Living Large In A Tiny Home

American Innovation!  Give us lemons and we will make lemon-aid with a Tiny Home.

Another option for full time RV’ers or any one that wants to down size. There’s a movement in tiny homes on wheels sweeping the nation. The real estate collapse, the economic downturn, burning out on 12-hour workdays – many people are rethinking their ideas about shelter – seeking an alternative to high rents, or a lifelong mortgage debt to a bank on an overpriced home. Many people have lost their homes and living with family members. Americans are fed up and doing something about it.

There are over 150 builders who have taken building homes to another level, creating tiny homes (under 500 sq. ft.). Homes on land, homes on wheels, homes on the road. There are over a thousand photos, showing a rich variety of small homemade shelters, and there are stories (and thoughts and inspirations) of the owner-builders who are on the forefront of this new trend in downsizing and self-sufficiency. Some are living utility free with solar power and well water. I believe it is the only way to live. I am very excited about these Tiny Homes.

Many people have decided to scale back, to get by with less stuff, to live in smaller homes. You can buy a ready-made tiny home, build your own, get a kit or pre-fab, or live in other movable shelters such as RV’s. There are numerous blogs and websites with news, photos, and plans for tiny homes. If you are thinking of scaling back here’s a different approach, a 180º turn from increasing consumption. there are builders, designers, architects (no less), dreamers, artists, road gypsies, and water dwellers who’ve achieved a measure of freedom and independence by taking shelter into their own hands.

Barbara Andrews.

Every Dream Has A Theme

What exactly is this elusive thing called theme?

The theme of a fable is its moral. The theme of a parable is its teaching. The theme of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave.  In fiction, the theme is not intended to teach or preach. In fact, it is not presented directly at all. You extract it from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. In other words, you must figure out the theme yourself.

Most of us dream picturing ourselves in a theme that we long for before it becomes a reality. So what exactly is an RV lifestyle anyway?   All sorts of things: RV camping trips, full-service tailgating, a great way to follow NASCAR races, extended vacations, a seasonal home, fulltime RV living…and the list goes on. In fact, there is no list. Your RV lifestyle is what you want it to be.  Its your dream and your theme.

Ask Yourself What You Want

We’re not talking about any in-depth evaluation of inner motives here. Just a little time thinking about what you want out of your RVing experiences. Try the drill of “Who, What, When, Where, How & Why?”

Who! Who else is in this theme with you?  What’s important to them?  Let’s say you’re thinking about buying a camper for affordable RV vacations. Enjoying the great outdoors. Bringing the family closer together. Fishing in peaceful solitude. Just Good Old-fashioned fun. Before you get too carried away… make sure the rest of the family is on the same wavelength. Continue that mental picture in your mind. The specific questions you ask yourself will depend on your circumstances.

What are you going to use an RV for?  How often?  To go where?  For how long?  Will you stay in one place awhile or move every couple days?  If you’re changing to a new RV, what do you want to be different?  What has to be the same?  Are you looking for a change in rig or RV lifestyle?  Are you considering upgrades or accessories (solar panel, awnings, RV furniture, camping supplies)?  What features are important to you?

When do you want to do this?  What time of year, at what point in the future, does it matter?

Where are you going to keep the RV?  Where do you want to go?

How does this fit with other hobbies and interests you have or want to explore?  Do you need to take golf clubs, bicycles, motorcycles, ATV’s, or fishing gear with you?  How are you going to afford it?

Why are you thinking of RVing?  As your everyday lifestyle, or a family vacation, or a way to winter in warmer climates?  Is this for retirement, for now, or a bit of both?  Is the RV to make your NASCAR passion or tailgating more enjoyable?  Is it to try something new and see if you like it?

This is not a test.  Enjoy all this world has to offer. There are no right and wrong answers. You don’t need answers at this point. But Asking yourself some questions starts momentum. It triggers possibilities. It gets ideas rolling around in your brain. Some conversations held with the people who are in this theme with you.

Learn. You have probably heard the expression “Getting there is Half the Fun”. A perfect theme for the RV lifestyle itself. Well, it’s also appropriate in the context of checking things out. The learning about RVing, the anticipation – is truly half the fun so enjoy every moment and good luck with your dream.  By the way, don’t think you have to figure it all out. You will learn as you go  it’s part of RV living.  And it all starts when you take ACTION. So, go ahead and ACT and enjoy your RV lifestyle.

Barbara Andrews, Orange Park, Florida

The Dollars Spent On RVs Make Sense

THE RV MOVEMENT IN AMERICA

There are more first time buyers purchasing RVs to live in full time than ever before. I, am a  fulltimer for all the same reasons given to me when they purchase one. Which are, the uncertain economy,  the expensive home living and maintenance cost that are still on the rise. You can move anywhere at anytime within an hour,  no home owner tax, and less stress. One of the biggest reason was that they were able to save money and the other was that they wanted to be mobile in case of a disaster. Things that make you go Hmmmm.

Why live in an RV?

I can tell you of many great reasons to live in an RV, but I’ll just cover some of the biggest ones. Maybe most important, it forces you to live a simple life and focus on what’s really important. You can’t waste your time looking for a beautiful dinette set because you have nowhere to put it.

When I bought my first house a good portion of my time and money was spent furnishing it. More time was spent maintaining it. Mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters, shampooing the carpet, ect. Think about that for a minute. I bought this house to live in, and then spent a good part of my life working on the house. A lot of this was fun but, at the end of the day it was a self-perpetuating cycle.

An RV will not hold you’re junk. If you don’t have a use for something, get rid of it. It doesn’t have the room. You don’t remodel it well; you can if you want to but, why?  If you want to move unhook it and put it in drive. Even though you have less stuff, you always have it with you. Your files are with you, your clothes, your computer, your bed, and your bathroom. If you can’t fit it in the RV, get rid of it. You never stop home on your way somewhere because you’re always home. Home is where you park your RV. I live in a RV Mobile Home Park for $295.oo a month. I pay for my electricity and cable everything else is furnished. I’m 10 minutes from work and loving it!

You’re ready for any activity. You can take a quick shower if you need one. You can have a snack or cook dinner. When you go on vacation, your bedroom comes with you. Living in a RV feels like an adventure. Remember the feeling of camping in the woods as a kid? It sort of feels like that when you sleep with a breeze coming through the screen window at night.

It’s also cheaper, of course, than living anywhere else. Once you buy the RV you know that you have a place to live no matter what. That means that you can take financial risks and not jeopardize your lifestyle You can live wherever you want, anytime you want. Living in an RV isn’t for everyone, but I think a lot more people would give it a try if they knew how genuinely awesome it is!

We all know that something is coming we just are not sure of what. Chance often favors the prepared. Barbara Andrews 904 458-3000.

Your Vacation Starts Here

Find a RV that’s just right. The reasons you go RVing are the same reasons you take any vacation. To get a break from the daily routine. To be with family and friends. To rest. To relax. To see new places. To try new things. But the difference between RVing and other types of vacations is that RVing allows you to truly achieve all those goals – and more. My name is Barbara Andrews.  I have been a RV Sales Consultant for 12 years. I would like to share my knowledge with you to make the best decision in your future recreational vehicle purchase. General RV Center Jacksonville Florida. Stop by or call 888 904-0104 or 904 458-3000.

Diesel Pushers

Class A

Class C

Travel Trailers

Fifth Wheels

Toy Haulers

Pop Ups

I suggest, as you look over the many types of recreational vehicles available on the present market, that you, thoroughly, inspect not only the recreational vehicle itself, but, also the service department, the parts department and the facility the dealer offers. In short, look for a dealer who will make absolutely certain that you receive your best investment for the dollar spent.

Regardless of the price category of the unit you are considering, I am sure we both feel that this is a very important investment on your part. General RV Center feels that you are entitled to all the help and experience we have to offer through our many years of experience in the recreational vehicle business.  Barbara Andrews 904 458-3000.