4 March 2012
Dear RV Diary,
I know that I don’t "actually” own my RV just yet…But I
figured this is as good of time as any to start this diary…
It’s almost been 1 year since my daughter informed me she
wanted to live with her dad because she wanted to get to know him. I think that
was only part of it, the other part is I think she is exactly like me when I
was her age…Restless and in much need of life adventure.
My son James, not to long after this, informed me that he
would be off to University in the Fall (2012).
Since I live in Alaska, I wanted to be closer to them. My
plan was to eventually one day Full time RV anyways…But I could see the opportunity to
move the RV date up much sooner then expected.
I started “cleaning out” the house and I am REALLY glad I
started early, it has meant less stress for me now, especially since I knew I
would be putting my home on the market towards the end of January (2012).
My house was on the
market officially the 1st of
February 2012 and sold (with competing offers in a recession) 9 days
later!
I owe it to preparation and LOTS of POSITIVE thinking (and
praying to my angels asking them to put out the word)! Also, making sure that
my house was spot on perfect and fresh smelling with each new walk through was
really important. It kicked my OCD into overdrive but I think it paid off.
The actual selling of a house is a TON of stress and I am
SUPER happy I decided not to do it myself. Which I had been playing with the idea because
I had refinanced to a lower rate about 1 ½ years ago…Which looking at the
numbers game, would leave me with a LOT less money to start my “new life,” if I
hired a realtor.
Being a disabled veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2004) and understanding what stress does
to me, I knew my health for sure would have suffered and that’s the last thing
I needed right now.
So I ended up going with a realtor…it came down to the
question for me: “What is my health worth?”
Turns out my health is REALLY EXPENSIVE! (And this would be
the part where I insert a few...OK, MANY choice swear words, then go drop $10.00 dollars
worth of change into my swear jar).
I am just praying that all goes smooth from here on out.
Even after I am supposed to move out (by March 15) Alaska has a law that states
even after a person purchases a home, they have 30 days to say for any reason
they don’t want it and the deal goes south for the seller of the property...NOT
cool for sellers, but a dream for a buyer!
When I wasn’t downsizing my belongings I was dreaming,
surfing the internet and reading everything I could about RV’s…Glad I started the
journey early because I really needed to educate myself about what I was
getting myself into.
But as with all things, is anyone really ever prepared?
No, not really.
Experience NEVER rarely makes up for education…And one can
never prepare for a new life adventure enough! (Even though I sure am trying)!
I have decided that I will be purchasing a class C
motorhome.
I have also decided that between 27 and 31 feet should be
sufficient for my full time living and any friends or family that come to visit
(also enough room for Frank the Weenie dog and Furball 1 and Furball 2 to have
their own spaces far enough away from each other).
Now that I am more aware of where my finances will stand…I
have decided that I really wish I would NOT have a monthly payment…BUT…In
reality this is NOT going to happen. (I’m NOT looking to rough it…This is my
new HOME, not a camping trip).
I will need to keep my monthly payment under $500.00 (not
including insurance and other monthly costs)…A LOT will depend on my interest
rate ~eesh~
I have found some GREAT candidates for my new potential home
on wheels…But more about that in the next upcoming weeks.
Love,
~ ViVi
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