This is strictly for the Newcomers who don't yet have their vehicle. So many have posted that they can't afford to buy an RV and yet would love to try this lifestyle. When my husband died five years ago, very unexpectantly, I was left with no Insurance money and a huge mortgage. I worked four jobs to keep the home from Foreclosure. Sold it, at very little profit, but glad to get out from under! Then I began selling off my "stuff" and putting the money away. I stil worked every hour I could. I did demo's in Walmarts (lots of freebies there) I sold on E-Bay, I had yard sales. Worked at my day job. I put my money in CD's and when I had $8000 I bought an old 1984 Class A. I used the CD's as collateral on a loan to buy it. That way I still had my money, but if anything happened and I couldn't pay the loan, the CD's would cover it. I had a great first year, still working but going on 3 day trips, and one long trip. Then I was ready for fulltiming. I got a job Workamping and was able to save almost everything I made. I had a free site, with electric, sewer, water and Propane. I also earned money for every hour worked. It is so remote out here there was nothing to spend money on. I sold the Class A to a fellow workamper, who was in their lodging and had no vehicle of his own. I have now bought a 2001 Travel Trailer, see photos on Open Talk. I will buy the best truck I can afford at this time, then next year, work again so I can upgrade the truck...and I still have my original CD's in the bank! If you really want to do this, it can be done! I have never regretted the moves I made. I am 69 and plan to live like this, God willing, until I'm 80. I hope I've given you some encouragment. I didn't post this to boast, but to show you we are not all wealthy widder women. Remember, I'm known as the pore 'ol widder woman! Just a side note. We have just employed a 72 year old woman, traveling alone in her Class C. When her husband died she thought she would have 150.000 in life insurance. The second wife got it all! She has very little Social Security and will have to work for the rest of her life. She is about 4ft 10 and looks just like an apple doll lady. No matter how bad off we feel, there is always someone just a little worse off. We should all be grateful for what we do have.

---

I love you post - it made me cry ! I was just sitting here looking at my money situation and thinking maybe I'm crazy for thinking I can do this. Thank you for the reminder that Yes I Can !!! I may need to work a little harder then I imagined when I started thinking about doing this, but I don't mind working hard. I would like to find a job like you've found, where my site is free, that'd save alot. Thanks again - I'm trying not to freak out about costs and you helped :D Trudy and Maui Molly the hula dog

---

Trudy, Molly & Murphy "be the kind of person your dog thinks you are"

Timing!!! Just today I was going over my projected income and expenses. I want to 'retire' in 5 1/2 years at 55, and move into a MH, workamp and flea market.(I'm back into that just enough to be encouraged) But my pension will be VERY small and of course it will be some time before I can draw ss. So I was trying to plan how much I want to have so I can feel a little more secure in my plans. I dumped the stick house and moved into a mobile home, so that cut expenses and 'stuff' from my life. I am up to saving $300 a month in payroll savings bond deductions, $10 a week goes directly into one savings account, and $25 twice a month into another. NOW.....before you jump to thinking I must make pretty decent money, think again. That leaves me living on less that $900 a month.(and still with 2 kids at home)....we have cable and electricity lol I have, and will continue, to increase my bond deduction to match my yearly raise. I have become the 'preacher' at work for all the 'youngsters' about saving for retirement. Even if you can only put back $10 a week. It adds up fast and after awhile you might find, as I have, that saving is addictive. I just keep my eyes on the prize. Which in my case is a 32' class c! getting my ducks in a row

---

getting my ducks in a row

Sparkle,
I just have to tell you how much your posts inspire me. I, too, am 69 and there are so many times when I wonder what ever possessed me to think I could still enjoy the RV lifestyle after losing my DH. Especially when things go wrong or I can't get the t.v. satellite to work (even with dcricket's help) or some other hitch in the getalong happens, I question my sanity. Then along comes Sparkle with her stories and comments and I realize that I CAN do it. I don't full time and may never be a full-timer, but I still want to take some more long adventures like we used to do. As Donna said, I hope we can meet in person some day and maybe we can both do this until we're 80!


Evie and fur people, Spike & Pia

---

Evie driving Flitter, 26' Itasca Spirit with furry co-pilot, Spike

Thank you all for your kind comments. I really hope I have encouraged some to "go" for it. I was planning to go to Colorado next summer, but decided I'll do that when I'm "old". So, I'm looking for a job in Alaska! I'm going to re-read all Sharons comments about her trip. I've got The Milepost book and love poring over the map. I'd like to go someplace where I can't pronounce the name. You know what I mean, Fairbanks, Alaska has a certain ring to it, but Klikitiklak, Alaska, now that would be a trip.

---