Don't Wait

pnichols wrote:
"DO NOT WAIT" is all well and good ... ASSUMING that while you're making memories when not too old that you're also making provision for where the money is going to come from when you are in fact "old and making memories". Everything I read nowadays predicts that upcoming U.S. Baby Boomers are in general going to be in trouble in the retirement department.

The real trick is to somehow be able to do both. If doing both does not look like it's going to be possible, then my vote goes for making provision for where the retirement money is going to come from. Not eating dogfood and having to reuse your disposable diapers have to rank as higher priorities than being able to go on RV trips ... IMHO.

Not really disagreeing with all that much, however I believe it is important, to consider the source of those articles. 99% are from financial planners, and they have a dog in the fight. I suggest reading die broke and you don't need a million to retire. Will give one a different perspective

Look, pnichols, I still work parttime and interact with baby boomers and let me tell you MOST are unprepared! Trouble? Deep trouble. Credit card debt...refinanced their homes for quick cash. It's tragic and I'm not a financial planner or sales person.

My opinion above comes from two direct experiences that we were HEAVILY involved in:

1. My Mom who did not have enough when she was old and infirm.

2. My Mom-In-Law who did have enough when she was old and infirm.

There was a world of difference between these two situations. I'd give up "building memories" when young any day to never be a number 1. when old. If you're a number 2. in your old age there are dozens of ways to still experience a remaining rich life in ways that are merely different from the way one builds memories when young.

We now know how to build memories sitting in a lounge chair, or hiking, or fishing, or rockhounding with the RV out in the middle of nowhere ... or when at home doing other things.

"I'd give up "building memories" when young any day to never be a number 1. when old."

Great advice but it wasn't followed by many baby boomers. Sought the easy life.

When to start planning your RVing Life??? As soon as you can, our financial responsibilities for our family members is not infinite, at some point we need to focus our finances on our own lives.

Remember "MANANA MAY BRING UNWANTED EVENTS OR CONDITIONS THAT WILL ALTER OUR LIVES"

I have to weigh in. I am a 42 yr old single female. I wanted to RV but knew the funds would not buy new and flashy. Invested in a 1983 travel trailer that I remodeled on the inside and an older tow vehicle. Enjoying the life without killing the bank

I'm waiting for the "Wait Police" to weigh in on this.

It's good advice.

But, be careful the things you do when you are young may come back to haunt you when you are old. Don't break any bones, do any major physical damage, or (most importantly) don't get into any legal trouble that will come back and bite you in the butt someday.

Also, it's hard to have fun with the family you have now if a large portion of your income is going for a child support payment to someone else.

Everything in moderation.

Like any hobby, camping and RVing can be expensive.....or not. When one is young a tent, sleeping bag and a matt is all you may need to have a great weekend. The older you get and the more one desires creature comforts then it starts getting expensive.

Todays generation thinks they need the best of everything right now, the best paying job, the best home, the best cell phone....etc. They don't think they should start at the bottom and work their way up, I have a degree and I know everything so pay me what I think I am worth.... yeah, right. I have witnessed first hand with friends AND relatives the constant bail out over privelidged adult "children" reap from mom and dad. It is sad.

I have to agree with the OP...good advice. Learning to fly was one of the best experiences and accomplishments I ever achieved, although I don't fly any more. It is the same with financial disipline and prioritizing objectives in life. You reap the rewards of your hard work one step at a time. Life stages. Some finally get it, some don't. When mom and dad can't cut the apron strings they do their children no favor. Either swim or sink and pay the consequences of your actions.

JoyNoelle wrote:
I have to weigh in. I am a 42 yr old single female. I wanted to RV but knew the funds would not buy new and flashy. Invested in a 1983 travel trailer that I remodeled on the inside and an older tow vehicle. Enjoying the life without killing the bank

Good on you!!! I admire your creativity and willingness to risk.