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How Long Will You Rv; Rising Drug, Medical and Fuel Costs
Topic Started: Aug 21 2004, 06:55 AM (152 Views)
corky52
Member
With the cost of Medical Insurance, Drugs and Fuel going up steeply how long will you be able to afford to use your RV? How long will you keep your RV and use it less?
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roscoe
Member
If you think being able to afford driving your RV yhere are a lot of people picking food out of dumpsters.

The local wheels on meals my wife's uncle volunteered for got the week old bagels and cakes from the stores to supplement seniors who can't drive and rarely take that special trip to the cascades.

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PRT
Member
Right now our insurance, both medical and drug, is really good and should stay that way, so gas is the issue.
We've changed our winter plans slightly and are spending time in two campgrounds rather than six. Cheaper to drive the toad to visit friends than drive the rig and camp nearby.
We went to a rally in May in Masschusetts, which was great, but the fuel was $150. Pretty high for a weekend trip.
We plan to go cross country next summer, so hopefully gas will have come down somewhat.
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brewster
Member Avatar
Winemaker Extraordinaire
I don't have any problem with the first two, of course, but the cost of fuel makes me plan trips much more carefully than I used to.

At the moment, I hope to keep going for another 10 years or so. If fuel costs get really out of hand, I'll probably buy a smaller, more fuel efficient RV (It wouldn't be hard - mine's about as bad as they come right now...)
Posted Image My Favourite Campsite
Bow Valley Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
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Banandangees
Member
Funny you mention it! So far, it hasn't been the cost of health care and fuel and the fact that my income is less since I have retired that has kept me and my wife from traveling more. It has been the being away from our daughter and grand-daughter (for long trips) that has been the retarder. That, and the fact that we enjoy our home and where we live so much. Where we live (NW PA), spring, summer and fall are the nicest times to be home. We have never been south for the winter yet and are considering it; but, I like early winter here (stoke up my wood stove out in the offset of the barn). It's late January, February and March that seems to wear on us.

Sometimes I think we enjoyed traveling/camping more when we tent camped than we do now with a DP RV, of course the kids were with us then. And, I can't say that I never have some guilt feelings about having such a vehicle when there are people hard pressed to the point that Roscoe describes. From a "feed my sheep" point of view, I'm probably missing more important opportunities by my indulgence in such an expensive vehicle. Selfishness perhaps? :unsure: I could say that after 40 years of working, I have earned it. But that would probably be a rationalization.
Banan
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karmasasha
Unregistered

I am fortunate in having excellant medical coverage.(rarely used) Neck surgeries and meds covered by former employer.

My house taxes and utilities have risen so much that it has erroded my travels. I will not get rid of my rv. Just fewer trips.

Yes, I feel terrible about the homeless in my area and give to a large shelter when I can.

The elderly people are by far the hidden victims. Their pride keeps them from asking for help by far.
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mychrissy
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Chrissy
Hopefully we will have the finances to continue traveling for awhile. If that's not possible, we'll sell the house, get something smaller, but we never did too much when the kids were young, my husband worked two jobs, so now it's time to enjoy. If the price of gas get's worse, we'll just camp someplace for a certain length of time. I guess there are alternatives. Health insurance is not a issue so far.
Chrissy

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jackd
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Member
The cost of medical insurance and the cost of drugs is not an issue for Canadians. Not a concern for anybody.
Fuel: Gasoline prices went up to $US2.73/US gal. yesterday. Diesel is $US2.44/US gal.
I sold my 7mpg motorhome a few months ago and went to a much smaller one, which will be giving me about 27mpg. on diesel.
The decision to go with a small motorhome had been taken last November, well before price of fuel started going through the roof.
After all, it was a wise decision.
jackD
Walk in front of me, you lead me,
Walk behind me, I lead you
Walk beside me, you are a friend.
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olstuf
Bill
Medical insurance/Medicare along with property taxes use up our SS. Maintaining a residence in a cold climate is going to be even more expensive in the future. With the price of gasoline at $1.989 and diesel $1.979 next door today with more that $2.00 predicted in the near future, I will cut down on any travel once we get to our winter designation. We are rather conservative in our lifestyle and getting to the point of not much else to cut down on. Downsizing is in our plans and that may help. However with interest of savings, there is not much incentive. Not a bright future for the young.
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BuddyKidd
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Buddy Kidd - Oklahoma City
It will be hard to say. In two years my Health Insurance cost will be cut in half or more so that will help. It will partly depend on how much my retirement pay keeps up with inflation and if the Federal Taxes go back up. I am not sure about the cost of fuel. On another forum a person is saying that fuel prices will soon be $3.00 per gal. but a chart I found shows fuel prices have been going down since May. I guess we will take it one day at a time and see what happens but I don't see us stopping any time soon.
Buddy & Jenna Kidd
Sophie
Itasca Horizon 36LD
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TexasShadow
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Jane
We might make shorter trips and do more boondocking, but I can't see us giving it up entirely. We're both just past 60 years old, so we figure we've got 10-15 good years left in us to really enjoy the road...maybe a few more, God willing, and we don't want to spend them sitting in our house.
Of course, the cost of living could get to the point we're in the poor house, so like BuddyKidd says, we'll just take it one day at a time and do what we can as long as we can.
Posted Image "A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking."
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