Banking, Bills, Money & Mail

Whether you are considering being a part-time RVer or a full-time RVer, there are a variety of issues that must be covered before you hit the road. If you plan traveling part-time, these issues will be easily resolved. If you plan on being a full-timer, then you may have a more difficult time figuring these aspects out.

Banking these days on the road is easier than it was ten years ago. Today, there are many nationwide banks that you can join. You will be able to use these banks at all of their locations across the country. Banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo are great for RVers. There is bound to be a branch in every city in the country. The debit card has also revolutionized banking as well. You can keep track of your expenses as you would a checkbook, but without the checks. Many RVers just simply use their credit card and pay the bill off every month. Deposits can be made electronically into your checking account and you will always have access to your money through your debit card. Credit card bills can also be paid electronically via your checking account as well. Either part-time or full-time RVers will be able to benefit from the ease of banking with modern technology. You can still write checks or purchase traveler checks if you want, but debit cards and credit cards make things so much easier these days.

Bills are also easy to take care of if you have a checking account. Credit cards, utilities, Internet and cable can all be paid online through your checking account. You can have your bank set your account up so that all of your bills are automatically debited from your account, all you have to do is make sure there is money in your account. You will simply receive a paper statement in the mail showing the amount that was deducted from your checking account. Mortgages and property taxes can also be set up to be deducted from your checking account. Many banks will offer you lower interest rates on loans and purchases if you have them set-up to be automatically deducted from your checking.

There is a variety of mail forwarding services available to RVers. Whether you are going to be gone for six months or a year, you will be able to have your mail forwarded to wherever you are. For a monthly fee, the service will sort your mail for you and forward you the rest. You can even view your mail on the Internet. You are able to view not only what is in your mailbox but also who has sent you mail. You may then select which pieces of mail you would like to have forwarded to you. You will then fill out shipping information for your next stop and they will send your mail either first class, FedEx or USPS. Your estimated postage cost will be given to you before you finish. If you do not have Internet access, you may call the forwarding service and they will provide you with your mail information over the phone. If you do not wish to use a mail forwarding service, there is always the option of a post office box or forwarding it to a family member. However, the post office will complain if you let your mail build up. Family may or may not care if you have your mail sent to them if you are only going to be gone for a short time. Many full-timers use the mail forwarding service.

Not everybody who decides to go full-time will have the funds to keep their travels going. Many people will take small jobs or work from home on their computers. There are several RVer jobs that will allow you to live your RV lifestyle on the road and still travel. The first is work-camping. Work-camping is essentially working for the campground in exchange for a free or discounted campsite or wage. Campground work might include office work, maintenance, housekeeping, reservations and sales. Other work-campers might work at amusement parks, national and state parks, wildlife preserves and marinas. There is also an organization called Workampers and they help promote the RVer jobs and lifestyle.

The second type of RV job is seasonal jobs. RVers often find work at Christmas tree farms or retail lots. Some RVers may take jobs in town in small retail stores for the winter and in the fall RVers may work for pumpkin patches. There are also seasonal jobs at flower shops, garden stores, fishing communities, ski resorts, lake resorts and farms.

The third popular job amongst RVers is property caretaker positions. From housesitting to estate management, RVers have done them all. Tasks may include yard and garden work, housekeeping, pet care, and house sitting. There are also positions at resorts, ranches, hunting and fishing lodges.

The successful RVer will be able to sustain their life on the road through a variety of different positions. They will be able to travel and see various communities while also being able to work and become a part of different communities and cultures. There are many options available to make your RVing lifestyle work for you; you just have to find your niche.