've learned so far are.

#1. Become Flexible. It's for your own good. Things are going to change often whether you like it or not. Go with the flow.

#2. Challenges are going to come up. Yes you can say they are problems instead, but problems are harder to deal with, besides who doesn’t like a good challenge now and then.

#3. Roll with the punches. That campground you were looking forward to staying at just booked the last site and you have to drive another 20 miles and pay a little more. Your blood pressure will think you.

#4. Always be Prepared. You just dumped your black tank and the valve broke off in your hand. No problem, you can replace it with the spare valve you carry with you. Just don't forget to stop at the next Camping World you come to so you can replace that spare valve.

#5. Yes, You can RV full time. If you can live in a permanent house you should be able to live in a home on wheels. Expenses will change, some will go away altogether and some will fall into a different category. I've learned most fulltimers have fewer bills. They no longer have homes to maintain, lawns to cut, utility bills are much lower and a whole lot more.  I think you get the general idea.

The bottom line is Be Flexible and get out there and enjoy life as best you can.