What's
the difference between Frugal and Cheap? Some people say there is no
difference,while others will say there is a world of difference. I
tend to agree with the world of difference people. You can be cheap
just for the sake of being cheap or you can spend wisely so you have
the funds you might need for something special you've been wanting or
for that breakdown we all know is just around the next curve in the
road.
I like to think along the lines of being Thrifty. Do we really need to eat out four times a month? Maybe not. Could the money we spend eating out be put to better use? I'm sure it could be. I'm not saying we should deprive ourselves of something fun like eating out now and then, I'm saying we don't need to make it a habit. Make it special and really enjoy the times that you do eat out or whatever it is you do.
Ways
to save or be frugal when we become fulltime RV'ers are plentiful.
Discount Camping Clubs are one of many ways people can save money
while living on the road. Passport America will save you 50% on
camping fees. You do need to check with each campground because
there is a limit to how many nights they will honor. Currently at a
cost of I believe $44.00 a year you can earn that back by the
discount only a few times.
Most
privately owned campgrounds will give nice discounts if you plan on
staying monthly instead of nightly and bigger discounts if you stay
seasonally. Of course this is not always the case but all you need
to do is ask. Campgrounds in high tourist ares may not give
discounts.
If
you are a Boondocker there are many ways to save a buck. The biggest
way is to not pay for camping. I mean you can stay on Bureau of Land
Management property. Or BLM land. Mostly you will find these areas
out west. The latest information I found says you can stay on BLM
land for 14 days before you have to move at least 25 miles away. Of
course you will not have water, electric, or sewer while camping
here, so your rig needs to be self-contained. Casinos are now
starting to allow campers to stay in their parking lots. Obviously
they want you to come in and part with some of your money. If you
are strong willed you might be able to leave there with more than the
shirt on your back. If you are traveling cross country and just need
a place to lay your head for the night you might try pulling into a
Walmart for the night. Check with the manager first because in some
towns they have a no overnight parking ban.
Another
way to save or be frugal is to workamp. There are several
different ways to do this. You can work at a campground and get your
site and hookups free plus a small salary. Or you can work some
hours and stay for free while site seeing around the area. You could
also volunteer a few hours a week and get your site and hookups free
while filling a service to state or national parks that are
understaffed.
This
is just the tip of the iceberg as far as ways to be frugal and still
enjoy your life on the road. There are plenty of blogs and facebook
articles on the subject, just goggle what you want to know and you'll
have tons of reading material.
Safe
Travels And I Hope To See You Down The Road
