Yes, We Have No Toothbrushes

Do other part-timers have trouble remembering what they have stored in their RV? We do. Are we the only ones? Our last trip upstate was to get the RV ready for winter storage. When packing to go we were unsure what we needed to take and what we already had. Not the big stuff like pots & pans, dishes and cups, towels and sheets. I'm talking about the little things like deodorant, shampoo, paper towels, toilet paper, and most importantly, toothbrushes. We had planned to buy extra toothbrushes and leave them there. But did we?

Since long periods go by between visits we find it hard to remember. Subsequently, we go through the same routine every time and as usual we took some things we didn’t need and forgot some that we did. So, because we won’t be back in the rig until March, as part of packing up I decided to take inventory of everything we have. And being a hyper organized nut I created an excel spreadsheet of said inventory.

I’m not suggesting anyone else do this. Honestly, I known it’s a little OCD. I also know it will be a big help to us. I now know what we have and what we need. The more we can keep in the rig the easier each trip will be. The less we have to pack and transport the more pleasant the adventure. After all, isn’t that part of the charm of owning a second home on wheels. Unlike taking a trip for a week or two to some hotel or resort - where you have to take everything - my ideal is to just throw some clothes in a bag and go.

You might think we would have done this before, but we are still learning all the ins and outs of this Rving thing. Every time we do it something new comes up. This is just another lesson learned and I’m certain there are many more to come. One day, with a little luck and a lot more experience, we will have it all down pat.

As it turns out we didn’t have those extra toothbrushes. Luckily, to be on the safe side, we brought the ones from home with us. I’ve updated my spreadsheet accordingly.

-Diane

The Cupboard Was Bare

So, you've bought an RV. Congratulations! If you're part-timers, like us, then you are now the proud owner of a second home on wheels. The rig will come fully furnished, so there's that. But what about all the other stuff? Unless you intend to lug everything back and forth every time you hit the road, you will need to stock your RV with all the necessities, and it would be easy to spend a small fortune doing so. Because space can be at a premium you might think that RV specific items are your only option, but that's not true. No doubt some are practical and worth the cost, but in many cases there are inexpensive alternatives that will work just as well.

You could call me cheap, but I'm not. I will spend the money for a quality product if it's on sale. I prefer the term frugal, because I don't see the need to spend more than necessary. I don't see why you should either. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying and outfitting your RV. The lure of the specialty products can be hard to resist. I won't lie, I indulged at first, but soon realized that many were over priced gimmicks. I did buy nesting pots with folding handles, nesting kitchen utensils, nesting measuring cups with snap on caps...seeing a theme here?...a broom with a collapsible handle, an adjustable cutlery tray and a dish drying mat (the RV dish drains don't hold much and take up storage space. The mat is machine washable and can be folded and stored in a draw). I am pleased with all of them, but my favorites are the nesting bowls...there it is again...which includes a strainer, sieve and measuring spoons, and my ceramic knife set.

We also bought an ordinary cutting board, toaster, tea kettle, blender, small bath mat and bowl brush, pillows and bedding at a discount store. We use inexpensive covered wastebaskets for the garbage and recycling. We found lots of useful things at the dollar store, including silverware. We made use of extras we already had at home. Those towels that no longer match our remodeled bathroom now reside in the RV. That second microwave pasta cooker I got for Christmas now has a new home. My massive collection of food storage containers (a bone of contention between Bill and I) has been cut in half. I shop at one of those big box stores and pulled from that; sponges, paper towels and plates, plastic cups, shampoo and conditioner, soap, toothpaste, etc. Not only did I outfit the RV, but I uncluttered my house. Win, win.

Of course, your needs will be dictated by the size and storage space of your RV, but there is no need to break the bank. Splurge on the useful things, but buy quality (on sale, of course). Amazon and Walmart offer RV specific items at competitive prices. For the rest, discount and big box stores are a great resource.

-Diane