thoughts for the day

This from a recent post of mine on an RV forum:

My husband and I are younger as well (32 and 38) and just getting ready to go on the road.

This is our bottom line--4 years ago we were in debt, living paycheck to paycheck. Today, we are in debt, with a little money in the bank and significant equity in our house. I am gone 9 to 12 hours a day working while my husband stays home. We live comfortably, but aren't all that happy with my commute and working so much. We long to be debt-free and have some time as a family. For us, going full-time makes sense. We can travel for a year to 2 years at least, have some nest-egg money left over at the end--even planning for catastrophes. We are giving ourselves the chance to see if I can make it as a freelance writer or if we can start our own business--we can TRY these things if we go full-time--we can't if I'm working 12 hour days.

If it doesn't work, we'll have seen the country, had a grand time trying and we can start again better off than we are now. A pessimist might say--but you lost 2 years of building equity in a house, or 2 years of putting money in a retirement plan---what does that matter against the chance to make our lives into something we love better? To spend 2 years with one another everyday, seeing our daughter grow and experience the world?

If you want to do this, you'll find a way to make it happen! If it isn't for you, you find something else that is for you--but don't just stay in a place you don't like much just to be safe. Life isn't as fun when its just safe. We have to sometimes take (calculated) risks to make things better.

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I loved this post from another poster:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/14225920/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm

We are full-time boondocking and drycamping campers and hikers, I am 51, mu husband is 46, full-timing in a van. First of all, it is a mistake anytime in life, in any lifestyle, to be concerned or worried about what others think of you. Live your life for yourselves, not for others. There will always be people, no matter how you live your life, who think you are living your life wrong. All that really matters is what you think. Stick to what you want in life, your dreams and desires, your goals, your aspirations, your values. You will not go wrong. Second, if full-timing is what you and your family wish to do at this point in your life, plan it, and then do it. If you can make a living while travelling, that's great. You can also register with workamping, if you choose to also work in exchange for camp sites, hookups, stipend, meals, etc. National Parks have accommodations, meals, etc., or you can do a lot of volunteering or a little volunteering. Travelling and sightseeing is also very educational...and you might find you want a career in the National Parks or some other cool place. How would you know unless you had the opportunity to get out there and see the world? I'm 51 and have never had a career goal. Just never had a dream or ambition to pursue a certain thing. Until this year...after visiting our beautiful national parks, I have finally decided I want to go back to school and become an Interpretive Ranger, and live in or near one of our national parks. I can combine my love of the outdoors with a career.If you are computer savvy, how about a mobile internet cafe? There are a lot of travellers who do not have computers or laptops aboard, and would gladly pay if you had public computers on your RV. Put a sign on your RV and your in business anywhere, any parking lot, any road, if you have internet access. I think the possibilities are endless. If you love to travel, and you can combine your passions and interests with travelling, you hold the key to full-timing success. I don't mean monetary success. I mean finding happiness out there, fullfilling your dreams and ambitions while travelling. Go for it. Don't wait until your knees hurt walking around while sightseeing. I wish I had tried something like this when I was much younger. I might have had more direction and ambition in life. Maybe not. You have everything to gain, and little to lose. Good luck! Keep us posted! 1994 Ford E-150 (1/2 ton) Camping Conversion vanwith our 18 lb. Maine Coon Cat