You MIGHT be an RV'r if . . .
As a takeoff on Jeff Foxworthy's "Redneck" bit, here's a few thoughts that have popped into my mind. I will admit to being guilty of SOME of these! You MIGHT be an RV'r if. . . . . . the Camping World Master Catalog arrives and you lock yourself in the bathroom for an hour with a cordless phone and your VISA card. . . . when someone asks how many people can sleep in your RV, you and your spouse answer in unison, "JUST TWO!" . . . you could re-plumb, or re-wire your RV blindfolded, but if the dishwasher in your house quits, you tell your wife to call somebody. . . . the sheets, towels, and small appliances in your RV are all brand new and color co-ordinated, but in your house it's the same stuff you bought at garage sales when you first got married. . . . you're not at Camping World within 10 minutes of opening on Saturday morning, and they call your house to see if you're OK. . . . at home it's Pop Tarts, hot dogs, grilled cheese, and leftovers, but in the CG it's full breakfasts, porterhouse, boiled shrimp, and fresh sweetcorn. OK, folks, let's hear some more!
What are you reading?
Let's share book ideas! I'm currently reading Huckleberry Finn. Haven't read it since I was a kid and, no surprise, it's a lot more complex than I remembered :). And a good traveling book! Also highly recommended, from my just-finished pile, Motoring with Mohammed. It's nothing about war -- it's a travelogue from the 80s, about Yemen. Beautifully written.
Windsurfing
I was wondering how many fellow RV’rs and rv.net enthusiasts also have the windsurfing bug? I would be interested in hearing about, and seeing (pics) of, places you have been and how you outfit your rig to accommodate the paraphernalia of our wonderful sport. I’ll start it off with a couple pictures; the first is our 31’ Class C Bigfoot with windsurf board attached to the rear ladder. The Bigfoot has under-storage bays that span the width of the rig, so that’s where I keep sails, masts, etc. BTW, that vintage 1980s Maui fun-board has since been replaced by a new Bic Core 133 liter. Also, the motorcycle now travels in the bed of a Nissan Frontier pickup—our new dinghy as of last fall. The next two pictures are where we went on our most recent trip (not our pics though—for some reason—ask dw :?, the pics didn’t turn out) —August 2010, last week :B —to a reservoir just outside Laramie, WY, called Lake Hattie. Beautiful FREE boondocking spot! Very few people—the place was empty during the week and only a few people showed up Friday as we were leaving. In addition to being very windy, the area also has miles of dirt roads and single track for off road vehicles—so when the wind was down, out came the dirt motorcycle! For those traveling with small children, or like us with elderly father-in-law, make sure your rig has good heat/battery reserve for those ~40 degree nights—elevation 7500’. While I certainly want to encourage everyone to post, I would especially love to hear about off-the beaten-path windsurfing, boondocking spots like Lake Hattie. Thanks, Jeremy
Anyone Bought RV/Camping Supplies At A Rummage Sale ?
I went to a rummage sale this weekend and purchased two small chairs that foldup twice for very easy storage. (2 bucks each) Bought an "on demand" 8 piece fire ring for when I am dry camping in a secluded area. (5 bucks) Got a smaller than twin size air mattress for 5 bucks. This will be great to use for when I fold down the captains chairs to sleep. Just wondering who else has got great deals on RV/camping supplies at rummage/garage sales, flea markets etc.Social Security question/ help please if you know
I’ve been reading articles when I see them about drawing social security early and 99.9% say drawing early is not recommended and a bad decision. The people that write these articles I bet have more education than me. But when I run my numbers I can’t figure out why they come to that conclusion. I've spent the last couple days doing the math problem over and over and leads to believe I must be doing something wrong. My cross over point of waiting for full age or drawing early comes to almost 80!!! So I’m thinking I must be making a math error, but can't find out where. Keep getting same answer of around 80 years old. According to my “Your Social Security Statement” Social security basically says they will pay me 25% less than full retirement age and till I die if I take it at 62 versus 66. Looking further into their web site and just not the statement, it is not 66 but actually 66 ½ for my “full retirement age”. Then they go on to say by year 2033 the thing is screwed anyways unless some changes are made. I tried to write out the math problem here as if I’m putting it into a calculator but it doesn’t make any sense, probably I'm not doing something right. There are 54 months (or payments to me) between age 62 and 66 ½. So I took that 25% more I would get if I waited till 66 ½ and divided by the 54 months (or payments) to see where I would break even point. That number comes out to be almost 80 years old! I’m thinking no way 80 can be correct. I must be doing something wrong. Almost 80 years old and no male has made it to 80 in my family that I know of and who’s saying I’ll even make it to 66 ½ in the first place. What am I missing? Is my math wrong? I should draw early or wait. I’m thinking if the 80 number is right, I don’t need the added security of the added money of "full retirement age" of 66 ½. And take the "bird in hand" right now. I couldn’t find any other forum dealing with social security questions, but I know many on this forum are old enough and smart enough to have worked the numbers. Is my math correct at 80? Do you have an example of the math formula so I can put into calculator? Thanks for any and all help. (edit: deleted personal info because it didn't make any difference)
