RV Home Yet?

Another casino adds an RV park

At one time most casinos allowed RVers to park on their lots for a period of time, maybe even days. If that was the price to get you inside to lose your money to a one-arm bandit, that worked for them. Now, more casinos have added RV parks where they charge you to stay. Yes, you do get some amenities- hookups for one. Once the RV park is in, at least some casinos no longer allow RVs to park overnight on the parking lot.

The RV in the photo is parked in an AZ casino. I was unable to park in one in Indio, CA and had to move in the middle of the night in Prim, NV.

Little Creek Casino Resort, Squaxin Island Tribe’s casino, is the latest to add an RV park. Cost? $35 a night! I think that's high, especially since you are likely to leave much more than that in the way of dollars behind in the casino and restaurants.

The first eight years or so my late husband, Bill, and I were traveling, we only stayed in a campground a handful of times where we paid, other than when we were working. That sure helped the budget. Even in later years, some of the places where we had boondocked had "no parking" signs.

The RV lifestyle is changing. You can still be creative (some would say "cheap!") about parking but it is definitely not as easy. Casinos have always been a place RVers could count on. Those are getting fewer too. Do you still know of any casinos that allow boondocking? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Backing into an RV spot

One of the funnier stories in RV Traveling Tales is "Backing Up" by Susan Campbell- funny because many of us can relate. Helping a partner back the RV into a space in an RV park can cause a strain on a relationship. Typically, the man is doing the backing (and he thinks he knows where he is going) and the woman is directing him. There is a whole language of hand and arm signals for directing someone, a language few women have learned. It's a recipe for disaster!

RV headsets can make the job easier. Gary Lewis gives instructions in RV driving. He purchased RV headsets because it makes communication between driver and spotter so much easier. This is a hands-free device with no buttons to push to speak. Now the spotter can say something like "you need to be one foot over to your left" and the driver will hear it. Gestures don't give a clue how much to move over. If the spotter gets out of sight, the driver can still hear the spotter.

Gary was offering workshops plus driving instruction (RV Basic Training Boot Camps) at the Workamper Rendezvous. I did not try the headsets, but they sure make sense. Take a look. They seem like a good deal to me. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Scarecrow stroll in Heber Springs

Though we were kept pretty busy with the Workamper Rendezvous, George Montgomery (the RV Tax Master) and I got out early one afternoon and strolled down the main street of Heber Springs and admired the creativity evidenced in the Scarecrow Stroll. Merchants are competing for prize money and it adds a festive air to the downtown shopping area.George is sitting with a scarecrow golfer. Sew 'n' Vac's scene went nicely with their store.

I posed with a gypsy woman outside Dancing Cranes, incense and other smells wafting through closed doors. Across the street on the corner, a bank robber has hoisted funds from the Eagle Bank!

The neatest scene, though traditional was this one in front of the courthouse. And across the street, this clever pair are rockin' and a rollin'. I could figure out how they got them to stay up!

 

The scarecrow artist was an eye-catcher, representing a local gallery. And this colorful Earl Grey was, of course, in front of a tea house!

The Workamper Rendezvous was quite a success. Classes were offered in Workamping and making money on the road plus in living the RV lifestyle. And there were plenty of opportunities for learning from fellow RVers and for networking. RV camping was in Corp of Engineer campgrounds by the lake.The next one is scheduled for October 2013. Keep your eye open if you want to attend a fun and educational event! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Alabama lemon

This Alabama travel trailer sure sounds like a lemon, though the lawsuit does not seem to mention that this law is the basis for the lawsuit. From the description, there were a substantial number of things wrong with the unit from day one and repeated visits have not fixed them. The owner alleges that the travel trailer she bought in 2010 had so many defects it could not be fixed despite eight separate efforts to have it repaired. She is now suing both the dealer and manufacturer. I feel for this woman and hope she is successful in her lawsuit.

You can read details here at the AL.com site.

RVs are covered under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a federal law that provides protection to buyers of products that cost $25 or more and come with a written warranty. More explanation is given at lemonlawamerica.com. This site tells you what to do if you think you have a lemon. The recording and record-keeping part should apply to every RV. You don't know ahead of time if your unit is a lemon. This way you'll be able to substantiate the problems and your actions if things go sour. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

RV entrepreneurs- some ideas

A couple of recent articles have showcased people conducting business out of RVs. It can be done!

This first article is about Airstreams being purchased to use as mobile offices. A couple of entrepreneurs are mentioned in this San Francisco Chronicle article including a fellow who designs online businesses and a woman who is a designer and photographer and describes herself as "location independent," as she calls it.

The Wilson family have taken their music business on the road in a Carroll County News article. The family of two adults, four children and a dog plus assorted musical instruments plays at music festivals and teaches at workshops as they travel across the states. They plan to eventually settle down, but for now, it is a great adventure and there are no leaves to rake!

Those thinking about becoming a mobile entrepreneur might find this article at RV Daily Report summarizing a study concluding that small business owners want more from mobile technology. A majority of my RV friends use their mobile devices for many purposes- communication, banking, posting on social media sites, tethering their computers to gain Internet access. As mobile technology improves, RVers will benefit even more- both for personal and business use.

RV travel offers many ways to make money. Having your own business as you travel gives you maximum flexibility to change locations while still earning money. In some cases you can be parked in what appears to be the middle of nowhere.We actually had a cell signal in this camping area in Monument Valley! Support Your RV Lifestyle! offers a number of ideas that RVers have used to earn money in their own business. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

 

Poll: Do you decorate your RV for any holidays?

Vote in our latest poll: Do you decorate your RV for any holidays? Leave a comment below or at the poll telling us what you do! Our one decoration is hanging red chili Christmas lights. And we have a Scottish Terrier puppet with a Santa hat.Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Trailer- vehicle or taxable property?

New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration is after the township of Meredith to collect tax on trailers in campgrounds. The article in RV Business states that the township should be collecting property tax according to "state statute (RSA 72.7) that reads “buildings, mills, wharves, ferries, toll bridges, locks and canals and aqueducts owned by private parties . . . are taxable as real estate..,”

The article does go on to say that this would apply to trailers not registered as vehicles. Registration as a vehicle would cost about $100/year. Since the state anticipates collecting only about $5000, it doesn't sound like the property tax would be too high. The best thing for owners would be to wait until the property tax was assessed, then see if it is more than the cost of registration. For an older trailer, property tax might be minimal. Bottom line, though, trailer owners will be putting out some money if the DRA has their way. I would think that motorhomes and other RVs would also be subject to this tax as well.

As sources of money for state and local governments dry up, look for them to find new ways or ways to enforce laws on the books. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

2013 Microsoft Streets & Trips

We received a review copy of the new Microsoft Streets & Trips software for 2013. George took a look at it. Here is his report:

"Microsoft continues their excellent tri- planning software with the release of MS Streets & Trips 2013. The software is on one DVD, with an easy and fast install.

The programs checks for previous versions, and asks if you wish to keep or remove that program. In either case, your previously mapped and saved routes can be retained and used by the new program.

The interface is basically unchanged, and at least on my home computer, seemed faster.

The included “Getting Started Guide” gives more than adequate instructions for installation, and include information about where and how to get updated road construction/repair information.

If you purchased a previous edition that included the GPS monitor (which we have), even though this 2013 did not have GPS, that information is also retained for easy use. In addition, you can export your trip information to a Garmin GPS unit to share waypoints and tracks. You can also import *.gpx files from other mapping software to help plan your trip.

Setup is easy. Under “Route Options” you set some basic driving information such as start/stop and rest times, average speeds for various roads using sliders and fuel costs. From there you can begin to plan a trip from start to finish with as much or as little detail as you desire.

In all, a great piece of mapping software. No RVer should be without it."

According to Microsoft, the 2013 upgrade includes:

• Enjoy a sleek and clean new look in high contrast for easier viewing.
• Get updated maps of the U.S. and Canada.
• Includes 150,000 more miles of roads than Streets & Trips 2011.
• Create larger drive time zones for more flexibility in your planning.
• Explore 2.5 million points of interest (600,000 more than Streets & Trips 2011)
• Read customer reviews and ratings of businesses to find the best places to go.
• Turn all pushpin names on or off with a single click.
• See your current driving speed while in full Navigation Mode.¹
• View your compass direction on the Navigation Pane.¹

¹ GPS device sold separately. To share your route with your other GPS devices you must export a GPX file to a GPX-compatible GPS device. Not all GPS devices are supported.

You can purchase a more expensive device with the GPS locator included. And, you can download a trial version. Microsoft Streets & Trips is available for purchase today, online at the Microsoft Store for an estimated retail price of $39.99 (U.S.). Microsoft Streets & Trips with GPS Locator is available for $69.99 (U.S.) It's available through other vendors also.

A GPS is pretty essential nowadays. You can't always believe them- occasionally there are errors, but once you get used to one, you'll find it difficult to be without one. Jaimie and George Bruzenak

Watch your weight

Besides watching the weight of your RV and making sure you don't exceed the gross vehicle weigh rating, there is good reason to watch your own weight.

In a study of 38,000 people, the Institute for Health Policy Studies found that "the average person added .24 to their body mass index upon retirement." This translates to two to four pounds. While that isn't a whole lot, women tend to gain more as do men who were physically active in their careers.

Where weight gain can cost you is in health care. People are having to pay more out-of-pocket expenses. A MarketWatch.com article cited another study by George Washington University’s School of Public Health and Health Services. "The study showed that each year, morbidly obese people pay $2,845 more in medical costs than their normal-weight counterparts; severely obese, $1,566; moderately obese, $807; and overweight, $346."

Rona Lewis, author of Does This Cookbook Make Me Look Fat?, also cited in the article, suggests that as we age we need to eat less. Each decade after 40 we should eat 5 percent less calories or we'll gain. Bummer!

Some RVers lead a very active lifestyle, biking, hiking, swimming or using a WII. It is easy, though, to forgo exercise on travel days and munch in the vehicle. Or you may stay at a park that is not conducive to walking or you're too tired.Those days it is easy for calorie intake to exceed output. Too many days like that add to the belt line.

So, save your health and your pocketbook by being conscious of what you eat and how much exercise you get. On RV travel days, eat less. Remember that some calories - and food choices - are better than others, but that's a whole other post. Your choices will, however, affect how long you can live the RV lifestyle and the quality of your RV life. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak.

Higher paying short-term jobs

AARP suggests five areas where you could work short-term jobs and earn much more than typical Workamping jobs. If you have this background or skills, you might find these types of jobs in your RV travels. You can read the full article, but here are the five mentioned.

1. Bookkeeping and accounting
2. Human resources
3. Office manager
4. Sales representative
5. Web strategist - technical but also emphasis on growing a business

Check out the article if you have a background that could lend itself to one of these areas. It might give you flexibility to RV travel more, even if you do work in a location for a short-term assignment. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak