We are in the researching phase of this part of the adventure. No matter how much we wish we can be like others and just take a leap, it has never worked for us. Even though we know that no matter how much we research and plan, it won’t go the way we want or think it will, at least we have basis to work off of.
Since this is going to be our blog about this new lifestyle of ours and will help organize my thoughts, I’m going to share the researching and planning part of it. It also helps gives a feel of what we have learned, where we are coming from and hopefully help us on our journey.
We really need to make sure we have internet service, everywhere…..since that is how we make a living, but since we want parks and out of spot places, it is much harder to assure connection, unlike urban areas. So far it sounds like hughesnet…..but they go through dealers…it is so annoying to find actual info. If we can just buy the equipment and then we can get service without contract and turn it on and off when we need it.
Of course, we will have and need other internet back up. I’m now looking at getting a sprint usb card and then we can use a plan from Millenicom.
After searching all the boards that Torn found, he found this awesome blog that really breaks it done in the simplest of terms. It is a how to on the basic stuff, that when I asked on the boards I got so many different answers using jargon that I wasn’t familiar with that I left frustrated. This blog has been a huge help for the tech side of it : http://www.technomadia.com/
Many of the fulltimers that we found on the board seem to “domicile” or claim residence in a handful of states for tax purposes, but we’ve finally found a state that we very pleased and proud to claim and do not want to give up our Oregon residency and total love how we vote through mail.
Ater researching what I could on the state site, I call I found that it is very easy for us to update our driver license, using our current rental as proof of our Oregon residency, and become “Continuous Travelers” and use our PO Box on our DL.
Now I need to figure out the mail forwarding part….the USPS offers weekly forwarding, but changing the address on a weekly basis is not feasible. So far it looks as if I’m going to have to it forward on weekly basis to another service that will hold it until we request it…..actually wondering if I can have my folks do that to cut down on the expense……but at this time, I’m working to go paperless as much as possible for bills. And off course, all my magazines will be moved to online subscriptions.
We also have a TON of books. I’m so totally addicted to history, biographies and politics. But we got ipads this past holiday so I’ve gone thorough all the books we have that I haven’t read yet and put the ebook versions on my wish list. I give myself a small budget every month to get a few of them. Other then our Ansel Adams & bird guide books, I have gotten down to 4-6 books that I want to bring…..all history and Supreme Court stuff…..yes, I am a geek.
We are cat lovers and have had cats for years. We have cat trees and other supplies that are used, but still good for others. I called the Multnomah Animal Shelter to see if they can use them. They can’t sanitize cat trees to use in the shelter, but they can give them to foster parents and other people who need supplies. I was extremely pleased that they won’t be wasted…….one of our cat trees is HUGE and those are expensive, so that it can help someone else is great. I hate waste and love helping others.
Now for being a fulltimer you can’t just use regular RV insurance, which is a form of vehicle insurance. We need RV insurance that is also a homeowner insurance. Found that State Farm does not offer that type of insurance. So I have to look into that. I did stop by AAA Insurance today and found out that they do offer that. I’m also going to check out GEICO and get some estimates.
Now I’ve been with State Farm since I married Torn, 15yrs ago May 31st and Torn has been with them since day one, since that is what his folks used…..so over 24yrs. And we have had excellent service, when we have had to do a few claims, but we would rather all our insurance be with one company. So I need to gather all our current insurance and the terms so I can ask for estimates and compare.
Writing this out helps me to clarify my thoughts and our goals….but it now time for bed.