Helpful hints for stocking up that new RV on a budget

One thing I like about craigslist, estate sales, thrift shops and the like is often the gear is older and better built. When they do fail they are made to be repaired, not replaced.

If you are near an Ikea, check it out. They have good prices, items you might not find elsewhere and often they have things for smaller spaces.

I have one rule, never buy retail and it's amazing when you decide that, it really works.

A good estate sale can end up being one-stop shopping. My RV is equipped with good quality things. Revere ware pans, Griswold cast iron, next-to-new crockpot, flatware, utensils, blankets, fleece throws, fireplace bellows and tongs, tools, toaster etc. Even nice towels can be bought second hand, washed and good to go..

Craigslist,garage sales and family hand me downs are great ways to outfit the camper for cheap. The holidays are now behind us but I always let my gift givers know that camping or cooking related items are always welcome as a gift. My wife and I have outfitted most of our family members with some type of camping gear as gifts over the years. I love a good bargain.

I only check salvation army stores. After what I've read about how much money the CEO and branch managers make from free donations at good will and what they pay the employees, I no longer give them my business.

Some of our best "finds" were yard sales. We shopped our array of Thrift Stores and Dollar General stores for camping items to outfit our campers in the past. Nothing says anyone has to buy "specialized" items for camping.

However, over time, we came to view our camper as our vacation resort place. So, little by little we started purchasing better and more quality items for the camper and replaced some of the hand-me-down and Thrift Store items.

Over time, we'd purchase first for the camper and put the "used" item in the house, until finally decked out our camper as nice, or even better than the house. Although, it took 20 years to arrive at that point!

Good advise you've offered there, to purchase this time of year. Many items (even high end quality items), like bedding, blankets, dishes, kitchen ware, camping items, are all at good prices right now (after the December Holidays). Check out Wall Mart and grocery stores. If you don't mind a set of dishes with Christmas themes, you can get them for almost nothing right now!

I agree! There's some great deals to be seen and the money goes to help those without.
We scored a brand new set of dishes for $20.00 and outdoor mats for $10.00
I notice on CL people are selling their Xmas gifts for real cheap too.