PODebbie

We have a van. Last month my husband made reservations at a campground in Ohio to attend a drag racing event (NHRA). He had a choice of RV or tent site (much cheaper). We don't have any hookups in the van. He was told, he had to put up a tent to get the lower priced tent site. He took a tent, but didn't put it up. Next year, he said he will boon dock and take $8 showers at the race course. We recently drove from Michigan to Glacier National Park. We took a tent to save our site in National Forest campsites. Again, we did not use the tent. But we will continue to take it with us. It is a $40 small tent.

I have seen so many co-workers and friends and family blow thru their weekly paychecks. They smoke, drink, have the latest phone, play the lottery, and cable and a lot of channels. They spend money on cars and clothes. All the things that are depreciating in value. My husband and I were government workers. We drove puddle jumpers, we bought a house that took most of our take home paychecks. We ate out at Mickey D's and fast food, they ate out at sit down restaurants. We bought our clothes at K-mart and resale shops, they shopped at Macy's and bought designer clothing. Now.....30 years later, we have a house paid for, a savings account and a couple of pensions. We chose to work for the government at lower wages than Ford, GM or Chrysler. We are in the Detroit area. My family seems to think that we are lucky to be able to retire at 52 and 57. It has been 10 years, my brother in-laws are still working with no end in sight. They borrowed off their 401K plans and spent every dime. We camped in a tent when the kids were growing up, my sisters stayed in hotels. We currently have a van. I visit CheapRVLiving website and this website. We could pay cash for a new motor home, but why. I hate camping in campgrounds. I do plan on doing a world trip with my daughter in 2020. So, we are like little kids building a tent, we are going to go on another trip with our van. We are probably going to buy a winter home in Florida, why, because we did not spend every penny for the last 30 years. We lived under our budget, now we can retire in style. It is not because the stars shone down on us, it was because we did not have any major problems and we didn't buy everything in sight,

We buy quick dry underwear and socks. We bring about 10 days worth. If we don't get into town, we use a Folgers coffee can and wash underwear and socks and hang to dry. You don't have to wash your regular clothes that often. 3 pair of shorts, 2 capris, 1 pair of jeans, 1 fleece pants and 1 pair of jogging pants, 5 short sleeve or sleeveless shirts, 2 long sleeved shirts, Fleece jacket, rain jacket. Maybe a sundress and casual dress outfit for husband for dinners and museums. You don't mention why you need a washer and dryer, but if it has anything to do with being inside a laundry mat, many campgrounds have a single washer and dryer located outside the building.