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

Using your credit card could cost you

A settlement reached with credit card companies will now allow merchants to charge customers an additional fee to use a credit card as opposed to paying with cash or check. Art Lieberman, who has a credit card processing company for campgrounds, summarizes it:

Retailers have long desired to charge customers who pay with plastic rather than cash. These charges would defray the transaction costs to retailers which, of course, increases the costs of goods and services since these charges are passed on to consumers. But Visa and MasterCard had banned the practice and part of their rules required that retailers follow those rules or lose the card services altogether. It was permitted to discount prices for cash, but they may not add charges for credit card transactions.

The settlement allows just that, though the fees may not exceed their actual costs. Also, those fees cannot be charged when you use a debit card. The rules will not affect users of Discover and American Express.If you get a cash reward for using your credit card, that  could be negated by the additional fees when making a purchase.

It may pay for RVers to shop where they can get cash back or to bank at a national bank where they can get cash without the fee to pay for RV park stays and fuel. (Fees, fees, fees!)

The ruling hasn't gone into effect, but could very soon. The question is whether merchants will charge the additional fee or continue to absorb it. Time will tell. You can read more of Art Lieberman's explanation at RV Daily Report. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Ideas for thrifty travel

John Vincent writes in Oregon Live about how RVing can make for thrifty travel. He has some good ideas like staying in campgrounds at fairgrounds or parking at casinos. He also explains how his wife finds the best prices on fuel. Vincent and his wife also went through a process to find an RV that fit their budget.

RV parking can range from free blacktop boondocking to $40 or $50 per night. Choosing less expensive options can extend your travel budget. You'll find ten ways to save money on camping at RVLifestyleExperts.com, plus other articles on less expensive choices. Adrienne Kristine's ebook, Frugal RVing or Pinching Pennies Without Getting Bruised - and Other Advice From the Road, is also full of good ideas. Read more about her ebook here.

Vincent notes that he did spend more on his trip to San Diego in their RV, but once there, the savings kicked in. An RV park was much cheaper than a hotel, plus they could also cook meals in their rig.

You have choices when you travel in an RV that can make your trip less expensive than flying or moteling it. The article and resources here will give you excellent ideas. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

RV insurance- time to review?

Before you renew your RV policy - or purchase a new one - be sure to check it out thoroughly and make sure it gives you the coverage you need. If you are full-time RVers, you will need a policy that covers your possessions inside. Make sure the value is enough. You may need to add more coverage, for example, to cover computers and other electronics.

If you do business in your RV, that could void your coverage if your policy isn't geared for that. Read the fine print.

An article in Live Insurance News brought up another point I had never thought to check. It states that some policies limit the number of miles per year you can drive and be covered. If you are traveling full-time, you might exceed that amount. That could also void coverage.

For more information to consider on RV insurance, see our article "Choosing RV Insurance" at RV Lifestyle Experts plus an interesting article by Paul Bender of RV America, "The 13 Factors That Determine Your RV Insurance Rate." Like all things, comparison shopping of both coverage and rates can make a big difference in your insurance bill. And, just because you had the best policy one year, check again before renewing. Things can change and you could be paying too much. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak 

Health care- $240,000 or more in retirement

The latest estimate from Fidelity Investments says that even with Medicare benefits, a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2012 will spend at least $240,000 in retirement. Whazow! That doesn't cover inflation, either. Many people have only a fraction of that saved.

At MarketWatch.com, Andrea Coombes, columnist explains how this can happen and steps to plan for it plus keep your costs lower.

RVers have the opportunity to be more active, traveling to places where they can walk, hike or bike. Geocaching can keep you active too. And, some RVers feel like they have covered a lot of ground when they travel so forget that they need physical activity. Our bodies are designed to move and to use muscles. Our lifestyle now does not require much activity compared to 100 years ago. Some would say this has caused more illness because our systems depend on the stimulation that exercise and movement provide.

Having sufficient funds to pay for medical issues that come up as well as dental, hearing aids, co-payments and premiums as well as treatments that are not covered is a relief, but taking care of yourself through diet and exercise could save a bundle and improve your quality of life.

What steps are you taking to keep good health through your retirement years? Share your ideas below. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

RV Lifestyle Ezine: Tips for Frugal RVing

Fuel prices getting you down? Read the latest RV Lifestyle Ezine: Tips for Frugal RVing. Tom and Nancy write about dealing with a health emergency on the road, plus more RV resources, news and tips.

Also, participate in our latest poll: RVing- have you been near/experienced....

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Save for old age? or eat your dessert first?

Scott Burns at Statesman.com ponders this issue. Rather than take a set amount throughout your life expectancy, should you spend extra in the early years of retirement doing things on your bucket list and cut back later? And, if so, how much extra can you spend and how will it affect you?

The young-old years of retirement are between 65 and 75, when you are still likely to have your health plus want, and are usually able, to travel and do things you never had time to do while working. The later years you may not have the health to do so. Using a couple - Pete and Pam - as an example, Burns gives figures for what they would have to spend if they take the same amount each year and several options taking an extra $6,000 to $36,000 a year for the first decade of retirement. If they reduce their travel and activity after age 75, they would/could probably spend less money.

Full-time RVers may have lower expenses for maintaining their RV than the house in the example. In their RV retirement, they can also stick to a fuel budget by determining how many miles they will travel each year. Rather than crisscrossing the country, they can gradually work their way around the U.S. and to Canada and Alaska. By age 75, they might prefer to settle in an RV park in their RV or park model and confine their travel to short trips, reducing fuel and RV maintenance costs.

Take a look at Burns' figures. It might give you some ideas even if your retirement funds aren't as substantial as the example. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

 

 

It's not right.....

The deal that Lipitor made with insurance companies could cost you more in your RV retirement. Up until November 30, Pfizer had exclusive rights to Lipitor. Now other companies can make and sell generic versions.

However, Pfizer cut deals with insurance companies so that insurance plans will charge consumers a lower deductible, but, in return, the companies cannot cover generic - read less expensive, competing - versions. Indirectly, it will hurt these consumers because of higher costs to the insurance companies, who will then raise rates.

Medicare patients needing this drug will be more directly affected. If you come under Medicare D,your  plan will cover your drugs up to $2,930 and then you go into the donut hole for a period of time where drugs are not covered. Since Lipitor costs much more than a generic version would, you will reach the $2,930 limit much sooner if you use this drug.

Other popular drugs will also come off patent protection in 2012. According to the article in the AARP Bulletin that I read, they speculate that these companies will try also to negotiate similar deals.

This means that some RVers will have less money to spend on their RV lifestyle.

The Senate Finance Committee and Special Committee on Aging have asked the Pfizer for details about the deals they made with the benefit management companies that serve as middlemen between drugmakers and insurers. Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., says "such deals may be abusing Medicare to boost their profits and denying generic alternatives to patients." You think?

If you are politically active or could be affected by this, contact your senator or a committee member and let them know you think this is WRONG. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

RV tip: Boondocking in the Los Angeles area

I stumbled across a blog, "Aluminarium," written by a couple who travel in an Airstream with their dog. They are boondocking in Burbank, CA. What is required is a Large Non-Commercial Vehicle (LNCV) Parking Permit. Follow the link to verify that you meet the size requirements. You'll also find their guidelines/restrictions and how to apply. The cost is $5 a day. Nice to have this option if you have to be in the Los Angeles area.

Bookmark the Burbank site - just in case you need a spot when traveling through. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Tucson gas- under $3

We bought gas in Tucson at $2.95/gal yesterday. One place off Irvington was supposed to be $2.93. I didn't notice diesel prices.

Let's hope it stays below $3.00/gal! RVers can travel more miles for their travel dollar. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak