YSE
USA
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Joined: 10/15/2009
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I've been reading about full timing a lot over the past few months and love the idea. A (semi) minimalistic lifestyle, low living expenses, and freedom to travel/move where you like. Here's the thing, though. Right now I'm only just about to turn 18, still a senior in high school. I'm wondering whether or not I should follow the urge I have to get a job straight out of college (while also trying to establish an online income), save up as much money as I can, and get an RV as soon as possible. Why wouldn't I? Well, the obvious potential roadblock is college. Most anyone I talk to says that absolutely everybody needs to go to college to live a decent life. Do you agree this is important in all circumstances? I could just be an ignorant adolescent for thinking this, but I really don't see how a college degree is going to benefit me in any significant way for what I want to do. Then there's the fact that school in general takes away any love for learning I have (well maybe college wont, but high school certainly does). I don't really see how college is going to help support an RV lifestyle at all. Aren't most jobs full time RVers do typically unconventional, seasonal, or work at home jobs that don't require a degree? Plus I could always go to college later, though I know it's not the same. I figured this would be a good community to look to for advice, so if you'd care to share any that'd be great. I know it's unusual for someone as young as I am to consider this, but it's been done before. If you think I'm too young, though, feel free to say so.
Let me summarize what I'm trying to ask: If I want to live full time in an RV, should I bother going to college yet or should I go straight to saving up for an RV and getting out on the road? Do I need to go to college in case I change my mind about this? Are the benefits of going to college now too great to ignore, or are they unnecessary in this case? Please share your opinions.
Thanks in advanced for any advice, I'll be sure to consider anything you have to say. 
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mwallace61
Alabama
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Joined: 03/28/2008
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A good solid education is what you need. Get the degree and then move on from there.
Mike & Karen
ForrestGump the Wonder Dog
USA
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routeforty
ohio
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Joined: 12/26/2006
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A lot of halfway decent jobs will not even let you apply unless you have that degree. Perhaps you could purchase your rv and live in it while you are going to school. Fulltiming in a roundabout way. Gary
'05 chevy 3500, duramax, allison, '00 Coachmen Futura 2790 TT, 35th anniversary edition, 05 lance 1130-stable lift
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YSE
USA
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routeforty wrote:A lot of halfway decent jobs will not even let you apply unless you have that degree. Perhaps you could purchase your rv and live in it while you are going to school. Fulltiming in a roundabout way. Gary
That is true, I guess. And I guess it's always a good idea to have something to fall back on. Living in an RV while attending college is something I'm definitely considering, but the problem is I'm not sure how I could pull off coming up with the money I'd need while going full time. One option I was considering was taking a year off from school, either right after I graduate high school or after I get an associates degree, and then getting a full time job for that year to save up some money. I know I wouldn't make a ton, but I think I could save up enough to buy a cheap RV.
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Jakessweetthing
Kansas
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Joined: 02/24/2007
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Get your education, if you think you will go back later...probably won't. Get it now ! work hard, and you will appreciate the life RV style more. Time goes by faster than you think.
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Aridon
SE Florida
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No one can take away your knowledge. You can always fall back on a degree and you should get one. At a minimum it is a simple measure of your ability to finish a task that you can quit at anytime. This is why many employers require you have one. In some fields they are absolutely necessary.
Is it necessary? Depends on what you want to do and what your back up plan is should it not work out.
I don't use my degree (self employed / semi retired) but I would do it all over again and finish school. Its a safety net that I may never need but is always there. Knowledge is power.
2008 Newmar 4330 (Modified)
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Why can't you do both? I have no regrets, I have a wonderful life. But like most of us, hind sight is 20/20. You can live in an rv, work and go to school. The key is to have a plan.
Unfortunately, they don't teach us about marriage, life and finance in school. If they did, it would be a much better life.
Find a plan that will help you accomplish all your dreams. I promise you, without a plan, you will find it hard to realize your dreams. Also, from experience, eliminate the words, "want" and "wish". They are exactly that. Just "do" it. Keep us posted so we know where you are at.
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
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YSE
USA
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Aridon wrote:No one can take away your knowledge. You can always fall back on a degree and you should get one. At a minimum it is a simple measure of your ability to finish a task that you can quit at anytime. This is why many employers require you have one.
Is it necessary? I don't use my degree (self employed / semi retired) but I would do it all over again and finish school. Its a safety net that I may never need but is always there. Knowledge is power.
Sounds reasonable enough. I know I should get a degree, but I'm eager to explore the country little. I guess me best bet would be to stick with going to college while trying to squeeze in mini-vacations during the summer and whenever I get any breaks.
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2chiefsRus
USA Somewhere
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While I agree that getting a college degree is a great idea but it is equally important that you actually apply yourself to the degree program and that it is in an area of study that improves your ability to support yourself. It should also be something that will improve your quality of life - something that you find interesting. Going to college simply to go to college can be an expensive way of killing time.
It took me nearly 10 years of going to night school to obtain my Bachelor's degree while on active duty and I value it even more because of the extra effort. As Aridon said - Knowledge is power.
Dave & Kathy
2007 Monaco Knight 40PDQ towing 2003 Odyssey
Two cats - Kitty & Casey (19 & 16 years old)
Fulltime since October 2007
Before you give someone a piece of your mind, make sure you can get by with what's left.
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YSE
USA
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qtla9111 wrote:Why can't you do both? I have no regrets, I have a wonderful life. But like most of us, hind sight is 20/20. You can live in an rv, work and go to school. The key is to have a plan.
Unfortunately, they don't teach us about marriage, life and finance in school. If they did, it would be a much better life.
Find a plan that will help you accomplish all your dreams. I promise you, without a plan, you will find it hard to realize your dreams. Also, from experience, eliminate the words, "want" and "wish". They are exactly that. Just "do" it. Keep us posted so we know where you are at.
I have somewhat of a plan, but I haven't actually written it down yet and I need to. And as far as replacing "want" and "wish" with "do," you're completely right. If I did that with a lot of the things I think about doing, I'd probably be a lot happier with my life right now.
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