Archive for the Category »RV Professor «

Reality Check 101

24 Jan 2012        By editor

Reality Check 101

The last two weeks, I have given you some tips to sell your home.  My husband is a retired General Contractor and we have bought and sold properties together for about fifteen years. As you know, things have changed drastically in the real estate market and people need REAL help.  That’s why I am calling today’s article “Reality Check 101.”  Next week, the article will be called “Reality Check, 102!”

My purpose today is to share with you the experiences my husband and I have recently had selling our home and a rental property.

Today’s market is not “life as it was,” but I imagine it will be “life from now on…” or at least for the next five years.  Home sales have increased in the nation, but it is because people have become more realistic due to circumstances beyond their control.  Lending institutions are stricter in lending no more than the appraisal price demands, based on square footage.  The secondary housing market is definitely a buyer’s market; the seller can price and receive offers higher than the appraisal comes in based on sales in the neighborhood (“comps”), but the buyer will not be able to borrow more than the appraisal price.

In our situation, we worked with a realtor we trusted and had used several years before with a rental property.  She broke the news to us what the comps came in at—about $50,000 less than what we had paid for the house! Ouch!  Two houses in our neighborhood had been sold at rock-bottom prices, and they weren’t even foreclosures. One of the houses had been “for sale” for over a year.  The owner even took it off the market for a few months.  Her desire was to move to the coast and take advantage of the super low, short-sale price of a particular condominium right on the beach.  She decided to take a big loss on her home—and yet gain on the other end, buying the condo at such a low price. (The other neighbor was a friend of hers and also bought a condo at the beach!)  If you are investing in another property and getting “a steal,” it isn’t as hard to sell low.

The problem Workampers face,  is that they aren’t necessarily buying a new home, unless it’s an RV.  [There is an art to buying RVs for much, much less than the MSRP, but that’s for another article!]  If you are buying another home for your domicile, you are probably downsizing, so looking at the Big Picture, the bite in the seat of your pants can be assuaged by getting a great deal on the other end as a buyer.  However, we were not buying another home—only renting a site to maintain our Florida domicile.

We decided we would not start out asking as low a price for our home as the other two homes that had recently sold. Why? We just knew our home was nicer! Truly, we had replaced all our appliances, light fixtures and plumbing fixtures, and had hardwood flooring in most of the house.  We also had a sun porch that was original (not added on), plantation shutters and Corian countertops everywhere. Our house had been the “model” house in the neighborhood, so it had extra molding and other features.  We also were on the corner so we had more privacy and backed up to a pond.  Our realtor had done a great job with a photo tour on MLS and held an Open House the very first weekend.  Even though our sale price was somewhat higher than she advised, we were thrilled to get an offer at the Open House!  After countering, we arrived at a figure that was $5,000 less than our asking price.  The buyer asked for certain pieces of furniture to be included, and we agreed to most.  The price we settled on was about $15,000 more than the other two homes had sold for, so we were satisfied, although we still were losing from what we paid for the house. Fortunately, our house was paid for, so we weren’t upside down or anything.

Here comes the reality check.  Two or three weeks before closing, we find out the lending institution would not lend our buyer (a lawyer) the 80% he had asked for.  Even with 20% down!  The buyer  expected us to decrease our sales price by $14,000.  It was a real struggle, knowing he had thought it was worth the higher price and had the means to afford it—so we took a step back and didn’t panic.  Finally, after a week’s time, he agreed to split the difference 65/35%.  He paid the 65% difference.  We were fortunate he was willing and able to do that, or we could manage to accept less than we anticipated.  Had we rejected his offer, we might have had “carrying costs” (overhead until the house did sell) and maybe still end up the same conclusion, or been worse off.  In order to fulfill our dream of fulltime workamping, we had to have an attitude adjustment.

Reality checks often have to do a lot with perception and attitude.  We changed our perception by choosing to look at the big picture.  We had lived happily in the home for seven years.  The days of living in a home “for free” due to selling at an appreciated price could be gone.  We decided to look at the positive:  there were two things to make us feel better about the depreciation.  First, we had downsized seven years before when prices were at their peak and we had made over $100,000 on the sale of our prior home, which allowed us to buy our motorhome.  Then, we averaged out the monthly cost of living in the home for seven years and realized we came out ahead of what renting such a home would have cost.

The next task we had to accomplish during our month’s sabbatical from workamping was to sell an investment property we owned in Round Rock Texas.  We no longer had a purpose of owning a home in Texas (write-offs for managing the property while visiting our children living there).  Things were beginning to be a hassle, since our other investment properties were in Florida and we were being spread too thing.  The neighborhood was failing and we didn’t know if prices would continue to fall or climb back up, but we had to focus on our objective:  to enjoy the freedom of Workamping.  Rental property is an excellent investment, especially if your husband can make most repairs, but the house was getting to the age that major expenses were to be expected: appliance replacement, fogged windows, roof, a/c, etc., and we didn’t want expected “unexpected” expenses to be worried about.

Our experience with the sale of that house has, I think, some valuable lessons, but due to my rambling, I will continue with “Reality Check 102” next week!

Mary Lou Merritt

At The Workamper News Forums Site:

Please join the discussions on these hot topics!

  • A Workamper suggests, “be aware of promises not kept.” What’s your take? Join in at the Workampers Forum (Member-only).
  • If you are researching employers, start at the Workamper Experiences Forum (Member-only).
  • Post your images at the Workamper Images Forum and check out the ones already there!
  • “FOX NEWS VIDEO ON WORKAMPERS” – was it accurate?  Weigh in at the General Workamping Forum.
  • “Should we rent out our home or sell it?” Add your advice at the Full-timing Forum.
  • Solos – you might find a Workamper partner at the Solo Workamping Forum.
  • Add your modifications at the DIY, Mods & Upgrades Forum. You can upload photos too!
  • Any other ideas for “Hobbies: space and weight!”? Let’s hear them at the Workamper Interests and Hobbies Forum.

Log in (or register at) Workamper Forums

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
www.rvlifestylexperts.com

***

Golden Opportunity

Deadline to become a GOLD LIFETIME MEMBER approaching!

You don’t want to neglect your opportunity to become a Lifetime Gold Member for a never-again offered price!

Whatever membership level and years of subscription you have already paid for will be applied to the Lifetime membership level.  $299.00 minus your paid-in-dues to become a member for life without ever having to renew!  Remember, your Lifetime membership will always be at the Gold level.

THIS IS A GREAT VALENTINES GIFT! If you remain a member for seven years (average membership time), your total dues (if the price remained constant) will be $1,386.  Perhaps you’ll be a member for EVEN LONGER.   Compare that to the $299.00 one-time offer until  February 14, 2012.

HOWEVER, saving money is far from the best reason to become a LIFETIME GOLD MEMBER!!!!  The tools and resources the GOLD members are afforded are the REAL reasons you should take advantage of this opportunity.

Do it NOW! Simply go HERE or call 800-446-5627 for more information and to take advantage of this Golden Opportunity.

February 14th is the absolute deadline!

What’s Happenin’ In the News

Michigan Recreation Passports

The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan’s outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking “YES” on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.

To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517.241.7275.

This Sounds Fun!  Traveland’s RV Museum 

More than a week ago, the 7,000 square foot RV Museum opened to the public. Owner Sisemore said he has been building the museum for over 25 years, and listed some of the greats:  a 1936 Alma, a 1937 Elkhart Traveler, a 1953 Fleetwood. The list goes on.  Not only those,  the red and white bus that characters Travis and Mary Jo Gornicke drove in the movie “RV” is even on display.  Jay Leno is said to have the same model!   More than 4,000 visitors have already visited the museum at 4341 Amarillo, TX at Sisemore Traveland.  To go to their website, visit www.rvmuseum.net and you can see some of the RVs from the past.

What’s In a Name?  The possibility of a Law Suit!

The name “North Carolina” was in dispute as the name of an upcoming RV show taking place at the Raleigh Convention Center, North Carolina.  After AGI obtained a Restraining Order, Apple Rock—the advertiser and promoter of the show, was forced to rename the show the NCRVDA Show which is to be held January 20 to 22, 2012.

Bisbee, AZ Trying to Eliminate Permanent RV Living

BISBEE, Ariz. — During Thursday’s meeting, members of the Bisbee Planning and Zoning Commission discussed an amendment to the city code regarding the use of RVs and travel trailers, in hopes of eliminating the use of RVs as living quarters, reports the Sierra Vista Herald.

Community Development Director John Charley proposed an ordinance that would set concise regulations on length of use, the permitting process, the use of utilities and the establishment of a permit fee, reports the Sierra Vista Herald.

The Sierra Vista Herald reports that the draft ordinance prohibits the use of an RV for permanent occupancy.

For the complete story from the Sierra Vista Herald, click here.

Tampa RV Show Sets Attendance Record

A new record of 54,000 attendees over five public days was reported today, according to the Florida RV Trade Association.  That is approximately 900 more than last year’s event.  Dealers and manufacturers reported excellent sales, which is usually a precursor to the entire RV industry nationwide.  The dates for the 2013 Florida RV Super Show is January 16-20 for the public; January 15th for the RV Industry.  For more information, visit www.frvta.org.

Florida ARVC declares “The Worst is Over”

A spokesman for ARVC said despite the economy and political situation, the worst is over as things are better than two years ago and the outlook is positive.

Attention Super Bowl Fans

The Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources reports “available, affordable and nearby” facilities at Indiana’s State Parks and State Park Inns for those coming to Indianapolis for the event.  Go to Camp.In.Gov to find out more.

That’s It for Now, Friends!

Mary Lou Merritt
marylou@workamper.com

Category: Jaimie - RV Lifestyle Expert, Other, RV Lifestyle, RV Professor, WKN Forums, WKN Info & Updates, WKN Store  Tags: ,  Comments off

So…You Want to Sell Your House?

17 Jan 2012        By editor

In last week’s IBN, I told you how my husband Grady and I sold both our primary residence and a rental property in the first week we listed it.  This week I’m going to give you some hints as to what should be done in preparation to putting your house on the market.  Keep practicing these tips for as long as it is on the market!   Please do not take these tips personal!  The intention is to help you sell your house.  Your personal preferences can be practiced when you are settled down again—whether in your RV or a new home.  For now, follow these tips to have the most success at selling your house!

First, keep in mind that buyers won’t even come inside if they don’t like the appearance of the exterior.  Prune bushes below window height; add mulch to your flower beds and consider adding a pop of color with a potted plant or annuals in season.  Don’t forget about the roof! There are companies that can “soft wash” the roof to make it look nearly new. Cut overhanging tree limbs and remove all dead wood. Curb appeal is important so make certain your path to your front door is attractive – clean and swept off.  Make sure your front door (and garage door) is washed, if not freshly painted, and consider replacing hardware or light fixtures if they are rusty looking.  If nothing else—wash the glass and make sure your light bulbs are bright enough and brush away all cobwebs!  Is your mailbox a sight for sore eyes, and are the address numbers plainly visible?

But first, before putting your house on the market, allow yourself plenty of time to get rid of stuff.  Clean out closets and even attics, basements and garages.  Get rid of needless furniture.  If you are planning on being a fulltime RVer, get used to living with less!  You won’t be able to take all those family photos with you, so go ahead and take them off the walls or off the dressers and tables.  You don’t want to distract your buyers—they need to imagine themselves living in your space!

You may be a collector or consider yourself an aficionado of something, but that doesn’t mean a prospective buyer needs to know it. Again—it could be something that they totally could not relate to. One of the most difficult things about becoming a fulltimer is deciding what to do with treasures such as collectibles.  Now is the time to take action—before you put your house on the market! Are you going to sell, give away or store your collectibles?

Most offensive are bathroom counters and showers cluttered with items.  Stick everything in a drawer or out of sight! Be especially careful about leaving medicine bottles out –hide them! You just never know who is a serious buyer or a drug addict or a nosy neighbor!  Scrub your tubs and showers and replace calking, first removing any mold. Is your toilet seat worn?  A quick, cheap replacement can add value to lookers.  How about your shower curtain or doors? Fresh and clean is what you need to be thinking!

Kitchens look bigger without mixers, blenders, food, spices and what-nots on the counters.  Use Murphy’s Oil soap on your wooden cabinets to clean them, make certain your oven, stove, refrigerator and sink is clean as well.  Lighting again is very important and even if you’ve done without much light in your kitchen, you might consider putting in a few inexpensive strip lights under the kitchen counters which will brighten everything.  We know you love your kids and grandkids, and refrigerator magnets make an easy way to show off your photos and important phone numbers and lists, but for now—take them all down.  Also remove anything you have stacked on top of your refrigerator.

Do you have a fireplace?  Even that is something that needs to be kept up—keep the hearth clean and make sure there isn’t soot and a lot of ashes.  Consider that some people have sensitive noses.

Then there are those dreaded baseboards.  It really improves the look of the rooms if they are clean. Hopefully, you have heard about Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.  They truly are magical to remove scuff marks on everything!  Check your windowsills and doors throughout the house for cleanliness.

Do you have pets? We love them too, but many people don’t.  Do whatever you have to make it smell and appear like they are not in your home.  Have your carpets cleaned and regularly use Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh—but don’t over-do using it or other spray scents or oils.  Just a light touch or buyers will wonder what you are trying to cover up!  Again, some people (like me with allergies) are sensitive to room sprays and potpourri, so less is more.

How about plants—are you an indoor plant lover? Take a look around and see how many of them look more dead than alive. Get rid of all but a few healthy ones. At the risk of offending someone, take a good look at your  “fake flowers.”   How long have you owned them?  A general rule of thumb, if they are plastic, most people consider them tacky: discard them.  Seriously.  If they are silk, be certain they are still attractive and look real or toss them also!  Too many people don’t have a clue that silk flowers can be washed!  Carefully hold them upside down at your kitchen sink and spray them with water. Give them a good shake, shake, shake and let them air dry. Do they look refreshed? Then make a judgment, or let your realtor or honest friend tell you whether they should go or stay.  Do you have plants with big leaves (real or silk)?  Wash their leaves with a damp paper towel or rag.  If the plants have become overgrown and take up too much space, give them away!

Wash your windows and make sure you adjust your blinds or curtains when the house is on the market to let in plenty of light.  Leave lights on that illuminate dark corners when you know your house is going to be shown.

All in all, develop a “less is more” attitude.  This takes time.  The sooner you start, the sooner you will realize that your home looks bigger and brighter the less stuff that is around.

If you have something that is so out of style or touch with the world, get rid of it.  For example, one time  I had dark brown carpet that was great at hiding stains, but I could not sell my house because it made the family room look too small.   What if someone wants to replace it with wood flooring or tile you ask?  That’s what I thought too, so I delayed spending the money on new carpet.  When the house didn’t sell, we finally replaced the dark carpet with light carpet and it did the trick. The room looked twice as big and we sold the house. Sometimes you do what you have to do for people that have no imagination.

Prospective buyers have to see the possibilities.  They have to imagine themselves living in your space.  Make sure your home looks as spacious as possible, and as welcome.

Next week, I will share about pricing and expectations.  It’s a reality check that we had to experience ourselves!

Mary Lou

What is Significant About Valentine’s Day  2012?

Just until Valentines Day (February 14, 2012), we are offering a GOLD LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITY to YOU!

A Lifetime Gold Club Member offer involves a two-way commitment.  It means that Workamper News is committed to you to bring you the best of the best, as you commit to us to be the best you can be.  Be sure find out more before time runs out, because this is the last time the offer will ever be priced so low!  $299 to get all the benefits of Gold membership with no more renewal worries.  It means all of the best tools and resources and connections with other Club members.  Sure, you can get a peek at the Club Workamper website.  Take a peek at the benefits offered Gold members on this public portion of the website.

Won’t you be our Valentine?

January Highlights at Workamper News

Jan 18, 2012 – Yellowstone Jobinar! Register at DNC Parks & Resorts at Yellowstone Jobinar

Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yellowstone, says: Live the Adventure! Join this enthusiastic staff and make life-long friends while enjoying first-hand the amazing wonders of living in Yellowstone National Park. Our positions go from May/June through August/September. Full hookup RV sites and employee meals available. For details, please visit our Featured Employer Page at Workamper.com Attend this Jobinar to learn about these great Workamping opportunities. A Q&A time will be included too.

10 a.m. PT/11 a.m. MT/12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/271886122

Jan 25, 2012 – Ask the RV Tax Master – George Montgomery 

For Gold Member ONLY. This online webinar will provide you with the opportunity to ask any and all questions you may have about how to manage your taxes as a Workamper. Join the RV Tax Master – George Montgomery, during this special webinar event and get your questions answered!

5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT/8 p.m. ET

Visit the Ask the Experts page on the Club website to register!

Jan 30, 2012 – Workamper Campfire – January 2012

Join other Workampers and Workamper Dreamers who have questions about Workamping and would like to have them discussed around the campfire. You can submit your question and we will do our best to provide input on your question during the event.

Please submit your question when you register if you can. We will also take live questions during the Campfire event.

This event will take place at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT/3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET

At the Workamper News Forums–

Join the discussions on these hot topics!

  • Have you shared “What’s your favorite part of the country?” If not, join in at the Workampers Forum (Member-only).
  • If you are researching employers, start at the Workamper Experiences Forum (Member-only).
  • Post your images at the Workamper Images Forum and check out the ones already there!
  • The EEOC has ruled that a “H.S. diploma requirement- out?” for many jobs. Do you agree? Weigh in at the General Workamping Forum.
  • “Did you rent an RV before you bought your own RV?” Participate in the poll at the Full-timing Forum.
  • Solos – Let us hear from you at the Solo Workamping Forum.
  • Add your modifications at the DIY, Mods & Upgrades Forum. You can upload photos too!
  • Any other ideas for “Staying fit in an RV”? Add yours at the Workamper Interests and Hobbies Forum.

Log in (or register at) Workamper Forums

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

www.rvlifestylexperts.com

RV Industry News You Can Use

Keep Updated on Recalls

Recall information for any make and model of RV can be found at the NHTSA Recall Database.  So that you are protected if a recall occurs, make sure that the vehicle manufacturer and the chassis manufacturer of your RV have your current contact information on file so that they can reach you in the event of a future recall.

The NHTSA auto Safety Hotlines is 888-327-4236.  They can give you information about recall history of a particular make and model vehicle.

TACO Releases 2012 Campground Directory

This Texas directory also  features a Texas Saver Card, providing  10 to 15 percent discounts at participating Texas parks.  The directory is broken up into seven sections, each representing a distinct region of Texas. An eighth section is dedicated to New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Locator maps are provided at the beginning of each section, with numbered listings of the campgrounds for each region. Campgrounds are also alpha-indexed by city and park name. RV and camping enthusiasts can order the nearly 150-page directory online by visiting www.texascampgrounds.com. The 2012 Texas RV Travel & Camping Guide is also posted on the website in digital page-turning format. The Texas Association of Campground Operators publishes and distributes the Texas RV Travel & Camping Guide each year. For more information about the 2012 directory, call Schaeffer at 817.307.0129.

Photo Contest for RVers

Congratulations Cummins Onan! To celebrate the production of their 2 millionth RV generator, they are offering a photo contest to RVers.  Submit a photo for a chance to win an Apple iPad 2.  The contest will run through March 31st and will be put on the contest website for your friends to vote on.  The person submitting the photo that gets the most votes by the end of the contest will receive the iPad 2.  Go HERE to enter and learn the details.  go to www.rvphotocontest.com.  Good luck, Workamper News members!   Make us proud!  Let us know on Facebook that you have entered a photo so we can vote for your submission!

Workamper News Facebook 

Please “LIKE” us on our FACEBOOK PAGE and let us know how you are doing or anything of interest to other members or RVers through Workamper News’ Facebook network!

Michigan Seeks Volunteers for Summer Campground Hosts

[Source:  RV Daily Report] MICHIGAN — The Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Division is offering free camping this summer for outdoor lovers who volunteer as campground hosts at Michigan state parks, recreation areas or state forest campgrounds. The Volunteer 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.

Campground hosts direct visitors to their campsites, answer questions about the park or state forest, arrange campground activities and perform light maintenance duties and other services, depending on the hosts’ talents and interests. They can be individuals or teams. Retired couples, teachers and students, as well as families, are just some of the volunteers who have enjoyed spending their time as campground hosts.

Campground 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 camping unit, equipment and personal items.

State park hosts must attend a two-day training session the end of April, 2012 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, his or her camping experience, special skills, availability, knowledge of the area and the needs of the specific park or forest campground.

Hosts are particularly needed during the busy camping season, which can begin as early as April in state parks 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.

Information and applications are available from the DNR’s website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvisitorcenters. Those 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 Pam Ames at 517.467.7401; for state forest campgrounds, please contact Ada Takacs at 989.275.5151, ext. 2049.

National Forest Wanderings Newsletter Celebrates 5th Anniversary

[source:  RV Daily Report]  ARIZONA–For five years, the National Forest Wanderings newsletter has provided information to campers about national forests and grasslands and their developed campgrounds in the United States of America. Fred and Suzi Dow, publishers of ForestCamping.com, look forward to another year of giving the public free-of-charge insight to all that national forests and grasslands have to offer.

Published on the last Wednesday of the month, the newsletter contains up to seven brief articles on ranging topics such as winter camping tips, notable campgrounds, previews of special events coming up in national forests, and the re-introduction of some species to a forest or grassland. There are also tips and heads-up to help the novice and experienced campers enjoy their time in national forests and grasslands across the country.

That’s it for now, Folks!  Check back at the first of next week for a new post!

Mary Lou

Category: Editor, Jaimie - RV Lifestyle Expert, RV Lifestyle, RV Professor, WKN Info & Updates  Tags:  Comments off

Rare Opportunities!

04 Oct 2011        By editor

A Rare Opportunity to Invest in your Future.

No more renewals! Take advantage of this rare opportunity!

For the month of October, we are offering a GOLD LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITY that will give you the best we have to offer for the entire time you want to participate as a Workamper member.  The price?  $299.00 (minus any value left in your membership account).  If you renewed your membership recently: don’t worry—we will credit you for the unused months!  No more renewals means locking in your membership cost for a lifetime at TODAY’S prices.  You know postage and shipping costs keep going up, up, up.  Now you won’t have to worry about rising costs when it becomes necessary for Workamper News to raise its’ dues in order to cover costs.

$299.00 for every benefit Gold Club Members receive at Workamper News, Inc.

What exactly are those benefits?  Let me review them for you!

New tools for you to use!

Lifetime members are able to place a 75-word ad online to advertise their skills, availability, and preferences.  We call it the SWO Tool!  (Situated Wanted Online).  That means Employers can review the workampers who placed ads to determine if there is a suitable candidate for their available position.

Live Roundtables!  The Workamper News website and magazine does a great job of answering questions, but the Live Roundtable is a way to get immediate answers and have discussions about any Workamping topic you might think of.  Meet other members to discuss topics of interest or of concern. Get a sense of community! It doesn’t get more real than that and it happens every month!

ASK THE EXPERTS monthly webinar.  Each month, a different expert is invited to speak at a scheduled webinar online and Lifetime members have the ability to participate and ask any and all questions.  The event is recorded for your convenience.

Lifetime members are “Club members” and have their own website as a resource and for their tools.  An online Club newsletter is posted each month.

You will be given 500 free business cards!  Hand these out to friends, employers, or anyone else you want to have your contact information.  As Workampers, you are on the move! Being able to get in touch with each other is important! A business card also makes a great impression on prospective Employers.

Speaking of keeping in touch, LIFETIME MEMBERS can keep in touch with other Gold members with the Member Map & Locator tool. When you scan the map of the USA online from the Club website, each dot represents Workamper(s) which “pops up” with the details.  Add yourself to a location to let others know where you are!  Change your location on the map anytime!

Be the best you can be and enjoy all that the Lifetime Gold membership has to offer! Find out all the details by going to this special page!  Register here if you are you ready to enroll/upgrade your membership!

MEET George Montgomery, Enrolled Agent

RENDEZVOUS SPEAKER & WORKAMPER UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR

Employment W-2′s and 1099′s got you pinned down? Arm yourself with the information you need to get your future income tax and personal business planning done RIGHT!

Workamper News is pleased to introduce you to The RV Tax Master, George Montgomery, Enrolled Agent.

George will be presenting at the October Workamper Rendezvous.  At his seminar, he will provide you with valuable information such as:

  • The Importance of “The Domicile”
  • Tax filing requirements when you are a resident of one state and working in another
  • Criteria for selection of a domicile
  • Recordkeeping for the Workamper
  • What is tax deductible?
  • And more!

George will be glad to answer your questions at the Workamper Rendezvous live event!

George has been a Tax Planning Consultant as well as a full-time RVer providing him with over 15 years of walk-in-your shoes experience. He knows his stuff and you will be glad you attended his seminar!

THEN, George will be presenting “Workamper Tax Pro Secrets”–a six-hour Bonus Day Opportunity.  Get detailed information about George’s six hour seminar on October 21st!

*****************************************************************************

Have You Bought Your Tickets? 

TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY :  THE WORKAMPER RENDEZVOUS!    $148.00 is a great price for three days of fabulous learning, networking, help with Workamper News’ online tools, meeting a few Employers and talking about all there is to know about the Workamping lifestyle.  Steve Anderson, family and staff really want YOU to attend! For all the details, click here.

So, please, sign up today!

Have you chosen your Bonus Day session and signed up?  In the last several IBNs, I have introduced all four Bonus Day speakers.  Go back and look at the introductions and make your determination as to  which presentation will best benefit you:

  • George Montgomery (above) – our RV Tax Master
  • Terry Cooper – our RV Professor
  • Mark Kohler – Guest Speaker – Small Business Tax & Legal Symposium
  • Jaimie Hall Bruzenak – our RV Lifestyle Expert – Find that perfect job and put your best foot forward!

You really can’t go wrong!  All 4 opportunities will be so helpful!  Make your decision and register for your Bonus Day seminars today!

************************************************************************

Join the discussions on these hot topics!

At the Workamper News Forum–

  • Anyone have “Info on Seasons in the Sun Resort, Titusville FL” for staying there? Add yours at the Workampers Forum (Member-only).
  • If you are researching employers, start at the Workamper Experiences Forum (Member-only).
  • Post your images at the Workamper Images Forum and check out the ones already there!
  • “Who workamps in a motorhome over ten years old?” The discussion continues at the General Workamping Forum.
  • “Rx Savings.” Share your tips at the Full-timing Forum.
  • Any solos headed to the “Rendezvous”? Let us know at the Solo Workamping Forum.
  • Check out the latest projects at the DIY, Mods & Upgrades Forum. You can upload photos too!
  • Check out the “Free Cookbook for Kindle” at the Workamper Interests and Hobbies Forum.

Log in (or register at) Workamper Forums

October Calendar–

Keep abreast of what’s happening!

October 4, 2011:   5 p.m. PT / 6 p.m.  MT / 7 p.m. CT/ 8 p.m. ET

Mark Kohler’s Introduction to Small Business Tax & Legal Symposium:

Learn from Mark how you can ultimately reduce your greatest expense – TAXES. This webinar will introduce you to his great personality, easy to understand teaching methods, and help you decide if you want to attend the Symposium on October 21, 2011 and/or take advantage of his other resources.  Register to attend by clicking here.

October 6, 2011:  GOLD MEMBER ROUNDTABLE:  a PRIVATE SESSION FOR GOLD MEMBERS TO EXPERIENCE AND LEARN HOW OTHER Gold members are improving their Workamping lifestyle, get to know each other and ask questions.  Gold members register at Clubworkamper.com to register!

October 12 or October 26, 2011:   10 a.m. PT/11 a.m. MT/12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET

DNC Parks & Resorts at Yellowstone Jobinar:

Participate live in this presentation that Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yellowstone will be giving.   Find out about the amazing wonders of living in Yellowstone National Park. Positions go from May/June through August/September.  Full hookup RV sites and employee meals available. For details, please visit their Featured Employer Page at Workamper.com or click here to register for their upcoming Jobinars.

October 13, 2011

Introduction to the Outdoor Hospitality Education Program – Presented by ARVC
Special Guest: Sr Director of Admin & Education

Presented by:
Workamper News

10/13/2011 01:00 PM Central Time Are you wondering how to better market yourself to RV Parks & Campgrounds? Learn more about the new Outdoor Hospitality Education Program offered through the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC). When parks are looking for their employees they are looking for someone who understands the industry and its uniqueness. This highly recognized program offers training on communication, health & safety, technology, guest services, and general industry knowledge. Learn more about this great opportunity that can help open new doors for you and increase your likelihood of securing a job in the coming season. Whether you’re thinking about joining the industry or are already involved, you can benefit from this ARVC program. The Outdoor Hospitality Education Program kicks off at the 2011 Outdoor Hospitality Conference in Savannah, GA this November.

*If you can’t attend the webinar and want more information on the Outdoor Hospitality Education Program or Conference, please contact Sr. Director of Administration & Education, Barb Youmans at 303-681-0401 ext 118 or byoumans@arvc.org

11 a.m. PT/12 p.m. MT/1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET

Register Now: Click HERE to register for this Webinar

October 25, 2011:  Workamper Campfire!

Presented by:
Steve Anderson – WKN President

10/25/2011 03:00 PM Central Time Join other Workampers and Workamper Dreamers who have questions about Workamping and would like to have them discussed around the campfire.  You can submit your question and we will do our best to provide input on your question during the event.

Please submit your question when you register if you can.  We will also take live questions during the Campfire event.

1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT/3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET

Register Now: Click HERE to register for this Webinar


Category: Jaimie - RV Lifestyle Expert, Other, RV Lifestyle, RV Professor, WKN Forums, WKN Info & Updates  Comments off

We Have the A’s for Your Q’s

26 Sep 2011        By editor

Doing Our Best to Give You Answers

A big issue for RVers, of course, is living in and maintaining an RV—whether a motorhome, Fifth Wheel or travel trailer.

At the first Workamper Rendezvous, nearly half of the attendees were not yet active Workampers.  They were exploring the Workamping lifestyle by attending the expert seminars, talking to experienced Workampers and Employers in attendance.  Many of them had a natural fear of the unknown about whether they were capable of jumping into the RVing lifestyle.

Having the ability to listen and interact with experts like Terry and Evada Cooper, experienced Workampers at the Roundtables or social events scheduled, and getting answers to SO many questions proved to be a fantastic experience.  It is hoped that more people take advantage of the great seminars on October 18-20, 2011, as well as the Bonus Day seminars the experts offer.

Terry has often been called “America’s RV Expert,” but Workampers know him as “Terry Cooper – the RV Professor.”  Terry is a Master-Certified RV technician, a licensed insurance claims adjustor, a recently retired college instructor, and is the Chairman of the Education Committee of the Texas RV Association.  He and his wife Evada own Mobile RV Academy – a technical training school for RV technicians and RV consumers.

Terry and Evada travel all over the country attending RV shows, rallies and visiting dealerships teaching the RV consumer how to enjoy the RV experience. Now, an opportunity to learn from both of them will be presented to YOU in very comfortable surroundings at Heber Springs Arkansas’ state-of-the-art Community Center.

”The Texas RV Professor” knows just about everything there is to know about RV maintenance and repair. A presentation by Terry is always interesting and very informative. His intention is to answer all those RV tech questions that ordinarily come up to RVers and to help them perform routine maintenance on their RV and keep it out of the expensive RV service departments which now charge over $100 typically per hour for labor. Evada, or “Lady E” will give a presentation on the RV kitchen, where her expertise lies.  Talk about “must haves” for your RV kitchen and how to stay organized. She will have her book, the “RV Centennial Cookbook”  on hand for you to purchase and she will be glad to autograph it!

“Times are tough and I can certainly appreciate finding ways to cut costs of living,” says Cooper.  Most RVers want to stay mobile and away from problems preventing them from enjoying their camping or RV living experiences, which frequently takes them far away from anywhere close to a service center. “Knowing how to solve most problems…or more importantly, prevent them in the first place– is my goal for those that take my courses.”

Terry will be presenting his own eight hour RV Maintenance Seminar on October 21, 2011 (you can attend whether or not you are an attendee at the Workamper Rendezvous on the 18th-20th).  Hand-outs will be given as well as a Certificate of Completion for the tech course.  To Read More Click Here.

**********************************************

Amazon Jobinar This Week

Amazon is looking for several hundred Workampers starting October – December 2011! Listen to this Jobinar session to learn more about Amazon’s holiday season and delivering gifts to our customers, in a fast paced and friendly work environment! This is a unique Jobinar where you will have the chance to hear from past Workampers! You could help in any warehouse task, such as Receiving, Stowing and Shipping items. We offer complimentary sites with full hook-ups! Feel free to also email us at seasonal-camper@amazon.com

September 28, 2011:  10 a.m. PT/11 a.m. MT/12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET

Register for the Amazon Jobinar to attend live or to receive a link to the recording by email.

**********************************************

WEBINARS and JOBINARS in October! 

October 4, 2011:   5 p.m. PT / 6 p.m.  MT / 7 p.m. CT/ 8 p.m. ET

Mark Kohler’s Introduction to Small Business Tax & Legal Symposium:

Learn from Mark how you can ultimately reduce your greatest expense – TAXES. This webinar will introduce you to his great personality, easy to understand teaching methods, and help you decide if you want to attend the Symposium on October 21, 2011 and/or take advantage of his other resources.  Register to attend by clicking here.

October 12 or October 26, 2011:   10 a.m. PT/11 a.m. MT/12 p.m. CT/1 p.m. ET

DNC Parks & Resorts at Yellowstone Jobinar:

Participate live in this presentation that Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yellowstone will be giving.   Find out about the amazing wonders of living in Yellowstone National Park. Positions go from May/June through August/September.  Full hookup RV sites and employee meals available. For details, please visit their Featured Employer Page at Workamper.com or click here to register for their upcoming Jobinars.

**********************************************

Did You Miss Out?

We record all of our webinars so folks who cannot attend live can still access the great information that is covered.

1. To hear the recorded version of the webinar presented last week (Why You Should Attend the Rendezvous) visit the Webinars page at Workamper.com or Click Here.   Several past Rendezvous attendees joined Steve Anderson, and a great overview was given.

2. Questions discussed during the Workamper Campfire webinar for September:

  • We are unsure as to our exact availability date, but we don’t want to remove our resume. What should we do?
  • If I am a distributor of a product, say coffees, is there any license, permit and etiquette information you would recommend if I am working out of an RV site?
  • How has medical marijuana affected drug testing by employers in this industry?
  • Have you noticed much of a decline in available jobs or salary since the economy has been bad?
  • I’m getting ready to retire in March 2012 and am a bit apprehensive. Do you have any words of support?
  • I have a talent that may benefit a campground. I would imagine that would put me in a contracted position. Since I would be a single Workamper could I contract my talent as well as work for the employer?  How would that work?
  • Is there a place I can go to learn to drive an RV before I purchase one?

To watch the recording, visit the Webinars page at Workamper.com or Click Here.

It is always more beneficial to hear the Webinars live. But isn’t it fantastic that we record them for your convenience?  Participate live if you can, so you can ask your own questions, or comment on others.

**********************************************

Gold Members: Don’t Forget!

September 29, 2011- ASK THE EXPERT EVENT! 5 p.m PT/6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT/8 p.m. ET

This online webinar will provide you with the opportunity to ask any and all questions you may have about how to market yourself to prospective employers. Join Steve Anderson, WKN President and creator of Workamper Marketing 101, during this special webinar event and get your questions answered!

Visit the Ask the Experts page at ClubWorkamper.com to register today!

Then, on October 6th at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT/3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET

Mark your calendar for this upcoming  ROUNDTABLE — a private session for Gold members to experience and learn how other Gold members are improving their Workamping lifestyle, get to know each other, and ask questions.

Visit the Gold RoundTable page at ClubWorkamper.com to get registered today!

**********************************************

Join the Discussions on these Hot Topics!

At the Workamper News Forums Site

  • “Gun shots!” How close do you want to be? Join in the discussion at the Workampers Forum (Member-only).
  • If you are researching employers, start at the Workamper Experiences Forum (Member-only).
  • Post your images at the Workamper Images Forum and check out the ones already there!
  • “Is working for an owner/operator good as a first assignment?” Weigh in at the General Workamping Forum.
  • “WiFI crashing.” Have you run into this problem at an RV park? Share your experience at the Full-timing Forum.
  • Any solos headed to the “Rendezvous”? Let us know at the Solo Workamping Forum.
  • Check out the latest projects at the DIY, Mods & Upgrades Forum. You can upload photos too!
  • “Poll: What RV lifestyle magazines do you subscribe to?” Check off yours at the Workamper Interests and Hobbies Forum.

Log in (or register at) Workamper Forums

Category: Editor, Other, RV Lifestyle, RV Professor, WKN Forums, WKN Store  Tags: , , , , ,  Comments off
« Previous Entries