RV Travel Tips with Peggi and John

FULLTIMING BUDGET by Peggi McDonald

I receive so many emails with reference as to the cost of fulltiming. The following answer concerning expenses may provide planning help to those who think they would like to go fulltime

Be aware that frequently the 1-2 year start-up turns into 10 plus (like us – we are now into year 20 and it is still not enough). On the other hand some friends hung up their keys within a year - they were not happy unless they had a stationary place somewhere. The RV Lifestyle offers something for everyone. With reference to costs – the general consensus is a minimum of $30,000.00 a year, but that amount is so vague. Your actual living expenses on the road will be the same or higher than they are in a stationary residence. Fulltiming is not meant to live like a pauper – but many RVers work their way from place to place. The amount of your costs will be a personal choice. You should also have a plan for phase two (such as a move to a condo, house or an apartment) if you, or your partner become ill and you can’t head south....
Where you spend your time will depend on which country you call home, but since most Canadian fulltimers spend winters in the south, many of these figures are in US$'s. Canadians can convert by multiplying the US amount X the exchange rate = Cdn$ while in the USA. When the Cdn dollar is bad for us Canadians heading south, it’s a real bargain for our USA neighbours who want to explore the friendly country to the north.

There is no set amount required to live on the road fulltime. Some general static costs follow

• Camping will routinely be between $250.00 to $800.00 US$ plus tax (per month) depending what state or area you are visiting, the location to attractions, what camping clubs you belong to and if you pay full price. Most members of Discount Camping Clubs pay from $10.00 plus tax per night or 50% off regular rates for up to a two-week period. Some large chain-of-parks also offer ‘Canadian dollars at par’ for first time visitors staying for one or more months. Membership clubs are less per night but that is after you pay big money to buy into a system (See my free ebook Volume One (details on www.rvliving.net). While on the move we try to travel by discount camping clubs at a cost less than $300+tax p/month when possible.

• Seasonal Camping: Rates for 5-6 months may range from $200.00 to $600.00 per month for those spending an extended stay. In both the USA and Canada the longer you’re in one spot, the lower the monthly rate. Most seasonal promos in the USA are for 3-4 months – in Canada it is routinely 5-6 months. – longer stays may lower site costs even further.
Note: For stays longer than a month, expected to pay for the power used. It may be an amount recorded on the park meter or a pre-determined rate.

• Daily Cdn rates average $20.00-$30.00 per night (depending on province). Daily US$ rates are from $20-$35.00. Weekly fees usually include one free day. Members of specific RV clubs may also receive 10% discount at certain parks.
NOTE: When we can reduce camping costs, we try to enjoy an extra activity or another meal out.

• Our groceries total from $450.00-$650.00 per month (USA or Cda) for everything we buy in the grocery store. Cdns travelling in the USA still must add the exchange rate. Americans deduct it.

• We eat out four-five times per month = approx $80-$100 ($10. each for lunch – more for dinner.)

• As close as we can figure our total monthly living costs in either country range between $1000.00 to $1200.00 per month; plus
o gas/fuel,
o annual maintenance/repairs for both vehicles ($3500-$8000 - see below)
o upgrades,
o and new equipment such as a computer etc.

• Expensive hobbies like golf or tennis etc. adds to living costs plus if you smoke or drink, it too will contribute to higher increases.

• Allowance for gas/fuel – average 09-14 miles per gal for diesel, less for RV gas. Costs vary and seem to be rising, To determine amount simply multiple your distance travelled times the cost of gas/fuel at the time, divided by MPG. Price depends on where you plan to drive and how many miles you accumulate. As fulltimers John and I usually drive 12,000 to 15,000 miles annually because we leave in the fall and cover one big circuit before returning home.

• Propane during the last few winters in the USA has been very costly to fill a motorhome at a campsite but it was equally high when we returned to Ontario in 2004. (It dropped considerably by August and again in April 05 it was down to 49.9 Cdn per litre = $145.00 US$ per gallon). We try when possible to fill up at Flying J’s because they are frequently less costly.
NOTE: If propane costs are reasonable and you are in a park where you must pay for electric it may save you money to operate your fridge on propane – but not at $3 - $4.00 per gallon.

• Plan for an extra $300-$400.00 per month to act like a tourist and to buy 'things' - that’s half the fun.

• You should have access to a $5000.00 emergency fund. We choose not to have cash sitting around collecting dust, instead we set aside a zero balanced credit card to take care of the emergency – we will rearrange funds when we return to our home location.

• A new addition to my seminars and in my writing is the suggestion to set up a contingency fund at the time of your purchase to cover routine repairs and upgrade. By contributing a regular monthly amount to this fund, when your tires/batteries or whatever needs replacing or repaired, the cash is available to pay for the upgrade.

• Other items that need to be considered are listed in the table below. I may have missed some things but this overview will give you the idea.

Phone cards
Cell phones
Internet ISP
WiFi
Mail forwarding
Tax consultants/fees etc
Drivers licence Insurance
Vehicle licencing
Emergency Road Service ERS
Mortgage payments (if applicable)
RX meds/Health
Air Ambulance
Dental costs Clothing upkeep
Discount club dues
RV Club dues
Chapter memberships
Accumulating costs from
– keeping the house
– and your RV

To determine your living expenses – use the above amounts as a guide. We know American RVers who fulltime solely on social security OR Cdns who have not much more than Old Age pensions plus CPP (Canada Pension Plan). Other friends can't exist on $5-$6K per month. It seems no matter how much John and I have coming into the bank every month, the last week before payday, the money well is very low in available cash.

Some Fulltimers add to their cash flow as workkampers (work while they travel). Part time work options are listed on www.rvliving.net/nalinkscont.htm under Working on the Road section. Jobs in USA and Canada are listed but legally you can’t work in any country other than your own without proper visas, although some RVers do menial work at parks (without visas) in exchange for rent. (It may be wise to keep your plans to yourself). In our case, I present seminars, write articles, etc. however I declare all monies received as part of my worldwide income. We will never get rich from these extras but they do help cover some of our travel expenses. Remember, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.

Now it is time to pull out the paper and pencil to determine how much it will cost you to hit the road F/T. If this is in the cards - don't worry - the time will fly by until spots along the highway become your newest backyard. Take care, RV Living IS the Freedom Lifestyle for sure. P&J


Peggi and John are RV Lifestyle Consultants, Webhosts of the Information Site For ALL RVers –www.rvliving.net. Peggi’s newest book is RV Living in the 21st Century includes the best of her first best-seller Spirit of the Open Road plus seven years of updates. For details and more listings of ‘where to buy RV Living in the 21st Century’ go to www.rvliving.net/spiritcont.htm
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http://www.rveducation101.com/detailpages/RVLiving.htm?siteID=0

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