ilovemyvan said:[ electric bill last month was $38.00. In the hot summer months it usually goes up to $75.00/month. We live in the county so there is no city tax, water or sewage bills. The only other bill relating to the house is property tax...less than $800/year and a little bit of gas to cut the lawn.
One cup of coffee later I just remembered that we also have to pay around $25/month on propane for the water heater, dryer and stove.
ilovemyvan said:Wow I never thought that "1%" would be used to describe anything in reference to little ole me
I like a challenge so when I saw...you know, I had to jump in.
Have a good one Bob,
Nicole
GotSmart said:I have been staying off of this thread, as I sometimes make light of a serious subject. I have spent my life being the safety net for others, and now that I am the one needing help, it is extremely hard to take.
My safety net is the result of a lot of hard work, and some luck. I put in 12 hour days for years, and when I found a high paying commission job I put in 16 hour days for more years. I moved on to another company, and then I was hit by a drunk and stoned driver. It does not take long for you to go through savings. It got to the point that everything we had was in storage, and the family was sleeping where we could.
The kids remember this time as a fun adventure. I wish I could. It took years for the disability to kick in. Just about everything was sold off. I was down to flipping burgers to survive, and keep a roof over our heads.
My net is my children. We have always helped each other out, and it is understood that what ever happens, we are family.
Queen said:That is awesome. Can't really imagine having kids, but if I had I'd hope they were like this.
GotSmart said:I have been staying off of this thread, as I sometimes make light of a serious subject. I have spent my life being the safety net for others, and now that I am the one needing help, it is extremely hard to take.
My safety net is the result of a lot of hard work, and some luck. I put in 12 hour days for years, and when I found a high paying commission job I put in 16 hour days for more years. I moved on to another company, and then I was hit by a drunk and stoned driver. It does not take long for you to go through savings. It got to the point that everything we had was in storage, and the family was sleeping where we could.
The kids remember this time as a fun adventure. I wish I could. It took years for the disability to kick in. Just about everything was sold off. I was down to flipping burgers to survive, and keep a roof over our heads.
My net is my children. We have always helped each other out, and it is understood that what ever happens, we are family.
akrvbob said:AltTransBike, you must have missed this part of what I said in that post:
"Or, you can sell the trailer, fly to Arizona, buy a trailer and put it in a desert park for less then $200 a month. Stay there for 6 months of the year then tow it up to Flagstaff for the other 6 months--not a bad new reality. You can rent in Quartzsite for $179 a month."
I agree 100% being stuck in the desert year-around would not be good. But I'm almost certain if you looked around in the Park, or ran an ad on Craigslist you could find someone to tow it to flagstaff or Show Low and pay them $200 and pay for their fuel and lunch. Doing that twice a year should be in most peoples budget, it average out to less than $40 a month to save for it.
I gotta tell you, I consider that a very high quality of life!!
AltTransBikes said:This scenario would necessitate paying two park rents. The $200@mo RV park fee in the low desert would be based on finding a cheap park that allowed annual tenancy, paid in advance, electric not included, stay 6 months but pay for 12. No, in Quartzsite it's $179 a month by the month or by the winter season. I have a vandweller friend who paid the $179 and he parked his van in the RV park for 1 month. I've seen it as low as $1000 for 6 month. That's probably less than 1 months payment in a house. Then one would need to find another park at elevation for the hot months. This would be the high summer season when they can generally charge more (and generally more snooty than the low desert parks) I doubt one will find as low a cost RV park in the summer months up in Coconino Co. I'm sure you are right about that. I haven't looked into it but I'd guess $400-$500 a month. However, I am equally certain it will be MUCH MUCH less than rent or house payments so you are till FAR better off! I'm equally certain it will be a MUCH better life being able to move twice a year.
There would be the added expense of moving a trailer, as stated. Hiring it done would probably be doable but it would remain to be seen if $200 would cover the over 250 miles each way. But, you already own a van, all you need to do is find someone to drive it for you and hook and unhook it--assuming you aren't able to do it yourself. Also, as stated in your scenario, one would have no means of getting around once the trailer was parked. A bicycle might suffice for some who were able but groceries, supplies need be gotten, appointments attended, etc. No, we are assuming you are a vandweller and own a van, no bicycle necessary unless you want one. You are using your $4000 emergency fund to buy a $2000 trailer and putting it in an RV park. You still own the van and if you are able, you can drive it. What if you aren't able to drive? The exact same question applies to a house dweller and is totally unaffected by being in a travel trailer instead. Whatever solution would work in a house or apartment will work equally well in a RV Park. IN fact, being so low income probably opens up many more possible solutions. Again, the system works much better for the poor than the middle class who make too much to get help and too little to pay for it themselves.
The OP asked about a safety net during illness or financial crisis. I stated "Sometimes I think one has to accede that van/rv living may not be the right choice for everyone in every situation" and I maintain that is the case. Of course I 100% agree, it isn't always the best choice. But the knee-jerk reaction that it must be a terrible choice is even much more wrong. There are numerous advantages to being in a van or RV during a medical emergency or long term problem To my mind, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. If you are low income, there may be no choice and your quality of life will dramatically go up by being in an RV. Can there be any doubt that for a the low income retired person that paying $179 a month for rent is better than paying the average rent (median rent in USA is $934).
Bob
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