I'm so tired of every other RV channel glamorizing the RV life like it's a forever vacation. All the pretty photos, smiling faces, funny jokes... this is the first honest, no B.S., super useful video I've come across. Thanks.
For what the auxilery generator cost you, it would be in your best interest to get your onboard generator fixed and have it run on propane or on gas from the vehicle's fuel tank.
yes it is hard to save money on the road. all the youtubers show the good never the bad. Its hard work living on the road. If you really want to know what its like message me I will give ya the real truth.
This girl's channel is one of the best ones for ppl that want to start an RV life or beginner's and much more. She explains everything in detail, straight to the point and most of all without all the blablabla that most channels have. Great job and thanks for sharing. Your videos are so helpful in many ways. Great job and God bless!
Love that you’re plant based!! We’re ethical vegans and going full time in 1.5 yrs. doing all our homework now!! Thanks for the budget overview. Several things I hadn’t thought about!! And that’s why I’m doing homework! 😂
What a super and honest breakdown ..... Please remember something else if you are considering this lifestyle .... You need to depreciate your van and put money aside to eventually replace it. $500 a month over five years is only $30k ..... A decent quality used van will cost you that much. Secondly, many of the "Van Lifers" that you see have Business or Marketing degrees, work for Marketing companies, and are "created" by the company. A close friend works in a London/International marketing company and informed me of a couple of Van Lifers who actually have brick homes, go travelling for a couple of weeks, do a massive bunch of filming which is then professionally edited, and sell themselves as this lovely young couple who travel as a lifestyle.
Excellent presentation, if you have a pension yes it’s doable, being free to roam saves $$$ on psychological stress which in turn damages the body physiologically. So to summarize as long as your happy that is priceless
I think you did a great job on this video Carolyn. You are helping us that are looking into the cost of RV living and the overall experience. You rock!!! :-)
Benefit: No property taxes, no tax levys, no utility increases or at all with solar, no termite control, no lawn services, no bad neighbors, you're not land bound so u can live where u want for however long u want, u choose the weather.
Their are times you can end up with a less than desirable neighbor, and yes you can move, but then you have to decide is packing up and finding another location worth it or not. Also for the most part you are limited how long you can stay. Most places are 2 weeks if they are free, like blm and national forest. So yes their are many benefits compared to a sticks and bricks, but its not all peaches and cream.
@@gkeller4271 - I've heard of this 'two weeks' at BLM locations, but do they actually check to see how long folks are staying while boon docking long distances from towns/cities? I've not boondocked for that long (1 week is about the longest) and don't remember anyone ever coming to see how long we'd been there. NOT, that there shouldn't be rules to follow, but if you're not taking someone's spot, and there is lots of room where you are, one would think that should be changed to a month or two? Again, I'm more of a nomad, as there is just too much to see in North America, so I stay on the move for the most part!
Maryland and D.C. do not have personal property taxes on personal vehicles, but do have business personal property taxes. Twenty-four states and the District effectively have no car tax, according to WalletHub. The states with no car tax include Florida, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Washington and Oregon.
You didn't mention pets, or I missed it. People will need to budget for their needs as well: food, toys, medicines, grooming, vet care, etc. Great video, and very helpful.
I've gone from listening to fear-mongering Alex Jones since January of 2020, thinking everyone is hunkered down at home, til' last week, when I started binge-watching Your amazing travel channel. I can't wait to retire & live a similar lifestyle. May God continue to richly bless You & Your beautiful dog !!
Have you watched any of Bob's vids at Cheap RV Living (CRVL)? He has people doing what they thought they could not do to live the nomad life of their dreams. This is Carolyn's way, as she said. She can finance her tastes through her working income. She's a professional and she is still working in her profession on the road. There are many retired people on lower incomes who are making it work. If you make up your mind you can do it, if you really want to. The reality can truly take the wind out of our sails, but don't let discouragement take over. Watch some of Bob's vids. He has something and much encouragement for everyone in every type of situation. Good luck! ruclips.net/user/CheapRVlivingvideos
I admire you! My husband and I are planning on traveling full time in 2 years. I have always been a gypsy at heart I hitchhiked across the country when I was younger and I can’t wait to hit the road thank you so much for your videos they helped me immensely
Great info Carolyn! I remember your budget a few years back and what a difference. Good ole Matilda! Wonder where she is today. You have all this down to a science now...life is good. You look more relaxed 😎 and accepting today. You wear braids so well, soooo cute. Be safe :) xo
Hi Carolyn. Great video as usual! Two expenses that I didn't here you talk about: Replacement dollars for when you have to tap into the emergency fund (you need to bring it back up to $3,000 - or $5,000). Eventually, you will have to tap into it. Second would be some kind of depreciation expense. When you need to replace your RV, you won't get as much back as you paid for it. Great to see your spirits coming back!
This video gives me new inspiration! I was part of your LV caravan and at the time I was weeks away from giving up because I originally thought I could live on $500 a month but it ended up being closer to what you described. After a year of teaching ESL in China I am ready to reclaim my Class B and approach it more realistically. It is absolutely a way to live a better quality life with more freedom, at a lesser cost than what many pay for rent. The benefit is having the freedom to choose our lifestyles. Thank you for reminding me.
This is an over-the-top generous sharing! Nobody tells the world their budget...where are you from? Planet Generosity I presume? Love, you have shown me the way and I am truly grateful. Thank you.
Vey helpful Carolyn and so great to hear that that you are on a whole food plant based diet! Good to hear that you don’t have any difficulty locating organic and food for your diet. Thanks for all the detail.
What a great video. . You look so great and that makes me feel great too. I love the way you break down your budget. It sure helps me to understand what it would cost me to travel. I won't be able to full time but working on doing so when my beautiful grandson is out of school and my husband retires. I want to live my dream. You inspire me so much and keep my spirits up so much. The saying is " everything is going to hell in a hand basket". Old Texas saying I believe. I use it all the time. Lol. Thank you CAROLYN hugs to you.
great info, very well done. telling people not to go on the road without an emergency fund might seem discouraging but you have done a true public service by bringing that reality to light.
It's encouraging to see you smiling and laughing, Carolyn. Thanks for doing the work on this video and sharing it. It's important for folks to know what the expenses are going to be before they head out on the nomadic life.
Many RVs are intended for the vacationer, so their cost would be much worse per useage. They were not built for the live in full time nomad. TT's are especially cheaply made, so they can be had for less than 30k$. They will fail, they will need DIY repairs. A coach is more like a city bus or semi truck, not cheap. I'd probably convert an older Chevy GMC school bus, yeppirs, a "schooly".
Just to help those new to solar heres a few tips A couple of these 200w solar panels made in US(rare) 25yr warranty best bang for the buck at $185/shipped and 2 12v 100AH deep cycle batteries with a Victron Smartsolar 100/30 controller would give you a top of the line solar system than can be added too later if desired. Should give you enough power for all your needs. Dometic Engel and Whynter for example make electric freezer/coolers that run on a compressor like normal fridges. They are one of the most efficient fridge options, operating on 12v, 24v (battery) or regular 120v with a different cord. They can also be set as a freezer make frozen jugs of water or ice packs to swap in a regular cooler etc A battery isolator could be used to connect your battery bank to your truck charging system. But if your solar is sized correctly you'll probably be ok without it@t. If you need more solar/electrical info let me know To mount the panels I suggest DIY brackets from 2x2 Aluminum angle Drilled and tapped into the side of the panels. Then removal of the panels is easy for service/removal by unbolting from panel. Then brackets can stay on topper. The traditional brackets require removing whole bracket from topper/roof then theres caulk to clean holes to fill etc. My vote follow my suggestions to leave brackets on roof, they're cheap. It also allows easy tilting by adding 2 short legs to one side. Here's some pics to give some ideas and illustrate. @t
You posted this info 11 months ago so I don't know if or when you'll see my response. This info is very helpful - thank you. But you didn't provide the link to the pictures at the end of your post. Could you please do that? I would like to see them! Thank you.
Great video, love how you keep it real and saying there are different options for everyone. Your budget seems very realistic for a single person on the road especially if they do not have an RV payment which to me is the key. Start off right, have your emergency fund in place and live as frugally as you are comfortable living. I love your freedom and flexibility that to me is more important than anything. Always look forward to your next video. In the mean time take your own advice and be happy, be free, and be kind.
Thank you for sharing this video and for being so honest and thorough in your cost analysis. I am so glad I found this video. I have been toying with the idea of not living in an rv but instead traveling extensively in an rv with a home base brick and mortar home. I would also be traveling solo with my dog. Your bring up a lot of important things to consider that often get overlooked. After a lot of thought, I realize that pre planned road trips in my car with nightly stops at reasonably priced lodging establishments are much better suited for me and my traveling wants and desires. Thanks for the info. Happy traveling!!
Nice job Carolyn. But you don't need me to tell you that. I have been watching your videos (curiosity & entertaining) since you first started. Recently, after watching one of your older videos, I woke up the next morning with an epiphany. There are so many places & things to experience, that can't be experienced standing still. I have made the affirmative decision to start planning. As to some people posting dislikes for some of your videos, I find all of them have played a part in me realizing a dream. Or at least affirming the reality of a life adventure. Each video is a lesson, even if you mean for it to be about an experience. I love hearing all you have to share, because I always learn something. Even if it is just about a rock. Thank you for the inspiration and your time.
Thank you so much for this video. As time draws closer to my making a big move in my own life, to possibly going mobile myself, I am feeling the jitters a bit. I ofcourse, have a completely different set of circumstances & challenges, desires...it is great to have a realistic guide and sets of questions to ask myself. I love your honesty and humble ways of presenting things. Keep up the good work!
Real SWEET gal, and Would like having friends as down to earth as this person is. Best of Good Times, Be Safe, Be Happy, Injoy all the peaceful days and hope to see other campers living that Blessed life in hopes that, every, day we are able to see parts of Earth that is still Beauful in all its ways!🏕🚙🚗*
Carolyn, this presentation ....excellent. Living a free live style still costs money and the reality is a free and happy nomadic lifestyle is the end product of a good budget.
Excellent breakdown of your budget categories Carolyn. It’s also good to see some sparkle in your Spirit returning after some very difficult days & weeks. Be well dear fellow traveler!
Very helpful! Everyone would be a little different, but it still gives guidelines to start a budget list. The big thing I have not heard ANYONE say, is how you can earn a living from the road!
This lifestyle is not just it cost less then live in sticks and bricks this is about freedom ( for me ) It looks like cost is about the same for living in RV as rent was but this is the total cost of all including food and + you can wake up in nature most days .. not bad deal at all.
And Carolyn is living in a COACH, the most expensive RV at less than half the cost in a big city like San Fran. Many semi truckers live in the back of their trucks, they often boondock at truck stops. But they GET PAID to live on the road, often get paid far more in a day than what it costs Carolyn. I guess that's OK if you like parking lots. Then again, deserts aren't much better than parking lots, perhaps worse.
Travel all over the country and when you get your rig paid for, find a nice little mobile home park and settle into old age, your RV parked in the long driveway ready to take you on short coastal excursions!
Carolyn. you made me laugh a few times in this video, reason: you used the word "dump" quite a few times, and it took me a while to stop smiling.... Here in Scotland A DUMP means to go to the toilet to take a "Dump"....... thanx for making me smile... keep up the good videos I really enjoy them Take care
Nice review, we’re changing from CG’s to Boondocking to better appreciate this fantastic country. We’re on very sweet BLM land in AZ now, our 4th night in this spot waiting for warmth to head north. Note that adding a data line with Verizon or AT&T at $20 a month to power an LTE enabled iPad gives you another source of unlimited video or data usage, and another shareable 10 gb via a different hotspot. Cost effective and very convenient. Thanks for the info!
Straight talk is $55.00 a month with unlimited data with slowing down to 2G (I mistakenly called it tethering) after 60 gigabytes. Buy whatever phone outright. I'd NEVER use another provider. No hidden costs. Get reception everywhere.
Hi,can you tell me how and where to you buy straight talk,is it a prepaid card? and I'm sorry but I dont know what tethering means,thank you if you can explain this for me..
Thank you Carolyn for this very inspiring video it made me feel great because its doable for me on your budget with just a few changes on petrol and food Bill's.. I love watching your videos you make a lot of common sense! Safe travels!!😀👍🙏🙏💖
Carolyn, very helpful budget information. Thank you. Really liking your hair color as it’s growing out. (Growing out my natural color, too). Inspiring!
I just want to drop a note to say thank you. I discovered your channel about a week ago and I'm finding it very inspiring. Even though I may not do some things like you do, you do give me a lot of really good ideas. I once had a you tube channel and social media accounts. I deleted everything when I had enough of the Trolls and Haters. Now, I'm at a point in my life where I'm just tired of the political climate in this country and the politicians & corporations controlling so much that affect our lives. I'm retired now and I have the income. I just need to figure out what rig to get and convince my wife we need to sell everything and hit the road. :-) until then, I'll keep watching your adventures and dreaming of a nomad life. Thank You again and may you have many more Great adventures.
How come nobody talks about health, and where do you go when you get sick, and what do you use for Health Insurance etc. Health Insurance is very expensive, plus your supplementary, plus your prescription drug plan...
@@remingtons.7191 Bob at CRVL has some vids on disabled nomads. I counted 5 by searching his channel for "disabled." ruclips.net/user/CheapRVlivingsearch?query=disabled
She lives in a Class C, which is more expensive than a Class B. The B mileage is better and the insurance is cheaper. You could live in a van for less. On the road there are no low income rent subsidies. It seems that many of the RV people on RUclips used the proceeds from the sale of their homes to purchase their homes on wheels. That said, you could probably live well on 1200 per month, driving much less than Carolyn.
Holy cow, you gotta be rich to live like this. $400.00 a month on groceries??? I barely can afford $120.00 per month. How is this cheaper? It's just like I thought, you have to be rich to do anything in this country.
@@janeyhazelwood9894 When you only have to pay $70 for your liberal obama care while the rest of us pay $1200 a month i guess you can eat well. Bless her hippie heart for paying that $70.
@@janeyhazelwood9894 Some people use the wifi at coffee houses and buy food there. It makes the 'free' wifi pretty expensive. You could spend a LOT less on groceries and eat well.
Thank for the great realistic information. I'm in my mid 30s and trying to set up my life up to live in my own vacation rentals and or RV across the west I'm hopefully 4/5 years out. I'll be picking up my fully equipped brand new RV today or tomorrow what a way to start the new year! Your videos gave me a great perspective of what my future could be like and now i have a plan in motion! Thanks for sharing your out of the box thinking in a real way your lifestyle lit my new path on FIRE!!!! 😁😁😁
I'm a van dweller and on my last trip out I covered 4,000 miles. My fixed income is $700. With $90 going into savings I can live fairly comfortably on that oncome. However, I don't have the emergency fund other than my savings and am able to do MOST repairs on my own vehicle, still that is my biggest worry , a major break down. I am 64 and traveling with an 80# dog that doesn't play well with others. He keeps me out in the forests and out of the way places. A lot of primitive camping (usually if available, near a lake or river for washing and bathing). That is the bare minimum I think you could get away with for this type of life. $300 more would allow for a bit more luxury. The $700 allows only about 400 miles maximum travel per month.
Hi Max, Me and my mom moved back to Bulgaria and our expenses per month are 300 . 300 dollars go for remodeling the house each month. On 300 I pay Dog food for 2 Cat food for 9 Food for 2 people Food for 4 goats 2 phones for 120 dollars Electric 7 dollars I took another route but I hope You can think about that too. Greetings from the mountains of Bulgaria
I had an older cousin who was a CAL TECH trained microwave communication engineer and he traveled with his young family throughout South America installing an early network (late 60s-70s). They had a very large family that eventually settled in Silicon Valley before the crazy-crazy times! They had 13 acres in Palo Alto... but the family lost track of him when he returned to South America and they think he remarried.
I have t watched video yet but I've been wondering about the cost ( real) . Almost everyone on here works via Internet so they have jobs. I've been wondering about people who don't have jobs, are they able to do full time ? No savings unfortunately due to a work injury that has made me not be able to work at all. I am on SSDI which I don't like because I was expecting to work my whole life . Well life has something else planned . Lol I'm alone and little scared to do this but it is something I want to do but to scared I won't be able to do it with such a small income .
Thanks Carolyn. Great info, and provided a bit of a road map for someone starting out. You also look great! Love your videos. You are still in my prayers. 💕💗💐💖🌺
I've been feeling really badly about not having as much in my emergency fund as I did when I first started out on the road until I watched this video. I started out with more than double what I have now, BUT I've had to put a lot into my old van. So, I still have the minimum of what you and others suggest to have and my old van is (knock on wood) over the hump of major issues at least for a while. So, whew. Feeling better. Thanks.
Tethering is where you use your phone as an access point to the internet for a computer. Throttling is when your cell provider limits (slows) your connection speed. Carolyn was mistakenly saying tethering when she meant throttling.
@@mikeusselman9818 The new super fast G5 system is supposed to have much better coverage, like out in the boonies. And it's supposed to eliminate the need for home DSL and cable modem providers. What will it cost? The idea is hookup anywhere, like landlines, direct connections to satellites, the phones can link directly with satellites, bye bye Verizon and AT&T too. We'd pay the owner of the satellites? NASA?
Hi Carolyn. Greetings from Jasper Alberta. So enjoyed your video, informative, thoughtful and helpful. My wife and I are going to do the winter months in the States and Mexico. And this really helps.Also you are a very positive and warm, straight talking woman. Maybe we'll see you some day .Regards, Mike
Thank you for the knowledge that you share . Iam planning on getting back on the road again. Been stable to long.(6yrs.) I love being out in the nature an beautiful Land .safe Journey. Debbie c
Thank you for. The info. Really helpful. Good to see you so up beat again. Wont be traveling . fixed income just barely over 700.00 a month. You travel for me, i'll enjoy the trips and country you see.
I live on the road for 700$ a month and do with out nothing. You just have to budget and drive less. Sit for a week or two. Don't stay in pay RV parks. Boondock. There are plenty of boondocking videos out there. I put 80.$ a month aside each month. If you want to and make up your mind , you can do it. Buy a cheap well maintained vehicle. It doesn't have to be pretty just serviceable. After your on the road for awhile you upgrade. Don't expect to live high on the Hog as they say. Just comfortable.
My advice to you. Take a few days to experience it. Come back home & then retry it again. You can stay within a 2 mile radius, if within a city. Slowly venture out - get familiar with your areas. If it's just you & one other person, it will be easier. If with pets, your main concern will be making sure the battery & a.c. are always TOP NOTCH. Doggie parks are great for exercise, socializing, shade. Baby wipes, water, spray bottle, a teeny bottle of shampoo, pantiliners - you are all set😉. An ice chest - get a $1 bag of ice @ BK, or McD, or a regular bag for $2-3. Ice water for you and your pets. You'd be surprised who is out there - it's not ALL sketchy people. Best part - even some "sketchy looking people" can be the best people to count on. LEOs with a cocky, chip on the shoulder attitude - are the only "fly in the ointment". I suggest taking a trial run in case you are certain you will be on the streets sometime in the near future.
There are bunches of people living on $700 a month on the road. Watch Cheap Rv living channel.I( dont have that much living a regular life ,let alone on the road.
First video I have watched of yours. Thank you ! Good presentation. Warnings noted and taken to HEART. I'm retiring in a year. Have been dreaming of RV living and traveling for years.
Great video, thanks. Fixing Leaks should be top priority, they can ruin your RV. Books - I get all my kindle books through the library for free. Its very easy to use.
Thanks, I've been thinking of doing this in the next yr or so but i didnt know what it would take to do it. Your info is great, maybe I'll meet you on the road some day. Happy travels and Hod bless.🙏🙏👍😷✌
I'm so tired of every other RV channel glamorizing the RV life like it's a forever vacation. All the pretty photos, smiling faces, funny jokes... this is the first honest, no B.S., super useful video I've come across. Thanks.
you have to be real about it and smart and want it, that kind of life. If you want the extras, this life is not for you
I can do this 1 or 2 months out of a year but full time um not about that life
For what the auxilery generator cost you, it would be in your best interest to get your onboard generator fixed and have it run on propane or on gas from the vehicle's fuel tank.
You took the words right out of my mouth
yes it is hard to save money on the road. all the youtubers show the good never the bad. Its hard work living on the road. If you really want to know what its like message me I will give ya the real truth.
This girl's channel is one of the best ones for ppl that want to start an RV life or beginner's and much more. She explains everything in detail, straight to the point and most of all without all the blablabla that most channels have. Great job and thanks for sharing. Your videos are so helpful in many ways. Great job and God bless!
thank you so much Italotain.77
Love that you’re plant based!! We’re ethical vegans and going full time in 1.5 yrs. doing all our homework now!! Thanks for the budget overview. Several things I hadn’t thought about!! And that’s why I’m doing homework! 😂
What a super and honest breakdown .....
Please remember something else if you are considering this lifestyle .... You need to depreciate your van and put money aside to eventually replace it. $500 a month over five years is only $30k ..... A decent quality used van will cost you that much.
Secondly, many of the "Van Lifers" that you see have Business or Marketing degrees, work for Marketing companies, and are "created" by the company. A close friend works in a London/International marketing company and informed me of a couple of Van Lifers who actually have brick homes, go travelling for a couple of weeks, do a massive bunch of filming which is then professionally edited, and sell themselves as this lovely young couple who travel as a lifestyle.
Oh wow. I had no idea.
Thank-you Carolyn! I appreciate your honesty and 'down-to-earth' coverage of rv/van life. Please, keep up the excellent work!
Excellent presentation, if you have a pension yes it’s doable, being free to roam saves $$$ on psychological stress which in turn damages the body physiologically. So to summarize as long as your happy that is priceless
I think you did a great job on this video Carolyn. You are helping us that are looking into the cost of RV living and the overall experience. You rock!!! :-)
Benefit: No property taxes, no tax levys, no utility increases or at all with solar, no termite control, no lawn services, no bad neighbors, you're not land bound so u can live where u want for however long u want, u choose the weather.
Dont you have to pay property taxes on your RV? I have to in SC
Their are times you can end up with a less than desirable neighbor, and yes you can move, but then you have to decide is packing up and finding another location worth it or not. Also for the most part you are limited how long you can stay. Most places are 2 weeks if they are free, like blm and national forest. So yes their are many benefits compared to a sticks and bricks, but its not all peaches and cream.
@@gkeller4271 - I've heard of this 'two weeks' at BLM locations, but do they actually check to see how long folks are staying while boon docking long distances from towns/cities? I've not boondocked for that long (1 week is about the longest) and don't remember anyone ever coming to see how long we'd been there. NOT, that there shouldn't be rules to follow, but if you're not taking someone's spot, and there is lots of room where you are, one would think that should be changed to a month or two? Again, I'm more of a nomad, as there is just too much to see in North America, so I stay on the move for the most part!
@@skimmieontheroad4438 you should probably move then.
Maryland and D.C. do not have personal property taxes on personal vehicles, but do have business personal property taxes. Twenty-four states and the District effectively have no car tax, according to WalletHub. The states with no car tax include Florida, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Washington and Oregon.
Thanks for sharing the info. Some things I hadn’t thought about. Great video. Informative. Safe travels.
It's no wonder you're such a popular RV lifestyle you tuber.Damn fountain of information. Keep up the good work ☃️
You didn't mention pets, or I missed it. People will need to budget for their needs as well: food, toys, medicines, grooming, vet care, etc. Great video, and very helpful.
I've gone from listening to fear-mongering Alex Jones since January of 2020, thinking everyone is hunkered down at home, til' last week, when I started binge-watching Your amazing travel channel. I can't wait to retire & live a similar lifestyle. May God continue to richly bless You & Your beautiful dog !!
This kind of took the wind out of my sails and I realize my dream may not become a reality on my retirement income. Thank you for this reality check!
Have you watched any of Bob's vids at Cheap RV Living (CRVL)? He has people doing what they thought they could not do to live the nomad life of their dreams. This is Carolyn's way, as she said. She can finance her tastes through her working income. She's a professional and she is still working in her profession on the road. There are many retired people on lower incomes who are making it work. If you make up your mind you can do it, if you really want to. The reality can truly take the wind out of our sails, but don't let discouragement take over. Watch some of Bob's vids. He has something and much encouragement for everyone in every type of situation. Good luck! ruclips.net/user/CheapRVlivingvideos
I admire you! My husband and I are planning on traveling full time in 2 years. I have always been a gypsy at heart I hitchhiked across the country when I was younger and I can’t wait to hit the road thank you so much for your videos they helped me immensely
Better not wait, Me and wife needed 3 more years but she died a week ago.
@@family11m I'm sorry to hear that...
Great presentation Carolyn. I learned so much from this.
I like how you gave realistic ranges from cheapest to more expensive.
you are so damn honest girl and i love it!
Thanks for this follow up, Carolyn. This is a real nuts and bolts look at what it costs to live an RV life.
Anythings better then paying a landlord
I agree completely! Money down the drain.
Money down the drain is paying more for a small spot with electric and water than a nice hotel down the road. Too many ripoff RV parks.
*than
You said it
Great info Carolyn! I remember your budget a few years back and what a difference. Good ole Matilda! Wonder where she is today. You have all this down to a science now...life is good. You look more relaxed 😎 and accepting today. You wear braids so well, soooo cute. Be safe :) xo
Hi Carolyn. Great video as usual! Two expenses that I didn't here you talk about: Replacement dollars for when you have to tap into the emergency fund (you need to bring it back up to $3,000 - or $5,000). Eventually, you will have to tap into it. Second would be some kind of depreciation expense. When you need to replace your RV, you won't get as much back as you paid for it. Great to see your spirits coming back!
So glad to hear and see you in a better frame of mind. Be well, continue and stay well!
This video gives me new inspiration! I was part of your LV caravan and at the time I was weeks away from giving up because I originally thought I could live on $500 a month but it ended up being closer to what you described. After a year of teaching ESL in China I am ready to reclaim my Class B and approach it more realistically. It is absolutely a way to live a better quality life with more freedom, at a lesser cost than what many pay for rent. The benefit is having the freedom to choose our lifestyles. Thank you for reminding me.
This is an over-the-top generous sharing! Nobody tells the world their budget...where are you from? Planet Generosity I presume? Love, you have shown me the way and I am truly grateful. Thank you.
Vey helpful Carolyn and so great to hear that that you are on a whole food plant based diet! Good to hear that you don’t have any difficulty locating organic and food for your diet. Thanks for all the detail.
What a great video. . You look so great and that makes me feel great too. I love the way you break down your budget. It sure helps me to understand what it would cost me to travel. I won't be able to full time but working on doing so when my beautiful grandson is out of school and my husband retires. I want to live my dream. You inspire me so much and keep my spirits up so much. The saying is " everything is going to hell in a hand basket". Old Texas saying I believe. I use it all the time. Lol. Thank you CAROLYN hugs to you.
So cut and dry......no sugar coating yet still brilliantly entertaining. Bravo
great info, very well done. telling people not to go on the road without an emergency fund might seem discouraging but you have done a true public service by bringing that reality to light.
It's encouraging to see you smiling and laughing, Carolyn. Thanks for doing the work on this video and sharing it. It's important for folks to know what the expenses are going to be before they head out on the nomadic life.
Many RVs are intended for the vacationer, so their cost would be much worse per useage. They were not built for the live in full time nomad. TT's are especially cheaply made, so they can be had for less than 30k$. They will fail, they will need DIY repairs. A coach is more like a city bus or semi truck, not cheap. I'd probably convert an older Chevy GMC school bus, yeppirs, a "schooly".
I can’t believe I didn’t find this sooner. I think you did a very good breakdown of costs. Thank you very much!
So good to see you Carolyn. Nice to see you smile. Thanks so much for sharing. It truly helps.
Just to help those new to solar heres a few tips
A couple of these 200w solar panels made in US(rare) 25yr warranty best
bang for the buck at $185/shipped and 2 12v 100AH deep cycle batteries
with a Victron Smartsolar 100/30 controller would give you a top of the
line solar system than can be added too later if desired. Should give
you enough power for all your needs. Dometic Engel and Whynter for
example make electric freezer/coolers that run on a compressor like
normal fridges. They are one of the most efficient fridge options,
operating on 12v, 24v (battery) or regular 120v with a different cord.
They can also be set as a freezer make frozen jugs of water or ice packs
to swap in a regular cooler etc A battery isolator could be used to
connect your battery bank to your truck charging system. But if your
solar is sized correctly you'll probably be ok without it@t. If you need more solar/electrical info let me know
To mount the panels I suggest DIY brackets from 2x2 Aluminum angle
Drilled and tapped into the side of the panels. Then removal of the
panels is easy for service/removal by unbolting from panel. Then
brackets can stay on topper. The traditional brackets require removing
whole bracket from topper/roof then theres caulk to clean holes to fill
etc. My vote follow my suggestions to leave brackets on roof, they're
cheap. It also allows easy tilting by adding 2 short legs to one side.
Here's some pics to give some ideas and illustrate. @t
mrmotofy - Thanks for the usefull information on solar panels!
You posted this info 11 months ago so I don't know if or when you'll see my response. This info is very helpful - thank you. But you didn't provide the link to the pictures at the end of your post. Could you please do that? I would like to see them! Thank you.
What a refreshing channel. Authentic and honest. Thank you for your honesty!
Great video, love how you keep it real and saying there are different options for everyone. Your budget seems very realistic for a single person on the road especially if they do not have an RV payment which to me is the key. Start off right, have your emergency fund in place and live as frugally as you are comfortable living. I love your freedom and flexibility that to me is more important than anything. Always look forward to your next video. In the mean time take your own advice and be happy, be free, and be kind.
Carolyn, Thank you for the great video! Happy to see you smiling and looking great. Very helpful information. You did a great job on this one.
Thank you for sharing this video and for being so honest and thorough in your cost analysis. I am so glad I found this video. I have been toying with the idea of not living in an rv but instead traveling extensively in an rv with a home base brick and mortar home. I would also be traveling solo with my dog. Your bring up a lot of important things to consider that often get overlooked. After a lot of thought, I realize that pre planned road trips in my car with nightly stops at reasonably priced lodging establishments are much better suited for me and my traveling wants and desires. Thanks for the info. Happy traveling!!
Nice job Carolyn. But you don't need me to tell you that. I have been watching your videos (curiosity & entertaining) since you first started. Recently, after watching one of your older videos, I woke up the next morning with an epiphany. There are so many places & things to experience, that can't be experienced standing still. I have made the affirmative decision to start planning. As to some people posting dislikes for some of your videos, I find all of them have played a part in me realizing a dream. Or at least affirming the reality of a life adventure. Each video is a lesson, even if you mean for it to be about an experience. I love hearing all you have to share, because I always learn something. Even if it is just about a rock. Thank you for the inspiration and your time.
Glad to see you looking happy. Zero tolerance for cyber bullying or trolls
My husband is an rv tech and his best friend has a mobile RV repair company , thank God 🙏🇺🇲 safe travels
Thank you so much for this video. As time draws closer to my making a big move in my own life, to possibly going mobile myself, I am feeling the jitters a bit. I ofcourse, have a completely different set of circumstances & challenges, desires...it is great to have a realistic guide and sets of questions to ask myself. I love your honesty and humble ways of presenting things. Keep up the good work!
Real SWEET gal, and Would like having friends as down to earth as this person is. Best of Good Times, Be Safe, Be Happy, Injoy all the peaceful days and hope to see other campers living that Blessed life in hopes that, every, day we are able to see parts of Earth that is still Beauful in all its ways!🏕🚙🚗*
Thank you Carolyn! Glad to see that great smile again!
Well I work odd jobs been on the
Road for 8 years and love it
Can u tell me what it is ?
Your info was spot on...flexible in that most folks should be able see their circumstances within the stuff and examples provided. Happy trails.
The “emergency fund” is a fantastic idea 💡
Carolyn, this presentation ....excellent. Living a free live style still costs money and the reality is a free and happy nomadic lifestyle is the end product of a good budget.
Nice to see you back and running again
Another informative offering, Carolyn. Thank you! You rock! Looking forward to the RTR.
Excellent breakdown of your budget categories Carolyn.
It’s also good to see some sparkle in your Spirit returning after some very difficult days & weeks.
Be well dear fellow traveler!
Is that you, cousin?
Very helpful! Everyone would be a little different, but it still gives guidelines to start a budget list. The big thing I have not heard ANYONE say, is how you can earn a living from the road!
This lifestyle is not just it cost less then live in sticks and bricks this is about freedom ( for me )
It looks like cost is about the same for living in RV as rent was but this is the total cost of all including food and + you can wake up in nature most days .. not bad deal at all.
And Carolyn is living in a COACH, the most expensive RV at less than half the cost in a big city like San Fran.
Many semi truckers live in the back of their trucks, they often boondock at truck stops. But they GET PAID to live on the road, often get paid far more in a day than what it costs Carolyn. I guess that's OK if you like parking lots. Then again, deserts aren't much better than parking lots, perhaps worse.
Travel all over the country and when you get your rig paid for, find a nice little mobile home park and settle into old age, your RV parked in the long driveway ready to take you on short coastal excursions!
@@umajunkcollector 9h7o
@@umajunkcollector i
but the law keeps dis applowing it as more people keep discovering it, sad but the constitution is ripped apart to seeing our lands and living free
I enjoyed this video. Thank you for making it. I wish you the very best on your adventures and explorations.
Carolyn. you made me laugh a few times in this video, reason: you used the word "dump" quite a few times, and it took me a while to stop smiling.... Here in Scotland A DUMP means to go to the toilet to take a "Dump"....... thanx for making me smile... keep up the good videos I really enjoy them Take care
Nice review, we’re changing from CG’s to Boondocking to better appreciate this fantastic country. We’re on very sweet BLM land in AZ now, our 4th night in this spot waiting for warmth to head north.
Note that adding a data line with Verizon or AT&T at $20 a month to power an LTE enabled iPad gives you another source of unlimited video or data usage, and another shareable 10 gb via a different hotspot. Cost effective and very convenient.
Thanks for the info!
Straight talk is $55.00 a month with unlimited data with slowing down to 2G (I mistakenly called it tethering) after 60 gigabytes. Buy whatever phone outright. I'd NEVER use another provider. No hidden costs. Get reception everywhere.
Hi,can you tell me how and where to you buy straight talk,is it a prepaid card? and I'm sorry but I dont know what tethering means,thank you if you can explain this for me..
Rhonda Weber is straight talk what Walmart offers?
@@genesnyder2985 Yes you can get it at Walmart. I loved it when I had it.
Me too but mine comes straight out of my account so it's cheaper like 48 something I like it
@@genesnyder2985 Yes it is. Wal mart.
This is my third time watching. Enjoyed it every time and now taking notes!
I love you in your braided pigtails. Thanks for going over your budget with us. God bless.
I love these videos. I appreciate your honesty about costs, etc. Thanks. Stay well.
Thank you Carolyn for this very inspiring video it made me feel great because its doable for me on your budget with just a few changes on petrol and food Bill's.. I love watching your videos you make a lot of common sense! Safe travels!!😀👍🙏🙏💖
Carolyn, very helpful budget information. Thank you. Really liking your hair color as it’s growing out. (Growing out my natural color, too). Inspiring!
I just watched this and I think I can do this on my retirement! Even if I retire early. Thanks for the info.
I just saw your miniseries on Lake Shawnee and I enjoyed it very much. Thank you. I live near there and learned so much from your show.
I just want to drop a note to say thank you. I discovered your channel about a week ago and I'm finding it very inspiring. Even though I may not do some things like you do, you do give me a lot of really good ideas. I once had a you tube channel and social media accounts. I deleted everything when I had enough of the Trolls and Haters. Now, I'm at a point in my life where I'm just tired of the political climate in this country and the politicians & corporations controlling so much that affect our lives. I'm retired now and I have the income. I just need to figure out what rig to get and convince my wife we need to sell everything and hit the road. :-) until then, I'll keep watching your adventures and dreaming of a nomad life. Thank You again and may you have many more Great adventures.
I found this very helpful. I budget now and help other create budgets. Thank you
How come nobody talks about health, and where do you go when you get sick, and what do you use for Health Insurance etc. Health Insurance is very expensive, plus your supplementary, plus your prescription drug plan...
Thats my first thought as well ..Health insurance must cost a fair bit and its hard to get a doctor without a permanent address ..
I’ve been thinking the same thing and Im only 27 years old but am also disabled. Id like to know how you could make this work on income such as SSDI.
@@remingtons.7191 Bob at CRVL has some vids on disabled nomads. I counted 5 by searching his channel for "disabled." ruclips.net/user/CheapRVlivingsearch?query=disabled
In this video she :
1. Rarely gets sick or goes to Dr.
2. Uses subsidized Obamacare priced for under $20k income .
@@filianablanxart8305 some may have military ties so there is the VA and.most are not as bad as portrayed.
Awesome Video Carolyn Thank you For Sharing And Happy Birthday (Leo) !
Glad to see your wonderful personality back. There are great days and experiences in store for you. On you go....
Great info! I watched this before and it was great then but it’s even better now! My countdown has begun. - thank you!
Great Video Carolyn
Best advice in the whole video is "Shit Happens"
Ain't that the truth.
Sounds like solid and reasonable recommendations and info! Great video! Thanks Carolyn!
I just bought my first RV and plan on getting on the road after New Years Thank you for all the great information.
Carolyn you are an inspiration to me. I'm still a few months from my full timing. I'm really bummed in missing the RTR for 2019. Life goes on.
You are AWESOME 👏👏👏👏👏❗ Thanks for the honesty ✌️
Fantastic video! Thanks for all the good info and sharing your experiences with us.
Holy Cow, I could never afford to do this. Your budget is more than I make a month! WOW! I thought this was supposed to be cheap!
Vickie Owens Lordy I will end up under a bridge somewhere. “Oh so which overpass will not be so crowded today?”
She lives in a Class C, which is more expensive than a Class B. The B mileage is better and the insurance is cheaper. You could live in a van for less. On the road there are no low income rent subsidies. It seems that many of the RV people on RUclips used the proceeds from the sale of their homes to purchase their homes on wheels. That said, you could probably live well on 1200 per month, driving much less than Carolyn.
Holy cow, you gotta be rich to live like this. $400.00 a month on groceries??? I barely can afford $120.00 per month. How is this cheaper? It's just like I thought, you have to be rich to do anything in this country.
@@janeyhazelwood9894 When you only have to pay $70 for your liberal obama care while the rest of us pay $1200 a month i guess you can eat well. Bless her hippie heart for paying that $70.
@@janeyhazelwood9894 Some people use the wifi at coffee houses and buy food there. It makes the 'free' wifi pretty expensive. You could spend a LOT less on groceries and eat well.
Thank for the great realistic information. I'm in my mid 30s and trying to set up my life up to live in my own vacation rentals and or RV across the west I'm hopefully 4/5 years out. I'll be picking up my fully equipped brand new RV today or tomorrow what a way to start the new year! Your videos gave me a great perspective of what my future could be like and now i have a plan in motion! Thanks for sharing your out of the box thinking in a real way your lifestyle lit my new path on FIRE!!!! 😁😁😁
I'm a van dweller and on my last trip out I covered 4,000 miles. My fixed income is $700. With $90 going into savings I can live fairly comfortably on that oncome. However, I don't have the emergency fund other than my savings and am able to do MOST repairs on my own vehicle, still that is my biggest worry , a major break down.
I am 64 and traveling with an 80# dog that doesn't play well with others. He keeps me out in the forests and out of the way places. A lot of primitive camping (usually if available, near a lake or river for washing and bathing). That is the bare minimum I think you could get away with for this type of life. $300 more would allow for a bit more luxury.
The $700 allows only about 400 miles maximum travel per month.
Thank you
Good luck with your adventures!
Hi Max, Me and my mom moved back to Bulgaria and our expenses per month are 300 .
300 dollars go for remodeling the house each month.
On 300 I pay
Dog food for 2
Cat food for 9
Food for 2 people
Food for 4 goats
2 phones for 120 dollars
Electric 7 dollars
I took another route but I hope
You can think about that too.
Greetings from the mountains of Bulgaria
I had an older cousin who was a CAL TECH trained microwave communication engineer and he traveled with his young family throughout South America installing an early network (late 60s-70s). They had a very large family that eventually settled in Silicon Valley before the crazy-crazy times! They had 13 acres in Palo Alto... but the family lost track of him when he returned to South America and they think he remarried.
I have t watched video yet but I've been wondering about the cost ( real) . Almost everyone on here works via Internet so they have jobs. I've been wondering about people who don't have jobs, are they able to do full time ? No savings unfortunately due to a work injury that has made me not be able to work at all. I am on SSDI which I don't like because I was expecting to work my whole life . Well life has something else planned . Lol I'm alone and little scared to do this but it is something I want to do but to scared I won't be able to do it with such a small income .
Wow that was so good best budget plan ive seen yet and well explained thank you
Hoping to be doing this too someday....thanks for the info Carolyn....
great topic and your approach. I sure like your communication style, authentic vibe.
Thanks Carolyn. Great info, and provided a bit of a road map for someone starting out. You also look great! Love your videos. You are still in my prayers. 💕💗💐💖🌺
I appreciate and enjoy the pragmatic, realistic and honest discussion.
Duck coat good for approx 20 years for roof leaks, cost about 50 to 60$ for one gallon.
I've been feeling really badly about not having as much in my emergency fund as I did when I first started out on the road until I watched this video. I started out with more than double what I have now, BUT I've had to put a lot into my old van. So, I still have the minimum of what you and others suggest to have and my old van is (knock on wood) over the hump of major issues at least for a while. So, whew. Feeling better. Thanks.
This is terrific! Well done. Yeah, everyone will be different but this outline should really be helpful. Great video - thank you.
Thank you for sharing! Enjoy the sunshine - and the beauty of nature.
I’m your new subscriber.. I’m retired next and I’m considering doing this.. thanks I found your channel I love it!! ❤️
Thanks for your videos I wish I found them sooner. I’m 3 months in . I think tomorrow I will start at the start and see how that goes.
Tethering is where you use your phone as an access point to the internet for a computer. Throttling is when your cell provider limits (slows) your connection speed. Carolyn was mistakenly saying tethering when she meant throttling.
Hotspot
Tethering is for the interneting.
@@mikeusselman9818 The new super fast G5 system is supposed to have much better coverage, like out in the boonies. And it's supposed to eliminate the need for home DSL and cable modem providers. What will it cost? The idea is hookup anywhere, like landlines, direct connections to satellites, the phones can link directly with satellites, bye bye Verizon and AT&T too. We'd pay the owner of the satellites? NASA?
Hi Carolyn. Greetings from Jasper Alberta. So enjoyed your video, informative, thoughtful and helpful. My wife and I are going to do the winter months in the States and Mexico. And this really helps.Also you are a very positive and warm, straight talking woman. Maybe we'll see you some day .Regards, Mike
Thank you for the knowledge that you share . Iam planning on getting back on the road again. Been stable to long.(6yrs.) I love being out in the nature an beautiful
Land .safe Journey. Debbie c
What do you do for water? When and where do you fill your water tank? Thanks
Thank you for. The info. Really helpful. Good to see you so up beat again.
Wont be traveling . fixed income just barely over 700.00 a month.
You travel for me, i'll enjoy the trips and country you see.
You can but a van 6 cylinder would be best
Edith Davis pñ
I live on the road for 700$ a month and do with out nothing. You just have to budget and drive less. Sit for a week or two. Don't stay in pay RV parks. Boondock. There are plenty of boondocking videos out there. I put 80.$ a month aside each month. If you want to and make up your mind , you can do it. Buy a cheap well maintained vehicle. It doesn't have to be pretty just serviceable. After your on the road for awhile you upgrade. Don't expect to live high on the Hog as they say. Just comfortable.
My advice to you. Take a few days to experience it. Come back home & then retry it again.
You can stay within a 2 mile radius, if within a city. Slowly venture out - get familiar with your areas. If it's just you & one other person, it will be easier. If with pets, your main concern will be making sure the battery & a.c. are always TOP NOTCH. Doggie parks are great for exercise, socializing, shade.
Baby wipes, water, spray bottle, a teeny bottle of shampoo, pantiliners - you are all set😉.
An ice chest - get a $1 bag of ice @ BK, or McD, or a regular bag for $2-3. Ice water for you and your pets.
You'd be surprised who is out there - it's not ALL sketchy people. Best part - even some "sketchy looking people" can be the best people to count on.
LEOs with a cocky, chip on the shoulder attitude - are the only "fly in the ointment".
I suggest taking a trial run in case you are certain you will be on the streets sometime in the near future.
There are bunches of people living on $700 a month on the road. Watch Cheap Rv living channel.I( dont have that much living a regular life ,let alone on the road.
First video I have watched of yours. Thank you ! Good presentation. Warnings noted and taken to HEART. I'm retiring in a year. Have been dreaming of RV living and traveling for years.
Great video, thanks. Fixing Leaks should be top priority, they can ruin your RV.
Books - I get all my kindle books through the library for free. Its very easy to use.
Thanks you Carolyn. Lots of good info. Your budget is very real.
My house with decks and carports, my 2000 foot workshop, with no mortgage or rent costs about 1/2 of what your cramped RV costs.
Good for you. Go away. Maybe there's a special channel just for arrogant jerks. You'd fit right in.
Thanks, I've been thinking of doing this in the next yr or so but i didnt know what it would take to do it. Your info is great, maybe I'll meet you on the road some day. Happy travels and Hod bless.🙏🙏👍😷✌
Thank you for your budget and pre planning advice and figures. Love the thought of all of it.
Thank u! U have been extremely helpful.
Really good information....
Thanks, Carolyn. That was realistic and very well done!