My thoughts and feelings are all over the place. I feel scared and excited. I've been a penny pincher all my life and now I'm proposing spending a big bunch of money on a luxury! An RV is a luxury. Travel is a luxury.
I think, "No we shouldn't do it." And then "Yes, it's our turn."
Except for a small mortgage we have no debt. But it scares me that when Craig actually retires we will have to start drawing on our retirement savings.
But that is what they are for, isn't it?
I wish all the work was done on the house, but if we wait we will both be ready for a nursing home.
Maybe some trips will give us the motivation to let go and hire some work done, and not be held down by DIY projects. If we don't we will never be done with it.
I know we can do this. We CAN buy an RV and take a few trips. Other people do it. Why not us.
It will work out.
But I'm scared! And excited!
Craig and Merikay at Avenue of the Giants, California
There is always going to be a tug-of-war with your feelings and the decision of what to do. Take a deep breath and close your eyes and do what "feels right". Don't rush if your nervousness outweighs the joy.
ReplyDeletegood for you!..I vote for jumping on in if you can do it..life is short!!.
ReplyDeleteI'm of the "go for it" mentality. We have dear friends who have waited until it's almost too late. They wanted to make sure they had all their ducks in a row (and I do mean all of them). I think it's sort of like having kids. If you wait until you can afford them, you will never have them. I am so glad we jumped in and don't regret it at all.
ReplyDeleteMerikay we went through those same thought/feelings not too long ago. Although we did not go the full-timing route, it was a big leap for us to buy Therapy. Something I said to Russ finally made sense to him...I said we were not spending all our assets, we were simply rearranging them! We can save it all for our "old age" (duh, it's here!) and then give it to the doctors and the government or we can enjoy some of it now! I choose enjoy!! You have to make the choice that is right for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Donna K... and Jim and Sandie!
ReplyDeleteGo for it with gusto! I'm a believer that things all work out in the end the way they are supposed to and your heart has lead you to RVing for a reason.
Remembering your posts from just a few months ago this is the 'Dream' you said you wanted but were afraid would never happen.
ReplyDeleteNow that your dream is almost here, what's the problem?
I'd only be worried if I looked back in later years and had to say "coulda, shoulda, didn't"!!!!!!!!
We were nervous too when we bought the fiver two months ago - said to each other several times, what are we doing? Are we crazy to do this now? We could have waited until we had saved more etc - but I'm glad we didn't. :)
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your feelings & it brings back memories of our decision to buy our Motor Home as well. We bought our first RV back in the late nineties & with each subsequent RV purchase came that mixture of fear & excitement. We have been Snow Birding for nearly 6 years now & I look back at our decision to do that as one of the greatest decisions we have made. Only problem is that I would love to be traveling far more than we do. Can't tell you what the right decision is for you but we have all grown up hearing the phrase....'follow your dream:))'
ReplyDeleteyou are much like we were when we decided over a year and half ago to make this "plunge"... frugality is my religion and it was indeed a difficult decision to jump into this with both feet... but like a young boy jumping off a cliff into a lake, yes there is the unknown but then the jubilation you will have once you hit the water!!!
ReplyDeleteMajor purchases always cause me to worry and lose sleep. I think your feelings are normal. We've owned 6 RV's and I worried over each purchase - needlessly. I wouldn't trade any of those memories for the money. We were cautious though - buy at a good price, pay cash if possible, don't go into debt that you can't pay without causing stress. Only one regret - should have been living this full-time lifestyle sooner (i.e. younger and less health problems).
ReplyDeleteThe feelings are normal. What's the worst that can happen? Do you want to live in a big house that someday you may not be able to take care of? We look at the future of our full-time dream, and want to look back with no regrets :) I ditto everyone else's comments..
ReplyDeleteIf you can truly afford it do it...if it is just nervousness do it...if you have the time to really travel do it...but I agree with Teri....if the stress outweighs the joy there are other options...renting a cabin...renting a motorhome...you are right..travel is a luxury unless you really go full time. I read once to try this...six months before you retire try living on exactly the amount you will have when you retire and see how that works...
ReplyDeleteIf you can really afford it - GO FOR IT! Maybe don't go for something top of the line, and maybe stick to used - but it pays to give it a try while you have everything else going to see if you even like the lifestyle. Myself, I love camping, but full-time - probably not - I love my house in the country too much.
ReplyDeleteHave fun and ENJOY!
I couldn't say anything better than what has been said. We full-timed for almost 2 years and now we will part-time. For us this works better because of some family obligations/health. Once we get going we plan to travel and see just as much as we were when full-timing...it will just "look" different. This is THE most wonderful lifestyle!!
ReplyDeleteEach of us finds our own niche. I fulltime, but could not travel constantly. That just doesn't work for me financially or psychologically. And I only have to worry about myself!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll find what works for the both of you. Scary and exciting? Yes, it sure is! :)
It is hard to let go of the purse strings if you've been a frugal saver your whole life. Believe me, I know, I am stuggling with the same issues right now.
ReplyDeleteIf it's an unsound decision, it will cost you but you will recover. A far worse outcome might be to be sitting around 5 years from now wishing you had tried.
All I can add is -- we are loving this lifestyle, feel very blessed we have the opportunity & will never look back & say "I wish we had..." As far as our stix & brix home, we sold "as is" -- needed paint & carpet -- just when the market was taking a nose-dive. We are thankful we don't have to worry about it -- nor will our kids when we are gone!
ReplyDeleteJust found you via Never Ending Journey blog! I have to go back and read your previous posts. You are planning exactly what my hubby wants to do. I, however, am the ultimate big chicken. We did, however, quit our jobs in 1977 and went van camping around the U.S., alternating travel with our 5-year old with returns home for family events. Aug. 1977-June 1978 , we were on the road about 24 weeks in all.
ReplyDeleteDon't let fear control you. When people started saying what if, I told them we did our homework and took a calculated risk. What's the worst that can happen? If it doesn't work out, we can go back to our old way of life. Maybe, not a house, but an apartment and jobs. But, just what if it all works out and we have many years of freedom and a life we love! To us the risk was worth it. You and Craig are smart and wouldn't do anything foolish. But, don't let fear win out!
ReplyDeleteMerikay, I'm one who will continue to tell you to go for it. This isn't a practice life.
ReplyDeleteMarikay,
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I have just gone through that. It is scary and I have very little left in the 401K, but I am very happy that I did it. I love living in "MY SPOT". Now it is just waiting until I can retire and get out on the road. Once I cut that tie and reality sets in, I will probably go through it all over again. Just work through it. Keep dreaming!