OUR ROAD TO FULLTIMING
July 2, 2000: BITS AND PIECES
Much has happened on our "Road to Fulltiming" since I wrote the last installment, some good and some not so good!!! My intention was to address medical concerns, but that had to be postponed for the time being. During the first week of June, we were in Salinas and Hollister tending to family financial matters. The following week was spent visiting various doctors and dentists in order diagnose and start correcting existing medical problems. Ron has been on medical leave from his job since late April because of some of these circumstances.
During this same week, we had an appointment with our financial advisor at Smith-Barney. On the downside, because Ron is "only" 57, we cannot access some of our retirement funds immediately, which was not our understanding during our first visit. On the upside, we do have access to another part of his retirement funds. This part will get us to the "infamous" 59 ½!!! But, the "best news" here is that he has actually said that he WILL retire on September 1, 2000, no matter what!!!! We are committed to this adventure ahead of us!!!
The third week, however, was probably the hardest. I had to prepare myself for the "closing" of my business. Remember back in my fourth installment, "The First Dent", I talked about selling the equipment for my framing business??? Well, that time came---on June 22!!! In the few days before, I reframed, on a smaller scale, many of my needlework projects, so that they can be hung in our new fifth wheel. (Many more will have to go into storage, temporarily!!!) I had waited until just about the last minute because I just didn't want to let go. I also kept my tools, supplies, small frames, glass, and mats so that I can do some framing (RV size) while on the road. The result of the sale is a half-empty garage; most of the other half is destined for a dumpster!!!
As an update to our truck delivery date, we have taken care of the loan to finance it. (The process of finding a lending institution plus finding insurance is yet another installment to come.) The truck, however, won't be finished until late July. Considering all that is going on, that's just fine!!! Actually, we thought that the truck had been delivered back to the dealer after the "body" was installed, but it was the wrong truck!!! (That's what VIN numbers are for!!!) I won't go into the details here (it's way too confusing), but the whole situation is being resolved.
On the "homefront", the house has a "For Sale By Owner" sign out front as of June 14!! This is probably our biggest step in the right direction. We've had a few calls, but no lookers, until yesterday. This couple seemed very interested in the house and its location, so please, keep your fingers crossed!!! We have ordered dumpsters for a second time to dispose the rest of my framing stuff plus what we don't want in the rest of the closets and cupboards. This is, by far, cheaper than renting a trailer and going to the dump!!!
We still need to order our new "home", but we don't feel that we can do that until after the house is sold and in escrow because of the 6 to 8 week manufacturing time. We have discussed the options that we want, and we have also had some "speakerphone" conversations with our Travel Supreme dealer. Just the other day, we received, by UPS, the sample boards for all the carpets, drapes, and upholstery fabrics to help us with our final decisions!!!!
The last subject that I would like to bring up is something that one of our fulltiming friends, Paul Cox, proposed to us when we visited him on our "truck" trip. He suggested that we make "checklists", using Excel, for everything, and anything, that needs to be done to accomplish our goals. I started an Excel workbook with worksheets for Personal, House, Preparations, Rig, Address Changes, and Junk Mail, to name a few. When something is completed, I insert a date plus whatever other information is needed. Whenever I think of something that needs to be done, I add it in the appropriate place. This is something that anyone can customize to their own needs, but it truly helps to keep track of all those miscellaneous things that absolutely need to be done. Thanks, Paul, for the suggestion!!!!!
So far, I have been trying to post a monthly installment as to our progress. I am going to try to post one more often, but I'm finding that the more there is to do, the less time that I have to write. After all, I've already promised to write something about medical concerns and budgeting plus our experience with trying to find financing and insurance. All I can say is that I will try my best!!!
Until next time......
November 1, 1999 THE BEGINNING January 25, 2000 THE DOWNSIZING BEGINS February 6, 2000 RECEIPTS AND TAX RETURNS March 12, 2000 THE FIRST "DENT" April 27, 2000 DUMPSTERS, DOCTORS, AND TRUCKS May 24, 2000 OUR TRUCK DECISION July 21, 2000 MEDICAL CONCERNS July 27, 2000 STEPS TO A FULLTIMING BUDGET August 8, 2000 OUR TRUCK DELIVERY SAGA September 15, 2000 AN UPDATE ON OUR PROGRESS October 2, 2000 SIX WEEKS TO GO!!! October 15, 2000 MORE HURDLES CONQUERED November 14, 2000 ALMOST THERE!!! December 21, 2000 ELKHART.....FINALLY!!! December 21, 2000 LET THE COMEDY BEGIN!!!