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Industry News: RV Financing

Four Steps to Afford an RV Lifestyle

Editor’s Note: Consumers are reminded that purchasing an RV, with certain life sustaining features, may allow the finance or interest charges paid by on the installment contract to be deductible from your income tax return as the purchase of a vacation home. Consult your tax advisor for additional information before making a purchasing decision for applicability.

The following information is courtesy of Michelle from the finance and lifestyle blog Making Sense of Cents

Many have dreams of buying an RV. Whether you plan on living in an RV full-time or if you are only interested in the occasional getaway, there are many ways for you to afford one so that you can start living your RV dream.

One of the many factors holding back a potential RV’er is that they are unsure if they can afford the RV lifestyle.

The answer: Yes! Do research, prepare finances, and above all, be realistic.

There are four main components that go into affording the RV lifestyle. By evaluating them, you can determine how much money you need to save or earn. These include setting an RV budget, creating a monthly travel budget, finding ways to save money while on the road, and lastly, earning money on the road.

1. Be realistic about your RV budget.

There are many options when it comes to RV types, starting with choosing motorized or towable.  Motorized come in three types: Type A, Type B, Type C, depending upon the size and layout that fits your style. If you already own a suitable tow vehicle (pickup truck or SUV) consider a travel trailer, fifth wheel, folding camping trailer or truck camper. For those who don’t want to tow or move their RV frequently, there are park models. Prices can vary greatly, which makes it a good idea to analyze the various options to see what is best for your budget. To learn the difference between RV types, go here. www.gorving.com

2. Create a monthly travel budget.

Creating a budget doesn’t end with the RV purchase. Just like home, also think about what you spend each month on everything else.

Some fixed expenses you will want to calculate include how much you will spend on:

• RV payment (if you have one)
• Entertainment
• Food – groceries and restaurants
• Gas or diesel
• Propane
• Laundry
• Campground fees
• Internet
• Health insurance
• Clothing
• Phone
• Household items such as toilet paper, soap, etc.
• RV insurance
• RV maintenance and repairs

3. Find ways to save.

There are many ways to save money so that you can afford the RV lifestyle. Just because another RV’er spends a lot of money doesn’t mean that everyone has to spend the same. In fact, most RV’ers have quite affordable budgets and are still able to enjoy their time on the road.

The many different ways to save money include:

Choose campgrounds and RV parks that only have amenities you plan to take advantage of during your stay. Generally, the more services and amenities a campground has, the more it’s going to cost. Campsite fees don’t have to break the bank. State parks are a great low-cost option, as are many RV parks. Look here to find a campground or consider travel apps to help you find the campground that best suits your need. https://texascampgrounds.com

Travel at the posted speeds. Fuel is usually one of the largest parts of an RV budget. Traveling at posted speeds cuts down on fuel consumption.

Limit your impulse or unbudgeted purchases. It’s somewhat easy to limit purchases while traveling. RV’s can only hold so many possessions. Before buying extra gadgets and “stuff,” it’s wise to think whether or not an item is really needed.

Make meal preparation a new shared activity. Shop local farmer’s markets for fresh in-season options, try new foods, and share meal preparation with campground neighbors. Cooked-by-you means healthier eating because you control the ingredients. Dining out is fun and convenient, but to save money, making your own meals will be the best decision for your budget.

4. Earn money on the road.

If you are not retired but you want to RV travel a majority of the year, find ways to fund your travels.

Luckily, there are several ways to make this a reality. Seasonal and part-time jobs are available at campgrounds, national parks, online, remotely through your full-time job, and so on. Working while you travel is great because you don’t have to wait until retirement to have fun on the road.

There are many ways to afford the lifestyle if your dream is to own an RV. By setting an RV budget, creating a monthly travel budget, finding ways to save money while on the road, and earning money while on the road, you should have no problem living and enjoying the RV lifestyle.