New Member - NM dreaming turning into doing

[DancingEarth]

[font=Tahoma, sans-serif]New Member Karen here,[/font]
[font=Tahoma, sans-serif]I watched You Tube videos of living full-time in an RV all winter to fantasize about another way of living to get me through this miserable job. Most of the time I didn't think living full-time in an RV was for me yet I kept on watching. Recently my job went even more downhill and I decided to explore it further so I finally joined on the website. [/font]
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[font=Tahoma, sans-serif]Some history:  I moved back to this area 10 years ago and didn't really want to buy a house again but the house sharing I tried didn't work out and since I wanted a ceramic studio and a place to do my hobbies--gardening, sewing, tinwork; I made the plunge and bought.  I love my home but the job has progressively gotten more stressful. A couple weeks ago it really turned ugly--nasty people demanding more and more and threatening consequences if I don't do as they demand (I've already taken on 3 people's work that they laid off.)  I was very upset at the latest dumping and tried to talk to the HR person and he wrote me up twisting everything I said and put it in my file!  Now that's a first in my long career. My sister who has a master’s in HR is helping write a rebuttal. I am so over this job. Not sleeping, not eating (haha--the only time that's ever happened was through my divorce!)  It's helping push me out the door.  So now I'm trying to figure out my options. [/font]
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[font=Tahoma, sans-serif]The first is to buy a conex, run electricity eventually, and put it on a friend's remote land and put all my stuff in it and make a ceramic studio out there that I can visit when I want to make pots.  It's too remote for me to live there alone full-time but I do not want to lose all the reasons why I took this job to begin with (to afford to make ceramics as a hobby.) Plus, it would be cheaper in the long run to store my things out there for four+ years (when I will get my full SS.)  And useful for my friend after I am done with it.  [/font]
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[font=Tahoma, sans-serif]Then one of these options:[/font]
[font=Tahoma, sans-serif]#1 sell house using profit to live on if needed, buy a lightweight fiberglass camper, retire on my ex's SS ($1,000) until I switch to my higher at 70, workamp or find part-time job.[/font]
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[font=Tahoma, sans-serif]#2 rent out house creating some additional monthly income, rest the same as #1. I lean towards this because if I didn't like living full-time in my RV I could move back in four years. Also, I'm such a mess right now emotionally from work that I can't also face giving up my home that I've put so much of my creative efforts into (and my son's.)[/font]
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[font=Tahoma, sans-serif]#3 work as long as I can take it saving like crazy and getting my ex's SS starting in November when I turn 66.  There's a good chance they could go out of business the next year or two then I could collect unemployment. I would still put my stuff in storage, rent/sell the house, and stay at a friend's until I found a camper to live in while I'm still working.  That makes the most sense financially and if it got really awful again I could walk out and be done that day. Another fantasy - leave a resignation letter shoved under the HR person's door. [size=small][font=Tahoma, sans-serif]Done--last day yesterday.[/font][font=Tahoma, sans-serif] [/font]I thought of giving two weeks’ notice but a friend who also works there said “No way, they don’t deserve it!”  [/font][/size]

[font=Tahoma, sans-serif]The biggest challenge for this lifestyle is my fear of driving on highways and being able to handle pulling a trailer.  I challenged myself to drive my truck to Heron Lake a couple weeks ago and even did a merge onto an empty highway.     It's the merging on that freaks me out and since I work from home I haven't had to go on a highway in years and I don't use my left eye--lazy.  I worry I won't judge distances right. But I know people that have the same condition and do it all the time. I plan on working on that too.  So many challenges.  It gets overwhelming.[/font]
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[font=Tahoma, sans-serif]The videos have been very helpful and I look forward to learning even more on this site.[/font]

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Karen! I like #2 because it gives you a lot of flexibility and will be less stressful. A couple of points on the fear factor: Would you be comfortable with a van or small motorhome? That would solve the towing issue. Also, it is possible to drive almost everywhere without using interstates. This is a much slower way of traveling but there is much little stress.

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.

 

[DancingEarth]

Thanks for the welcome and your input.  I bought a truck last winter with a topper and really love it so don't want to give it up.  I thought I could use the back for storage and get a little trailer.  I camp in the back but think living in it would get old really fast.   I'm a master of finding back ways but sometimes it's really hard - like taking 25 to ABQ then 40 west.  Next week I think I've found a way that will add 1/2 hour to the trip but getting on 40 from Rt 14 should be easier - I know it has a long merge lane. Driving that should give me more confidence.
Karen

 

[WanderingBiker]

welcome Karen....

once you have done all this a few times it will become like second nature..... its just the newness and a little scary the first few times...

keep journeying out and it will be completely normal

jT

 

[tx2sturgis]

Hello Karen, have you bought a NM State Park Pass?

I have mine....it lets me stay in most NM state parks for a one-time fee.

 

[DancingEarth]

I bought it at Heron Lake a couple weeks ago.  What a deal! $100 for the year.  I'll be too busy packing to use it until everything is out.

 

[GypsyJan]

So sorry to hear what you have to go through at work. I suffered similar pitfalls at my previous job....worked there nearly 3 decades before they were shut down. I did not get anything more than a final paycheck...and unemployment in my state was only for 12 weeks for $1100 per month. So my suggestion would be to opt for the new life on the road but leave when it is best financially for you and you have downsized and sold off most of the household items and completed setting up whichever RV you choose. P.S. There is a whole nother life waiting when you finish with the current jerk employers!

 

[Moxadox]

Thanks for the welcome and your input.  I bought a truck last winter with a topper and really love it so don't want to give it up.  I thought I could use the back for storage and get a little trailer.  I camp in the back but think living in it would get old really fast.   I'm a master of finding back ways but sometimes it's really hard - like taking 25 to ABQ then 40 west.  Next week I think I've found a way that will add 1/2 hour to the trip but getting on 40 from Rt 14 should be easier - I know it has a long merge lane. Driving that should give me more confidence.
Karen

You can always take Rt 66 west instead of 40. Much more relaxed and plus you get to go over the musical highway!

The Dire Wolfess