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Old 02-18-2014, 12:20 PM   #1
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How many out there RVing full time, retired on S.S and making it?

That's what my goal is. I want to enjoy what is left of my life, seeing the country, family and friends and not being tied down. My dream is to full time RV in a comfortable rig. However, I am getting a lot of mixed signals from people either saying, if you can't afford it, don't do it, and others saying go for it. I would like to hear from those of you out there in the same situation I'm in. I need to add that I have money in investments for emergency situations, but want to live on my SS income.
Thanks
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Old 02-18-2014, 12:41 PM   #2
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If you have a pension and with SS income it is possible. Taking advantage to savings such as becoming a resident of a state [ie. SD, TX] that do not tax personal income and have low vehicle registration and insurance fees helps along with taking advantage of free overnite parking when traveling between points A & B. Annual Fuel expenses can be great dependent upon traveling coast to coast compared to staying in one area for long periods of time. It all comes down to a budget.
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Old 02-18-2014, 01:46 PM   #3
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When we started, it was only with DH SS and very small monthly pension. Our rig is paid for. We had a few bills to clear up, so we worked summers at KOA campgrounds to get clear of debt. We now have my small SS and we are fine. It all depends on how you want to live. We never cared for all the material things and expensive cars, etc. I shop at Walmart and thrift shops. We don't do the free overnight at Walmart or truck stops. We have Passport America and save while we are traveling that way. We stay put for awhile before moving on, so fuel is not a huge factor. It has been very doable for us. We don't go out to eat alot, but still occasionally do.The biggest thing is to have your vehicles paid for and be debt free, which we do. Hope that helps.
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Old 02-18-2014, 02:56 PM   #4
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If you read other threads about budgeting for FT RVers, you'll realize that this lifestyle, unlike any other, allows you significant control over how much you spend each month. If you concentrate on learning how to conserve your energy resources, you can spend most of your time boondocking for free or nearly so. If you stay at each new place for 2-4 weeks, you will spend less on fuel, too.

Once I learned that that there were also LTVAs for the summer season, too, I realized that if we ever found ourselves really broke, we could conceivably spend less than $500 ANNUALLY for "rent" if we had to.

I really like the idea that a budget item that is fixed for most people, and the most significant part of monthly expenses, is completely within our control. We could spend anywhere from $1000+ per month for parking at some ritzy resort, down to $38 per month staying on public lands.

And if we ever find ourselves in need of extra cash, we can go to where the short-term jobs are--jobs where people want and expect old farts like us to show up for work--instead of being stuck in a town begging for someone to hire us because we're "too old."
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Old 02-19-2014, 08:17 AM   #5
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Short story of part of my life...
Spent 25 years + telling cops where to go, Took early retirement.
Wife retired on the same day her mother died leaving us some money
Bought a Class A, planned on selling the house.. house did not sell could not afford both gave house to bank.. Never heard from the bank regarding shortage so I assume they sold at a slight profit, Did get a check (2 in fact one due to a Class Action by the Attorney General). The result is we kind of got in a hole.. Now, thanks to SS plus Retirement slowly digging out and enjoying the Motor home full time (Which was the plan so we were not at all upset about loss of house).

Sadly. Lost wife and HER SS last Easter.. but that is also when mine kicked in so I'm financially slightly better off.

Taking applications for travel companion though.
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Old 02-20-2014, 11:57 AM   #6
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Thank you all for your input. All of it just reinforces my desire to make this work. I do plan on paying for my MH in full so there are no payments. I do live in Texas, so the tax breaks are there. I also have the life membership to the National Parks, etc. "stuff" isn't important to me, and what I do have, I can either store or give to my son. Most of it is sentimental family stuff. I have copied and pasted copious posts with valuable information. I think any of the work programs are a great idea, just need to figure out how to START.
Wa8yxm, I'm so sorry about your loss. It has to be incredibly difficult. Generally, I'm pretty much a loner, but I wonder, when I see an amazing sight and have no one to share it with, how I will feel. I have shared everything with the love of my life, my son, and now it will be by technology not in person.
I love hearing about the experiences of you guys out there. So happy for you and glad you are enjoying your journey.
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Old 02-25-2014, 01:20 PM   #7
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I Hear from a lot of people about you must have x amount per month to get by.
I get just over 1650.00/month for the wife and myself.
We have an older MH. Yeah I would love to have a new truck and 5v'r. But injury and job loss took care of that dream.

We travel mostly the western states, Fortunately I am able to do a lot of the maintenance. If a major break down occurs, we will figure something out, be it holding up somewhere till we can fix it or get something else.

I do have some safe guards. Road side, good insurance, some spare parts, a lot of tools, and a good skill set.
Just couldn't do this kind of work for any length of time. Wife could work for a short time to help out if needed.

Do have some family that could help.

With that being said, I could not imagine sitting in an apartment with little to do just to exist. The way I see it is you get one go around and its a pretty short ride and we never no when it is going to stop.
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Old 02-26-2014, 09:38 AM   #8
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bjcarpetguy, I feel the same way. It isn't until we get older that we really realize how short life is and there are no promises for tomorrow. I figure, if I don't do this now, I never will and I need to give it a shot. I too was forced out of the workforce early, so planning a big retirement was not in the picture. Thanks for your input. Best of luck and happy life to you and your wife.
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Old 03-02-2014, 09:59 PM   #9
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The wife and I had always dreamed of full timing but were going to wait until I started drawing my SS before we started. Well cancer killed one of our best friends 2 years ago very suddenly, then I found out I had cancer so we decided to go ahead and travel while we still can. I have my military retirement and she draws a small retirement from the school system, we bought an older motorhome and toad, I have all the mechanical skills from a lifetime of turning wrenches on cars and trucks as well as being an aircraft mechanic. We live on about $1800 a month and have a little reserve in the bank in case of a major breakdown. We have been workcamping most of the time for the last two years but my health is getting worse so I think this is our last job which ends next month. My cancer has returned after treatment and I have been told there is nothing they can do but try to slow it down so it is time to travel more and work less. But to answer your question, don't pay any attention to the wealthy naysayers here that will tell you if you can't afford it don't do it, you can do it with a lot of budgeting. We do it and live quite well I believe, we have all we need or want and no one know how long we will be here so why not do what you want?
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Old 03-03-2014, 04:24 PM   #10
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I have pension and SS, Alone I'm making it so far (1 year) and show signs of catching up a bit on old bills....

That said I could use a traveling companion who is also on SS.. I know who I'd like to partner with and I may have a lead on her so... (NOt sure yet, the same lead shows an address for me on a road I've never even heard of).
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Old 03-03-2014, 09:25 PM   #11
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13000+ posts and your looking for a friend, I think your already married to, Mr or Mrs as the case may be, electronics .

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Old 03-03-2014, 09:44 PM   #12
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Retired and full timing

I'm new to this forum and also new to Large RV'ing. Just got done selling everything and bought a Tiffin as my new home. It will be delivered in April and I will take off then for my adventures.
With my S.S. and a pension, plus savings and no bills I believe I can do alright out there. It's my dream to do this since the 70's. And I can't believe its coming true.

See you on the road!!
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Old 03-08-2014, 08:51 PM   #13
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We made it on ss + pension 3 1/2 years, minus house payment, RE taxes, utility bills, health insurance, and RV payment which left us with $1,700 per month, supplemented camping fees by volunteering with various government entities Finally sold the S&Bs in Sept last year, glad to get an increase in play money.
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Old 04-12-2014, 05:42 PM   #14
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Well, here is my plan which I feel comfortable with. Hopefully, I am not dreaming. I am single and have absolutely no relatives or close friends still alive, and live on $1250 per month SSD, that includes medicare supplement ins thru Humana which seems like a very good policy. Got a hip fully replaced last year and whole cost including in home therapy was $900 to me. I live on percocet, morphine, plus about 5 other meds daily and only cost me about 10 dollars per month or so.

Now the good part. I have a nice mobile home in a park in San Diego area fully paid for. I bought it with cash when the market hit its bottom 3 yrs ago. I could sell it now for a nice profit that would pay off a nice used 30-35' 8-10 yr old MH. That would leave me a cushion of about $60k, which is what I started with 3 yrs ago, for emergencies and unexpected expenses. Hope to actually not touch that except in emergency like fixing the MH when needed. I live on $1250 a month now, and that includes home taxes, home insurance, car insurance, utilities of gas, electric, satellite TV, high speed internet, home phone, etc. Most of that would be cut out if not reduced a great deal. I don't eat much really, light late breakfast and late afternoon sandwich or spaghetti like dinner. Then maybe some cereal late at night to get me through the night. If and when I do go out for dinner, I usually take home half for another meal the next day. My biggest spurge is allowing myself 1 large refill of Dr Pepper each day at 7/11.

I would not mind a traveling companion to possibly pay the gas expense. That would allow for a lot more traveling, at least at a faster pace. However, the odds of that are happening are slim I know. It would have to be one of those things that you are simply led into meeting a special friend or companion.

I grew up very poor with a single mom living in 1 room old apt buildings. I still have that mindset of being happy and content with very little. Having a gorgeous MH which so many are inside, would be like living in luxury to me. My mom and I used to dream of ever owning such a thing years ago. To have something to call your own and be free to go and live where you want, even if you had to work along the way. Which is so easy to do now with Indian Casinos about every where you go, which always need new employees for about every kind of job imaginable. I have been everything from a dealer, cachier, and surveillance officer for different casinos.

Well, that is my story and dream. As we all know, you only live so many years and no way do you want to lie on your death bed wishing you had did something you could have and didn't. Everyone should just go for it. You will figure out the economics as you go. There is always a way if you want something bad enough.

Feel free to correct me and my thinking if you think it is not reasonable.
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