Independence Day/America’s Birthday!

I know I said I wasn’t going to post this week, but something is bothering me. The other day, I was driving into work listening to a “RVer’s” podcast. They were answering a listener’s question. The question was “If I sell my house and move into a fifth wheel, is it cheaper?”. The answer they gave really upset me (I’m being nice, it really pissed me off).

They were basically telling this person that this idea was completely terrible and not to do it… They said if you want to maintain your lifestyle, do not sell your house… I’ll agree that you do have to change your lifestyle, to an extent, but don’t talk someone out of what they want to do! So I thought I would dive into some details on how Brian and I afford this lifestyle.

As most of you know, we sold our house for double what we paid, so that helped to pay off 95% of our debt (yes, we still carry debt while we live on the road) and we have a healthy savings account. I work a seasonal job (May through October) and it pays a little more than what I was making at my last job. We are still able to eat and pay our bills, so I do not want anyone thinking they will be starving or have to eat hot dogs for the rest of their life if they choose to do this. I was fully prepared for us to be unemployed for a few months and I searched and found recipes that have tons a flavor that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Brian also has his website that he makes money from, which mostly goes into savings.

I have always been frugal (thanks mom!), Brian, not-so-much. He is the type of person that goes grocery shopping and picks up the first brand of the item he wants. Me, I go for the cheapest brand (and it is not always what is on sale or the store brand). I’m teaching him, he is reluctant most times, but I think he gets it.

We were never really materialistic either, which helps. Yeah, I have splurged on a few things in my lifetime, but I have learned, I DO NOT NEED THEM. If you need those types of things, then this lifestyle is not for you. First, you will be broke in a matter of time, and second, you won’t have a place to store them! I love having memories to talk about, and not possessions. You can always make more money, but you can’t get your time back, so why spend money on “things”? Spend on experiences and memories!

I know some readers may also watch the RV Youtubers that move from spot to spot every week. Yes, that would be nice, but I’m not a Youtuber, I would never film my life to air to all the world, plus I don’t think anyone would be entertained by watching Brian and I bicker back and forth. I am a very private person, but also, I am an open book. There are just things I don’t wish to share with everyone.

If you read from our earlier blog, we planned this for SEVEN years. We downsized our home for seven years, we paid down our debt as much as possible, we cut back where we could, we switched insurance plans to save money, basically, we worked our asses off and did everything we could to make this dream a reality. I’m not saying it was or is easy, I’m saying it is doable and DO NOT LET ANYONE tell you it isn’t.

Planning is key to getting into this lifestyle. You have to plan for the future, set goals, get in the mindset of where you want to be and you will get there! It’s not going to happen over night, unless you are independently wealthy.

We have been doing this full-time RV Life for four months, and It has been an amazing four months. I CANNOT wait to see what the future holds! We have met a few couples and even couples with small children that have taken the leap within the last few months and they all say the same thing, it is the best decision of their life!

Long story short, you can do anything you put your mind to. Don’t think it is a pipe-dream, and definitely, DO NOT LET OTHERS TELL YOU YOU CANT DO IT! This is Independence Day, so know you are able to feel this freedom!

~Happy Travels!