The Pomona RV show

On Saturday I went to the RV show at Pomona, CA.  They had just about anything you would want to see. It was very well laid out and organized.  Even though I'm going to be buying a used RV, it's nice to see the shiny new ones with all the beautiful interiors.

Gypsy, I did see Lance there, but by the time I spotted them I was so tired, I just kept walking out the gate to my car.  Now I wish I had taken the time to do a walk through so I'd know what your future rig looks like inside. Oh well, next time.

I caught part of a seminar about taking an RV to Alaska, and it was very interesting.  I'm not even going to Alaska in the foreseeable future, but sure did enjoy his talk and photos.  Some of the things he talked about can be used by anyone crossing the border into Canada, too, or just in general.

I also went to a seminar about full timing.  It was very interesting as well and I learned some things I haven't seen in blogs or forums.

I did some looking at Class C rigs, but most of them I've seen before.  There was one that was interesting to me.  Here are some photos:

This is the layout

It has the cabover bed, and then it also has two dinettes.  At first I thought that was kind of weird, but then I thought, "office/craft space."  The rear dinette would be a good office space.  The front dinette is large, and could be used as a couch also.

Do you have any opinions about this configuration for a solo RVer who'd love to have an office to use for computer stuff and crafting activities that don't always have to be put away?

Excuse the blurry photos, they are taken from the video I took with my little Olympus Stylus camera.

 

This was the only Class C rig I saw that had something different in the layout. I thought it was worth thinking about.  I can't wait to start my new lifestyle, but am kind of glad I still have time to think about everything.  It's going to be quite a decision to make as far as what I end up with.

Well, you've all done it, and I guess when the time comes I will, too.

I have to tell you, I keep thinking about Margie and Bruce and Annie.  I had a lot of things to do yesterday and today, but they kept popping in throughout the day.  I'd guess you are all having the same thing happen.  I hope Annie and their family are doing okay, they are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sam & Donna, Katie's Puppy of the Day looks like a "Riggen the Wonderdog" puppy.  : )

From me and Katie, have a nice evening, everyone...

The Del Mar RV show, and living below one's means

So, I attended the RV show on Saturday.  It's only 20 minutes from my house, and it was a beautiful day.  Perfect for walking around checking out RVs.

I saw one I would have definitely been interested in if I was ready to buy.  It's a Tioga - somewhere around 29'.  I didn't get lots of information, since it really doesn't matter at this point, but I sure liked the layout.  It was listed at $39,999 I think, something like that.  In my price range.  It's a 2006.  It was so clean and spacious!  I don't care if I have slides, but they sure do make a difference.

 The colors are good - won't show the dirt as much as a lighter color.

The couch was really padded and comfortable, and the bed-over-cab was very airy.

 Nice sized bed, lots of windows, cross breezes.

 Good storage space, and a nice counter for photos or flowers.

 Loved the kitchen area - seems spacious and good storage.

 The bathroom was nice and clean, big enough shower.

It was really clean, and very light and bright.  I don't care about slides, but I will admit they do add a spacious feeling, and that would be nice for full-timing.  From what I've read and heard, there is very little that goes wrong with slides, but I think given the choice, I'd go without slides.  The Tioga had everything I wanted as far as the inside goes, and I could see myself living in this one with Katie.

This one below - have you seen it?  I didn't write down the name/model but I guess if you can afford it, you already know about it.  See the price?  $899,999. 

It actually has a slideout deck with a large TV that looked like it slides back into the RV when not on the deck.  In addition to lots of other slideouts.  Large rooms, everything anyone would want or need.  Beautiful. Tons of counter space. Very nice rig!  Of course, it's almost a million dollars!

But you know what I walked away thinking?  This is my second RV show now, and there's another one in a couple of weeks in LA - marketed as the biggest one in California - that I was very excited about going to.  I realized, though, that I have at least a year before I can realistically buy my RV.  I think I'm about a year ahead of myself. 

At least I know some of the RVs that are out there, and some of the things I want.  But I'm so easy, I've lived in so many places and really liked them all.  I think I'll be happy in almost anything, as long as it's clean and safe and mechanically sound.  It's really going to come down to finding those three things in a rig I can afford.  Being in the right place at the right time, with enough money to get what I need.

So I decided I'm not going to spend the time or gas driving to LA for the other show.  I'm going to continue downsizing my "stuff" and paying off my debt, and saving my money so I'll be ready in about a year to seriously look for and then buy my RV.  I just have to keep my eye on the prize.  It's easy to forget when something is so far away, at least for me, and I think writing this blog, and reading your blogs, is what will keep me moving ahead to my goal. 

Which brings me to my second topic, living below my means so I'll be ready financially when the time comes to "hit the road."

The above quote is one I found years ago, and have tried to think about from time to time.  When I first saw it, I printed it out on a sheet of card stock and hung it near my desk.  I do live within my means, but when I first saw this I was not.  In fact, now I'm trying to live below my means, and most of the time I'm accomplishing that. It is such a feeling of empowerment to live below my means.

I'm not doing any big - I still have cable (although it's basic cable), I eat well (but I always cook at home, seldom eat at restaurants), I have a nice phone and laptop, so there are things I can't (or won't) live without.  But there are so many small things I do that end up saving money, and hopefully will make a difference over time.  I'm also not buying any new clothing unless it's something I really need.  I have lots of shirts, shorts and jeans, which is what I'll wear when I retire, so if it's not something I'll need then, I don't buy it now.  In my spending days I wasted a lot of money on clothes.  Wish I had all that money now!

That's it for today, and now I'm going to cook some chicken breasts, an artichoke and a baked potato with all the trimmings.  Maybe some wine.  See?  I DO eat well.

From me and Katie, have a great evening, everyone!  : )