Barbaraok

Randy, would you agree that when someone comes on as a person learning about Full-timing, they are envisioning traveling down the highways of the USA/Canada, visiting all of the National Parks, etc.? They envision taking all of the comforts of home with them as they travel into the sunset. I went back to the initial post and realize that my initial reaction to the OP was to think about our monthly outlay. OUR outlay, not what a SINGLE person would require. Our costs aren't double that of a single person traveling, there are some basic costs are the same. Fuel costs the same whether there are 1 or 2. Site costs are the same (maybe more when you get above 4) or added amount for a pet. But after that, costs will different for a couple versus a single person. Not twice as much for a couple, but different. But you can't separate one from the other. It is all about what it costs you each day to make it to the next day. And one of the things that can quickly have people 'off the road' is the increase in medical costs as we age. I realize that everyone thinks they will live forever, but that just isn't true. Even with great health insurance and prescription coverage, the costs of various medications can be frightful. So if one is a diabetic, for example, and insulin takes another price hike out of the blue, how does the person adjust their minimal income to cover that? Obviously by not moving as much. And when the 'living' costs become so high, then RVing, using the word as a verb, will become impossible.

And thus you see it differently than those who full time do. When you full time, EVERYTHING is part of your budget. Food costs differ considerably depending upon the area. And you spend more time in unfamiliar markets that the grocery store in your local town. More time in the store means you are looking at different products, etc. In addition, you don’t have the room to stock up on essentials, take advantage of sales, larger sizes, etc. health care costs often go up if you are “out of network” and aren’t on Medicare. And your ability to get decent coverage if not old enough for Medicare is likely to be severely limited. That’s just two examples.

We’re in Blaine, no there isn’t a stream of Canadian cars coming across. In fact it is a ghost town. And the 3 Canadian plated RVs in the park have been here since last year. In fact there were a couple of open sites this morning, something we’ve never seen on July 2nd before.

I disagree, because a lot of people want to know how they can exist on very, very little money in an RV. Notice, I said exist, not 'live'. The ones who touted $2K a month even 16 years ago, were showing existence level budgets, stealth camping in cities, obtaining food from food banks, sitting in parking lots at McDonalds to get online, etc. Most people think of budget as the TOTAL they need for everything needed to exist. And groceries do not cost the same in different parts of the country, nor does medical care or insurance on their rigs. $2K a month is poverty level income. One might exist on that, but one doesn't 'RV' in the true sense of the word (Recreational) on that. Our first year out we met a couple that were full timing in a popup trailer, with their clothes hung across the backseat of their car, using the campground facilities for all toilet/shower needs as well as washing clothes. Cooking was all done outside under a tarp to keep off the rain. While we were at this park it got particularly cold (ie, down to the 20s at night) and they had to spend a few nights in a motel because their tiny furnace in the popup couldn't keep them warm. They were doing the best that they could with their limited resources, but in no way would I have considered that a model of what is called full-time RVing.

StargazerAl how do you have a budget that doesn't include FOOD, health care, clothing, entertainment, etc.? All of those are costs that all FULL TIMERS have, plus more. Just getting online has a cost associated with it.

I believe those are rigs that were stuck here last year and never got back across the border. It isn't open yet though for Canadians there will be some changes on July 7th.

🥰

Happy Birthday to all Canadians who frequent the Escapees forums. Hope that we will see you all again this winter!

Yes. It is really something to see. We also loved the glassmaking work going on during most days they are open. Really something to see.

Well I'm still listed as "Rookie" - of course I've only been here since 2005. Clearly have to do some more work! Just realized that the #posts seems low - but then I remembered that they seem to "lose" posts with each software update they do. Because the 4K would mean just 250 posts each year. And we all know that I'm shy and retiring, but not much.

You’ve been isolated in barren areas since the beginning of May?

Lots. Don't forget that Ayn Rand championed everyone doing everything for themselves, but she was enrolled in both social security and medicare, which paid for her hospital stays, etc., before she died.

I don't know why, when it is apparent that he isn't a leader but just someone who wants to do whatever necessary to get the most votes. That's pandering to the loudest bullies in any crowd.

I don't know, if you are trying to show-off what you remember from HS French and screwup the usage of two words in English that are close to the same spelling, then you open yourself up to someone poking you in the ribs. 😉

BUT, most people who are full timing are not working. We set up for one or two weeks and then spend the time exploring a 75-100 mile radius before we move again. Driving 20 miles for breakfast, sure thing. 30 miles to visit relative no problem to do it daily for a few days. Set up in one central place and visit 3 different national parks - sure thing. We put LOTS of miles on the toad exploring the areas we are in.

And at least one judge has upheld the vaccinated mandate as legal for any health care facility. Another hospital is New York just fired workers who refused to get vaccinated. One woman said they were taking her 'choice' away - when in fact they gave her a choice, vaccinate and work or not. And to get into nursing school she would have had to have gotten a whole slew of vaccinations in addition to the ones she had as a child.

The EMT and his wife may find themselves out of a job if they don't get the vaccination. There really aren't any valid reasons, since the mRNA vaccines aren't incubated in eggs. The reactions that people have had they can get with any vaccination - just a sign that the immune system is busy.

The icon has lines on each side which indicate waving

38' motorhome, have never worried about tunnels. Have had to turn off propane when using the ferry system in Washington State. But then we use major highways (Interstates and US Highways) to get from A to B, then explore with the toad. For example, we've done most of Highway 1 (Coast Highway) in California, but with the toad, not the Motorhome.

Pick up US 97 at Weed and head north towards the Columbia River. Plan on staying overnight in Bend Oregon area. At the River, head east on I-84 for about 10 miles and stop at Le Page Park, a Corps of Engineers park right on the John Dat River where the River empties into the Columbia, just east of the John Day Dam. Keep heading east on I-84 until you get to I-82, take that into the TriCities (Richland, Kennewick, Prosser) and pick up US Highway 395 towards Spokane. At Spokane you can take I-90 across, OR pick up US Highway 2 and go across, which is a great trip and easy to do.

Tipping for wait staff is problematic because a lot of people won't leave a tip or under tip if they didn't like the food but didn't complain and give the establishment a chance to rectify the problem. I started tipping the carryout folks at fast food places during the pandemic - especially in the Phoenix area last summer, having to run in and out of a/c to bring food to people in 115° temperatures. I could use my cash back cards for the order itself and then a couple of bucks to put in their 'pool' jar. Never know if there was even a pool tip jar at each restaurant. I know that Starbucks has them, so also put something in - - I was so thankful that they were able to work during that time and give us a treat. Hardest part was getting small bills when you are routinely going into place and getting change. I ended up going into an open bank branch (hard to find last summer) and getting $100 in ones and fives for tips.

1). Most university faculty are covered by an alternative retirement program which stays with the person, not the state where the school is located. They can opt for TRS, but most don't. The university's share is the same as with TRS but since faculty move frequently, it stays with you. So our retirement is based on income earned at several different universities we worked at throughout the country. It is a 403b under TIAA. 403bs are for universities, research institutions, hospitals, etc., can all belong to this investment service. 2) Until just recently MOST jobs at Walmart were minimum wage with a lot of their employees qualifying for SNAP, etc. In fact, even at $15/hr, a lot of people will still be eligible for assistance because that is below the poverty level if you have several kids at home. And wait-staff at most restaurants are paid even less! Check the wage level at nursing homes, grocery stores, etc. Unless states have raised the minimum wage level, most are at the federal level. And when those employees qualify for assistance we, the taxpayers, are subsidizing the owners of the business who do not pay a living wage. 3)Door Dash got caught keeping all of the tips. I have heard from wait-staff that they appreciate the cash tips and keep anything above the 15% the owner requires in the mixed employee jar. 4). You must understand university faculty are treated differently than K-12 teachers in public schools in most states. Even in Texas, university non-faculty employees are required to participate in TRS, but not administrators and faculty. But, the faculty who go with the 403b retirement have to pay social security taxes, not so with those covered by TRS, which can lead to a different set of problems if one isn't careful.

Even more, faculty at most universities are usually invested in TIAA or another 403b company, which has nothing to do with the state.

You do realize that a lot of restaurants don’t share tips with staff that are above 15%?

I do not have a government pension. Where did you get that idea? I grew up in a middle class family. My drive was my love a science especially chemistry. Our retirement is based on our investments plus SS. I notice that you seem to agree that a minimum wage from 2009 is fine for today?