SAVE MONEY ON MAINTENANCE AND FUEL BY KEEPING YOUR WEIGHT DOWN:
1. Every six months or so, go through all your storage areas. If you haven’t used something in six months, consider whether or not you really need it.
2. When you purchase something new like a shirt, get rid of something old. Consider donating it.
3. Look for book exchanges at RV parks where you stay. Trade an old book for one you haven’t read.
4. Libraries often have shelves of books they no longer want that are priced very reasonably. Also, look for a box or shelf with older magazines. Some may still be interesting reading or have useful articles.
5. Go to the library for a morning or afternoon to read the latest issues of your favorite magazines.
6. If you are in an area for a while, check into getting a library card. You can check out recent books. Many libraries have a movie/DVD section as well.
7. Carry dried foods instead of cans.
8. Tools are heavy. Carry the minimum ones and borrow the others.
SAVE MONEY ON PURCHASES
9. Obtain an “America the Beautiful-National Parks and Federal Recreation Areas Pass” for $80 if you’ll be visiting more than 4 or 5 parks. You’ll save on admission fees.
10. Seniors 62 and over pay a one-time fee of $10. The Access Pass for those with a disability is free.
11. Volunteer at least 500 hours for the National Park Service and receive a Volunteer Pass good for the next year that gives you free admission.
12. The RV lifestyle is casual. One dress-up outfit is more than enough. Jeans and t-shirts are the basic uniform. If you need something a little fancier, you might be able to pick it up at a thrift store.
13. Eat lunch out instead of dinner. Often restaurants have the same menu but the prices go up at dinnertime. Prices for buffets in casinos go up sometime in late afternoon but the menu is the same.
14. Use your stove and oven in your RV to cook with instead of eating out often.
15. Buy clothing and household goods at 2nd hand stores. If you need an outfit for one event, you could find just the thing at a low price. Donate it back when you are finished with it.
16. Make your own entertainment. Play cards, read, watch videos.
17. Trade books and videos with friends.
18. Shop on sale days at the market.
19. Buy fewer processed foods. They cost more. Cook a double batch to have a ready-made dinner another day.
20. Vacuum seal your food (fruits, veggies, meat) to keep longer without spoiling. Machine is sold at RV shows
21. Slow cook in crockpots if you have a hook-up
22. Grow your own herbs rather than pay the high prices for them in the market.
23. Eat leftovers in stir-frys, stews, etc.
24. Stick to your shopping list.
25. Look for discount coupons in local papers offered by restaurants and attractions. Some areas offer discounts on certain days. For example, in San Diego’s Balboa Park, each museum has a free admission day.
These tips are adapted from the free handout, “Tip of the Week: 52 Ways To Save Money Living the RV Lifestyle,” that Jaimie Hall Bruzenak and I wrote as a gift to people who subscribe to our free online newsletter “RV Lifestyles.” Sign up at our Web site to subscribe to the newsletter.
This blog will be dark for three weeks. I’m off to Israel from November 10 – December 3. As part of my money-saving goals, I’ve been saving travel miles for years so I wouldn’t have to pay for a round trip ticket for this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Safe and frugal travels,
Alice Zyetz