Getting Serious!

[Rtay]

Hi Everyone! I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself, and give you the lowdown on my story. I’m not with you all, YET! However, this is now gone from a dream to the planning stage. 
My name is Rhonda, I’m 58, I’ve been disabled since December of 2007. I was a long haul truck driver, and tho I had a house, I loved and spent most of my time in the sleeper of my truck. I LOVED it! When I got sick I was working as a heavy equipment operator and safety coordinator in a copper mine in central Arizona. It’s where I still live. I collect my disability thru that job, and thankfully it’s more than the disability payment I would be collecting from Social Security, but it’s not enough. I’ve been robbing Peter to pay Paul for years, And I’m tired of being so broke that I can’t do anything but sit in my house. 
I’ve been watching Bob’s videos for awhile, and began lurking in the forums the past few days.
I sold my house in 2009, and I shopped for a fifth wheel for a long time, but I never really got up the nerve to commit. So, I’ve bounced around from rental to rental since then, and finally bought an older mobile home in a mobile home park a year ago. I hate it! It’s the cheapest way I can live in a permanent residence, but I’m still broke from payday to payday. So after doing a lot of soul searching and reflecting on my life, I’m positive that I belong out there with all of you. My last job was by far the best job I had ever had, but being in a big rig and living in my sleeper and traveling the country was the happiest and most fun I had ever experienced.I have always had an adventurous spirit, and been somewhat of a gypsy. I’ve never been able to stay in one spot for very long and I drug my family all over the place. I find it odd that it didn’t rub off on any of them. They are the most stable bunch of people I know. I rarely see or even talk to them. I haven’t talked to them about my plans yet.  I don’t think they will be surprised at all, but will without a doubt ask if I have been smoking crack! LOL
I haven’t purchased a vehicle yet. The thought of a van appeals to me the most. Having spent so much time in my sleeper, I’m sure it will be more than enough space. I could always add a cargo trailer later if I need to. I will have to start off slow with my conversion, adding something every payday. I’m also desperate to get to Algadonous (sp). I haven’t been in years, and new glasses and dental work are high on the priority list right now. 
I’ve been looking on Craigslist, and used auto sales for an affordable van. I’m not a Chevy fan, and find that most of you are. Could anyone here tell why I wouldn’t want to buy a ford cargo van?
The other thing I’m wondering about is storing my household items for awhile, just in case. How long do you generally store your old life before you find that it’s safe to get rid of it all? I was thinking a year or two, but wondering if it’s better to just keep it all just in case I live to be so old that I can’t travel any longer. What have you all done about that? 
I’m hoping to make it to RTR in 2019 to meet up with you all. I should have a van by then, with insulation. I could easily get on the road with just a mattress, ice chest, bucket, and cook stove, and my basic camping supplies. I’m confident that in a years time I could have a pretty sweet set up. After installing the insulation, what would you recommend be the next part of the build? I would like to go forward in the straightest line possible so that Im not having to undo anything to add on.
I do know that I will at some point want to add a high top if I’m not able to find a van that’s already got one, and a couple of windows. Do you design your interior around your windows, or vice versa? 
I apologize for the novel! I’m excited to meet you all, and to hear your recommendations and/or input.  I figured one long post rather than a half dozen 
short ones.  
Thanks for having me here, and I look forward to hearing from and meeting you all!
Rhonda

 

[Moxadox]

Hey Rhonda! You sound like a fascinating person, can't wait to meet you! FYI, in a life-changing way potentially: I also had private company disability, and a smart therapist told me that I could apply for Social Security Disability also. So I did, and after a year of denials and finally having to go before a judge, I was awarded not only my benefits, but also two years retroactive in a lump sum. I applied through an attorney specialist who took a cut, but it wasn't large and she really fought for it and this was money I wouldn't have had at all so I am extremely grateful. So I ended up with a lump sum of around $24,000! Which went right in the bank and 15 years later I just bought a pickup with some of it. So you might want to look into finding an SSD lawyer....

The Dire Wolfess

 

[Rtay]

Thanks! I was required by the Insurance company that pays my disability to apply for SSD. I went the whole route, with and without an attorney. All the way to court, it was very frustrating as the attorney wouldn’t allow me to speak to the judge, and everything was so “ off topic”. The judge denied me, which wasn’t surprising, as we never even talked about what was wrong with me. However, the Doctor that was contracted by Social Security approved me, and that apparently over rides a judges decision. Had I got SSD payment they would have gone to the insurance company that pays me, so I would have received the same amount any way. Social Security will not pay me unless something happens and I don’t get my monthly payments anymore. I would have to wait until I had received no money for 30 days before I can request SSD payments to begin, then it would take a minimum of 6 months before I received a payment from Social Security. I think it’s odd that everyone I know has a different experience, different story, and all get different amounts. Actually boggles my mind! For instance, my sister has lung cancer, she gets $750 a month and can’t receive more than $50 from any source, including gifts. Then I know a woman that had a hip replacement who gets just short of $1300 a month, yet works a legit full time job. Then there’s my best friend who gets about $850 a month, and can work but can’t make more than somewhere in the neighborhood of $13 grand annually. It truly makes no sense to me at all.
Anyhow, choosing to keep the payments I receive, over the payments from SSD was a no brainer... I get more than twice what SSD approved me for, and that will hopefully last until I’m 67, as long as I follow the rules.
Something else I did, that was a smart decision on my part, when I sold my house in 2009 I carried the buyers. Then I sold part of the note to pay off what I still owed, so right now they are making payments to that mortgage company. When I’m 63 the monthly payments will come back to me, and that will be an additional almost a grand a month income for me. It will make a big difference to my life.
When I wrote that contract I honestly didn’t think I would live to 63, I was pretty sick, and still didn’t have a handle on it. So, I thought the kids could just split the payments, or it could go into a trust for the 2 grand babies. Now though it looks as tho I may live long enough to enjoy at least some of it! LOL
Out of curiosity, what is your set up? And why did you decide on it? I am fascinated by other people’s decisions and what drives them to make those decisions. Everyone’s needs are different, but we all need the basics, just set up in a different matter. So, what works for you? Best decision and worst , if you don’t mind telling me?

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Rtay! Glad you found us - sounds like vandwelling will be perfect for you! Since questions can get lost in introductory posts it's better to post your questions in the other sections of the forums. That usually results in more answers. Also spaces between the paragraphs will make your posts easier to read. Best of luck with all of your plans. Keep us updated!

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.