Cost of Full Time Rving

by Carol Smith
(Abita Springs, LA)

We are getting ready to be fulltime rvers and it is getting a little scary. Because our 401k took a large hit, we are going to be trying to live on $1,500 a month for 2 people. Are we being unrealistic? The only bills we will have are insurance, maintenance and general living expenses.
Look forward to any information.

Peace,
Carol Smith

Comments for
Cost of Full Time Rving

Click here to add your own comments

Dec 05, 2009

Rving Costs
by: Sharon

Hi Carol,

First let me welcome you into the family of Full Time RVers. Full-timers are a wonderful group of adventurous and friendly folks.

Also, sorry to hear about the 401K, but I assure you most of us are in the same boat in regards to that issue. It'll take us years to recover the losses I am sure.

Now for your question...no you're not crazy to think you can do full time RV living on $1500 a month budget. You could even spend less should you decide to.

The thing about figuring the true costs of RVing is it's all dependent on how you decide to do it. Sure you can spend lots of money, but you can also find ways to be frugal and cut your Rving costs.

Simple expenses like you described such as insurance, maintenance and general living expenses, won't set you back much. A simple budget and plan will keep you on track. We spend about $600 a month for our expenses, but your expenses are completely dependent on how you full time.

Here's the thing. You will determine how often you travel, which parks you stay at, and what you spend money on in addition to your fixed expenses.

These are the expenses you'll incur and should budget for according to your plans. Fuel, park rent, electric, propane, internet, and satellite TV if the park doesn't have cable. Of course your RV insurance, laundry, any medical expenses, and any misc entertainment plus basic living expenses.

Here's how you cut costs if you're dialing back on expenses. Choose to stay monthly at RV Parks it's considerably cheaper than weekly or daily rates. Annual rentals are the most cost effective if you plan to be in an area for an extended period. Lots of folks winter in places like Arizona and choose an annual rental because in most parks six months will cost you the same as twelve, so be sure to ask. Some annual rates in resort parks are only $1900 a year in Arizona. Of course it will depend on what state you're staying in and what you're overall plans are.

Choose parks that include free cable, and wi-fi with the rental space. If you have a generator try boondocking while you travel or stay in State Parks that are much less expensive - especially for folks who are senior citizens. Then your budgeted rent will really stretch and can be used for fuel and propane costs.

You could also try Workamping where you trade a few hours of work for a free rental space. It's popular with Full Time RVers.

We have put together some excellent articles on Rving costs, Workamping and boondocking you might like to read.

The RV lifestyle can be a very frugal way to live and travel or extremely expensive depending on the decisions you make.

I hope others will share their advice and experience on this RV Q & A. The more the merrier.

X Close Editor

Dec 05, 2009
Rating

Submitted by: Sharon

Title

Comment
Hi Carol, First let me welcome you into the family of Full Time RVers. Full-timers are a wonderful group of adventurous and friendly folks. Also, sorry to hear about the 401K, but I assure you most of us are in the same boat in regards to that issue. It'll take us years to recover the losses I am sure. Now for your question...no you're not crazy to think you can do full time RV living on $1500 a month budget. You could even spend less should you decide to. The thing about figuring the true costs of RVing is it's all dependent on how you decide to do it. Sure you can spend lots of money, but you can also find ways to be frugal and cut your Rving costs. Simple expenses like you described such as insurance, maintenance and general living expenses, won't set you back much. A simple budget and plan will keep you on track. We spend about $600 a month for our expenses, but your expenses are completely dependent on how you full time. Here's the thing. You will determine how often you travel, which parks you stay at, and what you spend money on in addition to your fixed expenses. These are the expenses you'll incur and should budget for according to your plans. Fuel, park rent, electric, propane, internet, and satellite TV if the park doesn't have cable. Of course your RV insurance, laundry, any medical expenses, and any misc entertainment plus basic living expenses. Here's how you cut costs if you're dialing back on expenses. Choose to stay monthly at RV Parks it's considerably cheaper than weekly or daily rates. Annual rentals are the most cost effective if you plan to be in an area for an extended period. Lots of folks winter in places like Arizona and choose an annual rental because in most parks six months will cost you the same as twelve, so be sure to ask. Some annual rates in resort parks are only $1900 a year in Arizona. Of course it will depend on what state you're staying in and what you're overall plans are. Choose parks that include free cable, and wi-fi with the rental space. If you have a generator try boondocking while you travel or stay in State Parks that are much less expensive - especially for folks who are senior citizens. Then your budgeted rent will really stretch and can be used for fuel and propane costs. You could also try Workamping where you trade a few hours of work for a free rental space. It's popular with Full Time RVers. We have put together some excellent articles on <a href="http://www.fulltime-rving.com/rv-costs.html">Rving costs</a>, <a href="http://www.fulltime-rving.com/rvjobs.html">Workamping</a> and <a href="http://www.fulltime-rving.com/boondocking.html">boondocking</a> you might like to read. The RV lifestyle can be a very frugal way to live and travel or extremely expensive depending on the decisions you make. I hope others will share their advice and experience on this RV Q & A. The more the merrier.

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...