Jayco-noslide
Galesburg,Il., USA
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Joined: 11/24/2004
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You may just be having "normal" doubts. If you are really set financially, then it sounds like you have planed well, much better than some of the unfortunates who go full-time and really don't have adequate money. If you are keeping your home then do you really have much to loose? Just head back to the house and bail out if you really don't like it.
Jayco-noslide
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elh0146
Sioux Falls, SD
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Joined: 01/13/2002
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dshinnick wrote:I don't feel like I can really talk to the wife too much about this, cause I'm the leader/instigator in all this, though she's very willing, but if the captain expresses doubt, what will the crew think?
This statement concerns me more than you getting cold feet. If you can't be totally honest with your wife and share your feelings with her, I don't give your fulltiming adventure much of a chance.
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Samarai
Spring/Grapeland Tx
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Joined: 11/20/2005
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Dave,I think I understand what you are thinking. I have always wanted to full time, but I am not sure about it yet. I have a small lake house that I am retiring to and I have decided to take the trailer there and go on extended trips to see what it would be like to full time. If I decide I want to get off the road for a while, I will have a place to go to. I might decide that full timing is for me and then I can go for it. I do know that there a lot of places in the U.S. and overseas I would like to visit. I can take the trailer for the U.S. locations and have a place to stash the trailer while overseas.
Just some thoughts running through my head. Won't really know until I jump into the water.
* This post was
edited 11/07/09 02:06pm by Samarai *
Bill/L'l Lulu & Mago Chan
Casita SD 17'/Chevy Express Van/Whites V3 MD
USAF/Army Retired
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DianneOK
Donnelly, ID
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Missourijan......are you at McGrath?
As far as cold feet...this is a natural reaction, after all it is a 180* change of lifestyle. We fulltimed for nearly 9 years. Look at it as an adventure!
Dianne
Donnelly, ID
DataStorm
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2005 Teton 39' Frontier Grand
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Delaine and Lindy
Linden Tn. (The View) /Gulf Shores, Ala.
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Joined: 02/20/2005
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If your able to fully retire them do it. Life is to short to sit around and think about it. If you do its very possible you will be sitting around wishing you had.
As for renting your house that can be a huge problem. Many renters will do more damage than its worth. Unless you can get a big deposit I would serioulsy think about that decision.
As for selling the house, in some areas houses are still selling and getting another house is very easy.
We sold our first house and went full timing and never was bored. But we did have a RV site were we could home base. It had complete hookups and was 50amp. It worked great for us.
However DW's mom had some Medical issues and we quit full timing and built another house (Mistake). But after one winter we went and bought another 5th wheel. And now wish we hadn't built another house. Because the house isn't being used but about 70% of the time and we still have property Taxs, and utility's etc. We are seriously thinking of selling our stick house again. And would never even consider building another one.
I do recomend having a Home Base for sure. Some place were taxes are low. And I would make sure you have some type of building that will cover your RV and be able to live under the cover.
There is always something to do while your on the Road. DW and me are very close and don't really need outside entertainment. Full timing is a different type life style. But if you don't like your neighbor or the location its so very easy to move.
Keep in mind also that the way things are going in our Country this thing called retirement may become obsolete and energy prices will or may go sky high. Just look what happening today (C-span)?????????
Good Luck with your decision. I will say Retirement is the best Job I have ever had and I sure like waking up and get going and if I don't get it done I can do it tomorrow. Everyday is a Holiday. Life is Good. GBY.....
2006 FreightLiner M2
Trailer Saver Air Ride (TSLB2H)
Pressure Pro System
2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 C/C (Grocery hauler)
2009 Chevy HHR LT 2
2010 Mobile Suites 38 RSSB 3/4
www.webspawner.com/users/lnhdch
We are BLESSED!!!!
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I am still wayne_tw
everywhere
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Joined: 06/18/2009
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www.volunteer.gov/gov
Check out this website; it will list all of the volunteer opportunities within the Federal Recreation System as well as some local venues as well. Of course, all most every stste has volunteer opportunities as well. Your being an educator, you will find many interesting and challenging volunteer positions, especially with the National Park Service. You will find the Rangers more than friendly and helpful, and in all most every case, you will get a free camosite in a place you could not buy for love or money. In many locations, you will be able to develop and present your own intrepation program. I think this will keep you busy for years!
I would not get rid of the house or your "stuff" until your are very certain the life style is for you.
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Klueck
Georgia
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It sounds like the normal doubts anyone would have when completely changing their life.
You haven't planned on selling your house so you can always go back to your house if fulltiming isn't for you.
I think with all the new places to see and explore you could find plenty to do to keep busy. Hiking, photography, kayaking, geo-caching, reading, writing a blog of your adventures!
Have you read RV-Dreams this blog? It is a very detailed journal of a couple that have been fulltiming for 4 years. It goes into great detail about everything related to rv living and it's very interesting.
What have you got to lose? Try it and you can always go back after a few weeks, months, years.
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Happy_Trails
Fulltime, USA
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Joined: 11/21/2006
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As a therapist for over 40 years, have come to the conclusion that about 90% of the things we fear, never happen. That only by focusing on what we fear, causes it to happen. The brain functions much like a computer, "garbage in, we get garbage out" as it is just like we are telling our brain to create what we fear.
"So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
Franklin Roosevelt
Focus on the "benefits" of any lifestyle, regardless of what you choose, and you will enjoy life... There is a book "Fourteen Thousand things to be Happy About." Had all of my clients buy this book, they were amazed at how many of the experiences listed they enjoyed in life. But, were focusing upon the few negatives instead so were causing themselves to feel bad. As soon as they began spending 10-20 minutes a day thinking about the good things they experienced, they began feeling better.
People who had been on anti-depressants for over a decade, no longer need them.
Bob & Nadine
1984 Allegro 23 feet, always at home!
Living Life With a "Golden Age Passport"
and Thousand Trails VIP Membership, Priceless!.
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wanda573
missouri
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Joined: 05/31/2006
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Hi,
I agree with other posters who say keep the house and hit the road. That's what we do and it's always great to come home. We travel for months at a time and then there is always some celebration that we want to come home for. After years of saying I want to fulltime, I now realize that I want to travel for months and then return home to see family and friends. My husband likes to come home to the property and tinker with his tractors and work in his workshop. The dogs love to travel with us but love to run free on the property when we get home. We are always discussing the next trip. Usually on the way home. I say all of this because I think easing into fulltiming might take the scary part away and replace it with the excitement of just traveling. Although we do have a timeline in mind when we start the trip, we are both finding that we are getting more comfortable with staying away longer and longer.
Isn't it great to have the ability to have this wonderful opportunity to enjoy your life however you want. In your situation discuss alternatives with your wife. Be flexible and Don't hold your decision about fulltiming as all or nothing. We are always talking travel with an atlas on the table at all times. Just writing this post reminds me that that the things I feared did not happen, and I now approach life from the joy of living each day. Life is a highway taking you places you can't imagine or plan.
Good Luck with your decision.
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lizbard
Nacogdoches, TX
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Joined: 05/24/2009
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Since you are an educator, you could look into teaching on-line. I do not know how much you get paid, but something to look into.
Also, if you are a history buff, sports, etc., by traveling you can check out different museums or areas and like was suggested, write a blog or write a book. If you know someone with elementery school students, you could write the blog to help them learn, so they are traveling thru you.
I have also read about the workkamp where you work for free, but get a web site for free instead of getting paid.
I wold look on this as an adventure. YOu might also check with DW and find she has some doubts too.
Plan menus and plan the trips so you can get frest produce, go to wineries, bakeries, farms where they make organic cheese, etc. and try out different recipes. You and DW may find other things too.
On this site, there are several people who write about their travels. One is a couple who have been honeymooning for 2 or 3 years and work from the RV. Another couple are computer geeks and help people at different camp sites. Depending on your degree, you might be available for substitute teaching or at a learning center to volunteer your time.
I went back to college at the age of 50. I was scared about the change, especially when my husband had some health issues. I did not finish school, but fell in love with the small town where I moved to. We just bought a RV and do some exploring every couple of months in this area of Texas and other states nearby. Because of his health we cannot RV full time, but I am getting some memories with my husband while I can.
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