Canadian dollar

[happycamper1942]

After several years of heading down to the USA for a couple of months in the late winter, we have more or less decided we will not do it this year due to the poor exchange rate of the Canadian dollar. At the present time the US dollar will cost us over 40% more, making everything too expensive.
I'm curious about other Canadians take on this, are you thinking the same or have you bitten the bullet and are going down anyway?

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I'm in Florida right now. By the time I pay for exchange gasoline is actually cheaper in Regina, Sk than it is here. Local price for gas is $179.9

Fishinghat wrote:
One advantage this year is the price of gasoline is just under $2.00 and diesel is just over $2.00.

[John_Joey]

In our park all of our Canadian friends and neighbors are here this year. I think they all have a set amount of money that they are willing to spend for a winter south, and are just adjusting to fit within that number. They're serving cheap beer vs the good stuff. :B

It's no different then what the US snowbirds had a few years back when we were adding water to the soup while watching our retirement investments go down.

Since oil is in so many of our retirement stock indexes, it looks like the water will be coming out once again, and it'll be our turn to serve the cheap beer, so be polite. 😉

[DutchmenSport]

"The Canadian resource based economy has tanked and over 100,000 oil workers in Alberta lost their jobs."

If everyone stops and thinks for a moment, the same type of thing happened in the USA also. It started when the housing market crashed. A LOT of people lost their jobs, oil prices skyrocketed, everything was expensive, companies were off-shoring their work, it was a mess. The value of the American dollar was horrible, and our national economists kept saying, "we're really OK, there's nothing wrong, our economy is strong." when we had extremely high rates of unemployment and fuel prices were near $4.00 a gallon ... for a LONG LONG time. Remember when the news was full of stories about people having to make a decision how they would spend their money... on food or their house payment? In my opinion the "economists" were full of (you know what), when my neighbor had no job and no prospect of one, well, ..... that's reality ... not a pipe dream. As I remember (very well) ... on these same RV.net forums, the questions were constantly being asked, "With the price of fuel, how far will you be traveling this year?" "With the shape of our economy, will this affect your travel plans this year?" And there was MUCH discussion ... much! I remember well!

But, it did turn around. I don't know why fuel prices are lowering, all I know is, because prices are lower, things are "moving" again. Auto production is good, home sales are somewhat stable, there's a much better balance now. My neighbor is working a good job again, and many companies are pulling back their off-shore emplpyee-contracting hog-wash methods, bring jobs back to the USA.

For our Canadian neighbors, I'd like to encourage you "hang in there." It wasn't that long ago, I myself, would not travel with my camper beyond the state of Indiana, because it was just too expensive. In the last 3 years, it's gotten much better. We've traveled out of state, and farther and farther again over the last 3 years.

It will get better for our Canadian friends too. Sometimes though, when things get tough, you do just have to cut back for a little bit. It's not pleasant going through it, but after it's over you'll appreciate it again, even more.

I served in the Army for a number of years as a Chaplain Assistant. One of our favorite expressions about Army food was, "This too shall pass!" (and it did!)

[hone_eagle]

Everybody I know has gone same as before ,most are not staying as long however.

[mgirardo]

We returned home from the Northeast after Christmas and saw many, many Ontario and Quebec license plates heading south. Not too many RVs, but plenty of cars.

-Michael

[BarneyS]

Moved to Snowbird forum from 5th wheels.

[SoundGuy]

happycamper1942 wrote:
After several years of heading down to the USA for a couple of months in the late winter, we have more or less decided we will not do it this year due to the poor exchange rate of the Canadian dollar. At the present time the US dollar will cost us over 40% more, making everything too expensive.
I'm curious about other Canadians take on this, are you thinking the same or have you bitten the bullet and are going down anyway?

Considering the only alternative is to simply not go the question then becomes how long are you prepared to wait for the Loonie to recover? - a year, 3 yrs, 5 yrs, 10 yrs? Could be dead by then. :R

[lee_worsdell]

We are heading to the Daytona 500 next week. we are staying on the infield ,we did book this in may of last year when it wasn't so bad. I also have a trip booked to Bristol twice this year going to be expensive but cant stop living life.

[flyfishing48]

We are in Travelers World in San Antonio right now. There have been empty sites all week long. I would guess that only about 60 % of the sites taken. Very few Canadian plates.
Then yesterday and today that all changed. The only sites left are real short. Almost all of the new arrivals are Canadian. One group are part of a Caravan. All of those plates are from Quebec. What a difference a couple of days makes.
So I was thinking that the exchange rate was having a real impact, but now Iam not so sure.

[Tom_Barb]

When buying big ticket items, it's best to buy Canadian, The exchange on a $200,000 C M/H is $141,600 USD.

Even with an import tax on Canadian good it is still a deal. But if was built in the USA, there is no import tax.

[path1]

While not Canadian, I talk with many in our park that are. This year almost as many Canadian as other years, but a few didn't come down this year or kept going to Mexico. What I've seen, attending more pot lucks, don't eat out as much, basically just watching their money more. But it is on their minds. Usually brought up in a conversation. Many didn't fly home over holidays to visit family and something to do with their medical and being out of country. But all are still enjoying themselves. Where we buy food, we see as many CA plates as past years. Some say their $ is discounted 30% others say buying power is 40% less.

We got hair cut in Mexico yesterday , good barber and $8.00 (US). When coming back to US... I've noticed US customs usually says to him "Welcome to the US". With me right behind him, usually nothing but, "Next".

At any rate we always enjoy seeing all of them. Doesn't take lots of money to be around friends. I still went up north to visit when your "looney" was as high or higher than US $$.

Here is a graph of the spot price.

[TucsonJim]

From what I read today, the U.S. Dollar is going to just keep climbing in value. It's really starting to impact the exportation of goods and services. Our stock markets are tanking. Once oil hits rock bottom and starts to climb again, you'll start to see a reversal.

[mayo30]

I have spoken to many that won't go down after this year and apparently many parks have lots of homes for sale by Canadians,especially in the Yuma area.The Canadian resource based economy has tanked and over 100,000 oil workers in Alberta lost their jobs.so not so much travel this year,many people not willing to pay the high medical insurance for travel,friend with a pace maker just got a quote for $8000.00 to spend 3 months in Yuma,not going,up for sale!!Vancouver Island is full no deals there unless you booked a year ago.Okanagan valley properties are booked several years down the road in Osoyoos.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

Same here. Staying home this winter.

[Fishinghat]

One advantage this year is the price of gasoline is just under $2.00 and diesel is just over $2.00. At least that's the price in Western Washington. Typically, prices elsewhere are a little lower, but not always.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.