Full Time Living In an RV- Life on US Roads
Many people tend to think that RV living is just for retired travelers. However, there are many reasons to live in an RV full-time irrespective of age or job status. It is an excellent experience for those who do not want to spend top dollar on a permanent home. In the modern world, Rving has become a standard way of living. RV living requires a particular approach and mindset to make it feel like home. Below are things you should do to prepare to live in an RV fulltime.
Select the Right RV
Having the RV is essential especially when you are planning on RVing fulltime. It would be a huge leap to assume that you already have the best RV when planning to live in an RV fulltime. Some RVs are made to be for short trips. Therefore, if you get one meant for short trips, it will not work well for fulltime living. Even if spacious and elegant RVs may be expensive to buy, they prove to be the best for full-time RVing. Make full time worthwhile with the best RV there is out there.
Come up with a Realistic Budget
While transitioning to the new lifestyle, it is prudent to be mindful of your budget. It would be best if you struck a balance between the income, savings, and spending. As a retiree, one must be keen to create a budget that concurs to his social security payment received. Overindulgence will only drain the bank account faster than you anticipate. This may be unfortunate and may end your fulltime living sooner than desired. Therefore, cutting costs and living by what you can afford is very important. In reference to the point above, it is wise to obtain an RV that has the lowest cost in terms of insurance, fuel, and maintenance.
Recognize All Your Travelling Expenses
Many people do not know how much they spend on monthly total travel expenses. The idea is to have a track of all your traveling expenses accounted for to come up with a total amount. It would help if you also considered removing all unnecessary costs during your travel. Doing this allows you to have a clear picture of how you spend while on the road and how to manage your finances going forward. During your travels, make sure you take all receipts and balance them with your bank statements. By doing this, you will not find yourself running out of funds while traveling.
Have a Personal Finance App
Using this application will show you ways of managing money and budgeting for it during your travels. For example, tools like Quicken for Windows or Free Money Strands will allow you to consolidate safely, manage, and control your money in one place while on the road. Money Strands you are in a position to access your account balances, all financial transactions, your spending habits, and budgets while traveling. Install this application anytime you are about to move as it will help you make smarter decisions and achieve your financial goals while still going.
Put Aside an Emergency Fund
Stuff can happen while on are on the road. You can be caught up by a natural disaster or even an accident. You will have no option than to go back to your wallet whether you like it or not. For these instances having enough emergency fund, will cover off any emergency that comes your way when traveling.
Have a Goal
The most straightforward approach to plan for the future in full-time RVing is to think about why you are doing it. Perhaps, you want to enjoy your social security payment with family. On the contrary, you may want to quench your adventurous nature. Having a goal justifying your fulltime RVing affects many decisions including the type of RV you get and how you budget. For instance, aimless traveling may have a drastic impact on your gas spending. Being in a place for an extended period may result in an increment of what you spend on camping fees. Whatever the reason, let it be a good and planned endeavor. Always keep the reason for choosing a fulltime RV lifestyle in mind.
Plan for Long Trips with Test Trips
Fulltime RVing means that you will be on the road for most of your time. As a good practice, you will want to consider making several short trips before making long trips. This prepares your mind concerning what long trips may turn to be. For instance, long trips require adjusting how you gather supplies. Taking a short trip will enable you to estimate the volume of supplies you may need for long trips. In short, short test trips will help you realize how much you enjoy the lifestyle of fulltime RVing.
You will want to do some footwork to ensure you are making the right decision before embarking on full-time RVing.