Why Are Full timers Wrong?

[Dog_Folks]

Every so often we see threads about newly minted full time travelers and the "resistance" they encounter from friends, and family, when they reveal their plans. Somme even keep their plans a secret to avoid the questions/condemnations.

I am curious why you think this is?

Do friends just fear the unknown? Do they fear anything that breaks away from the typical two cars, house and two kids model?

Many of us have experienced this, but why?

When I meet someone with a different lifestyle, I want to know more about it, not condemn or criticize it.

[fla-gypsy]

Maybe they are just concerned for their friends and loved ones and don't want to see them make a mistake. I have seen plenty of folks come here saying they are going to FT with a very poor plan. Since we have no stats on how many attempt to go FT and fail we really don't know what the risk is. No one ever said the pursuit of happiness would always be successful.

[noplace2]

bigdogger wrote:

loulou57 wrote:
I don't agree with being one wreck away from being homeless. Sadly, your home can burn down etc. Both homes are insured and can be replaced.

You may not be one wreck away from homeless, but you are one major mechanical malfunction away, or 10 years of depreciation away from being extremely house poor. Your stick home generally appreciates long-term, at least keeping your net worth somewhere close to staying even with inflation (assuming your home is your largest asset) Making your RV rig your largest asset is a sure way to see your net worth start circling the drain.

Fulltime travelers for 13 years with no physical assets aside what we have with us. We have had, and are having the time of our lives visiting places that 90% of even north americans have never experienced and we've done it all at our own pace,(Read slow, reflectively and absorbent) and on an income that most people don't believe. The "secret" is complete lack of debt. We didn't have any 13 years ago, anywhere in between, or now. We have just about every "goody" that most other folks have on or off the road, they're just all paid for. Folks are amazed at what can be done when they don't have to make 'payments'.

As to accumulating or maintaining "net worth", OUR "net worth" is predicated on accumulated experiences, not "stuff".

If we die tomorrow it will be as happy and fulfilled people. I just read that sentence to my wife and she vigorously asserts: "Absolutely"

[CincyGus]

I think most of the answers are posted above. Change scares many people. A lack of what they know as security (having a stick and brick house) seems "crazy". Many of the people I have told about my wife and I's plan to go FT once we retire in 7.5 years act the same way. Blank stares, confusion on why someone they thought was semi-intelligent could be talking so crazy. Frankly, it's ignorance. They know nothing about the lifestyle, don't understand the liberation of shedding most of life's accumulations and living a simpler, freeing lifestyle.

I was watching one of the "living in Alaska" shows on NatGeo the other night where the person lives in a place off the grid. No running water or power, other than what he can generate with solar and a genny, miles by snowmobile in the winter and by boat when the water is frozen to the nearest general store. He was telling the cameraman, it thinks we are all crazy living the hustle and bustle lifestyle we do in the cities, having to slave for the $$$ to pay for things we consume and want when he can live free, do as he wants and hunt and farm the food he needs and live off the land. I think I agree with him but FT RV-ing is a lot closer to what I can manage at retirement, rather than building my cabin by cutting trees from my 40 acre property in Alaska. Maybe if I was in my 20's again 😉

[tkcas01]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
That's what folks thought in 2007..HA!

My assets have continued to increase and the 5vr was never thought of as an asset that would appreciate in value.

The old S&B being a means of increased worth is old style thinking.

Yep, I happened to be lucky enough to see the real estate bubble coming. I bought a house in 2000 and in 2005 sold it for double what I paid for it. It was obvious to me that could not be sustained. And this was in San Diego county, so it was not chump change. So I sold and took my money off the table to wait for it to rebound.

Still kind of waiting. I have bought some rental property in the last couple of years and looking for more, but honestly the thought of having "home" tied to a single area now seems so restrictive to me. In the meantime, I am seeing things and experiencing things I otherwise would never have been able to. It's also nice that I can go spend a couple of months parked at my elderly Mom's place looking after her and the place. My flexibility has been invaluable to her and to me in being able to spend quality time with her in her golden years.

[jorbill2or]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

bigdogger wrote:

loulou57 wrote:
I don't agree with being one wreck away from being homeless. Sadly, your home can burn down etc. Both homes are insured and can be replaced.

.

You may not be one wreck away from homeless, but you are one major mechanical malfunction away, or 10 years of depreciation away from being extremely house poor. Your stick home generally appreciates long-term, at least keeping your net worth somewhere close to staying even with inflation (assuming your home is your largest asset) Making your RV rig your largest asset is a sure way to see your net worth start circling the drain.

That's what folks thought in 2007..HA!

My assets have continued to increase and the 5vr was never thought of as an asset that would appreciate in value.

The old S&B being a means of increased worth is old style thinking.

YUP My investments are back where they were in 2007 as is my House! Actually its worth more but i guess that depends on where your house is. I have however lost about 50 grand on my RV's in that time .. not that im surprised and I count it as the cost of having one I wouldn't trade it! your right A house isn't a means of increasing worth, but Its a useable asset that stays relative over time.
People who full time are all types Most have a exit plan This needs to be made clear to those who doubt. Unfortunately I know a few who sold it all put most of it in a RV and Hit the road I think those are the folks people Imagine When they are in Horror. For My comfort level I worry about those also, but its a big world out there.

[2gypsies1]

When we were forced out of our jobs 17 years ago at at young age (50s), all we knew was that we didn't want to sit at home. We wanted to travel. We bought a 27' TT - had the truck - and spent the winter in Florida. We met many, many totally happy full-timers. On our way back home in April we said "we didn't need any of that stuff in the big house all winter", let's sell it and take off. We were officially full-timers 4 months later and sold it all - house on a lake, boats, extra cars and all in the house. We have never regretted it.

My point is that we knew absolutely nothing about full-timers until we camped next to them that first winter. I really don't think many RVers/campers really do know what a true full-timer means. We certainly don't sit in an RV park. We travel constantly. We volunteer for state and national parks and we have a very full-filling life!! We don't worry about 'what ifs'. Things can happen to anyone. We've had multiple surgeries while traveling, including cancer. It's all very doable.

[Old-Biscuit]

bigdogger wrote:

loulou57 wrote:
I don't agree with being one wreck away from being homeless. Sadly, your home can burn down etc. Both homes are insured and can be replaced.

.

You may not be one wreck away from homeless, but you are one major mechanical malfunction away, or 10 years of depreciation away from being extremely house poor. Your stick home generally appreciates long-term, at least keeping your net worth somewhere close to staying even with inflation (assuming your home is your largest asset) Making your RV rig your largest asset is a sure way to see your net worth start circling the drain.

That's what folks thought in 2007..HA!

My assets have continued to increase and the 5vr was never thought of as an asset that would appreciate in value.

The old S&B being a means of increased worth is old style thinking.

[CC_Crabman]

Family - I have not been able to convince DW or even myself that we can be away for an extended period of time from children and grandchildren. I suspect that most people who seemed opposed are wondering about family ties.

[kakampers]

We had the opposite experience...our friends and family are happy for us and in some cases, a little envious. Our son, although he wishes he could see us more often, is also happy for us...and actually, his active life is the reason we don't see each other as often as we'd like.

I actually can't remember one negative comment toward our decision. It may be because we planned our full time life for more than fifteen years before we actually did it...many may have thought it would never happen, but were at least well prepared when it did...

[wildtoad]

Many (including me) can't fathom leaving my 2000ft plus home and spending full time in a 400 sq ft (or less) rolling apartment. I for one do not condemn the lifestyle or it's participants, just realize it is not for me. A week here, A month there, sure but I want my home, golf course and playmates, and surrounding area. I actually like yard work.

[davidaf]

We received almost no resistance except from our youngest daughter, mind you she was just moving out so was losing her safety net should she want to return, and from one friend we grew up thinking trailer=trailer trash. Funny thing is that same friend is now thinking about selling the S&B and moving to our home base park.

[Reader1]

We don't full time but our friends & family think we are crazy most of the time anyway. At 63 DH still rides dirt bikes, we hike, bike etc. They shake their heads at DH's Yamaha VMAX, and my Honda Trike. We read the full time posts and are thrilled to share your lives through your words. We actually will never understand those who don't want to spend time in the mountains, oceans, rivers, hills, and valleys...but to each his own!

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intension of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out, and proclaiming...WOW what a ride!"

[The_Weekenders]

That is the dream for the DW and I someday. We are trying to get our financial scene in order and the posts from those have gone full time have been a wealth of information. We have 3 years left to pay off on our Radio Station and the Lord willing, we will get it sold and enjoy the lifestyle. My midday guy is also a radio engineer and said he would love to set up the equipment so I could do my morning show and talkshow right from under the awning of our Monty in the RGV or any other "warm" winter place and make it sound like I am still in central NoDak. DW could still do the books and do our radio sales via the phone yet too. We think this would be a great way to get our parttiming feet wet before we would sell the station.

[Sprink-Fitter]

oldmattb wrote:


In two weeks he went from the adventure of a lifetime to stuck at home, payments on three big new things he couldn't use, huge medical payments, and his savings almost gone. His problems would have been compounded had he had no home to return to.


Matt B

How would the problems be compounded? Couldn't they park there fifth wheel in a park a southern state and live in it full time if they did not have a house, there are plenty of parks in Arizona.

[bigdogger]

loulou57 wrote:
I don't agree with being one wreck away from being homeless. Sadly, your home can burn down etc. Both homes are insured and can be replaced.

.

You may not be one wreck away from homeless, but you are one major mechanical malfunction away, or 10 years of depreciation away from being extremely house poor. Your stick home generally appreciates long-term, at least keeping your net worth somewhere close to staying even with inflation (assuming your home is your largest asset) Making your RV rig your largest asset is a sure way to see your net worth start circling the drain.