Right now I have three options available in getting into a Class B. Option 1 would be purchasing a new Class B that would run from $150k to $200k with the options I’d like. Option 2 would be buying a used van probably costing from $60k to $100k for one I’d be happy with. Option 3 would be letting go of this dream and not buying a van which would cost me $0.
My financial history is not something to brag about. I made decent money working as an engineer but had no skills in managing that money. I spent many years spending foolishly while pursuing the pleasures of life. Therefore my retirement years are being spent with minimal cash. For the past 6 years I’ve been living on my social security checks, leaving my retirement funds for when I reach the 72 year marker or for some unforeseen emergency, which I’ve needed to do. My miniscule savings is gone. 😞
With that said, options 1 and 2 would be possible only if I sold my condo, bought the van and placed the remaining small (tiny) equity in some fund/investment or I win the lottery. Selling my condo is not the best financial move and for several reasons.
I have no idea how long I would I travel in a Class B? Since I’ve never done it before, would I like the lifestyle? I’m also over 70 so I’m unsure how long I will stay healthy. If I knew that living in a Class B was something I would do until I took that last breath then I’d go for it. It’s almost a guarantee that someday I will be needing my home back. So selling my condo is too high a risk for me.
So, at the present moment owning a Class B is a dream that is almost daily in my mind but at the present time is unattainable. I wish I could let it go and live with what I have, which really is enough. Because the life I live now allows me to rise early and greet the dawn with my camera without the need for a van. From a financial standpoint it’s a dream that is not feasible for me unless a large sum of money fell from the sky. And, that’s why I buy a lottery ticket every so often and dream. 😃
5 Comments
Cedric
You are in a tough place my friend. Making life changing decision is never easy, at any age really. And that mental to and fro’ing is a bitch, sorry, not sure how else to put it. I have always thought life would be a whole lot easier if we had more control over what pops into our heads. My great-grandfather called those types of thoughts, the devil’s temptations 🙂 Anyway, I was thinking about your dilemma today as I worked and whenever I needed a break, and tried to place myself in a similar situation to you. For what it’s worth, I decided I would not be the type to sell a house for a mobile home. If I didn’t have the money to have both the house and the van (which I don’t so that was easy to imagine), I would consider downsizing and move to a more nature-friendly place. There is a strong “Tiny House” movement in Australia and that really appeals to me. I like the idea of living in one or two shipping containers decked out in a minimalist way with few belongings and putting the bulk of my money into a block of land that was in a really good location, like near a national park for example. Then I would also get a pop-up tent and do short trips away. That would be a good compromise for me.
Monte Stevens
Thanks for your comments here. I need to hear what my trusted friends have to say. Yes, there is a lot of to and fro’ing going on in my mind. When you find the magic pill to control what pops in our minds, you’ll be rich, maybe even looked up as a god.
I am where you are with the van, it’s only possible if I had the money for both. I will probably still go off into some time travel of envy whenever I see one on the road. Life is what it is, as a friend of mine says.
I looked into the tiny homes a few years ago because they do interest me. However, there are state, county and city laws that restrict them from being places of residence. They are classed as an RV so they can only be parked on a persons property for a limited time, 90 days I think. They cannot be used as residence. Some counties in Colorado are looking at how to change them because people are really looking into these homes as residence.
At the present moment my life will be to stay here, put some money into a couple of remodeling projects and go car camping as my way to get out of town for a while. The pop-up tent is feasible for me.
That said, my imagination will still wander because the imagination cannot exist in the present and the imagination is where really starts.
Earl
A few years can make a huge difference. It was only a little over five years ago that Bonnie and I made the decision to sell almost everything and fulltime RV. While that was a scary decision at the time it was one that was fairly easy to make and we certainly have no regrets. However, if the circumstances were the same today, at our current age, with the current social and economical situation, we probably would not make that leap.
The older I get the stronger uncertainty of life seems to become. For the last year or so, Bonnie and I have been struggling with the question of what comes next in our lives. The struggle is not easy and it is real! It would be so nice to have a working crystal ball.
I liked Cedric’s vision of a tent and doing some short trips away. Sometimes a change of scene can provide a different perspective and/or some clarity.
Monte Stevens
Yes, many of us, especially those approaching or in early retirement, struggle with uncertainty. It seems to be a natural part of life with that question of what’s next? In all honesty I was envious of the adventurous decision you two made five years ago. Seems like it was longer than that. If I had more money in savings or investments, I would not hesitate and follow in your steps, even meet up you somewhere along the road.
The age is one of my biggest struggles because my mind does not want to think I’m as old as I am. While my body and common sense let me know the truth. Aging has many perks, life has and is good so I’m not negative to the aging process.
The camping is something I can still do, so that’s three of us who agree car camping on short excursions are probably exactly what I need. Short sabbaticals and adventures also call to me.
I also have other ideas and dreams that need action to be taken in order for them to come to fruition. These can all be done here, where I’m at and with all that I have. I also believe that there are unknown dreams yet to surface into my consciousness so they can be lived.
I am thankful for all the treasured comments you and others share with me.
Mark
Just catching up a little Monte.
I can’t say I have any wisdom beyond what Cedric and Earl have offered. As Earl and Bonnie have done this very thing – I found his current hindsight really interesting. Nonetheless, you seem to have an itch that needs some scratching – or that temptation Cedric mentioned. You are in Colorado, seems like you are in a good spot regionally for some worthy exploring. Of course, snow isn’t so far away and that usually cures a lot of those itches in wanting to stay put. 🙂