gas prices and travel

[mechmagcn]

the rich guys can keep traveling and saying don' t worry about gas.

Slow, I am far from being "rich" This trip I am taking has been in the planning stage for quite some time. It's a little story in itself.
My paternal grampa went to Alaska in the 50's on a logging crew and brought back pics and stories of such a beautiful place. My Dad wanted to make the trip for many years, but when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2000, I tried to send him on an Alaskan cruise. He told me he was too sick to enjoy it and to save my money and take the trip my self, I promised him that I would. My wife and I planned to go last year after she was to retire, I lost her to cancer in '09. She made me promise to still make the trip. So, I'm running a year behind, but I'm going Pretty much life insurance money from her death is paying for the trip, but I would give it all back to have her back and healthy.
I'll be "camping" in parking lots and out of the way spots to avoid having to pay campground fees as one way to be able to afford this trip.

[stumphugger]

I think many of us are not even close to being rich in a financial way. I've just checked the weather forecasts for sunnier places that are a tank of gas away. Not good this week.

[LWW]

Sorry to here about the wife Jeff. Stick to your plans and go to Alaska because time flies and there's nothing you can do about it.Larry

[Martiangod]

My family camped when I was young, then dad built a cottage about the time I was seven.
I've been a RV Tech for goin on 28 years. I garranty you, not a way to get rich.
Raised a son with Congenital Heart disease and a step daughter with Leukemia, My wife has MS and i've got Extremly high blood preasure and Sleep Apnia along with other chit.
I rediscovered camping about 5 years ago, have bought and sold 7 trailers in that time and have now built my keeper.
I'll choose a camping weekend away over payin the bills anytime.
I'm bankrupt anyway, they're not taking my only sanity away from me.
Life is short, take it when you can get it, because you never know when it will end.
Gas prices be damned, if I can't afford to go home, all the better, Nother month I won't have a home anyway, just a trailer

Camp on!!!

[mechmagcn]

I'll choose a camping weekend away over payin the bills anytime.
I'm bankrupt anyway, they're not taking my only sanity away from me.
Life is short, take it when you can get it, because you never know when it will end.
Gas prices be damned, if I can't afford to go home, all the better,

Camp on!!!

Chris, I like the way you think I feel pretty much the same way about camping, it's the only thing I really look forward to.

[nrody]

Slow, I am not rich. I live paycheck to paycheck and have done for my entire adult life. I got the camping bug as a child when at the age of 2 or 3 my dad modified the vw beetle to have a sleeping platform for my sister and I on a road trip up the California coast with the 75 pound Belgum shepherd. Mom & dad slept in a pup tent with the dog and us kids slept in the car. I live with a medical condition that can impact my life in a heartbeat. I worked in the funeral industry for 12 years give or take a few. Life is what you make it. Life is to live. I have too many unfinished projects and a list of to do's too long to count. I put aside some of my tax refund for house repairs and a little for the IRG. I am spending way too much to have the tear ready by July. I'll be damned if I dont make it. I want Ty, my grandson to experience as much as he can while I am around. I will find a way to make it happen. I am sorry you have tough times financially. It really sucks. Been there done that. Maybe you have something around the farm that you can ebay or c list to raise the money for walk in the winds. Maybe you can hire yourself out to help a neighbor in need. Your in Wyoming so maybe you can dig up some fossels and sell them. Maybe you can find a way to make it happen. One thing I know is you must do your best and never give up. I am not rich with cash or belongings, I am rich with desire to live life to the fullest to travel and share it with Ty. Most of all I am greatful for what I have.

[pete42]

since I'll turn 70 1/2 this year I will need to start taking a lot out of my 401K

I knew you had to remove so much per year from an IRA, but I didn't realize there was a similar requirement in a 401K.

Mike...

It's figured on what the amount is on Dec 31 of the year before you reach 70 1/2.
I thought about rolling it over into an IRA but I would still need to with draw it as you have pointed out.

pete

[rowerwet]

I plan on taking my first camping trip or three with the TD this summer. last year I used it to overnight at work about twice a week, so it will be a first for my wife, but about normal for me. Lucky for us we are about a half hour from the Ocean and plenty of nearby campgrounds, and within an two hours of cape cod, where I camped as a kid in my parents tent trailer. being able to take the kids to grandparents and tow with the Focus will make the trips less expensive.

[parnold]

within an two hours of cape cod, where I camped as a kid in my parents tent trailer.

I spent many years at Horton's Campground in North Truro. My first camping trip in fact was to Cape Cod. I was still in diapers.

That's me in the playpen.

[rowerwet]

parnold enjoyed your TD trips, gonna have to try some of them out, my inlaws are in central PA and love to keep the kids for us. We stayed in the Poconos for our honeymoon, and again for our tenth anniv., gonna have to try some of the camping near the Poconos with the TD

[Verna]

I just got back from a week and a half non-camping vacation in Florida.

Why non-camping, you ask? My sister and I stay with friends who have a spare bedroom, as in free accommodations, once we get there.

Anyway, we drove over 2,500 miles, and averaged 22.5 mpg (this includes those running-around-town short gas-guzzling trips). We paid as low as $3.69 and as high as $3.96 per gallon for 97 octane.

And, then we get back to Indiana to gas mostly a bit over $4 per gallon. Using Gas Buddy, I'll be heading to a gas station with $3.94 in a few minutes.

So, no the gas prices won't stop my wandering spirit, but I'll be using modern technology (Gas Buddy iPhone app) to help reduce my cash outlay.

[S. Heisley]

I just got back from a week and a half non-camping vacation in Florida.

Why non-camping, you ask? My sister and I stay with friends who have a spare bedroom, as in free accommodations, once we get there.

Anyway, we drove over 2,500 miles, and averaged 22.5 mpg (this includes those running-around-town short gas-guzzling trips). We paid as low as $3.69 and as high as $3.96 per gallon for 97 octane.

And, then we get back to Indiana to gas mostly a bit over $4 per gallon. Using Gas Buddy, I'll be heading to a gas station with $3.94 in a few minutes.

So, no the gas prices won't stop my wandering spirit, but I'll be using modern technology (Gas Buddy iPhone app) to help reduce my cash outlay.

Verna, what do you get (highway mpg) with your tow vehicle when you aren't towing? Or, in other words, how much does the towing cost you in mpg? Thanks.

[Verna]

Verna, what do you get (highway mpg) with your tow vehicle when you aren't towing? Or, in other words, how much does the towing cost you in mpg? Thanks.

Sharon, I've only towed my new TD about 350 miles (give or take a few) when I brought it home two weeks ago. This Florida vacation was without a trailer. I'll have to figure out the towing mpg when I actually take the TD out for camping....hopefully next month.

[mckenney56]

The head of FedEx was quoted this morning that he wants to convert all his over the road trucks to natural gas. Then we all won't be able to drink the fracking water anymore because that's how they are going to get that gas out of the ground to put in the trucks.

[sagebrush]

So Mike............... Tell us how you really feel.
Will