Tips for Affording the RV Lifestyle
A lot of people have dreams of someday buying an RV, whether the goal is to live in it full-time or to use it for an occasional getaway to a beautiful destination. Don’t let worries about the cost of RVing stop you! There are plenty of ways to afford the RV lifestyle of your dreams. You just have to do your research, prepare your finances, and stay realistic about where you can travel and how often. Check out some of these tips on ways to make the RV lifestyle affordable.
Plan Your RV Purchasing Budget
The first step to making sure the RV lifestyle is affordable is to plan out a realistic budget. There are a lot of options when it comes to RV types. You can choose from a number of basic types: a travel trailer, a fifth wheel, a folding camping trailer or a park model RV. The price difference between these models can vary quite a bit, so it’s a good idea to analyze your options to find out what’s best for you and your travel companions and how much money you can actually put toward your RV. It won’t do you any good to spend all your money on the RV itself and not have any cash left for travel!
Create a Travel Budget
How often do you want to travel? Once a month? A few times a year? Or will you be on the go all the time? Think about what you will need to spend every month so you can allocate money in the best ways. Include the following in your calculations:
- Entertainment
- Food
- Gas
- Propane
- Laundry/cleaning
- Campsites
- Health insurance
- Internet
- Household items
- Phone
- Repairs and maintenance
- RV insurance
Include any other additional costs you may have, and you’ll have a ballpark figure for how much you need to budget for your trips and how frequently you can take them. See if there are any ways you can cut down on costs, such as buying household items and food in bulk.
Take Advantage of Savings
Some RVers spend tons of money on the same trip that another RVer finds ways to make affordable. There are lots of ways you can save money on your trips.
You can look for campsites in state parks and other low-cost campgrounds that won’t break the bank. Look for signs on the highway, or use travel apps that can help you find places within your budget. Finding one or two spots to spend multiple nights in can also help you save on gas money as well as have a calmer, more relaxing vacation.
Try to cook most of your meals in the RV. Plan ahead and bring plenty of groceries or stop frequently to purchase groceries along the way. Dining out can get very expensive on the road.
Earn Money on the Go!
Traveling doesn’t always have to be a complete vacation. You can extend your travels by working at campgrounds, at national parks, online, etc. Any way that you can make a little extra income on the road can help make your trip even more affordable and exciting!
If you’re looking for some fun and exciting places to travel this year, check out the Quality RV Locations Page for a few great ideas!