Living in an RV full time is a big decision in one’s life. Before turning over a new page of your life with more freedom and family time, there are LOTS OF preparations to make.

Here are 7 practical tips to help you easily transition to a full-life RV-er with less struggle.

Find a remote work & How to access the internet

Living full time in an RV might cost less than when living in a house, but remember, it’s NOT free. You still have to plan a job, get monthly income, and retain your RV life.

Nowadays, there are more and more flexible jobs that don’t tie you down in one place. And where to find them?

My three favorite job search websites are:

  • indeed.com
  • HappyVagabond.com
  • Workamping.com

Or, if you’re currently happy with the job at your company and ready to reduce your benefits, hours, or compensation, try your luck by asking if you are allowed remotely working on a trial basis.

Another way to find a job is by asking your favorite campground if they accept to hire work campers in the near future.

Whichever one you choose to earn money; they all require accessing the internet.

The cheapest way for this is by using your smartphone as a hotspot to ensure the secure network issue. But the signals are dependent on areas to areas.

May you need an additional cell signal booster or invest on a satellite internet or Wi-Fi booster if your job needs to be online daily.

Determine your monthly budget

Regardless of the grocery and dining out costs, there are many expenses you have to pay when living full time in an RV. For example, gas, insurance, housing, campground fees and so on.

That means if you don’t have a certain monthly budget, it’s very easy to go over.

Let determine the amount of money that’s averagely spent on your full-time living for the past 3 months. Categorize them in detail and then, set a budget accordingly.

Ensure it is achievable and reasonable to not let yourself feel strapped all the time.

Which is better – sell or keep your house?

There are three things influencing this important decision:

  • Your monthly budget (1)
  • Monthly maintenance fee on the house (2)
  • Your age (3)
  • Mortgage payment (4)

Not to say about the headaches of hiring someone to keep an eye on your house belongings or mow the yards while you’re away.

From my experience, you should consider leaving it for rent in the first year if you’re still indecisive of which option is better. This is the best way to relieve the (1) and (4) burdens

You can find a tenant by yourself or hire a property management company to help you.

What to bring along on the RV

It’s economical to take advantage of the furniture in your house to equip for the RV but try to keep everything as minimal as possible. Things that you can consider are:

  • Toiletries
  • Cutlery
  • Kitchenware
  • Clothes

I found “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” of Marie Kondo is rather helpful. Or you can find a professional to help you minimize your RV belongings or even sell some for cash.

How to receive your mail

The most reliable mail service – a program to help you handle your mail delivery – is Escapees.

The best thing about it is three big addresses in South Dakota, Florida, and Texas and there are many additional benefits. Such as discount campsite fees across the country, support to find jobs exchange or roadside assistance.

The rate for this service is $95 to $135/year, equivalent to a mere $8 to $12/month, which is rather budget-friendly.

America’s Mailbox is another great option. They address in South Dakota and membership gives you chances to become their residence with many benefits that you can learn more here.

The rate is $149,99 to $189,99 depending on the package you choose.

Get health insurance

This issue might be easier if you’ve got from your retirement or employer plan. Otherwise, don’t fret, there are some options to choose from:

RVerinsurance.com: There are various plans here. What you should do is contact their hotlines or independent insurance. They will give you the best recommendations.

Affordable Care Act: The best thing about this option is affordability. It provides different options (for both families and individuals) depending on your budget and healthcare app needs.

Some advice when choosing these health insurance methods:

  • Ask if you will have a supplemental program like Teladoc in your insurance plan
  • Does yours have nationwide options?
  • Learn on what will be covered if you have a healthcare professional or visit a doctor while on the road

Get RV insurance

Most RV insurance companies don’t offer a plan for full-time RV-ers, which is a bit tricky. Therefore, before buying an additional rig, make sure you’ve read carefully your warranty in advance.

Two best options to get RV insurance are:

  • Good Sam
  • Geico

 And their rates are usually very low. Let be honest when choosing the insurance package even though the full-time coverage rate is costlier.

In turn, your vehicle will receive more security, such as your belongings.

Find a backup energy source

Full-time RV-ers usually go in a whole family or groups of friends so chances are that the stock energy sources aren’t enough for total usage.

It’s essential to find a backup plan, such as a portable RV generator.

The cost is generally within $22 to $500, based on the additional features and brand name. The most important thing when choosing a generator for your RV is:

  • Determine your power needs
  • The fuel types and operating costs
  • Safety features
  • Which additional features you really need

Conclusion

There you have it!

Preparing for new full-time living in an RV might be complicated but not too hard to do step by step. And I do believe that this article with 7 practical tips listed above is helpful enough to help you handle everything with ease in mind.