1 | Try an extended time in a RV before deciding to go full-timing. In 1999 we took leaves from our jobs, leased our home and travelled throughout North America in our 29-foot Class C motorhome. Some highlights during our 30,000 kilometres were: living on a Baja beach for two months; reconnecting with family and friends in the Chilcotin and Ontario; living in an Amish community in Indiana; camping with new friends while attending their music jam in Arkansas; marvelling at the New Mexico vistas; hiking, swimming and painting in many fascinating locations throughout North America. The wonderful new RV friends we made were the icing on the cake during that year’s sabbatical.
2 | Arrange a physical address for medical and residency requirements. This can be a rented space in a friend’s or family member’s house. A box number is not sufficient for an address for residency requirements for medical coverage or for repeated entry into the United States.
3 | Buy a cell phone while you still have a regular landline phone.
4 | Have medical and dental check-ups and take care of any needed procedures.
7 | Arrange distance banking. ATMs are easy to use but phone and Internet systems help with other transactions. We had excellent service through the Royal Bank after establishing a good working relationship with our investment counsellor. When we phoned her from the southern U.S.A. or eastern Canada, she was great at following our instructions regarding bill payment and investment management.
8 | Have all bills go to a credit card and then have the credit card paid automatically every month by your bank.
9 | Buy a pocketmail device for cheap communication. You can access e-mail through it from any phone by using a toll free number.
10 | Install a good solar system on your rig if you plan to park without hook-ups.
Full-timing is not for everyone but it is our dream and we have discovered that whatever your dream is, the only way to achieve it is within yourself. The preparation for life on the road has also been part of the excitement of making this dream come true.
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