Working on the road is a challenge that young full-time RVers have to face. We at Freedom Rolling have always professed that our mobility is our greatest advantage. However, just like weather, you sometimes have to be ready to change work plans on the drop of a dime.
When we first began our RV adventure, we had lined up some work for ourselves. Just as it normally is when you are "entry level", it wasn't ideal, and only came with site for compensation. In fact, trips 6 and beyond may have looked drastically different. However, coupled with some logistical challenges with our arrival, the work we would have been doing wasn't fitting our internal compass. The good news is, although it's a fight for employment with other full-timers, the only limits we have with where to work is our ability to get there. So we head back to the job board, find an immediate opening with a good company with work that we felt would better suit us, and lo and behold, here we are, loving life and following our internal compass.
Finding employment, especially in the winter, can be difficult. In this industry, it takes months of pre-planning to even stay somewhere, let alone work. In the winter, you're pretty much limited to the southern part of the country, eliminating half the choices. However, don't despair, because if two new full-timers on the road for less than a couple months can find something, then so can you! Openings pop up all the time from cancellations and job turnovers. There are also plenty of new RV parks and park management turnovers where they start to realize that they need workampers to fill in the gaps. Best advice, if you're looking, is to stay as mobile as possible, don't get into too many long-term stay contracts, and be ready to work almost immediately. A good owner/manager will understand you have to be able to bring your home there, and just like a typical two-week start notice in the corporate world, they'll accept something similar.
Sometimes, when you get to your job, you may not necessarily enjoy your environment. No, we aren't to that point as of the time we write this. However, just like jobs in the corporate world, the same factors can arise in job happiness. The good news is that most work in this industry is seasonal, so you could choose to wait out the contracted time before moving on, leaving on generally acceptable terms on both sides. If that isn't enough, you can always go to the job board and find something else. Be careful when doing this, as just with retail, your desirability is based on reputation and potentially references. If you're traveling with a family, work it out with them and see what's best. Rash decisions are never a good thing, even in the RV life. With our trip 7 "escape", that was building for a while, and the change in terms was the perfect opportunity.
At the end of the day, never let work dictate your internal compass. Follow what your heart says, and opportunity will arise to help fulfill your needs.
Yes, it's that time of year again. The city light poles get decorated, the malls get full, and every entertainment outlet is playing some cheesy music or cartoon special. But what about full-time RVers? How are they celebrating Christmas, or any other holiday for that matter?
We full-timers have our own challenges for Christmas. As a start, every holiday requires advanced planning, as it's typically a time for many to choose to go camping, especially in the southern states this time of year. Many "hunker down" in a southern spot until the spring, but there are some "more mobile" RVers out there that will want to figure it out ahead of time. Decorations are also big for many around this time of year, but when you're living on the road, you have to carry those with you throughout the year, or buy them for one-time use. This isn't to say that some don't get into the Christmas spirit, as they may decorate the rig for the occasion. Campgrounds may also do some decorating of their own.
Spending time with the family is also a little different when you're on the road. Some may choose to park with the family, but if they're in a northern climate, that may not be an option. Some of us may choose to virtually visit, just as we do with any other time of year. If you're a family member of a full-timer and looking for something to do for Christmas or another holiday, why not go visit the area where they are? You'll have to prepare for day-use fees that some campgrounds have, but if they're workamping, they might be able to work something out with the owner. Religious celebration is also easy enough, as churches are typically welcoming of visitors.
Then comes the most widely known part of Christmas: Presents. This is a bit tricky for the full-timer, as mail services charge us extra to have packages sent to us, and then it's something we have to carry with us. If you're "hunkered down" and family or friends want to send you something, perhaps have it sent directly to the campground or other location. Parks understand that people stay for months at a time, so they're able to help get you mail. Perhaps you're someone who wants to get a full-time RVer a present. Gift cards are always a good and easy idea. If you prefer the physical gift, consider putting together a "care package" of household items, confectioneries, or entertaining literature.
Following your internal compass doesn't mean you have to miss out of Christmas. All we have to do is find our own way to celebrate.
Provisions are your lifeline for the full time RV lifestyle. Food, water, fuel, and other general merchandise is always very important. However, it's also necessary to consider several factors when budgeting for your provisions, because it's a bit different from the comforts of a traditional house or apartment.
One of the obvious budget factors is cost. However, this one's a little different because you may not be too familiar with where you're heading. You may end up in a small town with a grocery store that has high prices, if there's even a grocery store nearby at all, which can happen in more rural areas. When figuring out a budget for groceries, also factor in the fuel it takes to get there. Obviously you'll be light with your tow vehicle, but how much are you saving if you have to drive 50 miles each way to a national discount chain, compared to the overpriced grocery store down the road? Some call it spending dollars to save nickels. It may be worth it if you budget correctly, though. Figure out what works best for you.
Budgeting your provisions isn't all about the Benjamins. You're in smaller quarters with your RV when compared to a house or apartment. Bulk warehouses may be nice when you're stationary, but are you going to have room for everything if you get large quantities? Depending on what it is, you may or may not be able to store it. The propane savings are certainly enticing if you have transportable canisters, as well as the lower gas prices, but how much else are you saving, and can you cover the annual fee? This isn't limited to the warehouses, either. If you're going to "stock up" on one of the longer trips to the discount store, how much of that will you be able to store? Are you going to need ice for your cooler to bring it home?
One other big thing to think out, when budgeting those provisions, is time. Mobility is a great strength for the full-time RVer, but it can also be a hindrance. Are you going to be able to use up all your perishables before you hit the road? Can some of them come with you in your towing truck? Meats are going to be a concern if you eat those. Have you prepared and frozen all of them prior to leaving? Maybe you have your pantry well stocked. Is that going to shift around, even if you have stabilizing rods? Are you thinking about using a well-stocked pantry to prevent shifting? You may be able to run your refrigerator off propane while driving, which could help with some quick lunches along the drive, but other things may be too complex.
Wherever you are and whatever you're doing while following your internal compass, it's important to be prepared. Have a plan going in, make the most of what you get, and enjoy life on the road.
One of the effects of full-time RVing is, unlike living in a house or apartment, we don't stay in one place for very long. Sometimes it's a few months, other times just a week, or even a couple nights. One of our social media viewers asked a few questions about what we have to do when it comes time for moving day.
First and foremost, recognize how much time you have. Some campgrounds have a relatively early checkout, and if you're not exactly one to enjoy a nice sunrise, you're probably going to want the night before leaving to pack at least some of your belongings. Try to get an idea of how long it takes to pack each "section" of your rig, such as the dining/living area, the kitchen, the bed and bathroom, your patio, and everything else you may have. Figure out what you need for the evening and the morning, and maybe everything else can get packed.
For us, moving around quite a bit in our first month of full-timing made our packing down to a science. Closets and cupboards are well stocked with both our non-breakable pantry and our knife set the night before leaving. Breakable and sensitive items, such as our electronics, office needs, and potent potables, are packed the night before and moved in the cab of the truck in the morning with us. Not only are they less susceptible to movement there, but can remain somewhat climate controlled. Our patio gets packed up at night, including the grill once cooking time is over. Some of our loose odds and ends that don't fit in the cupboards go into our tub and sinks for the ride in the morning. Once morning hits, after getting a shower, just move things into the truck, hook up, and be on our way.
Once we're on the road, it's important to remember, even if you drive your rig like a limousine, your things are going to move around a bit. Lock the refrigerator and freezer doors if, like us, you're lucky enough to have that. Bunks are good places to store heavier items, though you'll want to make sure it's somewhat secured with bungee cords or baby gates. Newer RVs will have good cabinet latches, so those should be fine on the trip. Just make sure they're closed. Some will go so far as to use bungee cords on their cabinets; it's up to you if you want to do that. Most importantly, before you pull out of your site, make sure that everything is as secure as you want it. Check, double check, and triple check if you want. The one time you miss something may result in disaster.
So the next time you're ready to move, have a plan. Don't be afraid to adapt and make changes if things don't seem to work out. Just make sure, as you follow your internal compass, you're able to bring everything safely with you.
Two months ago, we officially sold our house with a postage stamp for property, packed up our RV, and hit the road. As a little insider secret: One of the working titles we had for this blog was, "Our Two Month Not-So-Risk-Free Trial", documenting the process of buying a rig and traveling the country for a few months. With the laws at our old place, it wasn't feasible to do this long of a trip, and now that the house has been sold, there's no turning back. However, do join us as we look back on our incredible adventure.
Thus far, we've been two months, five trips, three time zones, and been through 19 states during that time. Some may remember, from our shakedown posts, that we mentioned how many arguments we had. Believe us when we say it hasn't been the limerence couples experience in the honeymoon phase. We've had our fair share of arguments. Some of the memorable spats include when we were driving in Iowa, realizing we were two days early, and didn't agree on how to use up that time. Also memorable were frustrations out of complications from staying in Missouri. Then there came the time when our connectivity plan went completely out the window. However, no matter the arguments, no matter how much we wanted to give up, we knew the one thing we would always truly have on this adventure is each other, and we can rely and depend on each other to get through this adventure.
In the last two months, there's so much we've seen. Basins, beaches, and bison barely scratch the surface. Rocket launches, river valleys, and the wide open road have been an amazing reward for our travels. Even just learning the history of where we go has provided a story not only to tell you, but also for our potential children in the future. One of our favorites in the last two months had to have been Custer State Park in western South Dakota, driving through to see the wonderful wildlife in their natural habitat. Even one of our most common trips from before the RV that we were able to do this time, Franconia Notch in New Hampshire, provided peace and tranquility in an otherwise bustling time when we had just begun, nearly tripping at the starting blocks.
Two months have given us our fair share of bumps and bruises. Little things like jamming a thumb in the door of the RV, dropping a sway bar on a nearly exposed foot, a hand being stuck in the commode while attempting to flush the black tank, and tripping over our dog fence, to massive sunburns while enjoying the beach. It wasn't limited to our bodies, either. Twice we thought we were going to lose our awning while it was open, rushing to pack it up as quickly as we could, sometimes forgetting steps along the way in a panic. Then came the black tank odors that only seemed to happen on one of our trips, but made our home nearly unlivable. Our little fur baby also had issues of his own, needing several trips to local vets, while finding previous doctors hadn't treated him properly.
Living on the road full-time has meant we had to make some personal sacrifices two months ago. No longer are we near our family and friends from the previous chapter of our lives. Some to which we weren't even able to say "goodbye" due to circumstance. Some were already used to the distance which made keeping in touch easy, while with others, we were able to develop much closer bonds during the transition. With each person, we find our own special way. Some find us through our social media outlets. Others are able to find us on this blog. We've even developed some communication ideas, such as sending postcards from our various destinations to our loved ones. Although we now live just about anywhere on our own, we always remember those special bonds we once had, and enjoy reflecting on those good times.
Many of you may wonder, as you read through our two-month memoir, what we would change if we had to do these two months over again. This question is always difficult, because if we were to visit our past and make a different decision, nearly everything leading to the present would also be affected. The biggest thing we would have changed was our preparedness when we first started. The last couple of weeks were rushing to pack what we still had from the house, constantly making trips to store our possessions, all while grieving the loss of one of our beloved pets. In addition, we would have fared much better had we trusted each other more, and been more understanding of each other's needs. Too many arguments stemmed from the different directions we wanted to take not only day-to-day, but also in our lives as a whole. The good news is, although changing the past is impossible and would otherwise be disastrous, we can use our past to help shape a better future and not only make better decisions, but also hope any future RVers can heed our advice and save themselves plenty of headache.
At the end of the two months, we're still alive, and our relationship has become so much stronger. We know that we can lean on each other and work together to be prosperous. Who knows how we will fare after another few months. We look forward to much more of this adventure, improving our lives as we go, and following our internal compass.
Everyone, regardless of where they live, either has or should have a contingency plan. Any number of things could happen, whether it be fires, weather, militia actions, or something else you could imagine. When living in the RV, this is no different.
Let's consider the immediate escape, where you have to abandon the RV. You'll probably want to pack a quick escape bag, which we've coloquially come to call a "go bag", and have it in your tow vehicle. Try to have one for everyone in your party. A few sets of clothes and travel toiletries should do. Maybe also add a few snacks, along with a flashlight and lighter. Don't forget your furry companion, either. You're going to want a food and water bowl for them, along with some food and water itself, maybe a couple toys to keep them occupied, as well as what you need to walk them around. You might be able to grab one or two quick personal items also, but that may be about it. The idea is that you get out of dodge for a small amount of time, and then come back to assess any damage. Just be aware, during hurricanes and the like, the government may prohibit you from accessing your property if you choose to abandon it, so your supplies will have to stretch.
Emergency planning isn't just about the quick escape. Sometimes, things will happen in general travels or stays where you need a contingency. Think about carrying some cash with you. We're talking maybe a hundred bucks or so; you don't have to empty your bank account. You may come across a fuel station or even a last minute campground that only accepts cash. One of your bank or credit cards may get cancelled, perhaps as a result of a ne'er-do-well putting a skimmer on a gas pump you used. And remember that you're not going to have a good chance to receive a new card in the mail unless you're stationary for at least a week.
Cash isn't the only thing of concern, because you may not be near anywhere where you can use that cash, so bring some supplies with you. RVers should already be somewhat prepared for boondocking trips, meaning you'll take propane, a generator with gasoline, a small camp stove with some basic cookware and a lighter, maybe some storable food as well. Water, however, is going to be the most precious commodity. Even with two people and a pup, you'll go through at least a gallon of water every day. If it's a hot and muggy day, it may even be more than that. Remember that it doesn't store as well as meals ready-to-eat (MREs) or long lasting storable food. You'll have to use it within a few months. Consider a rotation for a large cooler, whether or not there's ice. Except for extreme situations, such as burns and curing heat exhaustion, warm water is better than no water.
So while you're out there following your internal compass, know that it may lead you through a sticky situation. Just be prepared, and you should be able to make it just fine.
Finally, we have arrived at our destination. However, unlike the other trips, this one's for a longer term.
Some have asked how we deal with finances while on the road. Workamping, or working while camping, is one of the ways to do this. In many cases, the compensation for working at the park is a complimentary site for the length of the job, anywhere from a couple months to a year. Some may say that we aren't actually getting anything, but that's not entirely true. One of the easiest ways to save money is to not spend it. Not only are we not spending money on campground fees, but we're also not burning fuel carrying the heavy load of our home from place to place. This advice isn't limited to full-time RVers, though. If you have thoughts about saving money, decide you're not going to spend some in a month and sock it away, even if it's what seems like a small amount. After a while, it adds up.
There still has to be some sort of income despite workamping, as there are food, fuel, health, insurance, and other miscellaneous costs. How much you spend is truly up to you. Some have pensions or investments to be able to use. Others may be lucky enough to be able to get a salary as part of workamping. Some may have their own side businesses. A part-time job outside the park is also an option. However, be very careful about earning salaries when you travel. A number of states will charge you an income tax for earning money while in their state, even if you are domiciled in a state that doesn't have an income tax.
We look forward to this workamping opportunity and improving the experience of our fellow campers. This location is where our internal compass led us to be, and we hope to enjoy it for the entire time we are here.
Once again, it's time to travel! The RV lifestyle makes us migratory, so it's time to head south. However, plans may not always be as they seem.
When getting ready to travel, it was previously mentioned that you want to give at least a little bit of extra time when getting to your destination. Along with this, it's necessary to have some flexibility in your route, and not just for construction, either. As we embark on this trip, all of a sudden we receive word about some inclement weather. Ida tell you all about it, but it's all over the news. Bad puns aside, this is where you want your co-pilot to be giving you updates about road and weather conditions around you and your route. In today's day and age, cellular data makes this easy and is what we use, but for those not able, there's always talk radio on the half-hours. As we track the storm, given our destination, instead of heading directly to our end location, we'll take a little trip east before heading south. Sure, it might mean a little more in gas costs, but compared to what it could be, the preventive measure is worth it.
When you live in the RV full-time, mobility is your greatest advantage. With enough advance notice, if work obligations permit, pack everything up and get out of dodge if needed. When looking at routes to get to and from your destination, never limit yourself to the interstate highways. In fact, you may not be able to reach some of the higher speed limits in the west, as clogged as they may be, so taking the state and US highways may be your best option. Remember that everything you have is with you, and it isn't that stable if you choose to abandon it, when compared to a house. But an "evac" doesn't mean you can't tow. Stick to the less-traveled byways while everyone else jams up the interstate, leave a little room for merging and swerving traffic to keep it all moving, and you and your home should be just fine.
So definitely follow your internal compass, but don't let it slam you into bad weather. Consider a byway detour. Who knows? Maybe you'll encounter something you'll like but never thought of visiting.
Our next trip is upon us, and this time, there is no return. The house and tiny plot of land have been sold. All the strife of suburbia is behind us. Now it's time to be on the road for good. As this is being typed, the realization has come that we fell flat on our faces.
As we pulled out of our former driveway for the final time, the trailer and the truck were jam-packed. The entire aisle between the dining area and kitchen was filled. The beds and couches were packed, as we hoped a bump or a quick yellow-to-red light wasn't hit to send everything flying. Even now, after consolidating and packing away more stuff, barely enough space was made to fit the Raspberry Pi used to type this. What seemed to be the biggest mistake was that we had two living spaces established: The RV, and our former house. Had we been able to turn the clock back about a month to try this again, the game plan would be to live in the house with what we used to live in the RV during our first trips.
The biggest culprit in double living for us, thus far, has been clothing. We had a number of clothes packed for the RV, but then also had more for the house. A week's worth of clothes has been endorsed by some outlets as a good target for how much to have. You may want to adjust based on your personal preferences, or how often you go through a particular article. It may take a couple rounds to decide what you really want or need, and you can always replace clothes as they wear out. Care needs to taken for adverse weather, business, and formal conditions as needed, but in lesser quantities.
Aside from clothes, there were several other areas where our planning could have used some improvement. Kitchen and dining left room to be desired. It wasn't until about a week or two before the closing that we finally ditched our house dinnerware for what we have in the RV. Flatware also had multiple sets, we were still using breakable glassware as opposed to travel-friendly tumblers, and cookware we bought as a result of lessons learned, but never began to use until late. Emergency storage is also an adjustment. Although meals ready-to-eat (MREs) aren't the most desirable, we may have to pare down some of the supplies, even though we'll be saving a bit on groceries, especially for travel days. Tough decisions with personal items also had to be made, although we've thus far made the best with the room we have. Thankfully, we are still close to a storage point so we have a final opportunity to make these adjustments.
A little bit of organization time later, and we seem to be much more stable. Another storage trip or two later, and we should once again be ready to follow our internal compass.
We received an interesting question from one of our followers wondering about our place of residency. We mentioned that we were thinking about becoming citizens of a particular state, and then we were asked how long we'd be there. This leads to a quick discussion about permanent addresses.
Each person in the United States, for purposes of census, income tax collection, identification, and voting, are allocated an address. This is typically designated as a person's "permanent address". This doesn't necessarily mean that they are spending most of their time at that location. Let's consider college students as an example. They aren't spending most of their time and money at their permanent address. Instead, they're living in a dormitory or apartment near their studies, and going back to their original location for a couple months out of the year. They'll still retain the original address and citizenship for the aforementioned purposes, so they're legally still "living there", even if they aren't physically there.
For those who are living full-time in their RV, the concept and execution really isn't that different. There are mail handling services available that will also offer the ability for the patron to use the address as a permanent location, and help them establish necessities associated with citizenship, such as driver's licenses, vehicle registration, voting address, and so on. These services are usually found where there aren't any state income taxes, and municipal responsibilities are minimal. Once again, although we'll establish citizenship in a particular state, we're not necessarily going to be there. We may not set foot in the particular state for a couple years, but we'd still be citizens of the state.
When looking into becoming citizens of a state, there are plenty of things to review. Are there residency requirements to receive services? Taxes are a big issue, and you'll likely want to save some money by being a citizen of a state without a state income tax. Income isn't the only tax, though, as you'll also want to consider vehicle registrations and driver's licenses renewals, if property tax is charged on vehicles, potential municipal taxes, health care taxes, and also taxes related to a small business you might be doing on the road to generate some income. Vehicle maintenance is also important; are you going to want to have to go back to a state every year to get your RV and any other vehicle inspected, or will preventive maintenance during your regular oil changes and tune-ups suffice? If you have or plan to have children, a state may also have some red tape surrounding their home schooling. There may be other things important in your life to consider.
At the end of the day, we simply intend to choose a permanent address for the legal basics, and hit the road. Less time worrying about the day-to-day red tape will give us more time to follow our internal compass.
Copyright 2021-25 Freedom Rolling.
Logo Image Courtesy Clipartmax.com
United States Image Courtesy Simple Maps