Paying for Laundry...what's the cost?

When you travel full time in an RV, you, sometimes, have to give up on some of the luxuries of a sticks-n-bricks home.  No dishwasher.  And no laundry room.  

Some rigs have both.  Not us.  We could have opted for the washer and dryer.  There are hook-ups.  But we'd lose all of our bedroom closet space for two small units that would break down with all of the work they'd do for a family of five.  

So, we utilize the campground laundromats.  For the most part, washing costs $1.50 for about 

30 minutes and $1.25 for 45 minutes of drying.  The dryers stink.  The only ones that worked well were in  the New Smyrna Beach, Fl campground.  Expect to do two drys for every one wash.  Or you'll re-dry anyway.  And, you can't just add a quarter or two for a few minutes...you have to put in another whole $1.25.  (And not too many campgrounds "allow" clotheslines.)

If you are close to an actual laundromat, as we are this month, it may be worth taking a book, or your iPad, and utilize a few hours to head there.  Not so bad, really, if you are the mom.

Here is what we spent on laundry since we left our house on November 28, 2011.  (For the first 10 months, we were lucky enough to do a bit of laundry at Nana's and Grandpa's...saving us a few bucks.)

This is what we spent on laundry from Dec 1. 2011 until October 28, 2012.  $448.50   For about 11 months.

Misty Mountain Crozet, VA	Nov 4, 2012		13.50
New Smyrna Beach	Nov. 7 - Nov. 18		6.25
			3.75

            $23.50

Camp Inn Florida	Nov 18 -Dec 18		16.50
Lakeside RV Louisiana	Dec 19 - Jan 19		17.50
Texas	Jan 19 - March 20		2.75
			13.50
			8.00
			4.00
			8.50	laundromat	5/wash 3.50 dry
			70.75	laundromat	7/wash 2.50 dry

Here are the amounts we've spent, solely at campground or local laundromats, since hitting the road on Oct. 28, 2012.   (The gap is the amount 

$93.95 

So, for the year and 3 months we have been in our RV, we have spent a total of $542.75 to clean our clothes.

As you can see, since being in Texas, we have done a pathetic amount of laundry.  Not so sure why that is!

That averages out to $36.18 per month for laundry.  Not so bad, I guess.

The biggest thing is where to keep all of the dirty laundry.  The itty-bitty laundry draw our Eagle provides is a useless waste of space.  And, of course, you can't travel with several hard-plastic laundry baskets.  Collapsible is best.  

If you are traveling with just two, a washer/dryer combo or stackable unit may be the best bet. But some people would prefer the space and to forgo the extra weight washer/dryers add.

As for us, we try to encourage the kids to stay clean, re-wear, and hope the campground's laundromat is clean and efficient.

Getting Ready to Hit the Road: Purging What You Own: Part 2

The Big Stuff

So, when do you start the purging of the big items, namely furniture?

If you start too early, and the house doesn't sell for months, or, shudder, years, you will live in an empty house, the feeling of limbo persistent.  However, if you wait too long, and your house sells quickly, even with a 2-month escrow, you are going to be hard-pressed to do it all.

Selling furniture early on, especially if your house won't sell for many months, can be tricky.  We sold our Ethan Allen king four-poster bedroom set to a couple from Binghamton, NY.  They drove the 6 hours to Rhode Island with their two kids, a trailer, and lots of clear wrap.  After that, we slept on the mattresses on the floor.  Eventually, we purchased a used full bed frame and mattresses (both new) locally on Craigslist for $100.  It was very comfortable and worked great, except it was kind of small for hub and me being used to a king-sized bed.  So, we passed that onto our oldest son (after we sold his loft bed/desk/drawer monstrosity), and bought a used king waterbed on Craigslist for $100.  When we finally moved, I sold the full bed to my aunt, and the waterbed stayed at the house bought from us for $50.  (A LOT easier than dismantling it and getting rid of it ourselves!)

{Yes, after we sold, we bought...because we needed places for our clothes and to sleep.  Who knew how long it would take for the house to sell?  Thus the conundrum.  There's always the possibility of friends with extra furniture in storage that you can borrow until you leave.}

So, start with the non-essentials, and whatever those items held, get rid of those items, or box them for storage right away if not necessary items to daily living.  This is a great time to go through all those chotskies that collect dust and filled the space of a large home.  Do you want them for when you stop traveling?  Will your kids?

Once you start getting rid of the furniture you know you won't hold onto, your house will feel a bit empty.  This is a plus.  It took so long for us to get on the road, that by the time we actually left, there was nothing in our house.  It was an empty shell.  But that made it easier to let go.

Where to sell?  Well, Craigslist of course, yard sale, consignment.  Don't try to make a fortune.  If you are getting close, price the items to sell.  If you hold out for more, you'll make far less at the end when you have no choice but to give it away.

 {If you advertise for your yard sale, here is something to think about.  I did so very early on through Craigslist with pictures of furniture and other items for sale and descriptions, but I DID NOT name my exact location.  I gave the town, or area of the state, but never the exact address or street.  All it takes is for someone to see that you are selling all this great stuff and know exactly where you live.  Keep the specifics under wraps until right before, but whet the public's appetite.  I had visitors from an hour away looking for, and buying, big items.)

• If it is a nice time of year weather-wise, get your neighbors involved.  The more enticing the yard sale environment, the more people will show.

You've sold what you can...given away what couldn't be sold.  So, what do you with Aunt Edith's secretary and Great-granddad's hand-carved rocking chair?  

Rent a storage unit?  Things to keep in mind...what is the monthly (or 6-month or yearly) price?  Don't forget any hidden fees or taxes.   Think about climate control...dampness will destroy.  Is the business in a safe area?  Are the buildings newer and in good condition?  Before you spend what could be anywhere from $90/month to $500/month, ask yourself...Is everything in there worth the money you'll pay?  Or when you open it back up in a year or 5, will you get rid of most of it?

If you are able to store some things at various friends' and family's houses, you may be better off.

One thing we did was label all of our furniture still left after the buyers gave us their offer.  Being such a large house, and the buyers coming from a small apartment, they needed furniture.  It was appealing to them to be able to purchase some of what we had at good prices.  Some furniture may be even used as bargaining tools.

Of course, if it is the eve of the big move, and you still have a plethora of furniture left, there's always that bon fire permit and a big send off!

**When you sell items on Craigslist, sometimes, especially with furniture, you'll need the buyer to come to your house.  Never do this alone.  If possible, bring the item outside so the buyer does not need to enter your home.  Keep garage doors and other areas of the house off limits and closed off visually.  If possible, get the buyer's name, phone number, and license plate.  Record the date and time they visited.  Always be safe.


Stay tuned for Part III...What About The Memories?

Making it a Home: Living Full-time In a Small Space

When we moved into Eagle November 28, 2011, at about 11:30pm, in East Lyme, CT, it had been after a VERY long, hectic day.  What made it to the camper were the only items not sold, given away or stored at family's or friends' houses.  We had thought we had done good in purging, but, it's amazing what you think you'll still need.  Turns out, it was far more than we could actually fit.

It took a few weeks, and, thankfully, with the blessing of mild weather throughout that first winter, we were able to kick the kids outside and really organize.  

14 months later, we are pretty organized, but still pass on a few things every month.  Of course, we add a few things, too.  We continue to make adjustments and changes as needed.

Please enjoy this tour of our home; Before and After.

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

Master Hallway Before

Master Bed Before

Master Bed After

Master Bed After with Some Dog

Master Bath Before 

Master Bath After 

Master Bath After 

Entry Way Before

Living Space Before

Kitchen Before

Living and Kitchen After

Living After

Dining, doors to kids' room and bathroom

The night we moved in, and for many months afterward, the top bunk above our daughter was toy storage central.  This was unsightly and not very convenient.  Since then, twin # 2 moved up there and we parted with several of the items.  Thanks to my great Sis, the kids each have curtains with their selection of fabrics.

Kids' room, one bunk

Each bunk has a window, a light, and now privacy.  

Kids' room, twin side

Steve snagged the plastic shelving below for $5, brand new, but damaged...inconsequential to our needs.  And, after filling out a missing/broken pieces form on the company's website, we'll be getting replacement parts for free!

Kids' Room, Ian's Side

Toy storage has evolved quite a bit over time, and will continue to do so

 A big issue is laundry...the red net bag holds the kids' dirty clothes until it gets so large the door is hard to open.  Still working on a better solution.

Twin side, wardrobe

The addition of the TV wall bracket provided much needed space for Ian's netbook, the speakers (which we attach to his iPod and the TV {as the sound comes out through the back and RIGHT through the walls to the living space}) and other assorted items.

The view from their beds

 The kids also have a bathroom, but I didn't photograph that room.  

Living in such a small space takes creativity, compromise, and TIME to adjust.  We have quite a few more projects we'd like to try for better storage and functionality.  We'll keep you updated!

What to Do for Free or on the Cheap in the Houston Area

When you travel full-time, and homeschool three children, you spend a great deal of bandwidth researching free, cheap, and interesting, educational, memorable places to visit. I hope to provide a resource of these places so you can spend your time on better things.  If I get to them, I'll tell you about them.

We are spending some time outside of Houston in the Galveston, TX area.  It's gorgeous and, so far, chock full of lots of great things to do for the kids.

Being the frugal family that we are, we try to find educational opportunities that won't warp the wallet.  We've located a few freebies or reduced-fee choices for family and educational fun. 

Visit the...

Houston Zoo
Free on the First Tuesday of every month: 2pm - close
or
if you possess a Bank of America account
Sat 10am - 7pm or Sun 10am - 7pm

Houston Children's Museum
Free Thursdays 5pm - 8pm
or
if you possess a Bank of America account
Say 10 - 6pm or Sun 12 - 6pm (FIRST weekend of the month only: only the account holder gets in for free)

The Museum of Fine Arts; Houston
Free Thursdays 10am - 9pm
or
if you possess a Bank of America account
Sat 10 - 7pm or Sun 12:15 - 7pm

Houston Museum of Natural History
Free Thursdays 2pm - 5pm

Houston Health Museum
Free Thursdays 2pm - 5pm 
or 
with Ecotarium Card, Free entry anytime.

Weather Museum
Free Thursdays 12pm - 4pm

Buffalo Soldiers Museum
Free Mondays 10am - 5pm


Free Tours:
Mrs. Baird's Bakery
St. Arnold Brewing Company


All the beaches in Galveston have free parking and access to the beaches.  Visit the beach right across from Fort Crockett Seawall Park to see the rock sculptures created by visitors...and create your own.

If books are your thing, get a temporary library card at Rosenberg Library in Galveston and check out their free programs while checking-out a great book.

Take a free ferry ride from Galveston Island to Port Bolivar!  It is a 2.7 mile, 18 minute trip to miles of beaches and small shops.

Visit The Strand in Galveston for shoppes and people watching.   The port of Galveston is there and you may see a cruise ship or two.  Check out La King's Confectionary, Taffy and Fudge Making shop...stand outside the shoppe to watch confections being made from scratch.  You may even get a sample or two!  

Are you a chess fan?  Grab a coffee or daiquiri and play life-size chess in Saengerfest Park, right on The Strand.  

If you are a Bank of America customer, you can gain free access to many museums across the country on the weekends....Museum Visits.

Stay tuned for more things to do in the Houston/Galveston area, as we have only been here a week and a half.


I will be checking in to see if you can get free passes from the library.

Next Step: getting the rig

Thursday morning, Steve and Ian left for Indiana to pick up The Eagle and have the hitch installed into the bed of the truck.  Just before they left, the new owner of our ATV came to pick it up and pay for it.  Good timing since we needed the money for the hitch.  Monday is the day all this should be happening.  They took a couple days to get out there, stopping on the NY side of Niagara Falls, heading through some Amish country, and enjoying the trip as a whole.

Niagara Falls...US

first night's food

entering Ohio

the hospital where our new baby is being delivered

Today, both made it to Middlebury, Indiana and RV Connection where the our new Jayco Eagle 365 bhs is awaiting its new family.