Okay, so my DP and I have finally started our bohemian adventure.
It's been nearly a year since a fire in our rented house destroyed much of the things we owned, and took away our two Mama cats, and 4 of their 6 collective kittens (before you slam on the kittens, they were all purebred Cali's, and we gave them away for free -- after getting them their shots -- to folks who wanted Cali's, but couldn't afford to buy them). The Chandler FD also resuscitated the dog.
That put us in a funk, and it most definitely put us in a financial hole. Our fault: we didn't have renter's insurance. I wasn't able to work for awhile, and we had bills for everything from the melted Cox converter box to the flat screen TV we were buying on a rent-to-own basis to the chest freezer we'd recently acquired on credit (and all the food, including Omaha steaks, that we had stored there).
My Mom, bless her heart, fronted my DP the cash to buy a 14 year-old trailer. If you've ever seen "Flip This House", you'll understand when I say that I am going to "Flip This Trailer". It's in dire need of some TLC.
While everybody else is pouring up to half (or more) of their take-home pay into rent or mortgage, utilities, pool services, HOA dues, lawn maintenance, etc., we're going to pay less than $350 a month for a lot (with a patio where we can put outdoor furniture and a grill), water, sewer, electric, propane, basic cable, WIFI internet access, a pool, a spa, garbage service, and 24x7 security.
Our plan is to, rather than pay interest on a 30-year mortgage, sock that money away buy a home with cash. One positive is that, since we are limited as to what we can bring home, we're not going to be tempted to by anything we don't have room to keep.
For those of you who may be interested in the humor and surprises of life in an RV park, I'll be posting from time to time. I hope you find it entertaining.
Hi...not_the_mama.... Sounds
Hi...not_the_mama....
Sounds delightful! And I am sorry to hear about the fire.... :(
I wish the both of you luck on your adventure...I for one wants to hear about it !
My mom and step dad live in San Diego....they left phoenix years ago for the beach.The bought a RV two years ago.It is either a late 80's model or a early 90's......they had to flip it too....and it is cool ! Pretty much every weekend they load up and go to a beach and live the life......
Ayear ago my son and I was there and we were all going to the beach in the RV for three days.....I was sooo excited! My son was very excited.Well, when I was a child I had horriable car sickness...had to meds just to get into a car...as I got older I grew out of it.I think you know where I am going with this.....
So, yes we were all ready to go.....look at this...and that....
I was sitting with my mom on the built in couch...a laid my head on her lap as I did as a child....Oh, mom...not feeling so hot.....
Lucky for me there was a bathroom right there, you guessed it, I lost it!
So, our adventure didn't start as I had planned....as long as it wasn't moving I was very much enjoying myself.
I can't even explain how relaxed, focused and happy I was.....
in that RV for the weekened.I can only imagine living it.....
Have fun...have a blast.....
Good luck not the mama! So
Good luck not the mama! So sorry to hear what happened to you - especially the loss of your beautiful cats (we have two cats so I can emphasize). But what an exciting adventure! Will look forward to your posts.
Lattemom is the mother of three energetic kids ages 6, 8 & 12 and a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com.
Hi Not the Mama, I'm very
Hi Not the Mama,
I'm very sorry to hear that you had a fire. How devistating to loose your furry family members, and your personal property. I hope it works out for you in the trailer. What a great idea to become debt free without a mortgage payment. I think that is a super idea. I wish I could do something like that. I'm struggling to make payments to the mortgage companies that I'm paying now, but we are hanging in there. Hope all is well.
Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette
You know what? The best
You know what? The best memories my husband and I have are the years we were struggling. We look back and wonder how we did it all...But we look back and smile. I'll bet you do the same. Good luck to all of you and keep us up-to date. With your sense of humor I think it will be a blast to hear about your adventures!
Paz
I am sorry to hear about the
I am sorry to hear about the fire, but may this experience bring you lots of new (and I'm sure hilarious) stories to share with us all. I am looking forward to hearing all about your trailor daze. =o)
♥ "LIFE AIN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL RIDE" ♥--Gary Alan
You should start a blog!
You should start a blog! easiest thing ever! I would totally read it!
www.blogspot.com
I would -- if there weren't
I would -- if there weren't so many haters out there. I'd just as well paint a target on my back for all the idiotic and crass comments that fly my way when I get on AZCentral and say that our Governor's sexual identity (and we really don't know for sure what that is) has nothing to do with her job performance. It's amazing how graphic and gross people can be if they use the keyboard creatively.
I'd rather share and entertain my friends here. Even the Moms who disagree at least show a modicum of respect.
Besides, I'm not sure the public at large would get my humor. I'd probably end up in trouble with some gay/lesbian action group. That's already happened, because I didn't support making a (straight) bar owner set aside a third restroom to accomodate trans-folks in progress and gays or lesbians. So long as you're using the facility for its intended purpose, what difference does it make who else is in there? It's understandable that some women might not like seeing the woman in the next stall standing up to pee with feet forward.
We lived through 6 years of showering in public after gym class; we just handled it. A junior high locker room, with the anti-fungal foot bath and teacher standing by to make sure you use soap is hardly a turn-on. Besides, we learned early on that most people look better with clothes on.
So, ckajlm, you're gonna hafta put up with me on this forum.
i am sorry not_the_mama i
i am sorry not_the_mama i didnt mean to offened you in anyway. I just thought i would throw the idea out there, something that is dedicated to the stories you want to tell. i just started a blog and think it kind of fun so thought i would share.
I dont think i am "putting up" with you. I like reading what you post and the comments you make! :)
Oh, sweet woman, there's no
Oh, sweet woman, there's no offense taken. I was just trying to explain why this space is the once place I feel safe sharing in.
After all, I can name a couple or three Moms that definitely won't be showing up to scrub or move things over the weekend. I've let it go.
I'm a great scubber.....and
I'm a great scubber.....and I would help you move in a heartbeat. LOL =0)
♥ "LIFE AIN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL RIDE" ♥--Gary Alan
I'm from Tennessee and would
I'm from Tennessee and would love a little Trailer Talk! Good luck with your fresh start.
It's gonna be great. And
It's gonna be great. And now you'll finally be able to have that beer can Christmas tree. This is going to make you realize how much "junk" a house can accumulate. All of those storage containers with no lids - really, why do we hold on to them? If it weren't for the loss of the kitties, I would congratulate you on the fresh start. Instead, I'll say "with every loss comes an opportunity for a new gain".