• Home
  • The Airstream
    • Tow Vehicle
  • Destinations
    • Alabama
    • Idaho
    • Indiana
    • Florida
    • Louisiana
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Montana
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • South Dakota
    • Texas
    • Washington
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Homeschooling
  • Budget
  • RV Park Reviews
  • About Us
    • News
  • Contact Us

Take That Exit

Leaving the fast lane, to enjoy the view

  • Home
  • The Airstream
    • Tow Vehicle
  • Destinations
    • Alabama
    • Idaho
    • Indiana
    • Florida
    • Louisiana
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Montana
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • South Dakota
    • Texas
    • Washington
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Homeschooling
  • Budget
  • RV Park Reviews
  • About Us
    • News
  • Contact Us

How can we afford full-time travel?

Apr 12015



How we afford full-time travel?

The burning question – “How can you afford to do this?” 

The question everyone wants to ask, but only few do. It’s okay. Ask us. Let’s talk about it.

We don’t have trust funds. We didn’t win the lottery. We are not independently wealthy. 

Here’s the top-level 10-seconds-in-an-elevator answer – We lived frugally – spending the last 11 years living below our means, even when some of those years were extremely lean. We clipped coupons, shopped discount racks and second-hand stores, and said “no” to a lot of purchases. We paid off all our student loan debt ($80,000!). We worked hard to build an online business that allows us (Heather) to work remotely. We paid extra on our mortgage every month. We avoided consumer debt. And we saved. . .a lot.

It is that simple. 

When we decided to take the plunge into full-time travel we had saved enough to pay cash for the tow vehicle and the trailer. This was key for us. We didn’t want the pressure of debt on the road.

We are debt free on the road, have a savings account/emergency fund, investment accounts and have a steady livable income from our online business.

An added bonus is our cost of living has dropped dramatically since moving out of our “traditional home” and traveling full time.  Think about it – no bills for heating, electricity, water, cable, internet, landline phone, security system, homeowners dues, property taxes, mortgage, daycare, preschool tuition. . . and so much less consumer debt – you’re not heading to Target and filling your cart with clearance treasures because you don’t have any place to store it!

Of course everyone’s situation is unique, but I would encourage most families considering full-time travel to :

1.) Start debt free

2.) Have an emergency fund established (3-6 months living expenses)

3.) Have an income source in place that allows you to make money on the road

4.) Have a monthly budget that keeps you in the green and make intentional choices to follow your budget

If you have any other budget questions – ask! We hope to be as transparent as possible so that we can help other families pursue the dream of full-time travel. 

{ 14 Comments }

by Heather Filed Under: Budget

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
About-Us-Clarke-Family

Click the map to see our destinations

Map-of-travels-as-ofApril30 Currently in Utah!
RV-Accessories-fulltime-RV-side
Family-Friendly-travel-games

Follow us Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Why-We-Travel-Full-Time-sidebar
Affording Full-time Travel
RV-appliances-products-recommended-side

Recent Comments

  • Marie on My favorite RV-friendly appliances and products :: Instant Pot, Dehumidifier, Electric Skillet, more
  • Debi Durkee on Transitioning back into a house after fulltime travel. . .and our plans for future travel
  • Helen in Meridian on Transitioning back into a house after fulltime travel. . .and our plans for future travel
  • Cathy Conner on Transitioning back into a house after fulltime travel. . .and our plans for future travel
  • Tracy on Transitioning back into a house after fulltime travel. . .and our plans for future travel

Find us on Pinterest

Visit Take That Exit's profile on Pinterest.

Like us on Facebook

Take That Exit

About Us

Family-map-photo-350 We're a family of four, ditching mainstream and hitching up our Airstream for a year of travel around the United States. Learn more about us
Copyright ©2023, Take That Exit. All Rights Reserved. Custom design by Pixel Me Designs