You seem like nice people and it's sad you had to spend five minutes giving disclaimers to prevent the stupid/mean comments. So many veiwers think you somehow owe them the content you post. Rather than just using some perspective and appreciating the effort. Thanks for taking the time to provide all this info!
The age of faceless keyboard complainers. Spot on Cody. It's sad people can't just move along if they don't like content for things like this. It's for fun.
I want to thank you both for this very informative information. It was well appreciated by those of us who are serious about taking the plunge. Aloha and many Blessings from Hawaii.
It is sad. RV'ing is such a joy. You can do it on a budget or spend millions. It depends on you. I hope the general audience watching these types of videos can enjoy and learn from the information provided by this lovely young couple.
My husband and I are starting to really investigate the full time RV life. Looking for “mentors” more our age, and you are my new favorite! Great information, no click bait, no fake ‘look at me!’ personalities. Thank you and we will be watching and learning!!
My wife and I are also starting to dive into researching this lifestyle. More to it than meets the eye, that's for sure. Loving all these RV'ing couples sharing their knowledge and experience.
TikTok funny, weird, uncomfortable Videos channel Can you elaborate what you mean by investing to balance against those RV expenses? For example: What stocks in particular are you referring to? Do you go through a company to get consistently positive growth stocks that outperform the S&P 500 stock index or no?
Why not travel the USA with a car and stay at decent hotels. The experience is somewhat the same right? I dont see the joy in driving a 10,000 vehicle that cost 1,000s to fuel and maintain.
D Santi The experience is similar but, for example, a schoolie would be superior if built right. Typical RVs cost many thousands of dollars. A range of $25,000 to $100,000 or higher. I’ve spent days looking. It’s insane. But you can make a “schoolie” which is a school bus RV by buying a school bus for no more than $5K, ideally $3K, and then renovate it yourself to be your “hotel” on wheels. Complete with refrigerator, full size bed, bathtub and shower, full kitchen, nice living room with your own WiFi to stream your Netflix and hulu and amazon prime tv, play your Xbox. Go for bike rides using the bike you got in the garage part of the back of the bus. Etc. So long as you build your schoolie with a electricity source like solar and a good high capacity battery bank like lead acid batteries or lithium ion batteries or my favorite: Inergy inc batteries. Total renovation investment never is above $15K. Meaning you have a fully built schoolie for total investment of $20K. Which will always pay itself back because you spend over $20K in your lifetime traveling using hotels and lodging if you’re like me and travel every single year. So it’s a good investment. Buses are different from cars too. Most people cry when their car approaches 60,000 miles or even 100,000 miles. But buses easily can go over 500,000 miles no problem and are easy to fix and are less costly to fix if you purchase the right bus from the start (don’t get a bus from a coastal school system because they will have rust). The answer to your statement is the experience is similar but the small differences make a huge world of difference financially. You save a lot of money with a schoolie versus going to hotels all the time and or just using a car. Good hotels are $100 a night or more. When I say good I mean 4 star or higher. My schoolie has everything I mentioned above. I use 375 watt solar panels on the roof totaling 2000 watts of solar. My Inergy batteries are better than lithium ion. I’ve got my own toilet and shower and full kitchen with lots of food storage. I’ve got water tanks underneath that are filled every time it rains too because I use a rain water harvesting roof and water purification system. 2000 gallons of water storage. The toilet is a nature’s head composting toilet. Doesn’t waste water. I park the bus somewhere close to the fun place we’re trying to go and I unload my SUV from the open flat bed trailer in the back and go have fun. I’ve got a motorcycle on it too. So I could take my Kawasaki 650 instead if it’s a nice day. What about when I’m not traveling? The whole thing is parked in my garage at home. They got electric school buses now too. You know that? You can even upgrade to a biodiesel bus too. Cheaper than gasoline if you got your own biodiesel processor back home. All you need is the free and used fryer oil McDonald’s dumps at the end of the day. You take that home. Put it in the processor. Check back later and you got biodiesel. Fill up your bus tank with it and if you got an auxiliary tank like I do, fill that up too to increase the driving range of your bus between fillups. Total investment: Less than $20,000 (excluding car trailer and SUV and Motorcycle and Biodiesel processor)
We enjoy watching all your videos! We house disabled veterans in our home what use to be a nursing home and we would love for you guys to come and park in our driveway for as many nights as you need! Thanks for your service to our country 🇺🇸
My mom always told me you can’t take it with you so it’s great you’re enjoying your lives and seeing and doing things rather than just surviving. And whether by hard work or inheritance you were blessed with the ability to buy an RV like that and do all this I’m happy for you. For my husband and I and my medical bills (I’m 55) this wouldn’t be possible we can barely survive. I’m hoping in my next life I find my husband and we are more fortunate.
I PUT MY 140LB AKITA & I(6'6"/230) IN A '89 MAZDA B2200 & DROVE FOR 2YRS. FROM THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES OF CANADA & ALASKA IN THE SUMMER TO PANAMA CANAL IN THE WINTER ... EVERY TERRITORY, EVERY STATE, EVERY STATE IN MEXICO & EVERY COUNTRY IN CENTRAL AMERICA ... AT LEAST ONCE ... MOST 2X. 150K MI IN 2 YRS! OO YEAH I MOVED TO HAWAII ...SO THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN ALL 50 STATES. BOUGHT IT AT AN INS AUCTION FOR 200BUX W/ 24K MILES(COST MORE TO REGISTER IT!) SOLD IT IN HAWAII FOR 2500BUX WITH 410,000 MILES, WAS STILL GETTING 35MPG HIWAY! THING WAS BULLETPROOF!
Love That you raised money for Homes for our Troops!! I had the honor of assisting with two home handovers/deliveries to unbelievably deserving veterans in southern California. The terribly injured veterans that attended each home delivery ceremony in support of the veteran receiving his MORTGAGE FREE ADA home provided a telling testimony to just how amazing this organization is. Thank you for taking up their torch to give a little back to those who've given so much!
My husband and I will be biting the bullet and buying our first motorhome this coming spring. We’ve been watching your videos and they’re so informative. I’m actually shocked at how inexpensive your fuel costs were. That, and the cost of insurance were 2 of my 3 biggest concerns. The third being what it will cost to plate it. Thank you. On a different note: I love your high and tight haircut. That’s exactly how my Papaw wore his hair and every time he got his hair cut he’d enter the doorway and he’d immediately put his head down so I could rub my hand over it. I’m 48 now and he passed when I was 20. I was his favorite and he was mine so to see your high and tight always makes me think of him. Keep the awesome videos coming!
Congrats on making the decision to RV. I still get my haircut about every 2 weeks'ish. It is really hard to find folks who can cut a good high and tight. Hope to meet ya in the wild someday!
Regarding their cost of fuel, I noticed this video was posted 2 yrs ago...when fuel prices were less. I could be wrong with the timing of this video, but wanted to give you a heads up. Safe travels and God bless to all of you RV'ers!
You truly did work your tushies off at Florida Caverns! We loved having you and can’t wait to do it again. Thank you for the shout out! Hope to see y’all again soon!!
With our motorhome traveling the USA, we average around $5000 per month in cost. The longer you stayed in one spot using less fuel the cheaper your monthly cost would be. Our motorhome lawn payment, storage fees and insurance averaged around $1100 per month just sitting in storage.
Thanks for the transparency. As an Active Duty Sailor looking to sail to roads of America in retirement this is a great video. Praying for continued blessings on your travels!
Seeing the breakdown for expenses is very helpful as we weigh the pros and cons of buying an RV and taking our family of 8 on the road part time. I wondered about 2 things: 1. Did the fuel costs you mention only include diesel for the rig or does that also include gas for your towed vehicle? 2. How much of these expenses can you "right off" as business expenses for your YT/website business? Or do you not bother to do that?
Thanks Joel. The diesel cost was for the RV only. We didn't list the Jeep as folks have different toads. We are able to right off some items that are YMRV centric.
Not much boondocking. I think for me I would spend half to three-quarters of my time boondocking for free. Amenities can be nice, but for the most part I would rather be off on my own in the woods. I know a lot of this has to do with where you go and the areas you're in, but a person can plan carefully and Boondock the vast majority of the time at least in the parts of the country I like. Park in the woods for a week or two then go to an RV park for a day or two to refill water and empty holding tanks and just enjoy a park atmosphere for a day or two.
@@alanj7306 I don't remember so well what they said about boondocking. I can see how it would possibly be more expensive at times if you're having to run a generator 24/7 and if you're having to pay expensive dumping fees to empty holding tanks. Generally I would say that is the exception rather than the rule. When I go boondocking I typically will spend about $20 in fuel and $5 for dumping fee when I get home, on a 3 Day outing.
@@alanj7306 Depends on the type of RV you have but a Camper Van with a Lithium system technically isn’t more expensive to boon-dock than be at a camp site. Also, she did say boon-docking can be more expensive, but that’s for a Class A that has a lot more variables. I could imagine it would be because it doesn’t have the same systems as a Lithium Camper Van (or the mobility) to be totally off grid. The hidden costs of a Camper van for example is drastically much smaller and is still cheaper than camping at a site. Overall, boondocking is cheaper but only if you have the systems for it. They would pay out the nose for fuel because a lot of their systems depend on that. Where we would not have to worry about that.
when you consider average property tax is around 6k then paying 6k for camp fees is equivalent but you get to go places!Starting to warm up to this lifestyle.You guys look great together!
Thanks for great video! With my poor English, I could understand almost everything cuz it’s so organized video editing. And I did my military service in Republic of Korea Air Force!
Thank you both for your military service! My husband 22 years in Air Force as medical doctor. I think all the military camping facilities are great. We are not RV'ers, I personally love to go out and experience US. Hubby had enough of TDYs and not the least bit interested in getting into any camper--ever. I took out 2 youngest sons when they were younger and we did 33 states including Canada and 12 weeks, hubby stayed home and took care of pets and worked. I do watch many folks who live in their RV and they seem to be having a good time. Thanks for your channel.
Really enjoy you guys! I spent 35 years in the credit card industry. If you paid for that now-defunct cell phone plan with a credit card, you may have chargeback rights to get a partial refund. Worth checking into.
Great video. I’m travel on my motorcycle been thinking about getting a RV. What irritates me about some military base camp grounds is tent camping can be $20/night. I have the smallest foot print while camping. I sleep in a hammock. My cooker is a rocket thing. I don’t require electricity. I prefer BLM or under $10/night. $17/night in an RV that’s great. Great video best video like this I’ve seen. Very honest and informative.
Phil and Stacy, you have sacrificed enough serving our country so you camp and RV anyway you like because you deserve it. Thank you for your service. ....Hope to see you on the road sometime.. Danny and Nadine
Don't feel the need to defend your lifestyle. You're obviously economically responsible have saved and are able to enjoy your retirement. There are many people living on much less usually because they have to. Your foresight has allowing you to enjoy and live the way you want to.
Thank you for the heads up. I’m retired Navy and a disabled Gulf War veteran. Just sold my farm in Virginia with intent to travel on access pass as cheaply as possible until I find a new home. Might even enjoy track days along the way assuming I can stay at tracks overnight too. Just me and a dog (smaller one than in pic tho). With OCD and PTSD I believe my best and cheapest approach is traveling by pickup and towable camper as ultimately better than an RV option, leaving me either a truck (or motorcycle) to get around on without all the luggage. You’re video helped me reach that conclusion. My main concern is being out there alone and without support. Thinking there must be groups of veterans to track day enthusiasts out there, I found your channel. Ultimately I want to have another small farm somewhere again, so will use this time to find that - which drives my choice to keep it as cheap as possible, saving for that expense. With RV rentals costing hundreds per night, I’d be better off living in hotels wherever I go! So I just can’t seem to find a better alternative for myself than the expense of a truck I will always need… Just hope my reasoning is sound since I have no experience with it. Thanks again for the help
Thank you so much for sharing and being so open with your numbers. It’s great insight and helpful to get the brain wrapped around some real costs from full timers.
I think it would be more helpful to say "if your income is higher than $X per year and you have no kids you shouldn't have any trouble. If you DO have kids add $X amount per child. " But even THAT will depend on too many variables. Best answer...work with your budget and make it happen
Sorry I am late watching this video, but had to respond. We are full timers and we also have Progressive Ins, but through Miller Ins Co. We actually saved a $100 by using them and paid up front for the year. We are Thousand Trails members, Boondockers Welcome and Escapee's. We had Harvest Hosts for 1 year, but just was too far out of the way for our way of travel. We have the TSD card as well. All in all, our camping fee totals for the year, just under 1K. Thousand Trails works for us, however, we also work camp once in awhile. Worked in Yellowstone this year for 3 months at the Marina General Store. Love it! I try to follow you as much as possible, but sometimes, get lazy. lol Hope to see you in '21. Happy New Year to you both and thanks for your service! USAF '62-'66
the rv depends on the camping person , from a $50 tent to a $2,500,000 Newell MH , and food depends on choices , but everyone has to eat , so cost is moot
National parks and many rest stops have free water and dumping. Truck stops always give me water... the tip for free water is to keep a short water hose inserted into your fresh water tank. Connect your water hose to the hose that goes into your tank and open the faucet full force. You'll fill up in a few minutes. No leaks. No splash back. I fill up my 70 gallon tank in 16 minutes at home and about 10 minutes at locations with higher water pressure. Without a hose into the tank the water goes in so slow that it takes over a half hour. That much time and someone will be asking how much water are you getting.
Thank you for making the videos. We RV on weekends with another couple from Conroe TX, and we all spend time together watching your videos. My buddy is Navy, so he enjoys your videos very much. We're not to diesel yet, but maybe some day. My wife is a psychiatrist and she actually saw patients via virtual visits, so someday when our daughter grows up. We think we could actually work from the rv. We'll see... thanks for inspiring us!
I grew up on the coast of Maine, so glad you decided to visit and that you loved it! This video was very helpful, my husband and I are considering full time RV life. Safe travels!
Hey California here. For cell phone i have Metro/TMobile. I pay $35/month with unlimited everything. plus $5 for a hot spot. That hot spot from my phone works my sons tablet from Chico California all the way to Tulare, Ca, perfectly. Plus it works my laptop here at home when Xfinity stops working. (often)
One thing that will save you a ton of bank is the America the Beautiful Annual pass, available at any ranger station. This will give you entry to any national park for 80 bucks a year, instead of the 25-50 dollars per park. It pays for itself after a few parks.
This is sooo helpful, you guys! You stay at beautiful places that I know I would enjoy, so knowing it’s actually possible to camp for so little without sitting out in the brutal Arizona desert sun and dust all the time is very encouraging. I just recently discovered RVillage and found you there, only to be pulled right back over here with this video - the first post I looked at in your group, LOL! - A proud Navy aunt
No one should beat you up at all you both are nice enough to disclose costs I don’t see them disclosing, lol. It is about goals and choice so there’s no comparison. Now if you made a video downgrading others choices then that’s a problem. Ty for your video!
Your expenses didn’t seem bad at all. All of them were actually less than I was expecting, especially fuel, insurance, and camping. I always pay my car and home insurance in a single payment. It definitely reduces the cost. Seems like your money was well spent and you’re loving life! Great video and God bless!
I'm 48. I have pretty much worn a flat top since I was in 7th grade. I have been going to the same barber shop since I was 3. It is an art to be able to do a good flat top. Not many woman can do one. During covid my wife tried to do mine. She didn't do bad but I went back to my barber when he opened up.😄
Leave your bills and quarters at home for toll roads. Most of the Northeast tollroads no longer accept cash. You can purchase an EZPass for electronic payment or you will receive bills by mail.
I have learned so much prior to us starting our journey. However, neither of us are military, we are not :) yet ;) 62 or over, we are not retired - yet, thus leaving us unable to jump in on related discounts, and found our first year (this year) had gone way over budget due to "sitting tight" and lack of job prospects (stay at home order)! Thanks to you both, we have a better budget spectrum for this next year!
Saved $162 in diesel with our TSD card on our just completed coast to coast trip. I ordered the card after you mentioned it. That was nearly a year before we got our coach. So thanks for that.
We are Canadians, we were planning on traveling last fall, & got shut down, hoping to be traveling this fall!! We so appreciate your info!! Thank you!!
Another good one. Costs are right on. Because of this Covid mess we screwed up the last 3 months at $35 a night and that effected our nightly average. Other wise costs are similar. Phil congrats on the shoulder improvement.
Love watching you guys. We are newbies. Just bought out Tiffin Motorhome a few weeks ago. Will hit the road full time September 1st. In the meantime selling and having liquidation sale in August.
I did a few months overseas. I am an AVID TRAVELER- the most traveled of anyone I know, and oddly enough… after a few months, I was satisfied and ready to stay in just one place. I imagine if I were to RV it might be similar. I think seasonal RVing sounds fun, but full time… not so much.
Change to Visible Mobile on Verizon for Mobile and Unlimited Hotspot streaming. You do a party pay 4 devices for $25/month, 3 for $30 and 2 at $35. I use at home 2 devices with one more on my party pay so $60/month for Internet, Mobile and TV. My previous Spectrum internet was $67/month with $40 Mobile.
That’s a lot of work to keep track and put together all that information, thank you ! Glad to see your healing up and Stacy has nursed you back to health 😉 Happy Father’s Day ! Blessings
We just bought our new travel trailer and will be picking it up on Saturday. We will not be going rving full time but have totally enjoyed all of your information of rving. We will be starting up small travels first then traveling longer times. We really enjoy your posts!
We use Passport America a lot and save 50% on nightly fees. Met you at Tampa Super Show on industry day, hope to attend again 2021. One squid to another, fair seas and following winds stay safe.
You can bypass tolls with a commercial truck gps,it routes you through oversize vehicle safe routes and it pays for itself after a little while by not paying those huge toll bills, I use a Rand McNally GPS.
If you travel to the east coast Virginia north more than once a year, get an EZpass. It doesn't cost you. You just need to keep a certain amount in your account. It will save you money and time. We originally got one because we travel to New England every couple years. And now my area of Virginia is getting tolled to death.
I do that also .. I gave up WiFi 2 years ago .. $170 a month for WiFi and cable.. in the last 2 years without either saved me $4,000 and I use an antenna for basic tv channels I get about 70 channels most aren’t very good tho.. and I use my cell to hot spot my computer and smart TV.. I can stream movies without and issues at all, I just wish I did this much sooner ..
Army here, you said on this video you were looking for an internet provider the guys on Changing Lanes UA-cam has a pretty good set up but the one thing is an antenna and a cell tower direction finder anyway the antenna looks like it would pick up a signal from the moon that might be what you need. Love your videos didn't know the military had RV parks!
So good that you are going for it. My wife and I are seven years in and it took a few years to learn one major lesson. It is not the miles that you travel, but the quality of the time spent. I think you need to slow it down a ton. When you travel 13,000 miles in a year, you are skipping the best of what a particular area might offer.... Much better to destination hop. That is to say, you travel a few hundred miles and spend a week seeing all that that location has to offer. Then move a few hundred more miles, and spend a while. To travel 13,000 miles in a year is extreme overkill.
There are undoubtedly some places which don’t warrant a lot of time but the constant motion sounds exhausting to me, and I agree it makes the visits a bit cursory. But some people love it (my Dad was one, probably why I am not. 😀)
OMGosh, Alex Bay, NY! I hardly ever see these attractions that are local to me in these videos. Most take I-90 to the coast and miss all these little gems up along the St. Lawrence River!
Check out Visible phone service for your internet. It's owned by Verizon so it's not a MVNO. I pay $25 per month for unlimited everything, including hotspot. They only allow you to connect one device for hotspot, but you can get a router (I think it's a router..) which allows you to connect multiple devices.
So fun. I pray God blesses me with a husband that I can do this kind of adventures with when I am old....I want to live like that in my retirement. Moving around. Talking to people.
Great lifestyle been rving since 1999 and fulltime 2017 the fun is priceless From FL to the west the lifestyle is expensive we decided in 2019 to build a new home 1500 sq ft with 45 ft rv parking in a 55+ gated Golf community in NV for reasonable cost. We cut our expenses drastically cause we mainly use our rig in the summer we hang out mainly in western states UT,WY,CO,ID. in 2020 we travelled 2,000 miles for 4 months .We plan in doing this for 15 more years
I use a device from the calyx institute.. it is a non profit … 750 to start 500 a year after that ….. I love it … it works out to 42 dollars a month …. It is using cell signals though
Sam's club mastercard gives 5 cents back on every dollar spent on fuel. Any fuel, anywhere. It adds up quick and you get that back in cash every February.
I loved this video! My wife and I are not getting younger and are seriously thinking of getting an rv due to health issues making travel nearly impossible otherwise. I was impressed with the comprehensive breakdown of expenses. How did you compile the expense records? Was it a computer based compiler or good old pen and paper? Sorry if this question has been addressed before. I just found your videos. Very impressive!
Hi Numya, if your looking to work remote or even from home. Met me know i can send you some information! Love these videos 📹 don't you? Very informative
As a veteran or active duty areas that are public parks you can obtain a permit that allows free use and access. For example Land Between The Lakes in western Kentucky would be free for veterans. There are many camping areas for both boondocking ot full service areas. Great fishing, boating, hiking, horse riding, atv's and so on. Enjoying your broadcasts immensely and learning so much as I research and review what coach I wil purchase. Encouragement and blessings to you both.
Love "A Year to Volunteer" we are new to RVing but we are former military (Army and Navy) and I taught Community Service in a nearby HS so that seems up our alley for sure. Thanks for the video and blog post, I am creating our master list of all the great resources as we put our last through his last year of HS. I think he would love to join us next summer to get some time away from studying and do some good. He does a lot with a local rescue group now so he has caught the volunteer virus for sure!!!
You seem like nice people and it's sad you had to spend five minutes giving disclaimers to prevent the stupid/mean comments. So many veiwers think you somehow owe them the content you post. Rather than just using some perspective and appreciating the effort. Thanks for taking the time to provide all this info!
Thank you Cody.
The age of faceless keyboard complainers. Spot on Cody. It's sad people can't just move along if they don't like content for things like this. It's for fun.
I want to thank you both for this very informative information. It was well appreciated by those of us who are serious about taking the plunge.
Aloha and many Blessings from Hawaii.
Agree Josh!!
It is sad. RV'ing is such a joy. You can do it on a budget or spend millions. It depends on you. I hope the general audience watching these types of videos can enjoy and learn from the information provided by this lovely young couple.
My husband and I are starting to really investigate the full time RV life. Looking for “mentors” more our age, and you are my new favorite! Great information, no click bait, no fake ‘look at me!’ personalities. Thank you and we will be watching and learning!!
Hey Angie!! Welcome. We are so happy that you have joined our growing community!
My wife and I are also starting to dive into researching this lifestyle. More to it than meets the eye, that's for sure. Loving all these RV'ing couples sharing their knowledge and experience.
Hi Angie, if your looking for on the road, at home business. Message me and I can get that info to you. Have a great day 😀
@@Over-for-now Where is this quartzite spot?! We are in cottonwood, az and new to RV living!
I tell people that we don't RV to save money, we RV to experience life.
Spot on!
What about both? Both sounds ideal
TikTok funny, weird, uncomfortable Videos channel Can you elaborate what you mean by investing to balance against those RV expenses?
For example: What stocks in particular are you referring to? Do you go through a company to get consistently positive growth stocks that outperform the S&P 500 stock index or no?
Why not travel the USA with a car and stay at decent hotels. The experience is somewhat the same right? I dont see the joy in driving a 10,000 vehicle that cost 1,000s to fuel and maintain.
D Santi The experience is similar but, for example, a schoolie would be superior if built right.
Typical RVs cost many thousands of dollars. A range of $25,000 to $100,000 or higher. I’ve spent days looking. It’s insane.
But you can make a “schoolie” which is a school bus RV by buying a school bus for no more than $5K, ideally $3K, and then renovate it yourself to be your “hotel” on wheels.
Complete with refrigerator, full size bed, bathtub and shower, full kitchen, nice living room with your own WiFi to stream your Netflix and hulu and amazon prime tv, play your Xbox. Go for bike rides using the bike you got in the garage part of the back of the bus. Etc.
So long as you build your schoolie with a electricity source like solar and a good high capacity battery bank like lead acid batteries or lithium ion batteries or my favorite: Inergy inc batteries.
Total renovation investment never is above $15K. Meaning you have a fully built schoolie for total investment of $20K.
Which will always pay itself back because you spend over $20K in your lifetime traveling using hotels and lodging if you’re like me and travel every single year.
So it’s a good investment. Buses are different from cars too. Most people cry when their car approaches 60,000 miles or even 100,000 miles.
But buses easily can go over 500,000 miles no problem and are easy to fix and are less costly to fix if you purchase the right bus from the start (don’t get a bus from a coastal school system because they will have rust).
The answer to your statement is the experience is similar but the small differences make a huge world of difference financially. You save a lot of money with a schoolie versus going to hotels all the time and or just using a car.
Good hotels are $100 a night or more. When I say good I mean 4 star or higher.
My schoolie has everything I mentioned above. I use 375 watt solar panels on the roof totaling 2000 watts of solar. My Inergy batteries are better than lithium ion. I’ve got my own toilet and shower and full kitchen with lots of food storage. I’ve got water tanks underneath that are filled every time it rains too because I use a rain water harvesting roof and water purification system. 2000 gallons of water storage. The toilet is a nature’s head composting toilet. Doesn’t waste water.
I park the bus somewhere close to the fun place we’re trying to go and I unload my SUV from the open flat bed trailer in the back and go have fun.
I’ve got a motorcycle on it too. So I could take my Kawasaki 650 instead if it’s a nice day.
What about when I’m not traveling? The whole thing is parked in my garage at home.
They got electric school buses now too. You know that?
You can even upgrade to a biodiesel bus too.
Cheaper than gasoline if you got your own biodiesel processor back home.
All you need is the free and used fryer oil McDonald’s dumps at the end of the day.
You take that home. Put it in the processor. Check back later and you got biodiesel. Fill up your bus tank with it and if you got an auxiliary tank like I do, fill that up too to increase the driving range of your bus between fillups.
Total investment: Less than $20,000 (excluding car trailer and SUV and Motorcycle and Biodiesel processor)
We enjoy watching all your videos! We house disabled veterans in our home what use to be a nursing home and we would love for you guys to come and park in our driveway for as many nights as you need! Thanks for your service to our country 🇺🇸
My mom always told me you can’t take it with you so it’s great you’re enjoying your lives and seeing and doing things rather than just surviving. And whether by hard work or inheritance you were blessed with the ability to buy an RV like that and do all this I’m happy for you. For my husband and I and my medical bills (I’m 55) this wouldn’t be possible we can barely survive. I’m hoping in my next life I find my husband and we are more fortunate.
I PUT MY 140LB AKITA & I(6'6"/230) IN A '89 MAZDA B2200 & DROVE FOR 2YRS. FROM THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES OF CANADA & ALASKA IN THE SUMMER TO PANAMA CANAL IN THE WINTER ... EVERY TERRITORY, EVERY STATE, EVERY STATE IN MEXICO & EVERY COUNTRY IN CENTRAL AMERICA ... AT LEAST ONCE ... MOST 2X. 150K MI IN 2 YRS! OO YEAH I MOVED TO HAWAII ...SO THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN ALL 50 STATES. BOUGHT IT AT AN INS AUCTION FOR 200BUX W/ 24K MILES(COST MORE TO REGISTER IT!) SOLD IT IN HAWAII FOR 2500BUX WITH 410,000 MILES, WAS STILL GETTING 35MPG HIWAY! THING WAS BULLETPROOF!
Love That you raised money for Homes for our Troops!! I had the honor of assisting with two home handovers/deliveries to unbelievably deserving veterans in southern California. The terribly injured veterans that attended each home delivery ceremony in support of the veteran receiving his MORTGAGE FREE ADA home provided a telling testimony to just how amazing this organization is. Thank you for taking up their torch to give a little back to those who've given so much!
Love the honesty you guys have! Cost definitely depends on the person/family. Everyone lives it differently with different interests. ❤
So true!
My husband and I will be biting the bullet and buying our first motorhome this coming spring. We’ve been watching your videos and they’re so informative. I’m actually shocked at how inexpensive your fuel costs were. That, and the cost of insurance were 2 of my 3 biggest concerns. The third being what it will cost to plate it. Thank you. On a different note: I love your high and tight haircut. That’s exactly how my Papaw wore his hair and every time he got his hair cut he’d enter the doorway and he’d immediately put his head down so I could rub my hand over it. I’m 48 now and he passed when I was 20. I was his favorite and he was mine so to see your high and tight always makes me think of him. Keep the awesome videos coming!
Congrats on making the decision to RV. I still get my haircut about every 2 weeks'ish. It is really hard to find folks who can cut a good high and tight. Hope to meet ya in the wild someday!
Regarding their cost of fuel, I noticed this video was posted 2 yrs ago...when fuel prices were less.
I could be wrong with the timing of this video, but wanted to give you a heads up.
Safe travels and God bless to all of you RV'ers!
You truly did work your tushies off at Florida Caverns! We loved having you and can’t wait to do it again. Thank you for the shout out! Hope to see y’all again soon!!
Our pleasure! You know you will have to see our faces again!! Hopefully, sooner than later!
"Clothing allowance" spoken like a true former military family. It's not like his haircut is a dead giveaway. Lol
That's an interesting take. I see "clothing allowance" a category of people who are just aware of how they really spend their money.
I don't think I ever spent my Clothing Allowance on uniforms.
Bwahaha.Awesome.
I hang mine out in the rain every chance i get. Natures washing machine.
@@mattwest250 so true. Lol
With our motorhome traveling the USA, we average around $5000 per month in cost. The longer you stayed in one spot using less fuel the cheaper your monthly cost would be. Our motorhome lawn payment, storage fees and insurance averaged around $1100 per month just sitting in storage.
Thanks for the transparency. As an Active Duty Sailor looking to sail to roads of America in retirement this is a great video. Praying for continued blessings on your travels!
Thank you for your service. 👏🏆💐
Being a veteran has its perks as well. More savings too...free state parks gotta love that.
On base Full Hook Ups don't hurt either.
I'm 100% and don't stay for free at State Parks. I'm literally at one now and it's half off. Could vary by state.
Seeing the breakdown for expenses is very helpful as we weigh the pros and cons of buying an RV and taking our family of 8 on the road part time.
I wondered about 2 things: 1. Did the fuel costs you mention only include diesel for the rig or does that also include gas for your towed vehicle? 2. How much of these expenses can you "right off" as business expenses for your YT/website business? Or do you not bother to do that?
Thanks Joel. The diesel cost was for the RV only. We didn't list the Jeep as folks have different toads. We are able to right off some items that are YMRV centric.
Not much boondocking. I think for me I would spend half to three-quarters of my time boondocking for free. Amenities can be nice, but for the most part I would rather be off on my own in the woods.
I know a lot of this has to do with where you go and the areas you're in, but a person can plan carefully and Boondock the vast majority of the time at least in the parts of the country I like. Park in the woods for a week or two then go to an RV park for a day or two to refill water and empty holding tanks and just enjoy a park atmosphere for a day or two.
You must have missed the part where she said boondocking can actually be more expensive.
@@alanj7306
I don't remember so well what they said about boondocking. I can see how it would possibly be more expensive at times if you're having to run a generator 24/7 and if you're having to pay expensive dumping fees to empty holding tanks. Generally I would say that is the exception rather than the rule. When I go boondocking I typically will spend about $20 in fuel and $5 for dumping fee when I get home, on a 3 Day outing.
@@alanj7306 Depends on the type of RV you have but a Camper Van with a Lithium system technically isn’t more expensive to boon-dock than be at a camp site. Also, she did say boon-docking can be more expensive, but that’s for a Class A that has a lot more variables. I could imagine it would be because it doesn’t have the same systems as a Lithium Camper Van (or the mobility) to be totally off grid. The hidden costs of a Camper van for example is drastically much smaller and is still cheaper than camping at a site. Overall, boondocking is cheaper but only if you have the systems for it. They would pay out the nose for fuel because a lot of their systems depend on that. Where we would not have to worry about that.
That's an E9 haircut right there. 🤣😂
First thing I thought watching this.. What in the senior enlisted kind of cut is that...
As soon as I saw him, I had flash backs of saying “Beautiful morning Sgt Major” he asked very politely if I was a f_____g weather man.
Ahhaha!
when you consider average property tax is around 6k then paying 6k for camp fees is equivalent but you get to go places!Starting to warm up to this lifestyle.You guys look great together!
Thanks for great video! With my poor English, I could understand almost everything cuz it’s so organized video editing.
And I did my military service in Republic of Korea Air Force!
@MTL크리스 well done saying!👍👏 then did you service military in US too?
🇰🇷🤗
So sweet to see you enjoyed 'a year to volunteer'. I went to school with Phil and am hoping to participate in this eventually.
This was priceless! I am going rv in September 2022! You guys make me feel well informed and excited.
Thank you both for your military service! My husband 22 years in Air Force as medical doctor. I think all the military camping facilities are great. We are not RV'ers, I personally love to go out and experience US. Hubby had enough of TDYs and not the least bit interested in getting into any camper--ever. I took out 2 youngest sons when they were younger and we did 33 states including Canada and 12 weeks, hubby stayed home and took care of pets and worked. I do watch many folks who live in their RV and they seem to be having a good time. Thanks for your channel.
Really enjoy you guys! I spent 35 years in the credit card industry. If you paid for that now-defunct cell phone plan with a credit card, you may have chargeback rights to get a partial refund. Worth checking into.
Great video. I’m travel on my motorcycle been thinking about getting a RV. What irritates me about some military base camp grounds is tent camping can be $20/night. I have the smallest foot print while camping. I sleep in a hammock. My cooker is a rocket thing. I don’t require electricity. I prefer BLM or under $10/night. $17/night in an RV that’s great.
Great video best video like this I’ve seen. Very honest and informative.
Thanks, Brian!
I’m envious, you guys have your act together. If I was an RVr I wouldn’t hesitate to take your advice.
Phil and Stacy, you have sacrificed enough serving our country so you camp and RV anyway you like because you deserve it. Thank you for your service. ....Hope to see you on the road sometime..
Danny and Nadine
Thanks so much!
Don't feel the need to defend your lifestyle. You're obviously economically responsible have saved and are able to enjoy your retirement. There are many people living on much less usually because they have to. Your foresight has allowing you to enjoy and live the way you want to.
Thank you for the heads up. I’m retired Navy and a disabled Gulf War veteran. Just sold my farm in Virginia with intent to travel on access pass as cheaply as possible until I find a new home. Might even enjoy track days along the way assuming I can stay at tracks overnight too. Just me and a dog (smaller one than in pic tho).
With OCD and PTSD I believe my best and cheapest approach is traveling by pickup and towable camper as ultimately better than an RV option, leaving me either a truck (or motorcycle) to get around on without all the luggage. You’re video helped me reach that conclusion.
My main concern is being out there alone and without support. Thinking there must be groups of veterans to track day enthusiasts out there, I found your channel.
Ultimately I want to have another small farm somewhere again, so will use this time to find that - which drives my choice to keep it as cheap as possible, saving for that expense.
With RV rentals costing hundreds per night, I’d be better off living in hotels wherever I go! So I just can’t seem to find a better alternative for myself than the expense of a truck I will always need… Just hope my reasoning is sound since I have no experience with it.
Thanks again for the help
Thank you so much for sharing and being so open with your numbers. It’s great insight and helpful to get the brain wrapped around some real costs from full timers.
You are so welcome!
It's all about the numbers and keeping to the budget. You too are a helluva pair, thanks for the content.
I think it would be more helpful to say "if your income is higher than $X per year and you have no kids you shouldn't have any trouble. If you DO have kids add $X amount per child. " But even THAT will depend on too many variables.
Best answer...work with your budget and make it happen
Sorry I am late watching this video, but had to respond. We are full timers and we also have Progressive Ins, but through Miller Ins Co. We actually saved a $100 by using them and paid up front for the year. We are Thousand Trails members, Boondockers Welcome and Escapee's. We had Harvest Hosts for 1 year, but just was too far out of the way for our way of travel. We have the TSD card as well. All in all, our camping fee totals for the year, just under 1K. Thousand Trails works for us, however, we also work camp once in awhile. Worked in Yellowstone this year for 3 months at the Marina General Store. Love it! I try to follow you as much as possible, but sometimes, get lazy. lol Hope to see you in '21. Happy New Year to you both and thanks for your service! USAF '62-'66
Much cheaper than I’d thought. Two huge items not included, though: Food & the actual RV $$$$$
the rv depends on the camping person , from a $50 tent to a $2,500,000 Newell MH , and food depends on choices , but everyone has to eat , so cost is moot
Food isn’t cost of RVing. That’s cost of living wherever you are.
National parks and many rest stops have free water and dumping. Truck stops always give me water... the tip for free water is to keep a short water hose inserted into your fresh water tank. Connect your water hose to the hose that goes into your tank and open the faucet full force. You'll fill up in a few minutes. No leaks. No splash back.
I fill up my 70 gallon tank in 16 minutes at home and about 10 minutes at locations with higher water pressure. Without a hose into the tank the water goes in so slow that it takes over a half hour. That much time and someone will be asking how much water are you getting.
I don’t know why, every time the dude talks, I get the urge to yell “Aye Master Chief!” between phrases 🤷🏻♂️😂
....SPOT ON ONCE AGAIN..... being disciplined in your spending is the whole key to fiscal management!...
Thanks!
Thank you! I'm starting to save money in order to travel in an RV for a full year around the USA, so this video is very helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
Verizon MiFi is $70 / month. I used it for the entire year of 2013. It was great. The ONLY time it didnt work was when I was in sand dunes of Arizona.
Thank you for making the videos. We RV on weekends with another couple from Conroe TX, and we all spend time together watching your videos. My buddy is Navy, so he enjoys your videos very much. We're not to diesel yet, but maybe some day. My wife is a psychiatrist and she actually saw patients via virtual visits, so someday when our daughter grows up. We think we could actually work from the rv. We'll see... thanks for inspiring us!
Thanks for spending your weekends with us! Virtual visits are spreading like wildfire! Hopefully, it will be doable!
I grew up on the coast of Maine, so glad you decided to visit and that you loved it! This video was very helpful, my husband and I are considering full time RV life. Safe travels!
Glad it was helpful!
WOW! Thanks for the breakdown. Thinking of getting in a Class C, so I know that my expenses MAY be less, but reality is getting closer! Safe travels!
Glad it was helpful!
Phil and Stacy...good to see you , soothing to hear a fun voice from the past! Be safe!
Okay, here we go. He just retired from the Air Force Academy, we are selling the house and taking off... You have inspired us... :-)
Hey California here. For cell phone i have Metro/TMobile. I pay $35/month with unlimited everything. plus $5 for a hot spot. That hot spot from my phone works my sons tablet from Chico California all the way to Tulare, Ca, perfectly. Plus it works my laptop here at home when Xfinity stops working. (often)
Something we think about doing. It helps to watch your show and others to help decide how
Thank you enjoy you all
One thing that will save you a ton of bank is the America the Beautiful Annual pass, available at any ranger station. This will give you entry to any national park for 80 bucks a year, instead of the 25-50 dollars per park. It pays for itself after a few parks.
This is sooo helpful, you guys! You stay at beautiful places that I know I would enjoy, so knowing it’s actually possible to camp for so little without sitting out in the brutal Arizona desert sun and dust all the time is very encouraging.
I just recently discovered RVillage and found you there, only to be pulled right back over here with this video - the first post I looked at in your group, LOL!
- A proud Navy aunt
Hahahaha! Watch for our Zoom meeting on Friday!
No one should beat you up at all you both are nice enough to disclose costs I don’t see them disclosing, lol. It is about goals and choice so there’s no comparison. Now if you made a video downgrading others choices then that’s a problem. Ty for your video!
Tip of the hat to this great couple. Thanks for sharing!
Your expenses didn’t seem bad at all. All of them were actually less than I was expecting, especially fuel, insurance, and camping. I always pay my car and home insurance in a single payment. It definitely reduces the cost. Seems like your money was well spent and you’re loving life! Great video and God bless!
I like your flat top. I grew up with one lol. My dad was a marine in WW2. I'm a baby boomer, now retired.
It is hard to someone on the road who can actually cut a flat top.
I'm 48. I have pretty much worn a flat top since I was in 7th grade. I have been going to the same barber shop since I was 3. It is an art to be able to do a good flat top. Not many woman can do one. During covid my wife tried to do mine. She didn't do bad but I went back to my barber when he opened up.😄
Leave your bills and quarters at home for toll roads. Most of the Northeast tollroads no longer accept cash. You can purchase an EZPass for electronic payment or you will receive bills by mail.
I have learned so much prior to us starting our journey. However, neither of us are military, we are not :) yet ;) 62 or over, we are not retired - yet, thus leaving us unable to jump in on related discounts, and found our first year (this year) had gone way over budget due to "sitting tight" and lack of job prospects (stay at home order)! Thanks to you both, we have a better budget spectrum for this next year!
I hope it helps! Sitting tight is killing next years budget for us! Thankfully, we are saving on activities and fuel to make up the difference!
Very interesting vlog, would do this life stile full time when retired
Saved $162 in diesel with our TSD card on our just completed coast to coast trip. I ordered the card after you mentioned it. That was nearly a year before we got our coach. So thanks for that.
Welcome!
First time viewer. Very interesting overview. Thanks for sharing!
We are Canadians, we were planning on traveling last fall, & got shut down, hoping to be traveling this fall!! We so appreciate your info!! Thank you!!
Fingers crossed!!
It's always fun seeing what others spend while living on the road. Thanks for sharing.
Another good one. Costs are right on. Because of this Covid mess we screwed up the last 3 months at $35 a night and that effected our nightly average. Other wise costs are similar.
Phil congrats on the shoulder improvement.
We know the feeling. Thanks.....the should is progressing slowly.
These guys seem like awesome people great video. Hope to see you on the road somewhere soon.
Us too!
Thanks for sharing and seriously ignore any and all negative judgmental comments, 80%of people live check to check and have no right to criticize
Love watching you guys. We are newbies. Just bought out Tiffin Motorhome a few weeks ago. Will hit the road full time September 1st. In the meantime selling and having liquidation sale in August.
Welcome aboard Traci. You are going to love the lifestyle. Good luck on purging!!
We are also in the process of purging and selling our house to go full time. More videos to come from our channel also...
I did a few months overseas. I am an AVID TRAVELER- the most traveled of anyone I know, and oddly enough… after a few months, I was satisfied and ready to stay in just one place. I imagine if I were to RV it might be similar. I think seasonal RVing sounds fun, but full time… not so much.
Not at all for us. We were 6 months in and knew we made the right decision for us.
Less than I thought to would be. I would love to do that when my kids are grown.
Change to Visible Mobile on Verizon for Mobile and Unlimited Hotspot streaming. You do a party pay 4 devices for $25/month, 3 for $30 and 2 at $35. I use at home 2 devices with one more on my party pay so $60/month for Internet, Mobile and TV. My previous Spectrum internet was $67/month with $40 Mobile.
I love all of your upgrades! And, this has been a great topic- much needed and appreciated.
Go with consumer cellular. I pay $23.67 a month for one phone unlimited talk and text plus 8 gig a month for data.
Food for thought
That’s a lot of work to keep track and put together all that information, thank you !
Glad to see your healing up and Stacy has nursed you back to health 😉
Happy Father’s Day !
Blessings
Thank you. It all just helps us to stay on budget.
We just bought our new travel trailer and will be picking it up on Saturday. We will not be going rving full time but have totally enjoyed all of your information of rving. We will be starting up small travels first then traveling longer times. We really enjoy your posts!
That is a great plan. Start slow and enjoy the journey!!
Thank you for this video! We are new to RVing - Active Duty Air Force family. We look forward to watching all your videos and learning from you!!
Welcome! We are so glad you are here.
We use Passport America a lot and save 50% on nightly fees. Met you at Tampa Super Show on industry day, hope to attend again 2021. One squid to another, fair seas and following winds stay safe.
You can bypass tolls with a commercial truck gps,it routes you through oversize vehicle safe routes and it pays for itself after a little while by not paying those huge toll bills, I use a Rand McNally GPS.
Yay, great to see a second successful year of life experiences ... thx for sharing, glad Phil is getting better! 🙏🏻💕
Yes! Thank you!
The first video is how I found you guys today. An easy follow as we are nearly the same age, and you are veterans.
Keep an eye on spacex starlink.
If you travel to the east coast Virginia north more than once a year, get an EZpass. It doesn't cost you. You just need to keep a certain amount in your account. It will save you money and time. We originally got one because we travel to New England every couple years. And now my area of Virginia is getting tolled to death.
use your phone as a hotspot. I do that living in a regular house.
I do that also .. I gave up WiFi 2 years ago .. $170 a month for WiFi and cable.. in the last 2 years without either saved me $4,000 and I use an antenna for basic tv channels I get about 70 channels most aren’t very good tho.. and I use my cell to hot spot my computer and smart TV.. I can stream movies without and issues at all, I just wish I did this much sooner ..
Army here, you said on this video you were looking for an internet provider the guys on Changing Lanes UA-cam has a pretty good set up but the one thing is an antenna and a cell tower direction finder anyway the antenna looks like it would pick up a signal from the moon that might be what you need. Love your videos didn't know the military had RV parks!
We actually have the same set up. I didn't know they had it until we had ours. Great minds think alike.
So good that you are going for it.
My wife and I are seven years in and it took a few years to learn one major lesson. It is not the miles that you travel, but the quality of the time spent. I think you need to slow it down a ton.
When you travel 13,000 miles in a year, you are skipping the best of what a particular area might offer....
Much better to destination hop. That is to say, you travel a few hundred miles and spend a week seeing all that that location has to offer. Then move a few hundred more miles, and spend a while.
To travel 13,000 miles in a year is extreme overkill.
There are undoubtedly some places which don’t warrant a lot of time but the constant motion sounds exhausting to me, and I agree it makes the visits a bit cursory. But some people love it (my Dad was one, probably why I am not. 😀)
OMGosh, Alex Bay, NY! I hardly ever see these attractions that are local to me in these videos. Most take I-90 to the coast and miss all these little gems up along the St. Lawrence River!
Check out Visible phone service for your internet. It's owned by Verizon so it's not a MVNO. I pay $25 per month for unlimited everything, including hotspot. They only allow you to connect one device for hotspot, but you can get a router (I think it's a router..) which allows you to connect multiple devices.
You paid more for insurance than fuel. Totally a surprise to me.
So fun. I pray God blesses me with a husband that I can do this kind of adventures with when I am old....I want to live like that in my retirement. Moving around. Talking to people.
Thank y’all for everything you do!! God bless you and keep you safe in your travels
My husband and I's goal is to be full time rv living by this time next year. All this information is incredible! Thank you so much!
So glad you found it helpful!
Congratulations on 2 years! We just bought our 33aa 2015 and we hope "to see you on the road!"
Thank you Brendan! We love our 33AA. See ya out here soon!
Great lifestyle been rving since 1999 and fulltime 2017 the fun is priceless From FL to the west the lifestyle is expensive we decided in 2019 to build a new home 1500 sq ft with 45 ft rv parking in a 55+ gated Golf community in NV for reasonable cost. We cut our expenses drastically cause we mainly use our rig in the summer we hang out mainly in western states UT,WY,CO,ID. in 2020 we travelled 2,000 miles for 4 months .We plan in doing this for 15 more years
"Free and Florida" are two words you dont hear very much!
I use a device from the calyx institute.. it is a non profit … 750 to start 500 a year after that ….. I love it … it works out to 42 dollars a month …. It is using cell signals though
That Niagra Falls scene @2:21.
* 0 * 💛✨
Sam's club mastercard gives 5 cents back on every dollar spent on fuel. Any fuel, anywhere. It adds up quick and you get that back in cash every February.
I loved this video! My wife and I are not getting younger and are seriously thinking of getting an rv due to health issues making travel nearly impossible otherwise. I was impressed with the comprehensive breakdown of expenses. How did you compile the expense records? Was it a computer based compiler or good old pen and paper? Sorry if this question has been addressed before. I just found your videos. Very impressive!
Hi Numya, if your looking to work remote or even from home. Met me know i can send you some information! Love these videos 📹 don't you? Very informative
Perhaps in a different life my wife and I could have been full-time RVers. But, it's always fun to dream. Enjoy yours!
I just found your UA-cam and it is great, thank you for sharing this part of your life.
Glad you enjoy it!
I agree with Roy Davis. Good to See Phils wing is working again
Thank you very much for the budget information! Go Navy!!!!
You are welcome.
As a veteran or active duty areas that are public parks you can obtain a permit that allows free use and access. For example Land Between The Lakes in western Kentucky would be free for veterans. There are many camping areas for both boondocking ot full service areas. Great fishing, boating, hiking, horse riding, atv's and so on. Enjoying your broadcasts immensely and learning so much as I research and review what coach I wil purchase. Encouragement and blessings to you both.
As usual, an extremely helpful video. Not everyone would be comfortable sharing this type of information, but it means a lot to us newbies. Semper Fi
Love "A Year to Volunteer" we are new to RVing but we are former military (Army and Navy) and I taught Community Service in a nearby HS so that seems up our alley for sure. Thanks for the video and blog post, I am creating our master list of all the great resources as we put our last through his last year of HS. I think he would love to join us next summer to get some time away from studying and do some good. He does a lot with a local rescue group now so he has caught the volunteer virus for sure!!!