Blog copyright Janet Groene 2024.
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CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
RV Life Ahead? First Get a Money Makeover
Some years ago I interviewed a financial expert named Steve Williams on how to do a money makeover. His advice makes good sense still today, especially for anyone who is going headlong into the RV life full-time.
Could a financial overhaul get you out on the RV road earlier? If you’re already full-timing, could you earn more, or live better for less?
Financial guru Steve Williams suggested a five-step program for regaining your fiscal equilibrium.
1. Make an honest assessment of your current finances. Know how much you’re spending each month. Don’t forget to include medications, school lunches, charity, dry cleaning, Williams says. Janet adds: expenses will change in full-timing but list these current costs anyway.
2. Decide where you want to be financially. Setting goals will help you focus. Decide what expenses you can realistically cut (daily lattes, takeout dinners, etc) This helps create your action plan, a road map for reaching your goal. Janet adds: try to have a time line in mind such as when you will start retirement proceedings at your workplace, or buy the RV, or give up your present home and so on.
3.. Pay yourself first, Williams advises. If you have direct deposit, set aside a certain percentage from each check to go directly to a savings account. If you don’t have the money in your hands first, you won’t miss it so much, he claims. Be diligent about allowing your savings to grow.
4. Explore re-financing options If you’re mortgage poor (either in a house or motorcoach), re-financing could help ease your financial pain. Check out government programs and any other re-fi programs that are available. Make sure you truly understand the terms of ANY loan you sign.
5. Money management is the most critical factor in building wealth, so learn to manage the money you have now regardless of the amount.
Williams told me, “Carve out time to sit down, grab all of your bills and outline your road map. Simply taking that first step will instill a sense of relief. Once you pass up those first few temptations that would normally have you whipping out your credit cards, you’ll feel good about yourself and you’ll feel your resolve growing even stronger. You’ll reach a point where it feels good to stop spending senselessly.”
Janet adds: No endorsement is implied. Thank you, Steve, for these opinions.
The 4th Edition of the Groenes’ book Living Aboard Your RV, A Guide to the Full-Time Life on Wheels, is available from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3knbvll/
The book starts with making the decision in the first place, then leads you through choosing and outfitting the RV, making money on the go, home schooling if you have kids on board, finding affordable campsites and more. It ends with advice on easing out of full-timing, when and if that day comes.
Janet Groene’s RV-ready recipes are posted weekly at Camp And RV Cook.
CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
This is late breaking news from our local sources, presented for you to follow up as the stories develop. No endorsement of any park or campground is implied.
* Here's a new RV park in the heart of Kentucky’s tourism region. The new E-Town RV Park & Storage in Elizabethtown, Kentucky has full or partial hookups, a dog park, a dump station, laundry, asphalt RV pads plus a side pad for the car and Wi-Fi. A community building is coming soon. Ask about short-and long-term rates.(270) 734-4700, (www.) ETownRVPark.com/
* Just opened in Seller, South Carolina is the Midpoint I-95 RV Park with 63 RV sites for now. More will be added. Amenities include a stocked fish pond, fishing pier, nature trail, fire rings, a Gaga Ball pit and playground for the kids, horseshoes and a laundry. Go to www.midpointi95rvpark.com/
* Benefiting local charities, the Harvest Nights Music Festival is scheduled for November 23-24 at the John Jimmie Rodeo Grounds in Immokolee, Florida. Camping packages are available for RV’s and tickets. Headliners are Def Leopard, Brad Paisley and Train plus a galaxy of country, rock and pop performers. See www.TheCharityPros.org/
* The National Park Service has announced that starting in 2026, vehicles longer than 35 feet nine inches, wider than seven feet 10 inches, or taller than 11 feet four inches (which includes most motorhomes but may exclude some pop-up campers) are not permitted to drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway into the East Entrance of Zion National Park.
* Good news! The 296-acre Van Buren State Park in Van Buren, Ohio now has 51 newly upgraded campgrounds with modern, year-round RV sites with full hookups, a new playground and dump station and a new basketball court. The park is known for its serene and scenic haiku trails, peaceful woodlands, horseback riding, fishing, and disc golf. Phone (419) 832-7662. Camping reservations, (www.) ReserveOhio.com
* More good news! A developer plans to turn The Lake Ponemah Mobile Home Park park in Fenton Township, Michigan into a campground retreat. The new RV park will be named The Ponemah Lakeside Resort. Plans are not yet approved, so stay tuned.
* The Gretna KOA Holiday in River Ridge, Louisiana will expand by 19 areas. This will bring more and larger RV sites as well as additional amenities that go with the KOA Holiday lifestyle. Said to be the closest campground to the French Quarter, the pet-friendly park offers cable with 20+ channels, concrete pads, free Wi-Fi and full hookups including 20/30/50 amp power. Ask about military discounts and Care Camps specials offering a second night free. Big rig, small rig and handicap accessible sites are available. Their website advises using their directions, not GPS. (800) 562-5110
* The gated, 234-site Waterside Campground & RV Park in Lewistown, Pennsylvania has new owners. Come enjoy waterside views of the Juniata River and old Pennsylvania Canal. The park has full hookups, RV storage, a camp store, heated pool and seasonal activities such as boat rides and kayak rentals. (717) 248-3974.
* Are you planning to winter in Arizona sunshine? Glendale, Arizona is about to get a new RV park to serve tourists who come to this attractions-rich city NNW of Phoenix. With a working title of Glendale Recreational Vehicle Resort, the park will offer concrete RV pads, full hookups, a convenience store, Wi-Fi,, laundry, fitness center and a clubhouse with big-screen TV. Maximum stays will be 30 days. No opening date for the 17-acre resort has been announced and it doesn't appear to have a website yet. Check with the tourism bureau at (www.) VisitGlendale.com/
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