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DallasSteve's avatar
DallasSteve
Nomad II
Dec 21, 2017

Who Else Will Retire To Full-time In 2018?

I don't know if this will be a popular thread or a dumb idea, but here goes. I saw a post here recently (maybe two) where members said they plan to retire and begin full-time RV life in 2018. That's my plan, too. What does your plan look like? Here's my plan (and long-term members here can feel free to comment, even with their often snide remarks).

1 - I turn 62 in August, (and my car lease is up then) but I won't take early Social Security
2 - I have savings to buy a nice, maybe even new, travel trailer with cash
3 - I can afford to lease a new tow vehicle with no worries, so I probably will; but I may try to rent a big truck for the first couple of months just to be sure this is where I want to go
4 - I've toyed with the idea of a CD-secured personal loan, but there's not much point (most banks want the CD rate plus 2%)
5 - I can burn my savings at the rate or $2,000 or even $3,000 per month with no problem until I start to draw Social Security
6 - I will probably do South Texas the first winter, but I might consider inland Florida, if I can find it within my budget
7 - I will probably set up near a big city for June-August and work a computer programming contract because 1 - it's easy money and 2 - I don't want to fight the summer crowds in the parks
8 - I'll travel the country in Spring and Fall seeing parks and cities big and small
9 - When I hit about 67-68 I will start Social Security and it will be plenty for me (if the government doesn't break all their promises)
10 - Since I'm in good health I'll probably buy cheap non-ACA health insurance until I qualify for Medicare at 65
11 - If I enjoy the life, I'll just keep repeating every year; if I find a place I like a lot I might set up a winter or summer home in an RV park
12 - If I don't like the life I can sell the RV at a loss and return to regular apartment life, but maybe in a new city that I like better. But I will always be Dallas Steve because that's where I was born.

Finally, I may get a bumper sticker that says "All my exes live in Texas, that's why I live in an RV".

58 Replies

  • Ill never be able to retire. Would be great to travel someday. Enjoy.
  • “Crusty” posters really means those who might or do disagree with you. Why post at all if you don’t want opinions?
  • Dennis

    I'm sorry that I wasn't clearer. I meant the crusty "veteran posters" on RV.net. I was not referring to military veterans and I apologize for the misunderstanding. I've edited my comment to remove the word "veteran". If you've got better terminology I'll edit it again.
  • Your boss must have been a veteran. No wonder you only have 2 or 3K to live on after statements like "and veterans can feel free to comment, even with their often snide remarks)". You need to call Walmart and maybe you can get a cart pushers job for lot rent.
  • AFChief_and_Pilot wrote:
    Is $2K-$3K all you've got until SS kicks in? If so, it will be tight ... doable for sure, but you will need to be frugal. We full time comfortably on about $4K a month with no debt, and we are on Medicare ... admittedly, we eat out often and stay in nicer RV resorts. YMMV.

    I am used to being frugal (I'm a former CPA). Maybe Taco Bueno once a month. Chili's once a year. $4K sounds like you're staying on the beach (that is to say in an expensive RV park). Plus, my brother is a few years ahead of me on this road and he's been living cheap, mostly in COE campgrounds. I will probably do some of that. I've got more that I can throw at the budget, if I need it, but I've "crunched the numbers" and I think I can keep my average under $3000 per month with a travel trailer. With a new motorhome, probably not. With a diesel pusher, forget about it. LOL.
  • Is $2K-$3K all you've got until SS kicks in? If so, it will be tight ... doable for sure, but you will need to be frugal. We full time comfortably on about $4K a month with no debt, and we are on Medicare ... admittedly, we eat out often and stay in nicer RV resorts. YMMV.
  • Congrats on your plans, they sound well thought out and flexible.

    I'm either an entitled millennial or a jaded gen-x depending on what anthropologist you follow, having recently left my 30s behind.

    Either way, retirement isn't an option. My dad was a Boomer and subscribed to the work hard and retire plan, then he passed away a year after doing so.

    Self employed, I take month+ long vacations when I can and plan to die at my desk. Not being negative about it just realistic / fatalistic about it.
  • “I turn 62 in August, (and my car lease is up then) but I won't take early Social Security”

    Aren’t SS benefits greatly affected by earnings the last few years before you hit 66 when in theory you earn the most money?