What will it cost?
Nov 22nd, 2010 | 06:55 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
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What will it cost?
I am a senior in a housing crisis. I am thinking of selling my home and getting a much smaller one. A camper van!
I have camped for years and taken month long tent camping trips as well as exteneded trips in a Roadtrek. I have done a fair amount of dry camping and boondocking but I have never figured out the daily cost of these trips.
I plan to use my Senior pass and seek out free campsites, dry camping and boondocking as much as possible. I am not cheap but am frugal and there would be just me and a very small dog.
I know the cost of my insurance, cell phone and things like that and that gas and food costs would be variable but what else should I be watching?
Any of you folks ever kept a record of costs? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I have camped for years and taken month long tent camping trips as well as exteneded trips in a Roadtrek. I have done a fair amount of dry camping and boondocking but I have never figured out the daily cost of these trips.
I plan to use my Senior pass and seek out free campsites, dry camping and boondocking as much as possible. I am not cheap but am frugal and there would be just me and a very small dog.
I know the cost of my insurance, cell phone and things like that and that gas and food costs would be variable but what else should I be watching?
Any of you folks ever kept a record of costs? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Nov 23rd, 2010 | 03:58 AM
#3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Google "Van Living" and similar topics for lots of information, some of it about costs.
Your fixed costs will be:
1. depreciation of the vehicle (you have to have the money to buy a new one when the old one wears out)
2. insurance and licenses
3. communications -- phone,internet and snail mail forwarding
Variable costs will be:
1. fuel, for vehicle and heat or air conditioning
2. food, depending on how much you eat and your ability to store bulk purchases
3. camping spots
4. entertainment
You can start by figuring out how much you are spending on these categories now
Your fixed costs will be:
1. depreciation of the vehicle (you have to have the money to buy a new one when the old one wears out)
2. insurance and licenses
3. communications -- phone,internet and snail mail forwarding
Variable costs will be:
1. fuel, for vehicle and heat or air conditioning
2. food, depending on how much you eat and your ability to store bulk purchases
3. camping spots
4. entertainment
You can start by figuring out how much you are spending on these categories now
Nov 23rd, 2010 | 04:38 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 84,803
Likes: 46
Have you considered working or hosting?
A lot of the folks working at national parks are retirees who work for up to 1/2 of the year in the stores, etc at national parks and then move south (to warm weather0 to camp/live the rest of the year. The good thing about that is the sense of community and the interaction with others.
If you sell your house, be sure to put away enough money to buy your next camper and maybe even to buy a space in a park. That way you have a "home" to come back to and hang out for a while. There are a lot of small ones around and I bet with the recession you can find deals. There's one in the mountains near me. Some people have built shelters for their big pushers and outside screen porches, etc. Some just use their space, maybe add a fire pit, or bring in a small storage unit to store stuff while they are gone. But, again when they are "home" there's a community center, pool, recreation options, etc.
The RV website offer a lot of information in their forums. I joined one when I was shopping for an RV a few years back. I was amazed at the information and the resources. They kept a database that included people who were volunteering space for a few days or a lot longer for people who were traveling through or wanted to stay in an area for a while. The database included whether it was boondocking, access to septic, etc. A really nice community of people.
One last thought - most state park websites have a "host" for their campground. I'm not sure if there's any salary, etc. I think it may be as simple as a free place to stay in exchange for hosting the campground during the season.
A lot of the folks working at national parks are retirees who work for up to 1/2 of the year in the stores, etc at national parks and then move south (to warm weather0 to camp/live the rest of the year. The good thing about that is the sense of community and the interaction with others.
If you sell your house, be sure to put away enough money to buy your next camper and maybe even to buy a space in a park. That way you have a "home" to come back to and hang out for a while. There are a lot of small ones around and I bet with the recession you can find deals. There's one in the mountains near me. Some people have built shelters for their big pushers and outside screen porches, etc. Some just use their space, maybe add a fire pit, or bring in a small storage unit to store stuff while they are gone. But, again when they are "home" there's a community center, pool, recreation options, etc.
The RV website offer a lot of information in their forums. I joined one when I was shopping for an RV a few years back. I was amazed at the information and the resources. They kept a database that included people who were volunteering space for a few days or a lot longer for people who were traveling through or wanted to stay in an area for a while. The database included whether it was boondocking, access to septic, etc. A really nice community of people.
One last thought - most state park websites have a "host" for their campground. I'm not sure if there's any salary, etc. I think it may be as simple as a free place to stay in exchange for hosting the campground during the season.
Nov 23rd, 2010 | 04:47 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 84,803
Likes: 46
Have you heard of woofing?
http://www.wwoof.org/americas.asp
A Fodorite is doing this and I think it's a great way to see the world - or at least the continent since you are driving
One-half day of volunteer help is traded for food and accommodation, with no money exchanged. The WWOOF-USA Host Farm Directory lists more than one-thousand organic farms (not necessarily USDA certified organic) and gardens across the country. The Host Farm profile contains information about the location, general responsibilities, and lifestyle of the host. Any farm, community, or garden project in the US that is willing to host and accommodate volunteers can participate in our program. We encourage all types of volunteers and hosts who can cooperate to strengthen sustainable agriculture worldwide to be a part of WWOOF-USA. The program is open to anyone 18 years of age or older, regardless of experience.
http://www.wwoofusa.org/About_WWOOFUSA
http://www.wwoof.org/americas.asp
A Fodorite is doing this and I think it's a great way to see the world - or at least the continent since you are driving
One-half day of volunteer help is traded for food and accommodation, with no money exchanged. The WWOOF-USA Host Farm Directory lists more than one-thousand organic farms (not necessarily USDA certified organic) and gardens across the country. The Host Farm profile contains information about the location, general responsibilities, and lifestyle of the host. Any farm, community, or garden project in the US that is willing to host and accommodate volunteers can participate in our program. We encourage all types of volunteers and hosts who can cooperate to strengthen sustainable agriculture worldwide to be a part of WWOOF-USA. The program is open to anyone 18 years of age or older, regardless of experience.
http://www.wwoofusa.org/About_WWOOFUSA
Nov 23rd, 2010 | 04:55 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 84,803
Likes: 46
If you are a woman, join http://www.rvingwomen.com/
Who is that woman driving that big motor home? She might be your mother, daughter, sister, or grandmother. She's not the only woman who cherishes her independence. She's an RVing Woman and she's in good company. With nearly 2500 members, RVing Women is the only international support network solely for the woman RV enthusiast.
Members range in age from 20s to 90s with the majority in the 50-70 age group. Many are professional and more than a third are retired or semi-retired. Motor homes are the most commonly owned type of RV, followed in order by vans, fifth wheels, travel trailers, tent trailers and campers. Some members don't yet own RVs, but are learning and planning for future purchase. Some have hung up their keys but want to maintain their connection to the RV lifestyle with other women RVers. Many members own computers and use email.
If you aren't a woman, check out their website anyway for good information on resources -
http://www.rvingwomen.com/cgi-bin/ez....cgi?9&X381430
If you join, you can network with others and join a geographic chapter and other groups, including this group of "fulltimers" -
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/rvwfulltimers/
They have a calendar of events including caravans. If I ever do the Al-Can all the way, it will be with one of their caravans.
Who is that woman driving that big motor home? She might be your mother, daughter, sister, or grandmother. She's not the only woman who cherishes her independence. She's an RVing Woman and she's in good company. With nearly 2500 members, RVing Women is the only international support network solely for the woman RV enthusiast.
Members range in age from 20s to 90s with the majority in the 50-70 age group. Many are professional and more than a third are retired or semi-retired. Motor homes are the most commonly owned type of RV, followed in order by vans, fifth wheels, travel trailers, tent trailers and campers. Some members don't yet own RVs, but are learning and planning for future purchase. Some have hung up their keys but want to maintain their connection to the RV lifestyle with other women RVers. Many members own computers and use email.
If you aren't a woman, check out their website anyway for good information on resources -
http://www.rvingwomen.com/cgi-bin/ez....cgi?9&X381430
If you join, you can network with others and join a geographic chapter and other groups, including this group of "fulltimers" -
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/rvwfulltimers/
They have a calendar of events including caravans. If I ever do the Al-Can all the way, it will be with one of their caravans.
Nov 23rd, 2010 | 04:59 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 84,803
Likes: 46
You may enjoy reading this book -
http://www.amazon.com/First-We-Quit-...0520597&sr=8-1
"Just a few months shy of his 20th anniversary at RCA, Sandy MacGregor got his pink slip. Once the shock wore off, he and his wife, Marilyn J. Abraham, then a vice president and editor at Simon & Schuster, did what any rational couple with more than fifty-two combined years on the corporate fast track would do: they traded in the boardroom for the open road and embarked on a four-month trek across America. First We Quit Our Jobs is Abraham's account of their odyssey. Granted, a Winnebago was not their first choice when the bad news came, but after an attempt to buy a small publishing company in New England fell through, MacGregor and Abraham packed their bags and went in search of their destiny. "
http://www.amazon.com/First-We-Quit-...0520597&sr=8-1
"Just a few months shy of his 20th anniversary at RCA, Sandy MacGregor got his pink slip. Once the shock wore off, he and his wife, Marilyn J. Abraham, then a vice president and editor at Simon & Schuster, did what any rational couple with more than fifty-two combined years on the corporate fast track would do: they traded in the boardroom for the open road and embarked on a four-month trek across America. First We Quit Our Jobs is Abraham's account of their odyssey. Granted, a Winnebago was not their first choice when the bad news came, but after an attempt to buy a small publishing company in New England fell through, MacGregor and Abraham packed their bags and went in search of their destiny. "
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Nov 23rd, 2010 | 05:07 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 84,803
Likes: 46
I know of another executive in the publishing industry that did the same thing - after a voluntary retirement. It was a delight receiving his Christmas letter each year.
As you can tell, I've given this a lot of thought and plan to do a variation of this one day. I think the hardest thing for many - especially if you are traveling solo - is maintaining a sense of connection. Wi-fi will make a huge difference, IMO. A lot of campgrounds now have internet access. You now have the option of the cards for your computer. A young family member did a version of this a year ago and reading his blog was fascinating. It was also comforting to know where he was and how he was. There were only a few times he "dropped out". Some of that was due to cell service, at least once was due to the Burning Man
I think it really helps to have a base to come "home" to...whether than base is a relative's yard, a space in an RV park, etc.
I chatted with some of the retirees who were working in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons this summer. One couple still own their home in a southern state but have only "dropped by" for a few days at a time. Last year the wife only spent 18 hours in the house! Hubby went home to take care of some family details and the wife kept traveling and came back and picked him up!
Good luck. There are a lot of people doing it and loving it!
As you can tell, I've given this a lot of thought and plan to do a variation of this one day. I think the hardest thing for many - especially if you are traveling solo - is maintaining a sense of connection. Wi-fi will make a huge difference, IMO. A lot of campgrounds now have internet access. You now have the option of the cards for your computer. A young family member did a version of this a year ago and reading his blog was fascinating. It was also comforting to know where he was and how he was. There were only a few times he "dropped out". Some of that was due to cell service, at least once was due to the Burning Man
I think it really helps to have a base to come "home" to...whether than base is a relative's yard, a space in an RV park, etc.
I chatted with some of the retirees who were working in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons this summer. One couple still own their home in a southern state but have only "dropped by" for a few days at a time. Last year the wife only spent 18 hours in the house! Hubby went home to take care of some family details and the wife kept traveling and came back and picked him up!
Good luck. There are a lot of people doing it and loving it!
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