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Post Info TOPIC: Newbies
Gary and Kerry


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Hello everyone,
first up would like to congratulate the webmaster and all you grey nomads for an absolute wealth of information.
We are seriously considering hitting the road within the next 12 months,I am 53 and Kerry is 50.The question we are asking ourselves is, can we really afford to do it.We will have an income of between 30K and 35K with no other debts.
Our rig is an 18' pop top towed by a new Hyunda Terrican.
There is no hurry to get around and hope to  pick up a bit of casual work around the traps.
For the last couple of years we have been going away every long weekend,holidays and when ever we can get a couple of free days and love the life style.
I spend a lot of time asking questions of people we meet on the road to learn as much as we can before we commit. Individual circumstances will dictate their travelling budget but as a general rule of thumb will our income be adequate?

Thank you

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http://garykerrystraveldiary.blogspot.com/


htttp://garyandkerrys2009travels.blogspot.com.




Port Noarlunga SA

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
Peter_n_Margaret


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Gary and Kerry.
You can do it on whatever you have.
If you want to work along the way, there has never been more jobs to be had as there are now.

Cheers,
Peter.

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret at 19:43, 2008-03-24

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
suenami


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Peter's reply to you was heartening for me. I'm 57 and solo and have my place on the market. Intend to buy a Venture Fifth Wheeler (small) from Toowoomba and a Flacon RTV Ute to tow it. This will be my home and life. My needs are small and it's true there's much work out there. In the end I may only have my pension of $500 a fortnight. I too am a newbie but did the Centre in 1972 and can't wait to get back there.
cheers
Suesmile



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Sue
Taking "the road less travelled"
speedy sue


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As Peter and Margaret mentioned you can really have a budget of as much or as little as you like when you travel.  There are some great free and budget campsites out there that I think are much preferable to staying at a $30 per night van park.  Jan Holland's series of books "Priceless Campsites and Rest Areas of ...(Northern WA, Southern WA and the NT)" give you good descriptions of the camps and maps of where to find them. 
You can also save a lot of money on petrol (and stress too!) if you travel slowly.  
On our last trip I worked for temporary agencies in the cities and took time off when we went to the remote spots.  I didn't find it hard to get work even though my skills are a bit rusty.  We also met lots of people picking up a bit of spare cash in the van parks as mechanics, welders, hairdressers, gem cutters and even selling their own handiworks.



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Susan
suenami


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Thanks heaps Susan. I'll get some of Jan Holland's books. Sounds just what I'm looking for. I want to cover the Gulf territory as well. I figure 80k/hr would be my maximum speed - I'm usually slower. You make me feel a bit more confident about finding work as well, although I'd rather stay away from cities.  I guess I worry a bit about money and petrol but as I read through other forums, it is being done. What a learning curve! Next up have to drive to Toowoomba (1250km) to test drive - I've not towed anything so big before but it shouldn't be a problem.
p.s. this is by far my favourite forum!
cheers
Sue

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Sue
Taking "the road less travelled"
tmw


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I too am new to this caravanning life. My husband passed away just over 3 years ago and last year decided to sell my Jayco Swan camper and bought a 17ft poptop fully equiped with 3 large solar panels. I did a short, far too rushed, trip from Brisbane to Winton with brother & sister in law last year and am planning to go to Uluru and return to Brisbane via Coober Pedy, Broken Hill and NSW outback this year, leaving end of grandson's footy season around 17th August - this time travelling solo and utilising the free camps as much as possible. I will be on a very restricting budget but time if of no essence as long as home before kids breakup in December. I only joined this forum today and am very heartened by the topics and replies I have read so far. Any and all advice is more than welcome, I don't have time to learn only from my own mistakes!
Cheers
TMW - Carolyn

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Carolyn McLeod
Gary and Kerry


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Hi Sue,
A friend of ours who does a fair bit of ittinerant work in the bush strongly suggests that you carry a current police check and have a ABN number. A lot of people would rather put you on as a contractor therefore not needing to worry about super or work cover.etc. ABN numbers are easy to get (can apply online) and police checks are $45, apply at any police station but allow 4-6 weeks to get.

An update on our trip planning, have just upgraded our van to a 23.5' Adria,am having solar panels (2).a second deep cycle battery,satellite TV fitted this week.
We plan to do a couple of short trips over the next few months to get used to the bigger rig.

cheers
Gary

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http://garykerrystraveldiary.blogspot.com/


htttp://garyandkerrys2009travels.blogspot.com.




Port Noarlunga SA

Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
Peter_n_Margaret


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Good advise Gary.
An ABN is free an there are no reporting requirements or on going costs.
Get one here:
http://www.abr.gov.au/ABR_BC/

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
suenami


Senior Member

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What a clever idea, Gary. You're right, it's very worthwhile. I cancelled my ABN a while back - Hadn't used it, nor even thought of it in this context. It's easy to rehash and I will. It is so encouraging to find myself in an area where older experienced workers are - almost preferred - in some instances. Mmmm, maybe life begins at 60.......wish someone would buy my house so I can go........
Top Idea!
Cheers
Suesmile



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Sue
Taking "the road less travelled"
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