Barbaraok

Mid 70s here in Mesa, AZ. Lows in the mid 40s. Definitely the area to be this winter.

The absolute best place for info on licensing for full timers in Texas is Livingston. Most of us say that over and over, but not everyone gets the info in a timely fashion.

Since we normally travel with 8-12 bottles of wine ($25/bottle) Canada is usually not a consideration for us, sigh.

That is not an unusual retirement income. If you consider 2 ppl who worked for 30+ yrs at reasonably good paying job, Both receiving SS and having to take RMDs, 55K is on the low side.

We're running out of white but have good stock of red left. Had to many friends over this fall who were white wine drinkers. Might have to pick up some white at Costco in March to make it through before we leave.

We've never put our monthly figures on-line because our lifestyle is different than most. We could retire early because part of our retirement package was full medical coverage for each of us at zero cost to us. When we transitioned to Medicare, that became our supplemental, again at zero cost and with no co-pays. We only pay for Rx at $20/90 day supply max for all generics (often less) and $125/90 days for non-generics. This is a real money saver for us. But in the out-go department, we love visiting wineries, not everyone will pull into Arizona in October with 5 cases of wine to last through the winter. And no, these are not $2 bottles of wine. We also make use of membership parks - the west coast is full of them, and we can often go with zero out of pocket expense for 6-8 weeks at a time (yes, there are annual dues which average out at $87/month) which makes our summer travel very doable when on the west coast. Of course there are a few places where that doesn't occur - like Seattle, where it is now $50/night for Lake Pleasant, which is the only decent park we have found reasonably close to my mother and sister. So we bite the bullet for 2 weeks there followed by several weeks in Thousand Trails and ROD parks. It takes a while to find out what works for you, just remember to use other peoples budgets as suggestions for things to consider. And if you need diesel and are on the west coast - get a Costco membership because they now sell diesel at a large number of their stores and usually is the best price around. Does pay to do a Google Satellite view to check and access, but we've been pleasantly surprised at the ease of in and out for a lot of them. And if in Washington State, there are only a couple of Sam's Clubs, but Costco is EVERYWHERE.

Tom, I'm sorry but what she told you was wrong. We've had our exempt licenses (Class A since we could pull a toad over 10K) since 2006; and we had to sign the 'exempt' affidavit' when you applied for them.

Larry, why not try and see if you can live on $2K a month (excluding mortgage payments). That will give you an idea of what is needed because your basic style of living won't change. Maybe a little less eating out than when you are working, but you will be shopping in new areas, so cost for groceries often go up. We put together a web page on Budget Considerations that might help you identify some things to think about/check out.

Is there some way to get it to $3K a month - for one person that should be a very doable amount. And in 5 years, who knows what will be needed. Just try to get the amount up, whether by work camping, etc., so that you have a cushion. Repairs can quickly add up and it isn't IF you will need repairs, but WHEN.

Rich, what is your risk level? That is the real question. I'm moving some into cash this year. Usually we reinvest dividends, etc, but instead will put them into cash so that we can make some purchases in the next couple of years with profits from this year. May miss out on the 'high', but would rather miss the top than wait and be selling after the bubble bursts.

Is this company one that you would invest in if you hadn't been left the annuity? And are you of an age when you will have to take RMDs from that account? Feeling comfortable with the annuity company would be your first task. If it were me, I'd be moving it into my investment accounts, but that is because I feel very, very comfortable with our accounts. Barb

Glad that my mutual funds didn't take 4 yrs to recover - more like 18 months. At the point where we are required to take RMDs and those are being invested in long term treasuries, so the stock/bond ratio is slowly inching downward.

1965 in a building built in 1890, on the 3rd floor with 12 ft glass windows as the 6.7 hit at 8:30 am 1/2 through calculus class. That was a pretty good shaker.

Not at the price it is now.

Time to take some profit.

Actually California does have a testing requirement, but it is based upon length (ie over 40') not by weight. And there are other states (Nevada for instance) that also have testing requirements. Most people don't look that closely at the requirements for different types of licenses in their own states.

We're in Mesa, so a little far to travel for just a cleaning. Problem is there are a huge number of snowbirds/fulltimers here in the winter so it is really hard to squeeze in appointments this time of year. Very easy in October when we get here and we do a second cleaning just before we leave the first of April. Can't comment on what is required since we do not carry dental insurance any more - premiums were more than 2 cleanings a year; we just 'self-insure' and have come out ahead even with both of us having had to have a crown in the past 10 years.

SWharton, Where are you in AZ? Barb

200K miles on a diesel engine is just braking it in. We have a 14 yr old DP with 150K+ miles, she runs along just fine. Interior could use some upgrading, but she's comfortable and we're use to her. DPs usually have one maintenance stop per year, gassers can have more depending upon miles driven. Air bags + exhaust brake = priceless.

Between $250 and $1500 depending upon what all came due at annual maintenance. Big $$ are when transmission and differential come do at the same time, along with coolant change, etc. But that isn't usual. Also, don't forget that you need to plan for batteries every few years and tires every 7 yrs or so - which will be about the same cost for a gasser as a diesel. Barb

Unless something has changed, I believe you can do one renewal BY MAIL. You have to get the CDL-2 form notarized (Dave did his at a Washington State Licensing agency in Yakima), which is why you can't do them on-line. You can find instructions at Out-of-State Renewals Barb

Why print it out, they send you an email, which you can save to computer, or even better your smart phone. In 10 yrs I have NEVERTHELESS printed it out. Of course I always renew a month ahead so I have 60 days to get it in and in place.

Why didn't you just renew online? It is so simple - we have ALWAYS done it that way. Plus, when the renewal lands in my box at Escapees Mail Center they send me an email telling me it is in so I can get it sent to where ever we are.

Are you in Texas? If not, just renew online and check the box that says you are out of state, then you have 3 days after returning to state to get in inspected. Our MH hasn't been in Texas since 2012. Barb

If it were me, I'd call Livingston and ask.