CHECKLIST FOR FUTURE FULL-TIME RV'ers

Question: I want to become a future full-time RV'er. What do I need to be thinking about now?

These are in no particular order - just what we have been experiencing in our journey to become full-timers. When time permits, I'll set this up in a much better form - but that won't be until we actually get on the road and have free time. I just need a place to keep this information until then so I created this blog. It's definitely a work-in-progress.


Start planning now.

Set-up an Excel spreadsheet and track every penny you spend.

Hide your money under a mattress so the government, Wall Street, and the banks can't find it (OK - this is supposed to be a joke, I think).

Stop buying "stuff" you "want", but don't really need.

Don't eat out as much - every penny you save now will be money you can use when you hit the road.

Watch for and use grocery coupons to help save money.

If you have been saving loose change in a big bottle, you will have to spend a lot of time rolling it up. Start early.

Be sure to have your pet vaccinations up-to-date and keep those records.

Read lots of web-sites and blogs devoted to the full-time lifestyle.

Make "Internet friends" with those people who are currently living the lifestyle - they have a wealth of knowledge to share.

Set up a blog - it's fun to track your own personal journey into the lifestyle and family and friends will be able to keep up with you along the road.

Buy your next laptop with a web-cam or buy a separate web-cam - Makes staying in touch with friends and families fun. We plan to use Skype. Hopefully it will work for us.

Start cleaning out your closets and drawers NOW. Learn to only keep what you really use.

Here's a trick I read about: Put all of your closet hangers facing in the same direction. Each time you use an item of clothes and wash/clean it and re-hang it, put it back on the hanger in the opposite direction. After a period of time (one year?) you should be able to easily spot the clothes you really aren't using - get rid of them!

Going to have a garage sale in your future? Price the stuff and put it in a box until you are ready for the sale.

Can't part with some of your prized possessions? Consider asking a friend or family member if they can keep one box for you. That way they aren't over-burdened with your "stuff". Just don't forget who you leave items with.

Check prices on ebay and the Internet so you know the value of your items before the garage sale.

Consider taking some items with you that you won't be able to sell at a garage sale. For instance, maybe you have a pocket knife collection. Once you are on the road, maybe you will have more time and can list them on craigslist and ebay and make a little money while on the road.

If you want to work while traveling, read website and blogs about what is known as "workkamping". Lots of good information out there.

Read websites that provide reviews of campgrounds.

Want to boondock? Learn about staying overnight at Wal-Mart and Cracker Barrell, as well as going out west and staying on BLM land (Bureau of Land Managerment).

Learn about your medical/dental/vision insurance options before you become a full-timer.

Decide upon a State of Residency. Keep it legal and it can save you a lot of money.