Does owning a camper make you rich or a cheap tightwad?

[plasticmaster]

I had a 2008 Jayco TT for 8 years and now I have a 2016 Forest River Vibe TT. Through the years, I've received sentiment from opposite ends of the spectrum. Some folks think that I'm a cheap tightwad because this is how my family and I vacation. Others seam to think I'm rich because I own a camper. I'm definitely not rich. My family and I manage our money wisely. We love camping and enjoy being able to take several vacations per year instead of just one. Have any of you received similar comments? How do you respond?

[Ralph_Cramden]

I'm a cheap tightwad and proud to carry the badge, and it has nothing to do with RV's. I have perfected it almost to the point of divorce. The only thing I splurge on is Beer and Bourbon, and sometimes Scotch, and not necessarily in that order.

[Paul_Clancy]

Most fun I had with this thinking was parked near a tour bus full of Chinese tourists and some came out and were taking pics of my rig and started asking how big, how much etc. They were blown away. Was quite fun. Felt like I was pulling the ritz. Started wondering what they spent on the tour from China. It’s all good.

[pnichols]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
If I was a cheap tightwad I wouldn't own an RV so that must make me RICH

Except, because I own an RV I'm broke due to something always breaking

Awwww come-on O-B .... are you being absolutely honest?

OR

Are you somewhat like me ... if it ain't broke I keep fixing it until it's broke and I'm broke?

😉

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

pnichols wrote:

plasticmaster wrote:
Some folks think that I'm a cheap tightwad because this is how my family and I vacation.

If that thinking by some folks represents what I think it does - that the only real vacations are cruises or plane flights all over the world to exotic locations - then I feel sorry for those "some folks".

IMHO there's nothing sadder than U.S. citizens who vacation all over the place - before they have first experienced, or along with experiencing - the richness of the U.S.. Our country is spectacular - folks should definitely see as much of it as they can before they die or run out of money.

I've been to the pastural countyside at the foot of the Swiss Alps, the rural area of Northern Japan, and rode on an elephant around the ancient ruins in Cambodia - but unbelievable as it may sound - I found that places such as this hold very little to nothing over camping in the Utah High Desert, camping in the Oregon Outback, or camping in the Colorado High Country. As for people - they're basically the same most interesting and important part of creation everywhere you meet them.

And ... we all know that the best way to see the World Class U.S. of A. ... is slowly in an RV. 😉

Wow! What a great post! I'm not a world traveler like you but I think I would feel the same.

[pnichols]

plasticmaster wrote:
Some folks think that I'm a cheap tightwad because this is how my family and I vacation.

If that thinking by some folks represents what I think it does - that the only real vacations are cruises or plane flights all over the world to exotic locations - then I feel sorry for those "some folks".

IMHO there's nothing sadder than U.S. citizens who vacation all over the place - before they have first experienced, or along with experiencing - the richness of the U.S.. Our country is spectacular - folks should definitely see as much of it as they can before they die or run out of money.

I've been to the pastural countyside at the foot of the Swiss Alps, the rural area of Northern Japan, and rode on an elephant around the ancient ruins in Cambodia - but unbelievable as it may sound - I found that places such as this hold very little to nothing over camping in the Utah High Desert, camping in the Oregon Outback, or camping in the Colorado High Country. As for people - they're basically the same most interesting and important part of creation everywhere you meet them.

And ... we all know that the best way to see the World Class U.S. of A. ... is slowly in an RV. 😉

[nineoaks2004]

I could care less what others think, everything I have I earned by working and the only person I care about "what they think" is my wife
I also know who slept on my sheets last night and where my food camoes from and who cooked it.

[BizmarksMom]

I get the "for the price of that trailer you can get hotel rooms!" comment every so often. I happen to love my rolling apartment. I wake up in my own bed. Use my own bathroom. The kitchen is stocked with the stuff I like. When it gets kind of funky after a long camping trip - it's my own mess and my own funk.

Yes, I do other traveling. Staying in hotels is part of that and I make the best of it. But I'd really rather wake up in my own rolling space.

[Nutinelse2do]

Yes, we are rich because we are living the life we dreamed of for 20 years. Were rich because we get to spend every day together as best friends. Were rich because we can wake up one morning at the ocean, and the next in the forest.

Never have cared what anyone else thinks, and never will.

We meet so many people on the road that are envious of our lifestyle. It’s the one we chose, and they chose theirs.

Yup, I’m a total cheapskate. That’s how we got to where we are, and will continue to be so until we’re done.

[Terryallan]

plasticmaster wrote:
I had a 2008 Jayco TT for 8 years and now I have a 2016 Forest River Vibe TT. Through the years, I've received sentiment from opposite ends of the spectrum. Some folks think that I'm a cheap tightwad because this is how my family and I vacation. Others seam to think I'm rich because I own a camper. I'm definitely not rich. My family and I manage our money wisely. We love camping and enjoy being able to take several vacations per year instead of just one. Have any of you received similar comments? How do you respond?

Just tell them you are neither. Just smart, and using your money wisely. After all. You are able to take several $600.00, and, many $60.00 vacations instead of ONE $5000.00 vacation.

[JimBollman]

11 year old popup truck camper on a 17 year old truck. No doubt in any bodies mind about me.

[ford_truck_guy]

Owning a camper does not make me either Rich, Or a tight wad... It makes me HAPPY, and Fortunate to be able to vacation wherever I want, almost whenever I want..

[mikebreeze]

Since I retired I have become a real cheapskate. So I'm cheap, I have a cheap RV, I'm happy and I don't care what others think.

[MrWizard]

Mine makes me Poor
Constantly spending money on it

[3oaks]

Thom02099 wrote:
Why should owning a camper "make" you anything? What one owns does not define who you are.

Opinions are like a....... well you know....everyone's got one!

Why would anyone care what others opinions are? If you're happy, your family is happy, and everyone is loved and cared for, that's really all that matters.

X2

Never entered my mind to think of it in any other way.

[Cloud_Dancer]

I've had to be a settler, but I've always wanted more. I overnight in Walmart parking lots because I'm kinda like a cheapskate. All the years that I spent as a commercial pilot taught me a lot about long-distance flight planning. I enjoy the freedom of RVing. Just pull into a Walmart, and rest,....in the comfort and convenience of my own little house.