Working on the RV road

Michigan State Parks and Forest Campgrounds seeks camphosts

2009-04-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

Michigan state parks, recreation areas and forest management campgrounds are seeking volunteer campground hosts for this spring, summer and fall seasons. A host can sign up for a minimum of four weeks or more of free camping in one of Michigan's natural and/or historic areas.

"The schedules of our volunteer hosts allow ample time to enjoy recreational activities with friends and family members while providing volunteer services within a Michigan state park or state forest campground," said Ron Olson, chief of the Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division. "Hosts have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and perhaps develop new friendships. Campground hosts can be individuals or teams such as a wife and husband; must be 18 years of age or older and have their own camping gear."

Campground hosts provide services five days each week, including weekends and holidays, totaling approximately 30 hours per occupant.

Volunteer campground hosts assist in some of the following:
• Weekly Host Camper Coffee Hour (supplies provided)
• Provide or assist with a weekly activity
• Loan equipment such as rakes, shovels (provided by the park)
• Construct and/or maintain an information bulletin board
• Create and/or update local attractions directory
• Attend Host Training (State Park Hosts only)

Volunteer campground hosts are selected by state park and state forest managers. Managers may require an interview or request additional information on prospective volunteers. Selection is based on familiarity with the Michigan campground system, camping experience, special skills, availability, knowledge of the surrounding area and needs of the park. The current schedule of campground host openings can be found on www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers.

* * *

Camp Hosting USA: Your Guide to State Park Volunteering
Learn what you need to know to become a camphost at a state park. Thousands of RVers do it. Here's how to join the crowd -- no matter what state or park you choose. Learn more or order the book at RVbookstore.com.

Work campers wanted this summer at a huge meteor crater

2009-04-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

Meteor Crater, the Arizona tourist attraction along old Route 66, is looking for friendly, flexible, enthusiastic people to work full-time as cashiers at the visitor center and RV park this summer season, May through September. Visitor Center duties include operating registers in gift shop, rock shop and admissions, stocking inventory and cleaning. RV park duties include operating a computer cash register for items in the store as well as for gasoline purchases, stocking, taking RV reservations and checking in guests arriving in their RVs.

To apply for a job, fax your resume to 928-289-2598, email info@meteorcrater.com or call 800-289-5898. Applications are also available for pick up at the RV park, which is just off Interstate 40 at exit 233.

Video: How to travel by RV and earn an income

2009-03-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

What kind of jobs are available for RVers who want to work on the road? In this four-minute video, Workamping expert Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak tells you about the many ways. There's a whole lot more to do than just act as a campground host. If you've ever thought of combining RVing with earning a part-time or even full-time income, you'll appreciate Jaimie's tips. And, her book, Support Your Lifestyle -- THE guide to working on the RV road -- is available at a discount price at RVbookstore.com.

2009-03-09T12:17:00.000-07:00

Earn money as you travel your RV

Support your RV travels and see the country. Learn the key to finding great jobs at Workamper 102— a Workamper University Webinar

HEBER SPRINGS, AR -- March 9, 2009 -- You’ve decided that working or volunteering as your travel in your RV would help your budget and add to your travels. How do you find a position that is a match? The key is in the interview. Find out how to use your Workamper interview to make sure this is the position for you.

Working on the road or Workamping® means money and adventure!

It is actually quite easy to find a position working or volunteering if you travel in your RV. Before you travel hundreds of miles to a job, how do you know it will be a good situation and be what you are expecting? It’s all in the interview. And since you will probably have your interview by phone, what do you need to ask? How can you make sure you don’t pay taxes on your RV site, that your cell phone will work there, that you’ll have time to see the area? Workamper 102: Interviewing for a Workamper Job will answer those questions. See http://www.workamper.com/university/workamper102 for complete curriculum, class hours and dates, tuition and list of free bonuses to participants.

Instead of spending money to travel, RVers who work on the road, also known as Workampers®, can earn money to pay their living expenses and add to their savings. Working or volunteering on the road can also reduce expenses. Some jobs provide a free or reduced-cost RV site and workers spend less on fuel and entertainment since they are in one place. Workers may also get valuable perks such as free or discounted admission to nearby attractions. So, what are the keys to finding a good position? A critical step is the interview.

In Interviewing for a Workamper Job, Jaimie Hall Bruzenak will lead participants through a process that will enable them to:

• identify questions to ask during the interview and prepare a basic checklist.
• identify knockout factors and screen employers.
• identify red flags that indicate this is not a place to work.
• compute what the RV site costs and what to ask so income tax isn’t owed on its value.
• provide tools to evaluate a job offer to compute compensation

Jaimie’s previous Workamper Webinars received high praise:

Jaimie: You did a great job last night! Thanks so much for putting together such an informative event. ~Dolores

I want to thank you for your class [Workamper 101] and your willingness to help me get started with Workamping. I am learning a lot of important information that would have taken much more time and effort to acquire had it not been for your class. I have barely started my resume on Awesome Applicants and was shocked that I have two campgrounds that have contacted me to interview. ~Darcy

Workampers have many possibilities for working on the road. Many people think RVers are strictly camphosts, but that is only one possibility. RVers work in RV parks, national and state parks, amusement and theme parks to name just a few of the hundreds of different ways they can earn money. In her book, Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider’s Guide to Working on the Road, author Jaimie Hall Bruzenak lists more than 350 different ways. Jaimie also covers all the how-to’s for finding a job including interviewing and negotiation, resumes, health insurance and legal considerations. She says, “The interview is a critical element in finding a job that will be the kind of place where you want to work while meeting your income needs.”

For more information see Workamping 102: Interviewing for a Workamper Job.

Learn how to make money with a blog

2009-02-27T15:45:00.000-08:00

It seems everybody has a blog these days, most of them hosted for free. There must be at least 1,000 blogs published by RVers as they travel.

Blogs are so easy to set up and use that virtually anyone can do it -- with a little help from a friend or the book, Google Bloggers For Dummies.

Google's free website Blogger.com offers the simplest and fastest way to set up a blog and then use it. This book explains exactly how to do it, from the very first steps to then using the blog and then attracting an audience.

But the fact is, most blogs attract very few readers, and even fewer make the bloggers any money. Yet, tens of thousands of bloggers are earning a part-time or full-time income with blogs -- one of the most incredible business opportunities to ever come along.

For RVers, blogging is a great way to not only share your travel stories -- or write about a hobby or business interest -- and make money doing it. The most successful bloggers in America earn millions of dollars a year with almost no overhead, most using one computer and working from home. Countless RVers receive checks every month from advertising that Google places right in their blog without the bloggers ever making a sales call or sending an invoice. This book is gold: it spells out everything very clearly about what to do to blog successfully, and if you want, earn money. If you already have a blog, or want to start one, this is the only book you will need to get started and get on your way to earning an income.

This is the best guide to blogging we've seen. Learn how to set up your own blog in a minutes with no investment. And learn how to earn a part- or full-time income from the most amazing work-at-home (or RV) opportunity ever.

RV workamper instructor explains her upcoming seminar series

2009-01-12T18:03:00.000-08:00

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak explains why her upcoming online seminar series is an excellent way for either veteran or newbie workampers to find work while traveling with their RVs. The six-session "Workamper University" series begins Jan. 24, 2009. Each online session lasts one hour. Participants, no matter where they are located in the world, will be able to watch Jaimie as she teaches the class, and ask questions as if they were sitting in the same room. Watch the video below: Jaimie explains the class and how you can participate. To learn more about the seminar including dates and prices, click here.

Camp hosts wanted for Michigan parks

2009-01-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is offering free RV camping this summer for outdoor lovers who volunteer as campground hosts at Michigan state parks or state forest campgrounds. The Campground Host Program allows individuals to camp in a state park or state forest campground at no charge in return for providing visitor assistance in the campground.

Hosts direct visitors to their campsites, answer questions about the park or state forest, arrange campground activities and perform light maintenance and other services, depending on the host’s talents and interests. Retired couples, teachers and students, as well as families, are just some of the people who have enjoyed volunteering as campground hosts.

Campground hosts can be individuals or teams. Hosts must be at least 18 years old, provide services five days/30 hours per week (including weekends and holidays), serve a minimum of four consecutive weeks and furnish their own RV, equipment and personal items. State park hosts must attend a training session on May 6-7 at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon. This training is not required of state forest campground hosts.

Campground hosts are chosen by park and forest managers who may require an interview or request additional information. Selection is based on the individual's familiarity with the state park or state forest system, their camping experience, special skills, availability, knowledge of the area and the needs of the specific park or forest campground.

Hosts especially are needed during the busy camping season, which can begin as early as April in state parks located in southern Michigan. Many of last year’s campground hosts will be returning this year; however, vacancies still exist at park and forest campground locations throughout Michigan.

Many rustic campgrounds found throughout Michigan’s six state forests located in the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula are also in need of hosts. Information and applications are available from the DNR’s Web site. Persons interested in being a campground host at a state park should apply directly to the park of their choice. For more information on campground host positions in state parks and recreation areas, contact Maia Stephens at (517) 373-8378. Individuals interested in serving as a state forest campground host should contact Ada Takacs at (989) 275-5151 extension 2049.

Workamper 101: How to Get Your First Workamping Job

2009-01-02T09:32:00.000-08:00

Are you thinking about working on the road? If you need to supplement your finances or even lower your expenses, working on the RV road, or Workamping, is the way to go. While jobs are plentiful, some RVers find themselves having traveled hundreds of miles to a job only to have it not work out. Then they have not only wasted their time but money in fuel getting there. And, they start from scratch looking for something else.

Taught by Workamping and RV Lifestyle expert Jaimie Hall Bruzenak, Workamper University's six-session course, "Workamping 101: How to Get Your First Workamping Job," will walk first-time Workampers through a proven process for finding jobs that are a match to their skills and abilities and income needs/wants. The course is also designed for RVers who have tried working on the road but would like better jobs. Participants will both view the seminar on their computers and listen using their phones using Workamper.com's Webinar technology.

Find out more by going to Workamping 101: How to get your first Workamping job
A Webinar at Workamper.com. [http://www.workamper.com/university/workamper101/]

KOA always looking for seasonal RV workers

2008-12-16T21:38:00.000-08:00

With more than 440 KOA Kampgrounds across North America, there's always a need for seasonal help. Hundreds of positions are usually available across the company's network of RV parks. If you're willing to roll up your sleeves, you can make a short-term commitment and earn pay while you stay. The company also offers rewards to "Work Kampers" after the completion of their first season. To learn more or to apply, visit WorkAtKOA.com.

Website is good source of jobs for couples

2008-12-13T10:36:00.000-08:00

WorkingCouples.com is an active website with many quality job offerings, all aimed at couples. The work is varied -- jobs as varied as caregiver, apartment manager, "houseparent couple," ranch hand, building manager, campground host. . . and the list goes on. Search for jobs by location or type. WorkingCouples.com bills itself as "the single largest resource of jobs-for-two anywhere."

California state parks always looking for camp hosts

2008-10-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

The California State Park system has more than 270 state parks. Miles of breathtaking coastline, remarkable wetlands, majestic redwood forests, beautiful deserts and colorful valleys provide a variety found nowhere else in the world. Volunteer camp host positions are available at more than 100 parks.

Host duties vary according to each park but generally include providing visitor information, staffing visitor centers and museums, maintenance projects and general housekeeping. Most hosts work approximately 20 hours a week and, in exchange for those services, they receive a campsite during their stay.

Many parks have full hookups with equipped restrooms and showers. For those who prefer a more rustic setting, there are parks with little or no hookups or commercial amenities. When applying as a park or campground host, make sure the location that interests you has the appropriate hookups for your needs.

For a complete list of California State Parks that use volunteers and/or campground hosts, the State Park Districts and Parks file provides a helpful overview. In addition, parks often advertise current and ongoing campground and park host openings below.

RVs for sale
Motorhomes, Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Truck Campers, Pop ups and much more. See the big selection at NewRVer.com. Click here

Oregon seeks camp hosts for next summer

2008-10-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

Looking for a camp hosting position next summer? If you've got an RV and want to grab a little of Oregon's summer sunshine, then the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wants to hear from you.

The agency is currently accepting applications for next year's volunteer host positions at the state's wildlife areas, fish hatcheries and field offices.

“This is a great way to travel around and discover new parts of Oregon,” said Jennell Hoehne, volunteer coordinator for ODFW’s Northwest Region in Clackamas, Ore. “Most of our sites are in close proximity to mountains, streams and trails and offer high-quality, low-cost access to boundless recreational opportunities.”

The volunteers stay at a location between one to three months. Duties vary with each site, but typically include groundskeeping, maintenance and clerical work but can also entail more unusual activities like feeding fish, banding waterfowl, baiting bears and counting deer and elk. For more information, click here.

Too many days away from home? Take the family

2008-10-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

Michael Santarcangelo travels up to 100 days away from home. Tired of it, he bought a large motorhome and now takes his family with him. His New York-based Internet security company has clients all over so he has to travel many miles each year. By taking his family along, he gets to spend time with his wife and kids and see them grow up.

His two children, 5 and 3, are homeschooled. Stops along the way become part of their lessons.

While most RVers are older, more families are finding ways to earn a living and travel at the same time. If you have your own business or work as an independent contractor, it is easier than if you try to pick up jobs along the way. There are pros and cons to traveling as a family, but at least the family is together. Read the full article. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on running your business or working as an independent contractor on the road, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road at RVBookstore.com.

Before you leave your job

2008-10-01T07:31:00.001-07:00

It's the end of the season and you are gearing up to leave. Before you leave, ask for an appraisal. If the employer doesn't do a formal, sitdown appraisal, ask how you did. Find out if there were areas the employer thought you could improve upon. This can be insightful.

If you get positive feedback and/or are asked to come back next year, ask if the employer will write a letter of recommendation for your files. You might even be asked to write it yourself! Letters of recommendation can be photocopied and sent with resumes - an instant positive reference.

If, by chance, your appraisal or feedback is not positive, this may not be an employer you want to include in your list of references. In any case, do your best to find out why. For example:

If it is a personality difference, look honestly at yourself. Did your behavior contribute to the problem? Workampers who have been used to running a business or a department sometimes have difficulty doing what they are told instead of offering suggestions the boss does not want to hear.
Are you lacking skills in a certain area? If so, see about acquiring those skills or pick a different type of work. For example, if you had to use a computer and found it difficult, take classes this winter or work in an area where computers aren't needed.
Was the work too much for you physically? If you couldn't stand as much as required or lift the weight needed, make sure this is not an element of your next job or that the employer is willing to accommodate you.
If you are told you didn't get along with people, look honestly at yourself. Would you be happier working on your own? Or in a situation that was less customer-intense? Look for jobs next year that meet that need.

By now, most RVers have serious hitch-itch and can't wait to get back on the road. Take the time to get feedback from your current employer before leaving and learn from it. Find out what you need to change or improve upon. You may want to make these changes. Or, you may want to focus on different jobs/employers for next year. Either is ok. We're learning as we go. It is always valuable to find out what you don't like so you can focus on what you do like. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Get ready for next year: evaluate and update

2008-09-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

As your summer job finishes up, now is the time to evaluate your experience and update your resume.

Evaluate: Think about what you liked and didn't like about your experience. Are there questions you can add to the list of questions you keep for interviews that will help you avoid what you didn't like in the future? Any questions that can help you find a good position?
Plan: What sort of position do you want to focus on next year? Are you ready for a change or did you like what you did this time? Do you want to work in a different part of the country?
Update: Add this season's employer to your resume and add to your skills list. Update your objective to reflect what you will focus on next season. Tweak your resume to support your new objective.

It's important to do this while it is fresh in your mind. You can always make changes to your resume later on if you decide to focus on something different. Also, if you are a WorkamperPlus subscriber, be sure to post a Rate Your Experience about his employer. See Workamper.com.

Take advantage of what you've learned to fine tune your job hunting process and get an even better position next year! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on resumes and preparing for interviews, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road at RVBookstore.com.

Furbabies - NO! Keep your resume professional

2008-09-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

In forums, Workampers often refer to their dogs as "furbabies." It's a cute expression. I've also seen it in cover letters and resumes. That's a no-no.

Your resume and cover letter should be professional. That means don't use slang like furbabies, DH (Instant Messenger for dear husband), or my better half.

If you are applying to work at an RV park where your dogs will be living on site, you should definitely mention that you have a dog or dogs. You could include their photo and even letters of recommendation for them, assuring the employer that your dogs are well-behaved pets. Just don't call them furbabies! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Working with a gossip

2008-09-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

How do you handle working with a gossip? Obviously you can only control your own behavior, not someone else's. Here are some ideas:

Don't add your comments.
Don't repeat what you heard to others.
Depending on the location, you might be able to leave or excuse yourself.
Try to change the subject. Think about some questions or topics in advance that you could use. Some examples: How do you cook X? Have you Workamped in Texas? How do you like your Winnebago or Ford?
If you do say something, don't attack the behavior. Instead you might ask for help in keeping the conversation away from negative gossip.

A recent survey found that 69.7 percent of managers would be wiling to fire an employee for bad office manners. Excessive workplace gossip was one of the bad manners cited in the survey.

Gossip can be harmful, not only to individuals but affect the workplace atmosphere and the ability to get the job done. Even if your manager isn't on the ball in stopping gossip, you can do you part by not participating. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Keep good records

2008-09-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

When you are Workamping, keep track of your hours and check them against your pay stub. Have some sort of calendar or spread sheet where you write your hours each day. If you work a regular 40 hour week, note the days worked and jot down any overtime. When you get your check, be sure it is correct. If you weren't paid for overtime that was due, let your supervisor know the next time you see him/her.

Keep your pay stubs and records even after the job is finished. You'll want to compare your W-2 with the total you actually received and make sure it is accurate. One Workamper was due $300 which she had trouble getting. The company kept saying they'd send it. When she got her W-2 it showed she had been paid the $300 even though she had never received it. The state couldn't help her but the IRS did. They were able to help because she had such detailed records.

If you do find an error, you can talk to your supervisor or the person in charge of payroll but follow it up with an e-mail or written note unless it is addressed right away. Save copies. You never know when those records will prove essential. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Interviewing tip

2008-09-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

If you are asked a question in an interview about what you did in a job, give a full answer. Don't just say, "I worked in the office" or "I worked in maintenance."

For example, if you worked in the office at an RV park, explain what your duties were - answer the phone, take reservations, check people in, answer questions about the area, etc. - and what skills you used. Skills in this case could include using a certain reservation system, processing credit cards electronically, handling complaints, stocking products, opening and closing the cash register and office.

In maintenance, your duties might include things like cleaning restrooms and community areas, repairs to plumbing, mowing lawns and weedeating, filling propane. Your skills could include choosing proper cleaning supplies and methods, maintaining lawnmower and weedeater, certified to fill propane tanks, testing swimming pool and adding chemicals as needed, use a snake to unstop a sewage line.

Add numbers too: 300-site campground, four restrooms, often had ten check-ins lined up in the afternoon.

One employer may not call a position the same as another employer but if she hears specific skills and duties, she can relate that to her position and know you have experience.

Giving meaty answers is a way to sell yourself. Your confidence and knowledge will show and raise your value as a candidate for the job. Even if most of this information is on your resume, hearing you expand on what you did and use the vocabulary that goes with it during the interview goes a long way in reassuring the employer that you know what you are talking about and can actually do the job. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For tips on interviewing and negotiating, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

So you want to be in pictures?

2008-09-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to be in the movies, perhaps as an extra? Gary Michael Smith has written a book telling you how. Movie Extra 101 - Your Shortcut to Stardom tells you how to get hired in the movies. He has also written an article giving a basic outline of how to get started.

Gary has been in films and worked in casting and has helped many people achieve their dream of being in the movies though his courses in New Orleans.

From his bio: "Gary Michael Smith is a background actor and featured extra in New Orleans. He has appeared in made-for-TV movies and miniseries with such actors as Melissa Gilbert, Gerald McRainey, Queen Latifa, LL Cool J, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Dylan Neal, Lucy Lawless, and Martin Lawrence. He also has appeared in feature films with Minnie Driver, Eddie Izzard, Josh Lucas, Jon Voight, Christopher Lloyd, Zooey Deschanel, Sean Penn, Patricia Clarkson, James Gandolfini, Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law, and Kate Winslet. Mr. Smith also has worked in extras casting for such films as Glory Road (Jerry Bruckheimer/Disney) and All the King’s Men (Sony Pictures)."

So, if this is on your lifetime list of goals, Gary will show you how to achieve it. Drop us a line if we can catch you in an upcoming film. Even if it's just the back of your head the first time, it could lead to bigger parts! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Tax deductions for small businesses

2008-09-06T15:19:00.000-07:00

According to my Wells Fargo Business Roundup newsletter, there are a number of tax deductions that businesses can take. It can be to an RVer's advantage to have a business, however unless it used strictly for business and you have another residence, only a percentage of some travel expenses and depreciation can be deducted. Still it can make a difference to your tax bill. Also, to qualify to deduct more than you take in, you have to show a profit most of the time. Otherwise your business is classified as a hobby business and you can only deduct expenses up to the amount earned.

Here are the top deductions:

Auto expenses: actual expenses or standard mileage rate method
Legal and professional fees including tax preparation
Bad debts: only for goods, not services
Travel
New equipment
Interest for loans used strictly for business purposes
Software
Charitable contributions
Taxes: most but federal income tax can be deducted
Advertising and promotion

It is worth consulting with a tax adviser. Some of these have restrictions and could depend on the type of business you have. All need proper record keeping.

In any case, a small business can be a good way to earn money as you travel. Don't miss out on tax deductions due to lack of knowledge. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Can creativity pay the way?

2008-09-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, it can. To earn a living, you will be most successful if you are established in your field before traveling and relying on selling your art for a living.

Franklin Einspruch, at age 40, is traveling the U.S. and Canada in a 1995 Fleetwood Flair with his wife and dogs and selling his art. He is currently in Edmonton for a one-man art show. Einspruch has work at several galleries and also does webcomics. This is one RVer who was already successful before he began traveling in an RV. You can read more about him.

Art, writing, photography and other creative works take talent and persistence to develop your craft. However, to make a living takes marketing. It may mean going to shows, approaching galleries, and developing a Web presence. It can mean spending as much time doing marketing as it does creating your art.

If you enjoy some type of creativity by all means make it part of your life. Be realistic, though, if you want to support your RV lifestyle. It takes time to build a reputation and a following so starting before you begin RV travel is smart. Or, on the road, ease into it by continuing to earn money in other ways until your income builds and you can rely on selling enough to meet your needs. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Go for the good night kiss!

2008-08-31T16:09:00.000-07:00

A new book out, Courting Your Career by Shawn Graham, uses dating metaphors to walk job searchers through every part of the job search process. It's much of the same thing others have said but couched in different language.

Know your type: Go after something that's a fit rather than going from one bad relationship to another.
Play the field: You don't marry the first person you date, so don't take the first job offer.
Go for the good night kiss: Don't leave the interview without knowing the next step.

It's good solid advice, just stated in different terms. It does give food for thought, though many of us workers on the RV road are a long ways from dating! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Use a SEPP to pay health insurance

2008-08-26T05:07:00.000-07:00

A legitimate concern for younger RVers is how to afford health insurance. Chuck Saletta, writing at the Motley Fool Web site, in "The real reason for to invest for retirement," suggests a way. He says, "Your retirement is far more than simply no longer showing up to work. It's about having the freedom to do what you want in life, and enough control over your personal finances to enjoy that freedom." With a SEPP (Substantially Equal Periodic Payments) plan, you can start withdrawing your retirement money early, without getting socked by penalties.

If you continue working, Saletta suggests, you can switch to a job you love while having the SEPP pay you health insurance. It does mean you have a few things lined up. You would want to have your RV paid for and be out of debt. Rather than $2 million saved to finance a full retirement, Saletta says $400,000 could work. In some areas of the country, the sale of your house could give you all or most of that to work with. You would also need to continue to make enough money to add to your retirement if you plan to eventually stop working. And, once you begin the payments, you must continue to receive them for five years or until you are 59 1/2, whichever is longer.

This could work for some people. It would take planning and saving ahead of time. It would also mean finding higher paying jobs on the road or having your own business. Working at an RV park would probably not cut it. There are other possibilities, though. Workamper is, in fact, having Jobinars (online Job Fairs) this week with companies that pay higher than average wages.

Read the article and decide. Maybe we'll see you out on the road a little earlier! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on higher-paying job possibilities, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Transition to the Workamper lifestyle

2008-08-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

It isn't always as smooth as you'd hoped, but selling everything and working on the RV road can work out even if you are not retired. Trudy and Lisa quit their jobs in New York City, sold their brownstone and purchased a vintage Blue Bird Wanderlodge motorcoach. They had some money set aside but did not have their motorcoach inspected by a reliable mechanic so have had to shell out several thousand dollars for repairs - plus it is old.

In spite of that, they have finally found a job that works for them: working for AGS selling advertising for RV park site maps. They tried a variety of jobs like clerking at Wal-Mart and working the morning shift at McDonald's - and they went into debt. Now they can deduct their travel expenses. “Now instead of driving a big old money pit, we drive a big old tax deduction,” says Trudy. Their RV site is free when they are working on a map. They are paying off their debt and making decent money.

Sometimes it takes a while to get life on the road sorted out, especially if you begin full-time RVing before retirement age and need to earn all your income on the road. Trudy and Lisa, though, show it can be done. Read the full article in the New York Times here. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.