Annual cost to fulltime

[schlep1967]

I understand there is no right or wrong answer to this and there are many variables. My question is, What is the average amount you spent to live as a full-timer for one year?

$10,000 - $15,000
$15,000 - $20,000
$25,000 - $30,000
more?


(EDIT: Rephrased question)

[BarbaraOK]

schlep1967 wrote:

Exactly.
You can only find this information from those that are living it. Yet it seems those that live it do not want to share it publicly. Some have and I am grateful for that. Others just seem afraid somebody will hold their feet to the fire if they tell them $30,000 and that person ends up spending more.

No, I do not share all of my finances on an open and public forum. I did give some examples of our monthly (or average nightly costs) for those budget items that are related only to fulltiming. Other things that we spend money on are personal to us. And it appears that you aren't listening carefully when people are repeatingly telling you that much of your budget will stay the same. Your grocery bill will be about the same, your dining out will be about the same, your hobbies, etc. ail be about the same.

Also, I noticed that you were asked some questions that would help everyone give you better answers and you have chosen not to answer?

For those like my wife and I that are planning ahead for a decent retirement, this information can help us plan. So we have an idea of what it will cost us the first year when we want to see the country. And maybe the next year or two if we do some work camping and only move 4-6 times. It may also tell us that we can only do this for X amount of years and that is where we need to stop so we can have our exit strategy planned.

If you are planning on fulltiming for only X number of years - assuming X is less than 5 years - then you're not talking about fulltiming but rather an expended vacation. You first have to get your mind around the idea that we are not vacationing, that fulltiming is just another way to live but with the ability to change your front view whenever the seasons change.

Also, if you are years away then whatever we say now will have no bearing on what the costs are in 5+ years. I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but you've come to ask questions, you get some answers and then are angry at the people who gave you the answers - - not a way to get good information from others who are fulltiming.


Barb

[C-Bears]

Our average the past two years would be approximately $40,000 each year. We don't make truck payments and such, but that would include all insurances and stuff.

We travel but stay put in Florida for 3 to 4 months. Resort in Florida averages just over $50.00 a day. That would include eating out 2 or 3 times a week, one Alaska Cruise, and generally buying what we want when we want.

If you don't have bills or a stick house to worry about, I would say you can travel and do whatever you want to do as full timers and stay way under $50,000 a year.

[JAXFL]

WOW schlep1967 Talk about not sharing information... you still have not answered the questions I kind of asked you yesterday.

Couple of questions:

1-You are 47 and you are planning ahead to full time when you are ____ or how many years from now______?
2-Do you mean full-timing as in sell the house and live in the RV 365 days a year.....Yes or NO ?
3-Is the 5th Wheel you have now going to be used then or will there be a new one that is paid for or have payments? Will the RV be paid off or will you owe on it and if so how much a month _____ ?
4-How long in one place ______ ? Are you going to work-camp if so how long each year _____?
5- What do you see as your annual spendable income after taxes at that time____?

Fill in the ______ and we can get closer to your answer.

[trailertraveler]

schlep1967 wrote:
For those like my wife and I that are planning ahead for a decent retirement, this information can help us plan. So we have an idea of what it will cost us the first year when we want to see the country.

We travel twice a year and sit on a property we own in between. Here's some cost for the travel part.

In 2013 we spent 50 days traveling through New Mexico. Distance from site to site was 1196 miles (does not include in and around travel). No stays were longer than a week. RV sites cost = $1015.93; All fuel = $949.35; Groceries for two = $697.10; Dining Out = $361.43. That comes out to $60.48/day.

In 2013, we spent 64 days in Florida and Georgia. We had two weeks at $5/night and a monthly stay. Distance from site to site was 882 miles. RV sites cost = $1056; All fuel = $579.32; Groceries for two = $972.36; Dining Out = $319.25. That comes out to $45.74/day.

In 2014, We spent 58 days in New Mexico. Several weekly stays. Distance from site to site was 702 miles. RV sites cost = $1448.34; All fuel = $798.65; Groceries for two = $1001.80; Dining Out = $262.98. That comes out to $60.55/day.

In 2014, we traveled through Florida, Alabama and Mississippi for 59 days. No stays longer than a week. Distance from site to site was 1473 miles. RV sites cost = $1591.27; All fuel = $1041055; Groceries for two = $991.06; Dining Out = $493.34. That comes out to $69.75/day.

So if you extrapolate those travel costs for a whole year, it would cost us between $16,695 and $25,458/year.

Hope this is somewhat like what you are looking for.

[schlep1967]

jorbill2or wrote:
I see this question all the time. I think what the question really is , is how much do you spend annually ? And maybe how do you travel , moving every few days or staying out for weeks / months ? A answer I've noticed few people are willing to share, maybe s bit too personal, but I think that's what they really want to know .. Real life # . There are a few web sites and blogs that do share some info and that is helpful.

Exactly.
You can only find this information from those that are living it. Yet it seems those that live it do not want to share it publicly. Some have and I am grateful for that. Others just seem afraid somebody will hold their feet to the fire if they tell them $30,000 and that person ends up spending more.

For those like my wife and I that are planning ahead for a decent retirement, this information can help us plan. So we have an idea of what it will cost us the first year when we want to see the country. And maybe the next year or two if we do some work camping and only move 4-6 times. It may also tell us that we can only do this for X amount of years and that is where we need to stop so we can have our exit strategy planned.

[soos]

schlep1967 wrote:
Here is what I mean.

What is the average amount YOU spend to live as a full-timer for one year?

Simple question.

$72,000

[John___Angela]

Varies from year to year but let's go with 35000 to 50000 per year. We also travel overseas as part of that cost though. Depends what you do I guess.

[TechWriter]

schlep1967 wrote:
I understand there is no right or wrong answer to this and there are many variables. My question is, What is the average amount you spent to live as a full-timer for one year?

$10,000 - $15,000
$15,000 - $20,000
$25,000 - $30,000
more?

More -- for ME.

However, I'd suggest firing up Excel (or Open Office) and try to forecast YOUR full-time costs.

For example, what do you think YOUR yearly costs will be for . . .

• Fuel
  
• Clothing
  
• Groceries
  
• Health Insurance (if you're under 65, this could be sticker shock)
  
• Lodging
  
• Vehicle Maintenance
  
• Internet
  
• Phone
  
• Etc
  

[tsetsaf]

We spent $9k on rv parks last year. Logged 18k miles on the truck. All other costs would be equivalent if not full timing.

[jorbill2or]

I see this question all the time. I think what the question really is , is how much do you spend annually ? And maybe how do you travel , moving every few days or staying out for weeks / months ? A answer I've noticed few people are willing to share, maybe s bit too personal, but I think that's what they really want to know .. Real life # . There are a few web sites and blogs that do share some info and that is helpful.

[TXiceman]

This is sort of like asking how high is up. There is no answer from and individual that will necessarily fit another individual. It depends on the lifestyle (level), age of RV how much maintenance you can do, etc.

Ken

[schlep1967]

Barb,
Asking and answering the question is simple. Analyzing the answers given will take some thought.

[BarbaraOK]

schlep1967 wrote:
Here is what I mean.

What is the average amount YOU spend to live as a full-timer for one year?

Simple question.

No it isn't a simple question because whatever the answer is, it means nothing if you don't have EXACTLY the same type of rig/lifestyle/likes/dislikes as we do. I put up some averages for those things that are apropos to fulltime RVing (like fuel/park costs) - then you need to take averages from several others and see what seems reasonable to you and add that to your normal expenditures for things like food, dining out, hobbies, clothing, pets, etc.

Barb

[lbrjet]

What people spend is going to vary greatly. You simply need to come up with a budget for the way YOU want to travel. What others do or spend is meaningless.

[2gypsies1]

I would say the AVERAGE is $30,000/yr. Some stay at fancier 'resorts' and take in a lot of entertainment. They would require more.

Some don't move or move 2x/year and don't do much as far as entertainment. They could do it on $15,000/yr.

Some travel almost constantly but take on volunteer gigs occasionally for 3m at a time which gives them a free campsite. Entertainment for them would be mainly enjoying nature. They could do it on $20,000+ because of traveling constantly. This is where we fit in. However, we did pay cash for our two RVs and vehicles during our 16 years of full-timing so you have to take that into account.

Years ago we spent a lot less than 15 years later. All prices for everything increased.

You are young and didn't state when you plan of leaving the workforce. You will have to take into account inflation, how you plan on full-timing, will your present 5th wheel and truck still be serviceable when you plan to start.

Good luck in your plans.