teddyu
Enfield, Ct
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Joined: 09/23/2004
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I just started a four month countdown to my second retirement and commencement of full-timing. Read just about every forum concerning full-timing, but still have a few lingering concerns.
Ordered a new MH (Daybreak 3575) and got new Toad. Toad baseplate, wiring, and Brake Buddy are being fitted. I think we got all of the hardware and accessories for the MH covered. Wrestling with the need for some sort of ladder to bring along.
Still, I’ve not sure that we’ve covered all the bases for everything else.
• Attitude: Enthusiastic
• Banking: In the process of going complete paperless billing and banking
• Communication: Verizon cellphone; wireless laptop; a Magellan (4250); Yahoo Mailbox
• Entertainment: Digital cameras; binoculars; DVDs; each other
• Cards: Good Sam’s; KOA; America the Beautiful; AARP; Good Sam’s ERS; and a couple of credit and gas cards
• Health: Getting a hard copy of our health records, long term prescriptions processing; wills; health care proxies
• Destination: Unknown
Are we missing anything important to sustain the lifestyle? The check lists may be missing some helpful suggestions. Reaching out to the full-time community for advice and sanity check.
Ted & Cammy
2008 Challenger 371 Platinum Edition
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billandcap
Heading to Yellowstone!
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Joined: 11/30/2007
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Looks like you are ready! The only item I don't see mentioned is auto insurance & fulltimer insurance. You want to make sure you have the proper coverage.
We LOVE our fulltiming lifestyle!
Good luck!
Cathy
2004 Arctic Fox 29-5E
2006 Ford F350 4x4 Dually
Visit our Fulltime RVer Web Page
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dutch1918
USA
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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How about mail forwarding for those important documents from the IRS etc. 
Fulltimers since 1998
2003 Ford F450 6.0L
2008 Doubletree Mobile Suite 36TK3
PICTURES
PRESENT LOCATION
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DianneOK
Donnelly, ID
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Joined: 03/19/2004
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How about GPS? Must get into geocaching, besides the on the road stuff 
Dianne
Donnelly, ID
DataStorm
HAM WB6N (Terry)
2005 Teton 39' Frontier Grand
2003 Freightliner FL60
Life Member Good Sam
Escapees
Geocache..."RVcachers"
RV net Blog
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ruth_anne_b
Central Florida
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Joined: 03/15/2004
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You forgot under cards, pinochle and poker! Come on now, you have to have something to do in the evening.
Ruth anne Baker
ruth_anne_b@cfl.rr.com
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Clay L
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Joined: 07/01/2002
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A few items:
Don't forget to change your address at places that you don't think about much, like the IRS and Social Security. Also frequent flier programs if you belong to any.
Passport America is a good investment at $34 per year ($34 as I recall). You can stay for half price at participating RV parks. They do have time restrictions in many cases, but they are great for one or two night stays while traveling from point A to point B.
I find KOAs often way overpriced for what they offer.
What about internet access?
WiFi, although it has been getting more available is still not adequate for us. We use a Verizon aircard.
I tried a couple of different ladders and ended up with one that collapses down to about 2 feet or so high and is easy to store. It pulls up to about 15 feet.
As full timers we find that we often stay in one place a month in order to get the monthly rate.
I hate to have to move the motor home to fill up with propane, so I installed an "Extend A Stay" tee that lets me use a 20# propane bottle that I can fill. There is also a hose that will connect to your grill so you don't have to mess with the little bottles.
We find that the "Next Exit or Exit Now" books are helpful. They give info on what services are available at each exit on interstate highways. They also give you an idea of how easy it is to get your RV in and out of the service stations listed.
Have you picked a domicile yet or are you going to continue paying MA all that money?
For us it's a great life style, I hope you enjoy it also.
Clay (WA5NMR), Lee,(Wife) Codi, Brandi (Shelties) and Damncat (damn cat)
Full Timing in a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N, Workhorse chassis, Honda Accord toad
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BarbaraOK
Livingston, Texas, USA
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Joined: 10/27/2003
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Go over to the Escapees forum and check under the Graduating to Fulltime and Fulltime Lifestyle sections. You will find a whole host of information that will help you get started. Recommend that you join the Class of '08, you will get to interact with many people who are doing the same thing that you are at the same time.
Also, do look into geocaching - it is really a great way to see the areas that you will be visiting. We found our 500th cache 2 weeks ago and will be at 550 by tomorrow!
Barb
Barb & Dave - full-timing
Traveling catpanions Kit (age 18) and Shadow (age 11)
Figment II (2002 Alpine 36 MDDS)
Mischief (2004 Subaru Forester Toad) 
FMCA - F337834, SKP #90761
http://homepage.mac.com/barbaraok/
Our blog
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elh0146
Sioux Falls, SD
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Joined: 01/13/2002
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I assume when you say you have the "America the Beautiful" pass, you mean you have the Senior Pass (for those who are age 62 or older). The America the Beautiful Pass is the $80 annual pass for those who aren't yet age 62 or who don't have permanent disabilities (in which case you can get the Access Pass for free).
Personally, I'd drop the KOA card...they are usually among the highest priced RV parks in any given area, so a 10% discount is still going to leave you paying more than at other parks. Plus there's the fact that KOA, along with ARVC, is usually behind the "you can't park any place other than an RV park" ordinances many communities are passing.
The suggestion to join Passport America is a good one. Even with the limitations some RV parks have (can only use it for one night, can't use it during their high period, etc.), it can save you a lot of money. And some RV parks don't have any limitation for using the PA card.
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elh0146
Sioux Falls, SD
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Joined: 01/13/2002
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dutch1918 wrote:How about mail forwarding for those important documents from the IRS etc.
No need to receive any documents from the IRS! Tax forms can be e-filed, and quarterly taxes can be paid online. We haven't received any documents from the IRS for years!
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hitchup
Fulltiming in Gainesville, VA
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Joined: 02/17/2005
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billandcap wrote:Looks like you are ready! The only item I don't see mentioned is auto insurance & fulltimer insurance. You want to make sure you have the proper coverage.
We LOVE our fulltiming lifestyle!
Good luck!
Cathy
Like Cathy says. 
Also which state have you chosen for your new DL and registrations? You can keep where you are, but to us it was something we researched the most. Then all the rest fell in behind.
2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3....our custom home
2008 Ford F450 Lariat CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
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