FULLTIMEWANABE

Our dilemma for the past handful of years yearning to go full time has been giving up all investments in Real Estate, especially when for the past multi decades it's been what has given us income and built our net worth. Finally we have been blessed with our daughter and her husband (married last September) taking over this place and moving in on the 1st May. It's a win win for us all, we keep our investment, and they have a place to live whilst saving (if they ever do!!!) for their own future place or inherit this one eventually). It gives us a place to come "home" to at any juncture and site our RV until in a couple or three years or maybe longer seeing how we feel on the road FT, build a small bungalow which we have permission up to a set square footage to do so as well as a large accessory shed so ...... For us our comfort level is definitely to maintain vested in some form of real estate, but having had rentals for many years in the past = so glad never to deal with tenants again, albeit that helped increase our retirement account for sure also, and not to have any unoccupied property, if they weren't moving in we for sure would have sold everything just purely for peace of mind whilst away, but equally I'd be concerned with current market trends rising rapidly how we'd ever replace in the future financially if we had to. We for sure intend to settle down near our daughter and her future family so ......... To each and everyone their own, and as always we all have opinions and different personalities that make us each kind of unique in our decisions - neither option is right or wrong when it comes to keeping real estate or not. It's all down to the individual's perspective on handling tenants at a distance or vacant property/land and inevitable issues that come with it, or not having that added stress I guess.

Hi Kirk, well we've been totally blessed to have been RVers since the late 90's and explored a lot (I say at haste in our road warrior years!), staying in at least 48 of the USA states including Hawaii (by plane!) and Alaska = only 2 we haven't touched are Oklahoma and Arkansas and we intend to put that right this upcoming winter heading down and back north on the shoulder times. We also finally completed the last of the Canadian Territories and Provinces with Newfoundland and Labrador in 2019 on a 4 month cross Canada trip and the southern side of the Great Lakes. Like I say we really do feel totally blessed the experiences we've had in our lives and now look forward to more. Being Canadian we are limited in our number of days in the USA so our priority will be winters down there for the most part opposed to the Arctic North weather up here and in the Northern parts of the USA. For sure we now want to do things at a lot lot lot slower pace and smell the roses moreso on our travels and check out more of the small town Americana in our travels = people watch, nice bakeries and a latte sit down and of course our passion always and still is anything water based like fishing, kayaking. For example we did the Rodeo and Cowboy Dinner night and explored Cody Wy for a couple of days in the past but we would like to go back there for sure and do the museums for a couple of days and maybe repeat the other two things we enjoyed! I agree with Linda you absolutely can't see or do it all in a lifetime really, but we truly wondered after on again, off again in our thoughts to go Full Time, if it would ever come to fruition with consideration to other family members. Alas we now have struck hopefully the best of all worlds for everyone's benefits. If health spares us for sure we will continue to RV after we get our smaller home base built circa 2027/28 and probably winter south still so ......... It's just we decided we are doing nothing more for the first 2 or 3 years other than travel and Full Time RV, and we still have an RV base here to come home to as a back up which feels awesome to know. Anyways nice to see this thread revised again but gone a little off topic from the original question. Thanks as always to you all that so kindly share your experiences from bygone years and current ones! Alas more cupboards and drawers to empty out, wipe out and reline - I sure will not miss this big a home to maintain that's for sure.

Nice to see this revised. We officially start FT on 1st May, initially with a 2 or 3 year plan, snowbirding south USA in the winter months and summer months back in this area or some travels around Canada. So good to read others thoughts and experiences from doing it. Now back to more packing, cleaning and prepping donation boxes. LOL

Everyone begins somewhere = Go and enjoy We are primarily boondockers/dry campers not caring for organised CGs etc, however .......... when my cousin joined us from Ireland we booked in some CG's for her comfort and swimming enjoyment etc. We used Passport America for that trip = sign up is for a year, and typically then one or two bookings at 50% off in 2018 paid for the membership! Go check out Passport America and before signing up and paying, cross reference availability of CGs in the system without restrictions to impede you (some say not on certain dates etc!), that work for your route and daily drive planning. We have only stayed at 2 x KOAs in over 25 years of RVing and the saying K.O.A stands for Keep On Adding was definitely our experience and we didn't feel they were worth the value to us personally. Others of course will only stay in KOA's. If you aren't going to use the amenities then ........ Good luck and welcome to the RVing world.

That sucks Rick and we are the same on not making reservations because you just don't know what you don't know on spanners being thrown in the works so to speak. Even high populated locations we might need a CG at we've always managed to get something with a bit of compromise when we get closer to the location we want to explore. We also aren't adverse to not having any hook ups as long as we feel safe! Fingers crossed the wallet can go back to collecting moths 👍

I thought of this thread last night when standing in line at Walmart Pharmacy! Collecting my meds - stood in line forever at the cashpoint area as the guy in front of me kept trying and trying and trying his card. Kept saying "I checked on line I have $200 in that account" Finally after 20+ mins he offered for me to collect my meds and pay. Problem was the clerk couldn't void the $186.43 charge on the system, a senior pharmacist had to and they were out on the floor with a customer discussing a medical need. I know most don't bat an eyelid, but I'd be mortified holding up a line up of folks for over half hour plus in the end = another reason I always have cash tucked away on my person wherever we may be, travelling or at Homebase.

Remember when we bought Christmas presents that needed batteries and how disappointed the recipient was if you forgot to buy the batteries because in the UK back then, if xmas day fell on a weekend and so did Boxing Day (26th), they might have to wait up to 4 days to enjoy till the stores opened again after days in lieu!!!

We're like rickeieio and carry the maximum cash we can across the border for long trips. As Canadians any ATM's we use we are hosed on not only exchange rates but fees, and restricted on how much we can withdraw each time. Likewise if we use our credit cards . Also we find when we've needed big mechanical work done we've saved a ton of money not using credit card on the bill!! Again using our credit cards at grocery stores or otherwise the benefits of the cards don't cancel out the crazy bank fees/rates converting back and forth. We used to have a BOA account and that made things easier but they caused us untold issues with trying to get replacement cards when out of date to our Canadian address (we sold our Fla home address we used prior in 2017). So post Covid when we next able to cross the border we closed down the BOA account and now try to operate with as much US$'s cash as possible on all purchases. However, on extended trips of course we have no choice but to use cards or get cash from banks in the USA. Just saying and to each their own.

Don't peel baby boiled potatoes or baby potatoes roasted. Love baked potatoes and hubby eats skin but I don't. Don't care for flavour of mini peeled carrots but love peeled regular carrots cut long and thin tossed in butter and parsley. Another favourite mashed rutabaga aka swede with roast dinners. To each their own.

Hey Linda, why don't you and Dave pop up to our Sun kissed climate of Alberta (sweating in the nook with the sun streaming through the glass honestly!), temps in daughter's car this morning MINUS 38 Deg and windchill hitting the upper MINUS 40's. Even when the dog goes out for a pee it's so cold when she barks or breathes looks like she's a real heavy smoker 🤣. Keep warm everyone wherever you are.

Grand parents, parents, myself and children same - always used and still do wooden cutting boards, regularly scrubbed and salted - have 3 scattered in SnB kitchen where a ton of prepping and cooking is done daily, and 2 in RV Kitchen (Large and small one). Just way we were taught when younger by ancestors and passed down the line. Very occasionally might pull out a small plastic one when cutting up a tomato or onion for speedier clean up snack times/sandwich making using it also as the plate so to speak LOL. Interesting thing about studies/research, I've always found over the years the results get changed from black to white often! Butter is bad for you, then it's better for you comes to mind immediately. If it ain't broke we ain't going to try and fix it. All been good for past zillion decades in our homes.🤞

Sleigh Bells have started ringing here in the arctic north! Merry Christmas One and All. Here's to positive vibes that 2024 brings everyone peace, joy, happiness and above all good health.

I did the same thing as 2Gs looking up your tank capacities and I too was surprised with the FW being less than half the grey!!! Hence why I asked confirmation of your tank sizes in above post. If this is indeed the case then if you can find room to carry excess water in containers, you should be golden with careful conservation to stay out a good amount of time. Our grey would fill first before any of the other two needed servicing. Happy Travels.

David, what size are all your tanks because FW is just one part of the equation! We primarily boondock ourselves and can go up to 3 weeks at a real push (tend to empty tanks more often in really hot temps for sure!). Our tank capacities are 100gal FW 50 each Black and Grey tanks. We have a 1000w solar system and large ah battery array to compliment. We very rarely have to turn on our generator to top up. A little idea as to how we roll: We eat and prep the majority of our meals, cooking similar as at home base and don't use disposable items = proper crockery & utensils. We tend to have left overs being just two of us that we utilise the next day also. We shower every other day (Navy style) wet, shampoo, rinse, the other day we strip wash. We collect initial water whilst setting temperature to use shower, for flushing toilet or heating up for when doing dishes, typically every other day we find suffices for the most part on dishes. We also carry 10 gallons we use for making our tea and or cooking with for the most part, and will use a bowl to wash dishes in so we can dispose outside from our tanks where prudent or to put in the black tank. We use actual flush mechanism sparsely but after each use rinse bowl. We don't find it hard being frugal with our electric and water usage when boon docking and feel clean in our personal wellbeing. As we move more often than every 2 weeks, we don't find it hard to find sources to empty and refill accordingly. With practice and monitoring, you'll automatically find over time you become more and more frugal with usage of your resources to enable you to stay out longer. Some folks also carry bladders/containers of extra water.

Self Directed having had no luck with managed accounts in many years previous. Used to buy into a "few" individual stocks swing trading them, when they seemed to have a trend moving (wave lines) ie; MSFT and similar, Dogs of the Dow, Dividend Aristocrats, banks, utilities etc. Now as we have got older we want to simplify with being more hands off so prefer S&P500 index, a handful good dividend payers and using the 3 bucket system have some cash derivatives and GICs the latter which is not keeping up with inflation but paying currently around 5.10%. We find the 3 bucket approach enables us to not feel forced to sell anything when the market is bearish, we can try to ride it out hopefully on a recovery as has been evidenced over the years. Of course history is not indicative of the future but what else can you go by?

Hey Gary, Just a FYI to check into but if you have the B1/B2 visa for multiple entries into the USA and wish to Flagpole hop as it's known to reactivate, be cautious as whilst in most cases the "first time" they'll grant you up to 6 months entry into the USA, that is totally at the discretion of that border crossing agent back into the USA. Six months every time is not guaranteed!!! They might not agree to a 6 month in and out for 24 hours/3 days or whatever and another re-entry for multiple months. Just highlighting that you are aware that the USA border agent = "at their discretion" always!!

That's so shameful to read on their part, but alas respect in most spheres of life is a dying commodity. There needs to be such severe and enforced penalties known upfront with folks to avoid this happening to others. The CG management needs to enforce something well known up front that hurts enough not to follow what you've booked etc. Alas if the CG management doesn't do something about it, then it'll keep happening sadly in today's age. Sorry it ruined your trip.

People after our own heart. We always try to patronage the business or otherwise that gives a great overnight place to stop as we travel. We are not CG people so it's important to us to support these folks that offer these options up to us still and never leave a trace.

Thanks for that Linda, we love Casino Camping here and there especially if it feels comfortable for overnighting. Of course things change over time but we'll check into it for sure.

Again a HUGE Thanks for the tips Kirk = right up our Alley with lakes, waterfalls etc Also thanks Steven for your sharing experience. We definitely will be wanting to experience the Ozarks and some of the outlook points that offer the best experiences. For sure we intend to check out some towns as well like OKC, Tulsa, Little Rock, Eureka, Hot Springs (even just a look see as we're passing thru on the smaller ones)> Also as a one night entertainment and purely curiosity being the largest in the USA we're going to stop a complimentary night or maybe two if we want a down day inbetween at the Winstar. Probably be the most expensive O/N stay LOL. Looking forward to it all 👍

For sure we are animal lovers being also farmer background but we too don't appreciate obnoxious dogs/pets where the owners let them run riot near our space over the years. In fact we got so tired many years ago when we used to book more into CGs back then, that we'd specifically ask to be in the non-pet area where chances were stronger we'd avoid confrontation or messages left behind!! I have to say that we have been blessed for the most part, to come across more respectful children/young adults than not but on occasion in cramped provincial park we used to frequent often, we'd have to endure balls/disks, hitting our siding, windshield and even us! As well always that odd disrespectful drunken group that think partying till 3am in the morning is acceptable to all around them! Nowadays we tend not to use CGs so not been an issue generally. We cut cable back in 2014, and haven't missed it in the slightest - we are not big TV watchers, and tend to source our odd interest ie; news a nearly 70 year running UK series I enjoy, via the internet and we enjoy playing card games during our down times. Good point though Scott for those into TV shows etc when weather affects enjoyment. Just at the moment researching like crazy what to see and do and not miss in the two states we haven't yet spent any time in. Namely Oklahoma and Arkansas - we'll have to try and hit them during April on our return after snowbirding south. Read some write ups saying OK roads are pot hole riddled but nonetheless looking forward to finally getting them both visited for a couple weeks at least each. Should hopefully catch before Tornado season!! Really enjoying reading your comments everyone. I've always said, that no matter how much fun and enjoyment something is there's always something that causes some frustration somewhere and it's a trade off we make for getting so much good the rest of the time. Safe and happy travels to all and ongoing good health everyone!

Wow, this has been wonderful to read so many folks perspectives and I'm sure others have enjoyed as well 😀. For sure responses of course will vary as indicated by others on folks individual demographics when they started FTing, but most experiences can be related to. 👍 For us strange grocery stores don't phase us, I tend to stock up on things (Teabags, Marmite, Heinz Salad Dressing, Rich Tea, HP Sauce etc), I can't source easily on our travels. Breakdowns happen and for the most part we just roll with the punches. Once we had engine replaced in Pocatello (stuck there just over a week), another time, Great Falls for 3 weeks, so just drove their truck back home 4.5hrs for 3 weeks awaiting repairs. Weather for sure would have an impact if long term misery = we've ran away from large tropical storm heading inland in Fla in previous years, hiding behind building for sake of a few days. I think for us the biggest frustrations would be anything limiting due to medical issues, but if it's beyond our control then we have to accept that which we can't change and change that which we can. With no grandchildren on the horizon due to daughter's teaching contract for next couple years we have no ties to any particular area, other than seeing her right now. In answer to your Question above Kirk about our plans. Well they've been like a revolving door since around 2015 = ain't that just the truth about life? With daughter getting married in 2017 planned and taking over the family acreage, then terminated after 7 years in the making, to now today just got married 1st Sept 2023 (she's 32 but they originally met when she was 16 and reconnected in 2019), and moved into his rental in city that they are planning to buy off his uncle cheap and fix up and then resell to get back on an acreage - with past relationship memories, she just didn't want the family one any more . The latter broke my heart having to sell it. Some of the proceeds from the sale of the acreage we plan to buy a small piece of land (4+ac) when the right place comes up (choice very limited right now due demand!), and eventually the kids will build their dream home and an apartment off one of the outbuildings for us in later years and as an income helper when we no longer require it. Well all good laid plans and that = anything can change between now and then, as the past decade has witnessed many times over for us. For sure we tend to roll with the punches, for the most part . Being Canadian (think artic tundra 6+ months in a tin can!), we have other considerations on our limited time allowed in the USA, affordable medical insurance when there with now existing conditions, and the fact that what was supposed to be 2 years of 3 monthly scopes if clear going out to 6 months and then yearly and so on for 7 to 10 years, I'm now 18 months in and still on 3 monthly scopes for the foreseeable due to reoccorance, last tumours removed Feb 16th and July 10th this year Absolutely though Kirk, we've no intentions of letting that stop us at least now and if I have to fly back for scopes/ops etc so be it during our snowbirding time in the beautiful USA. Daughter will just have to have a house guest longer/more often than expected. Either that or I'll book into a hotel LOL. We've been blessed in the fact that we have covered 48 of the USA states (inc Hawaii not by RV obviously & Alaska) and every province and territory in Canada - alas all at speed in our road warrior working years, but we made it happen! Our goal now is to do it more at a leisurely pace and smell more roses along the way. We are sometimes happy to only move 50 miles or so up the road nowadays to explore what's around the next bend. We love kayaking, fishing, lakes mountains, waterfalls, beautiful landscapes and vistas, snorkelling and visiting small towns and enjoying their architecture and people watching. So our satisfaction needs are pretty basic. Alas both of us with bad rotator cuffs from years of construction and farming (one op worked others not!), kayaking and fishing is starting to get less time casting/paddling each attempt, and of course we need to assess water/wind challenges moreso not being as strong in our arms anymore. That doesn't mean we can't enjoy so much else and for sure we intend to keep doing it as long as we can. Whist (at least right now and of course with age that might change as well!!), we are not ones to spend a month in one place unless there's a lot to explore/see/do of interest to us, we tend to like to move every few days or so. We just aren't the type to sit somewhere for sitting's sake cause the weather is warmer. Again, and this might change as well, we really have never enjoyed being sardined in commercial CG's for the most part, and being tied to reservations = serendipity travellers liking to stop and start as whim arises. Of course as said, this too might change in a handful of years, as even now I'm finding I'm more conscious of how safe do I feel in various locations the past few years, we never thought twice about being at a decade plus agot! Time's they are a changin' for sure. So the ideal goals/plans right now, are to be down South in the warmer climes in the winter months exploring, taking an odd cruise here and there maybe, spending the summers closer to our youngest daughter and maybe every few weeks head West and another time east to explore Canada for the umpteenth time LOL. We'd also love to RV in Mexico, but again lately that's caused us concern safety wise, but feel still doable if can get a small group of us together with varying skills - like a mini caravan watching out for each other. Another thing we decided to do, much to hubby's protest because he likes me in with him navigating. Mainly because we aren't moving very far very fast for the most part nowadays, is instead of investing in a tow set up (we've never toad since 1999) and another vehicle suitable for towing on top, we are going to do the chase car with my Escape for the first couple years. In due course being FT it will allow us the chance to realise if we a) Need to change rigs for something more suitable/newer and b) install a tow set up on a new rig or the existing one without wasting the money up front initially. For sure we know it's double mileage/gasoline etc but ..... We just don't want to be wasting our nest egg we worked so long and hard for over the decades on something we then want to change out again in a year or less. Awesome reading your sharing comments above everyone, looking forward to reading more. FTW.

Some very kind thoughtful replies. Often read about many that come off the road eventually due to illness/mobility issues. We don't tend to sweat the small stuff when it comes to repairs etc, but for sure can relate to the lifeline, medical type comments. Sadly Linda like every aspect in life we deal with some aren't as considerate of their neighbours as others - at least with wheels we can move on from undesirables when necessary. Getting diagnosed with cancer Jan 2022, and 3 tumour removals since rocked our world. Initially just wanted to give up on any future plans but got through that stage with 3 follow ups that were clear, then reoccurances. Nonetheless onwards and upwards as long as we are able is our mantra now. Hope everyone stays safe and healthy as possible for as long as possible. Every day is a gift to embrace.

Over the years we've read, watched, heard, seen many many accolades of the joys of Full Time RVing. Of course most of these write ups are either by you tubers, blog promoters or otherwise and make it sound mainly Rainbows and Unicorns. For sure for the majority it absolutely is a wonderful lifestyle for the most part ...... Personality traits of course come into play on what is a mountain to one person is a mole hill or blip issue to another. To that end for those of you that "used to" or still do "full time" RV or even snowbird six months of the year most years in your RV but go back to a sticks n bricks or do a lot of long extended trips, care to share what maybe the top 3 or so most frustrating things you found whilst Full Time RVing. Looking forward to the responses related to the Title. Happy Travels. FTW.

I absolutely agree with you, they should keep these kids on leashes 🤣