kirbymurphy
garage
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Don't know if this fits the definition of workamping but it's the only place that seems to fit my question.
Is anyone doing any professional sales while full-timing? How about some in person B2B selling whilst traveling across the nation? I guess a toad would come in handy for that.
As I sit in my home-office I have to think much of it could be done from way out Yonder as long as Yonder had cell and Internet or Aircard service.
I sell financial and related services to small and medium sized businesses. It seems most of my work involves the phone, fax, and Internet. So why not pick up the baby and grab the old lady and hit the road? (with apologies to Neil Diamond)
Impediments would be getting lazy or distracted by this wide open country. Pluses of course would be traveling and maybe taking an IRS deduction. (I wonder if I can 179 a new Class A  )
Biz-Scout.com
Online products & Services for small/medium businesses
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the bear II
Torrance CA.
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Joined: 02/14/2008
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KirbyMurphy,
We did some selling while travelling and were able to deduct most of the travel expenses and the RV costs since it was used for business. You do have to contend with some interesting state tax issues though.
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Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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Joined: 06/17/2001
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Let me say first that if you stay near the larger cities, almost anywhere will have good cell coverage today and nearly all also have cellular internet service. Another way for the internet would be a satellite dish internet service from either Starband or Hughes. But if always in populated areas, then a cellular air card will do very well.
As to deducting travel, many people do it and get away with it, at least for a time. But if you read the IRS publications, very little of that can be legally deducted unless the travel cam be shown to have been necessary for business and only business was conducted. If interested, drop me a private note and I will be happy to refer you to the proper IRS publications that explain what is legally deducted.
As a friend who retired from the IRS as an investigator once told me, you can deduct absolutely anything you wish. Where the catch comes is will it be allowed if you ever get audited? There are not too many who get audited any longer, but travel is an area that is more commonly reviewed. There are two factors also which play into the computer reviews that trigger most direct examination by a person. Fist is certain types of deductions and travel is one of those. The second is, how much money is involved and would the amount justify an audit to get it?
Good travelin! ........Kirk
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caymann
NH
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Joined: 09/15/2002
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If you use your RV for business use, you can deduct the depreciation of the RV.
Also you can deduct the cost of fuel, maintenance etc
The key is to show that the deduction was used for business reasons.
The IRS wants to see that you are using the RV as a necessary part of doing your business. If you show it the other way, this mayn't work.
Example: You are a salesman and going to a tradeshow in NYC as a vendor. You have a booth and will stay at the show for a week. You will use your RV for staying there (instead of a hotel). Your RV is now used for legitimate business purposes. The depreciation of this RV is now deductible. The cost of traveling to and from the show to your residence in terms of fuel, maintenance etc is also deductible. There is a limit to how much you can deduct, so watch out on that one.
PS> You should consult your tax lawyer on this one as i am in no way responsible for any tax advice.
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kirbymurphy
garage
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Thanks for the input, but I'm not really too concerned with the IRS deductions. (but I'm always willing to take what I can.)
Really looking more for stories about how well sale-on-the-road worked out for others. I've always done some business while on vacation but tried to keep it to a minimum without losing any business. If I can get to my E-mail and web I can stay working.
My work isn't THAT time sensitive, but I need to login once a day, and every 4 or 5 hours would be desirable. I'd say 80% of the bookeeping can be done after hours or 3 days later, but some of the process involves sending an invoice via E-mail and receiving payment before the next step can be taken.
I'm leaning to the cell/aircard solution since I could possibly pull over in a rest area and check in.
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Steve from Simi Valley
Simi Valley, CA
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Joined: 08/13/2003
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As a Camp Host, I run a business from my 5th wheel. Having excellent wireless Internet access is important, as well as cell phone service. After a lot of investigation, I'm very happy with my Verizon Broadband access through my Mi-Fi Router. If you need to send and/or receive faxes you may want to look into an Internet fax service.
'06 Holiday Rambler Savoy LX 29RKD
'04.5 Dodge 2500 CTD
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kirbymurphy
garage
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Steve from Simi Valley wrote:As a Camp Host, I run a business from my 5th wheel. Having excellent wireless Internet access is important, as well as cell phone service. After a lot of investigation, I'm very happy with my Verizon Broadband access through my Mi-Fi Router. If you need to send and/or receive faxes you may want to look into an Internet fax service.
Sorry I'm late getting back on, been swamped with work.
I already have the Internet fax service, but have to admit that most info gets scanned and is transferred as pdf.
What is the Mi-Fi router and how does it access the Internet? Do you get it from Verizon?
Thanks!
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wepampercampers
Full-Timers on the road to snowbird country
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yes, it is a verizon service and equipment....basically, it is cellular internet access.....you can add antenna's and boosters to bump up weak service......a USB720 is what we wanted to get the signal, but I'm sure they have several newer versions cause it was a couple years ago when we switched to this from a cell phone as the modem. It also has a adapter to plug the truckers antenna and booster into. But Wilson has wireless booster's now. It uses a system called VZAccess to control the calling and convert the cell signal to computer speak.... about 60 bucks a month for downloading 5 GB of data, was unlimited till last summer. But, if you stream movies and videos it will chew up your 5GB in 7 or 8 movies per billing cycle. But, normal e-mails, webpage maintenance and photo's you are safe. We also used it through the international plan and it didn't drain our bank account.
hope that helps without being a commercial, but we have had excellent service to cost since signing up.
Good Luck/Happy Trails
Don
Jo 'n Don
www.PamperingCampers.com
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Dog Trainer
Richmond Mi.
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Joined: 08/17/2006
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I spend about 10 weeks or more on the road each summer. My business is never closed. I carry a printer and my laptop is my business computer. I use a verison air card and have very little trouble getting on almost anywhere. Where the aircard fails there is generally a wifi hotspot somewhere nearby. I can speak with customers and do all things exept the physical training that I schedule for weeks and times I am home. I think if you are mobile in your business that the RV can fit right in. I am currently exploring Mfg. rep again if I could find the right fit so the RV becomes even more of a mobile office.
93 Airstream 35' Dp
5.9 230 uprated to 300 HP
Allison MD 3060
Dutchess and Shadow (fur Bearing Children)
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kirbymurphy
garage
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Dog Trainer wrote:I spend about 10 weeks or more on the road each summer. My business is never closed. I carry a printer and my laptop is my business computer. I use a verison air card and have very little trouble getting on almost anywhere. Where the aircard fails there is generally a wifi hotspot somewhere nearby. I can speak with customers and do all things exept the physical training that I schedule for weeks and times I am home. I think if you are mobile in your business that the RV can fit right in. I am currently exploring Mfg. rep again if I could find the right fit so the RV becomes even more of a mobile office.
Have you been to http://www.rephunter.net/ ?
Some good sources for a wide range of offerings. Some are rediculous but there are many good mfgs if you look.
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