Suggestions on RV Lifestyle Blogs and Downsizing in General

[geekyexplore]

We love reading blogs about how people are living the fulltiming life (or those who spend a lot of time traveling that are retired). My questions is two-fold. One is any suggestions on blogs we shouldn't miss?

And, any personal suggestions on how you made everything 'fit'. Ie - we will not bring books, but rather a kindle. We have also ditched our CD's and now have our entire music library on our ipod/mac. Cookbooks are a concern because we have our favorites and love to cook.

What are things you can't live without on the road and how did you make it work?!

[vermilye]

I don't separate them by full timing, but by how often they update. Hundreds of blogs linked here.

[Vegasdan]

You start out with the things you have to have with you, clothes (all seasons), groceries, cooking utensils, pots and pans, plates-glasses-silverware, bedding, cleaning supplies, tools, RV specific maintenance items, flashlights and batteries, camera, laundry items, bikes?, camp stools, grill, outdoor sports (fishing rods, swimming, tennis, golf, etc), carpet or ground cover, ladder, hoses, bucket, extension cords, cordless drill, jig saw, camp saw, gun (if you carry), games, etc, etc. Then you get weighed and figure out how much more you can take with you. We run under our CCC by a couple thousand pounds and find we have everything we need. Our rule is is we buy something, something else needs to get tossed.

[PNWGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekyexplore Cookbooks are a concern because we have our favorites and love to cook.

You could either scan them into PDF and have on a computer OR get a Kindle, or equiv. and buy your favorite books to that.

If you love to read, it could serve as your library so you wouldn't need to carry a lot of books.

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekyexplore One is any suggestions on blogs we shouldn't miss?

I have a lot of favorite blogs. The first one is a family that went full time. They are very honest in the good and the less than good. They do not blog alot now but the story of their leaving their 'sticks n bricks' to their rolling home is good: bigtrucknewhouse: From the HOA to the KOA

Another I love is this one. Learned a LOT from Jim. Unfortnately due to health issues he stopped full-timing in Nov 2010 but the blog is well worth reading: RV NOW with Jim Twamley

This site is wonderful for super simple to more complex mods: RV Mods, Modifications, Upgrades, Tips, and Tech | ModMyRV.com

A blog that I enjoy. The couple full time and go around the country to volunteer at disaster areas. Our Odyssey

These folks are snowbirds but I really enjoy the blog and the photography is stunning: TRAVEL WITH THE BAYFIELD BUNCH)

Another full timer blogs I enjoy: Rick & Paulette's RV Travels

Barb & Dave?s Fulltiming Adventures


What is Geocaching? What is Geocaching

Skool'z Out Forever!

RVcruzer.com - Home Page

Mike and Pat's Travels

I could go on and on but each of these blogs have blogs that they follow. This is how I found all of these blogs to begin with, exploring and reading.

Hope that you enjoy them as much as I.

Sheila

[Rich and Cork]

I follow this one and met him once when he was in my area:

Tioga George Blog

[geekyexplore]

vermilye - thanks I will look through the list!
Vegasdan - We are concerned about the CCC in the rig we are buying. We plan on weighing quite a bit in between what we think we 'need'. When you packed the list you mentioned, did you just grab what you had on hand or did you make an effort to get lightweight items? Great idea regarding if something goes in, something goes out. :-)
PNWGirl - we are thinking of scanning, but would need a feeder scanner because one page at a time just wouldn't do - trying to decide if its worth the price tag. It's bad enough when I am scanning in old photos so I don't have to store those! Kindle is already on my list but some of my favorites are older ones & not available to buy. Thanks SO much for the blog lists - I will check them out. Already a geocaching geek - we've been doing it since 02, although not as much in recent years.
Rich & Cork - thanks I will check that one out as well!

[RickO]

You're well on your way with the Kindle, photos, music library, etc. The big trump card is going to be the CCC of your rig. If it's pretty tight your'll have to take a real minimalist approach. If you've got some room (remember to account for the weight of full tanks) then you can focus more on space than weight and that's much easier.

We don't really follow any blogs and you've already found your best source of info right here on this forum

Best of luck to you and keep us posted.

Rick

[Vegasdan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekyexplore vermilye - thanks I will look through the list! Vegasdan - We are concerned about the CCC in the rig we are buying. We plan on weighing quite a bit in between what we think we 'need'. When you packed the list you mentioned, did you just grab what you had on hand or did you make an effort to get lightweight items? Great idea regarding if something goes in, something goes out. :-)

The only thing we bought that was lighter weight and at the same time less beakable, was the dinnerware. We bought some Corell which is attractive and very durable. Everything else was what we already had on hand.

[RedneckExpress]

Personally, I have lots and lots of books tucked into nooks and crannies where nothing much else would have normally fit. I also have my 1973 Betty Crocker Cookbook, won't leave home without it!

Whenever my book collection gets too big, I offload the stuff I've read into storage, and start the collecting again.

I have an aversion to digital books on the grounds that I tend to think along the lines of the famous Bradbury Book, "Fahrenheit: 451". Its alot easier to censor digital books out of existence than it is the printed word.

For the record, I full-time in a very small RV, a 1974 KIT Kamper Slide-in Truck Camper.

You can read my little adventure at my blog, The Journey of the Redneck Express

[historyljc]

Welcome geekyexplore,
Lots of good advice already given. I too carry a lot books (DW says way too many). It doesn't bother me to take a nap with a paperback on my chest. I don't think I want to do that with a computer or kindle. I generally read mine over and over, as well as adding new ones occasionally. The is where being forgetful really comes in handy. Be sure and keep your computer backed up with at least one copy off site in case of crash or burn.

You can do with realativly few clothes if you don't mind keeping a washing machine going. If you haven't used something in the last couple of years, get rid of it. If you don't use something on a regular basis, get rid of it. I don't carry more tools than a couple screwdrivers and a small socket set. I don't have the inclination or the skill to use anything more demanding than those anyway so why carry them. Don't be worried about having to make some changes. If something doesn't work out like you expected or wanted it, change it. Most of all, enjoy what you have and especially each other.

[geekyexplore]

RickO: Thanks!
VegasDan: Thanks for letting me know. We already know we will have to buy dinnerware as well!
Redneck Express: There is always one book you can't leave behind! My Moosewood cookbooks are like that for me. Thanks for the blog link - can't wait to read it!
historyljc:We will have back ups & plan on offsite storage as well. Even though I am not a fashionista, downsizing clothes will be tough. :-) And yes, we have already been warned to embrace change...lots and lots of change!