FULL TIMING TIPS

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FULL TIMING TIPS

• Bob and Mary Cook

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TOPICS

• Choosing a domicile
• Getting your mail
• Managing your finances
• Communications
• Medical considerations
• Staying safe
• Discount camping / Lot purchase
• Misc tips

3
DOMICILE

• Your old home state is likely not your best
  choice
• State/Local Income and Sales Taxes
• Vehicle registration/license/inspection fees
• Insurance costs
• Special license considerations to drive RV
• As a Full-Timer, you can choose what is best for
  you

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MAIL / PACKAGES

• Commercial mail forwarding vs family
• FMCA has best rates, Escapees / other
• Receiving your mail
• General Delivery make sure PO will accept
  General Delivery mail
• Make sure campground will accept your mail
• Allow plenty of time, extra for CN / MX!

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PACKAGES

• UPS may deliver to a campground
• If not, you have two options
• 1. Pick up at UPS store (fee)
• 2. Pick up at UPS Customer Service Center
  (free)

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FINANCES

• Have as many bills as possible paid by automatic
  bank withdrawal
• Choose a nationwide bank that offers services you
  need
• Fees for checking, ATM, etc
• Choose a credit card with immediate cash-back
  awards (AVOID Debit Cards)
• Get cash back using credit card at most major
  stores

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FINANCES, cont

• On-line banking makes account management easy
• Consider overdraft protection tied to a savings
  account

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COMMUNICATIONS

• Cell Phone
• Check voice and data coverage maps
• Consider a pay as you go plan
• Extras such as rollover minutes and
  Friends/Family can save
• Some carriers offer coverage in CN for small
  monthly fee
• Broadband access consider MagicJack

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COMMUNICATIONS contd

• Internet Access
• Air card, WIFI or Satellite
• Use a free web-based email address that is not
  tied to an ISP
• If you stay in remote areas a lot, there are
  solutions to greatly extend range of cell phones
  and WIFI

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MEDICAL

• Select medical plan that covers you while you
  travel
• Stand-alone, Urgent Care centers usually take
  Medicare
• Life-threatening illnessEmergency Room
• Consider medical transport insurance

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Discount Camp Clubs

• Quality / Quantity / Location / Availability
• Cost
• Initial and annual fees
• Used memberships
• Test Does it pay for itself in 5 years?
• Clubs such as PassportAmerica almost always make
  sense

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Buy an RV Lot?

• Generally very expensive for what you get
• Check out annual fees, taxes, age limits for you
  and your coach
• Consider Escapees many options to buy or lease
  a lot for much less

13
STAYING SAFE

• Know the gun / weapon laws in the state and city
  you are in (esp CN and MX)
• NEVER have your name on the outside of your coach
• Protected by Glock not a good idea either
• Other than petty theft, RVers rarely a target,
  but you should have some (legal) means of
  defending yourself

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MISC TIPS

• Buy major goods and services at national outlets
  easy to return or fix problems
• GPS and laptop map software
• Spouse should know how to drive and perform the
  blue chores
• Keep backup of important papers and data off
  site and accessible
• Keep spare filters, belts, etc

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MISC TIPS contd

• Minimize your junk and clothes
• Washer/Dryer is very handy
• Macerator is also handy in MX
• Special rules for pets abroad
• Consider Extended Service Plan, but shop
  carefully

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PITFALLS

• Spouse incompatibility
• Lack of a plan (timeframe, goals, etc)
• Inadequate funding
• Live within your budget

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BENEFITS

• No worries, no grass to cut!
• Freedom to go when and where you want
• RVers generally healthier than rocking chair
  racers
• A lot less costly than owning a house AND a D!