RV Home Yet?

Welcome!

We- Alice and Jaimie - invite you to participate in our new blog. Our intention is to have lots of good information and interesting tidbits on the RV lifestyle. We'll be happy to answer your questions too. Both of us have been full-time RVers in the past, though now both travel part-time. Jaimie is an expert at RVing for dollars. She is the author of Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road. Alice has written Taking the Mystery out of Retiring to an RV. Together we have written RV Traveling Tales: Women's Journeys on the Open Road, The Woman's Guide to Solo RVing, and Taking the Mystery out of RV Writing. We invite you to check out our website RVLifestyleExperts.com  for all sorts of informative articles, recommended books and fun things for the full-time RVer. Whether you have already hit the road or are a wannabee, we have something to offer. We look forward to conversing with you on many aspects of the RV lifestyle! Jaimie and Alice

The many ways Workamping gives you a better retirement

In a CNNMoney.com article, “Three Steps to a Better Retirement”  the author says, “If you're behind on your retirement saving, it's not too late. These three options can help you live a better life in your golden years.” In the article, Walter Updegrave details his three steps. While following them won’t give you a fabulous retirement, if you have no savings to begin with, you can still accumulate a nest egg by saving $250 month.

“Don’t Quit Your Day Job” is the second step mentioned. This is recommended because, if nothing else, it will keep you from dipping into your retirement savings as much. It could also add to your social security benefits if you postpone taking social security and keep contributing plus add to your savings.

Ways to earn money
For RVers,  Workamping at a paid or volunteer position allows both your RV travels and a chance to either add to your income or reduce your expenses. You can work at more than one location each year and see the country. Depending on your financial needs, you can earn a fair wage or you can simply get an RV site. Here are a just few ideas from more income to tradeouts:

Sales: Sales has the potential for high income, though most sales requires a few years to develop client relationships. Sales of ads for campgrounds can be lucrative, but some just starting out lose money so be cautious. Air Photo, a featured employer at Workamper.com, is one where you make a one-time sale. Couples working for them report $30,000-50,000 yearly income without working all year.

Contract work or consulting: If you have a background in computer programming or other skill in demand, you could get assignments or continue working in your field on your own terms, often from your RV. If you can get this going before you hit the road, you can avoid a lag time in income while you develop clients.

Government work: Working for the federal government pays higher than average wages. As a seasonal  employee for the National Park Service, Bill, my late husband, and I made $12-18 per hour. A friend who works during fire season makes $25+ an hour plus per diem. Another RVer now works for FEMA during disasters, making an excellent hourly wage plus per diem. (Pictured: Ranger giving tours at Mesa Verde National Park)

Temporary work: Pay varies according to skill level and employer. There are temporary agencies that specialize in construction, Internet technology, medical, accounting and others. Tax season work can be lucrative for some.

RV parks and campgrounds: Many RVers workamp at RV parks and campgrounds because an RV site is usually included. Sometimes the work is in exchange for a site, and often it includes pay. Pay is generally around minimum wage, but some employers do pay more.

Exchanges: Trade your time and effort for a site. This saves on your camping fee and so has value plus allows you to stay in an area for a while, also saving on fuel costs. Or, volunteer at a national or state RV park in exchange for our site.

These are just a few of the ideas of the more than 350 from Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider’s Guide to Working on the Road,  which also includes all the how-to’s and legal and financial ramifications.

Workamping can not only give you more money during retirement, it can be fun and provide meaning and structure in your life. It’s a way to make new friends and develop community on the road. Often perks like free admissions to area attractions are also included. And, what always makes me chuckle with delight - you are being paid to be in beautiful places! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

What’s holding you back from living the RV lifestyle?

Some people who dream of RVing let their fears of what might happen stop them. Is that you? Do you worry about what you would do if you had an accident? Had illness or a death in the family? Missed your family? Does that keep you from moving forward?

Ask yourself: What would I do if this happened in my life now? You could probably handle it in a similar way on the road.

RVers have run into these situations and dealt with them.

1. The wife of a younger couple had some serious health issues. She found a job with health benefits and got treatment. They were stayed in an RV park for a couple of years, then got back on the road.
   
2. Several friends have had parent issues to deal with. Since they have more flexibility they were actually able to provide more help because they could return to help. One friend hired a geriatric case manager to oversee her mother’s care. They now have peace of mind and can visit when more convenient for them.
   
3. A solo RVer had knee surgery and needed assistance for a couple of months while she recuperated. As an Escapees Club Member, she stayed at the CARE assisted-living unit in Livingston, Texas until she could get back on the road.
   
4. Couples who have lost their RVs have moved in with family temporarily, rented an apartment, or found work where housing was provided. We have friends who sold their RV and now housesit or volunteer where housing is provided. Someday, they may go back to RVing.
   
5. For shorter periods of time- if you are waiting for parts, or your outgo has exceeded your income, park for a while and reduce spending on fuel. You could boondock at no charge here and there, at Wal-Marts or on public lands. Or, find a weekly or monthly rate at an RV park at a savings.
   
6. RVers can arrange their schedules to visit family. In fact, staying in the RV is an ideal way to visit. You might be able to park in their driveway or on their property yet you have your own space. Or, if that’s too close, find an RV park or Workamping assignment close enough to visit but far enough away to reduce babysitting assignments. Buying a plane ticket is another option. Since Southwest Airlines has good airfare sales, periodically I fly to visit my sister and my grandkids if our travels won’t take us near there.

I’ll be exploring this further in the next RV Lifestyles Ezine, which comes out around the 10th and 25th of the month. If you are not yet signed up to receive it, go to RVLifestyleExperts.com home page and sign up now. You’ll receive a free report as our gift to you.

Don't let fear stop you from living your RV dreams! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Should your pet wear a seatbelt in your RV?

I came across an article about the Toyota Venza, a car introduced last year, that offers several  pet-friendly options. One is a leash tether for securing your pet in the vehicle. According to their press release:

A recent survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association revealed that half of all dog owners consider their pet's comfort when buying a car. And with unrestrained pets causing more than 30,000 accidents annually, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), more states are passing and considering legislation requiring pets to be secured for their own safety and to reduce driver distractions.

Do you secure your pet with a tether or crate when traveling in your RV or your tow or toad vehicle? What would happen to your pet if you were in an accident? Would it be safe? Could it hurt you by flying through the air?

Just like child restraints, most pets don’t love them, at least not at first. They do get used to them and might even feel more secure. The safety factor is worth it. In a Class A or Class C motorhome, you could put your pet in a crate near your seats or a leash tether or harness on the couch or captain's chair or possibly the dinette, depending on where regular seat belts are located. Or, you might have to make some sort of modification to have a secure place to fasten a restraint.

To give you some other ideas for making your pet more comfortable or safe when riding, other optional pet accessories for the Venta include: a rear hatch pet ramp for easy loading and unloading, a pet booster seat with harness, a first/second row or cargo area pet barrier, pet seatbelt buckles and rear seat zip line-style harnesses. These items can be purchased through other suppliers and adapted to your RV lifestyle. Toyota is hoping, though, that their features will appeal to pet owners so they purchase the vehicle.

The Toyota Venta is not listed in the Motorhome Magazine’s dinghies that can be towed four on the ground, however, two models are 4WD drive and should be able to be towed that way.

Resources
Here are two resources for pet-friendly travel for RVers.

• 2009 United States and Canada Dog-Friendly Campground and RV Park Guide
• PetFriendlyTravel.com: Two sections for RVers are “Off-Leash Dog Beaches & Dog Friendly Beaches in the U.S.” and “Pet Friendly Restaurants & Bars.”

Let us know what you think. Should pets be restrained while traveling? Do you secure or restrain yours in either your RV or your tow or toad vehicle? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

It's NaNoWriMo- get started RV writing on the road!

Today is the start of NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month. Participants write 50,000 words in one month. That’s an average of 1,667 words a day or an hour or so of writing. The object is to write the first draft of a novel without editing.

Writing practice
NaNo is a great way to start getting words on paper. Like any other skill, practice makes perfect. Writing is a skill to be developed. Even best-selling authors do not sit down and write a novel in one draft. Writing a good piece, short or a novel, takes many edits and rewrites. If you have even an occasional Internet connection as you travel in your RV, you can participate. You only need to sign up and to submit your word count at the end to be official. Otherwise, turn on your computer and write each day.

 If 1,667 words a day seems intimidating, NaBloPoMo or National Blog Posting Month is going on this month too. Post one blog entry per day - of any length. Check here for a list of free blogging platforms. Blogger and WordPress are popular choices with RVers.

Get started selling your writing
The RV lifestyle is a natural for writing. Writing about places you travel and the RV lifestyle are topics others want to know about. As you hone your writing skills, begin studying publications you’d like to write for. Also, be alert to opportunities to get your writing out there, even if you are not paid at first. Blogging is one way; commenting on other’s blogs is another. You might be able to contribute an article to a Web site in an area you have knowledge in, whether it be about RVing or something from your former life.

Selling articles and shorter pieces can start generating some income as well as credits. Here are three of the several methods outlined in Taking the Mystery out of RV Writing for getting started.

• Check with your RV club. Their magazines need submissions, usually about life on the road or travel destinations. Study their publication and see if you have an idea that would fit. Editorial guidelines, which tell you what they are looking for, length and how to submit, are often at their Web sites or you can write to the editor.
• Contribute to anthologies. Anthologies are a collection of short pieces by various writers. The Chicken Soup for the Soul books are examples. Check bookstores for other series. Google “call for submissions anthologies.” Poets and Writers classifieds list calls for manuscripts: anthologies http://www.pw.org/classifieds
• Purchase a copy of Writer’s Market (or the online version) to find magazines that are seeking articles. Check out Writer's Market here.

Your writing dream
If you have been dreaming of writing, for yourself or publication, get started by joining NaNo. If you  miss a day, just add a few more words to your daily count and get caught up. In any case, the discipline of writing every day will help you get started. George is participating for the 4th year. You can be his “friend.” He’s GeorgieB and is off to a great start with 1738 words this morning.

I haven’t totally committed to NaNo this year but will definitely be participating in NaBloPoMo by posting a blog entry every day. I’m keeping track of my words for blogging and writing articles and may hit 50,000 that way. Since I am not a fiction writer, the two years I have participated, I’ve written memoir topics and RVing-related blog entries and articles instead. At NaNo, I’m CalamityJaimie and would love to have you as a friend too.

If you’ve found these tips helpful and would like to know more about RV writing, either for writing down stories of your life or writing for publication, you’ll want to get the ebook that Alice Zyetz and I wrote, Taking the Mystery out of RV Writing. It’s available as a CD ($13.95) or an instant-download ebook ($12.95)  Click the links to read more and purchase.

So join us! Living the RV lifestyle can your perfect opportunity to have the time to write. Use November to get started making your writing dream come true. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Workamper Dreamers

Last week I attended a conference in San Diego. (See post "Do you avoid big cities?") Steve Anderson, owner/publisher of Workamper News and his daughter, Jody, who is the graphic designer and Webinar coordinator, also attended. It was actually a funny story of how we all ended up attending - one of those synchronicity things was going on.

You may have heard of Workamper News, but perhaps not their new division. That is Workamper Dreamers - to help you make your RVing dreams come true and introduce you to the Workamper lifestyle.If you are thinking of the RV lifestyle and possible working or volunteering in your RV travels, check out the site. There are exercises to get you started and interviews with Workampers. Some of the site is f/ree and some restricted to members. It's good stuff, so check it out! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Pictured above are Steve Anderson, George and me on the passenger ferry that runs between Coronado and the Embarcadero in San Diego and Jody Anderson and Steve Anderson at the San Diego Zoo.

CA State Parks latest victim of budget woes

A number of state park systems have been forced to cut back on visitor services and even close parks. In RV Lifestyles Ezine, we linked to a report by a commission in Arizona that has been studying ways to increase funding for its beleaguered parks. Some Arizona State Parks have already had days and staff cut.

California has already taken steps to reduce costs for operating their state parks. According to the MercuryNews.com, "More than half of California's 279 state parks will see reduced hours, closed campgrounds, canceled school field trips and gates padlocked several days a week under a wave of unprecedented new cuts completed Tuesday by the state parks department."

You can see a chart with some of the parks affected at the article, "Sweeping cuts imposed on more than half of California State Parks." Click on the chart to see a larger version. Humboldt Redwoods State Park does not appear on the list. (George standing in a "goose pen" formed by the burned out part of a giant redwood.) We enjoyed exploring the Avenue of the Giants that cuts through this state park.

My only hope is, that as more budget cuts are necessary, that states (and the federal government) do not consider selling off these treasures. This land that has been set aside as significant is our legacy and should be saved for future generations. The various places also provide local recreation as well as attract tourist dollars.

In the Payson area in Arizona near our homebase, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park was one named to be shut completely down last spring (pictured). The nearby towns raised a ruckus since Tonto Natural Bridge is one of the few parks that brings in enough revenue to support itself plus lots of tourist dollars. The town of Payson was able to partner with the park to provide seasonal employees on weekends at the park and keep it open two days a week. Those partnerships may be necessary in the future. It all depends on our values as taxpayers.

 What solution(s) do you see could help our state parks? Are they pawns to get voters' attention and raise taxes? Or should they be closed before other services cut? As RVers, do you visit state parks in your travels? What will it mean to the RV lifestyle? What do you think? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Latest RV Lifestyles Ezine available

See Part II October 2009 RV Lifestyle Ezine. Subscribe at RVLifestyleExperts.com

See tips for saving money on camping and Tom Vineski's series on RV Solar Power 101.

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

RVers can live their dream at any age

Yesterday I came across Roadtrip Nation and their green RVs. Roadtrip Nation's mission is to define your own road in life. Students can apply to hit the road and interview people from all walks of life who have made lives and careers out of doing what they love. The idea is to encourage young people to live their dream rather than live someone else's. They travel in one of four RVs for six weeks and talk to all sorts of people. They interview people like a cartoonist, songwriter/producer, activist or small business owner.

Many RVers are using the full-time RV lifestyle to not just observe or talk to people living their dream, but to actually do the things they dreamed about doing. Lou and Judy ran away with a circus. They actually tutored students but they were immersed in the circus atmosphere. Adventureland in Iowa attracts more than 100 Workampers each year. Their dedicated RV park houses RVers who run the rides, hawk games or work in other aspects of running a huge attraction. Disney World in the fall and winter becomes a place for other RVers to work and play. Dan and Sue worked there for several winters. Sue accompanied a costumed character while "holding the party line" and making sure guests got their photo with their favorite character while Dan captained a boat taking passengers over to an island. What fun!
 
Still others have given lighthouse tours, manned a fire tower, interacted with visitors from all over the world as a park ranger at one of our national parks, or dressed as a historical character while giving cave tours. And other RVers run a business from their RV, giving them financial independence plus fulfilling that entrepreneurial dream. If you are wanting more ideas, Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, has more than 350 different ones.

What's your dream? Isn't it time? If not now, when? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Do you avoid big cities?

We've been in San Diego for a week for a conference. We didn't bring the RV. It can be difficult to find a low-cost RV site in the area, and, I am fortunate to have family in the area so I have a place to stay. However, thinking about going to some other large cities can be intimidating. RV parks closer in are often expensive or you have to stay way out and then drive long distances to do visiting or sightseeing.

San Diego is one city where it is easy to get around using public transportation. The trolley system takes you quite close to several places to camp. There are two in Chula Vista, not far from the trolley line, though they both are fairly expensive. You could camp at the Silver Strand State Park south of Coronado then drive up to the ferry landing and take the ferry across to downtown San Diego where you can pick up the trolley. Bob Diffey, in his blog RV Boondocking News, mentions Lake Jennings, about 20 miles from downtown San Diego. There is a fee, but they do have dry camping. You could travel a shorter distance to get the trolley as well and come into town that way. If you'd like to find out more about getting around San Diego using public transportation, see my article, "San Diego by Bus, Train and Trolley," at RoadTripAmerica.com.

Cities have cultural offerings, special exhibits and sights that can not be found in smaller towns. We've ventured into big cities to see the King Tut, Terra Cota Warriors and Body Works traveling exhibits, available only in large metropolitan museums. If you take some time to research RV parks and public transportation, you may find it isn't so difficult to add a city to your itinerary. 

Exploring nature is wonderful - and - mix it with a little culture now and then! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Be careful with RV holiday decorations

For many of us, taking up the RV lifestyle is the end to holiday decorations. I have to admit I was never much of a decorator when it came to holidays to begin with. I gave away nearly all my Christmas decorations. I have one small box left of a few small favorites, and since 1992 when we hit the road, I think I've had them out two or three times tops.

However, RVers who travel with children or have kids around for the holidays may still decorate. And, some people just love to decorate for the season even if they don't have children, especially if they are parked.

If your decorations include candles, be especially careful. A news article at News4Jax in Jacksonville tells about two RV fires in the past two months caused by candles. The most recent fire was caused by a candle in the bathroom. The woman went back to sleep on the couch and when she awoke, saw smoke.  See the photos at the scene: the RV was totaled. She had no electricity so perhaps the candle was used for lighting the area. I can't imagine where she would place it to cause a fire in an RV bathroom, but I guess it is possible. Perhaps it was near a towel.

This woman didn't have her candles in a decoration, but this incident underscores the danger of using candles in a small place, especially unattended. RVers are fortunate that even if they are plugged in, their 12-volt system will keep their lights on for a while so they rarely have to resort to candles for light. Or, they might have a generator to power their system.

If you do use candles in your RV lifestyle, for decorating or for a romantic dinner, be careful. Don't leave them unattended for even a few minutes. Disaster could be the result. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak