02/09/12

Extended RV Travel
Copyright by Joe and Vicki Kieva

You both like to travel and have often dreamed about exploring the country in an RV. Now, two years away from retirement, one of you wants to sell your home, move into a fifth-wheel trailer, and become a full-time RVer. The other still wants to travel but, for a number of reasons, does not want to get rid of the house.

Joe: We won't go into the reasons why you feel the way you do. Suffice it to say its not unusual. And we won't try to tell you how you can change your point of view, although a lot of people have successfully done so. We would, however, like to suggest a compromise solution.

Do both! Find a way to keep your house and still travel around the country in an RV. That's what Vicki and I did. We became extended RV travelers. We go out on the road for two or three months at a time. Between trips we continue to live in our house in Southern California.

Originally, our plan was to sell our house and become full-timers. When the real estate market took a drastic plunge, we postponed selling but began taking extended RV trips anyway. Today we are quite content with being extended RV travelers. Some day we may become full-timers but, right now, we choose not to.

Try being extended RV travelers for one or two years. You might find, as others have, that living in a house with all of your possessions really isn't that important after all. On the other hand, you may find that actually living in an RV is not the same as being on vacation in one. In the meantime, you'll both be doing what you really want to do; enjoying each other's company while traveling around the country in your RV.

Vicki: Even though your retirement date is two years away, start making preparations now if you plan to become extended RV travelers.

Make the exterior of your house easy care. You might want to replace those labor intensive plants and bushes with evergreens. Sprinklers on a timer will assure a green lawn when you come home. And a reliable gardening service will keep your house looking "lived-in."

Identify someone who can look after things and act on your behalf while you are gone. Someone who will check the house periodically, act as a contact person for the neighbors, and is able to arrange for any repairs that might become necessary while you are gone. Joe and I refer to this person as a "guardian angel."

Perhaps your "guardian angel" will also forward your mail to you. Be specific as to what mail you want forwarded and what you want thrown away. The catalog you consider a treasure may be regarded as junk by someone else.

Joe: Most extended RV travelers have found that a telephone calling card for placing calls, an answering machine for receiving messages, and a cellular telephone for emergencies are all they need while traveling.

Simplify your banking and bill paying. You want to minimize your mail as well as the time you spend managing your finances. Perhaps you can consolidate most of your financial affairs into one financial institution. Ask about automatic electronic deposit of income and automatic electronic payment of bills. An ATM card will get you cash when you need it, and a major credit card will be accepted by most fuel stations, restaurants, and stores everywhere you go.

Getting prescriptions filled while you are away from home will require some homework before you go. Start by talking to your doctor and pharmacist. You can also look into mail order pharmacies, chain pharmacies (like WalMart or K-Mart), or even the possibility of your "guardian angel" mailing your refills to you.

Medical care is available everywhere you go. Ask your medical insurance carrier what their policy is regarding coverage while you are away from home. If you are under the regular care of a doctor, a copy of your medical records might save valuable time if you have a problem while traveling. Hospital emergency rooms for emergencies, medical clinics for run-of-the-mill ailments, and medical specialists are available everywhere you go.

And don't overlook our book "Extended RV Travel." It expands upon all of the above items and tells you how easy it is to travel in your RV for weeks or months at a time.

Vicki: Simplifying your life at home will make things easier for you not only while you are at home but also when you are on the road. Start now, though. It takes time to identify the things you can change and it takes time to implement those changes. You'll also find that simplifying your life so you can become an extended RV traveler will also make it easier if and when you both agree to become full-time Rvers.

In the meantime, be grateful that you both enjoy traveling in an RV and take advantage of it as soon as you can.