Maybe your children are grown and your bored with your empty nest. Perhaps, you’ve got wanderlust or simply want to visit friends and family scattered across the country. Whatever your reasons, traveling and living in an RV might just provide you with the flexibility to live adventurously. However, before you just hit the road, there are some decisions you must make. You must consider your present home, your income or need for employment, your alternate transportation, and what the future may hold for you living life on the road.
Do You Own a Home?
If you own a home, you can keep it or sell it. You could rent out your home temporarily while you try life in an RV. Do choose a professional service; dealing with tenant issues yourself can ruin your adventure. Remember you need a home base, somewhere permanent to receive mail and file state or federal taxes.
If you have grown children, you can use a child’s permanent address. You can also rent a postal box and have mail forwarded, as you need. Do consider handling your banking and bill paying online to eliminate missed payments.
Do You Need to Work?
Even if you are receiving social security, you may need to work. You need to cover expenses such as RV maintenance, camp sites, food, medical and entertainment. From traveling to craft fairs to trading work for a camping space or income, you have options. One excellent source of employment while traveling is workamper.com. Check it out to see what is available.
Your Car
When your home is on wheels, you may not feel the need for alternate transportation. However, you should strongly consider towing your car or storing one in a central location. There are three reasons for maintaining a second vehicle.
The first is that your RV is not the most fuel-efficient vehicle. If you want to take a scenic drive leave, your RV parked and save money on fuel.
Your RV is also not the easiest to navigate. When you want to run to the grocery or visit the kids, take your car instead.
If your RV needs service, you need alternate transportation. Remember you need both auto and RV insurance; the coverage is not the same. You can find car insurance online and make payments online to ensure you are always covered.
Life on the Road
Prepare for life on the road before you actually hit the road. Does your RV have any laundry facilities? If not, you will need to stop in towns while you travel. Do you have pets? One or two may travel well but consider your available space and their exercise needs. Should you consider a wireless Internet subscription? Not all areas offer free Wi-Fi.
You do need to park in legal areas for camping. Good Sam is one source for locating RV parks. Remember to consider how long you can stay in any one site. Seniors should consider obtaining an America the Beautiful pass for discounted camping and free admission to some state parks.
Have a Future Plan
Protecting your future means having a backup plan. What happens when your RV needs repair or a medical problem prevents you from traveling? Maintain a savings account that will allow you to live comfortably for one year without your RV. If at all possible, have a family member you can stay with for a few months if you need. Keeping your future protected will allow you to enjoy life on the road.
