Have RV, will find a job

"Dad lost his job, so this family lives on the road" is the title of an article at MSNBC Today. When Dave Dudley lost his well-paying job, he realized losing his house would not be far behind. So he took his wife and three kids on the road in their RV and they've joined the ranks of full-time RVers. Housing expenses went from around $3,000 a month to about $300 a month- much more manageable.

TODAY recently profiled families pulling up stakes because of a job loss. The Dudleys were one. They have traveled the country for a year. The kids do their school work online plus learn from all they see.

This isn't a case of planned RV retirement. The Dudleys can hardly afford to retire. They are making the best of a bad situation. When I first saw this article a few days ago, I could not believe how vicious the comments were. Most attacked Dudley for putting his family through this. Some thought his wife should leave him. Commenters misinterpreted the numbers he gave and called him a liar for saying they could live on $300 month. (Now that was probably jealousy!). Reading carefully, however, Dudley did not say that his total expenses were $300, only housing. By that I presume he meant the cost to stay in RV parks. The comments have disappeared, perhaps because they were attacks and rants.

Personally, I think the Dudleys showed great initiative in moving into their RV and living a less expensive lifestyle. The children will have memories that last a lifetime. The Dudleys don't see this as permanent, but he did just land a job he can do from his 5th wheel. So who knows what the future holds for them and if this job will last. In the meantime, I say "Hooray for the Dudleys!" They have taken control of their lives and are making it work. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Comments

[Randy Warner]

We met Chris and his wife at the Escapees Boot Camp. He and his wife both work and are full-timers.

He works 40 hours/week at a Human Resources job online and she does the same for about 20 hours. It can be done with the right situation.

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

Thanks for sharing another example, Randy.

Jaimie

[Cath Lawson]

Hi Jaimie - What a great story. I read some of the negative comments on the news website. But at least this family took control of the situation, instead of waiting for their homes to be reposessed.

I'm linking to your article in a post I'm writing.

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

Thanks, Cath. I think they are to be commended too.

Jaimie