Category: Frugal RV living

RV parts catalogs and Internet can save cash

Russ De Maris
  By Russ and Tiña De Maris Go into nearly any RV parts house and ask for something other than an ordinary, common part and you’ll be asked to come back to get it the next day. How come? Well, it’s difficult for most mom-and-pop RV supply outfits to stock everything that could be needed – the parts might molder... Read More

RV product “vanished” from store shelf? Here’s help

Russ De Maris
  By Russ and Tiña De Maris Call us old-fashioned. While it seems every product has to undergo at least one “upgrade” every year, we tend to stick with what we know. When we had to replace a computer some time back, we bought the last Windows 7 computer a major electronics retailer had in stock — we have no... Read More

Save $$ on fresh fruits and veggies — Pick your own!

Russ De Maris
  By Bob Difley Picking your own fruit and vegetables is catching on as health- and taste-conscious consumers seek fresher and healthier food. You can now find everything to pick yourself from apples and nuts to fruits, berries and vegetables. Prices are considerably cheaper since you have eliminated the labor cost of harvesting from the farmer’s overhead. Look along rural... Read More

Don’t let your RV wind deflector be so much hot air

Russ De Maris
  By Jim Twamley Just how effective are those RV wind deflectors you see on trucks pulling 5th wheels and travel trailers? Though somewhat technical (what you’d expect from a Professor of RVing), this information could save you some serious cash. Trucks pulling trailers lose a majority of their energy at highway speeds through aerodynamic drag. Using computational fluid dynamics,... Read More

RVers: Find TV signals easily with a free app

Russ De Maris
  By Russ and Tiña De Maris If you’re like us, you probably aren’t a satellite antenna user. Too much junk for too much money. But when you’re traveling and you still want to catch the news, or put your feet up for a little down-time, having the boob-tube is still something we call “a necessary evil.” But at the... Read More

Free RV spot? Try caretaking — trade skills, or your presence

Russ De Maris
  By Bob Difley Caretaking takes many forms, such as simply camping at a remote location to deter theft or vandalism or staying on someone else’s property while they are away. This could often entail watering plants, feeding pets or gardening. Usually you will stay in your own rig but have access to electrical and water connections and the use... Read More

Full-time RVing: Save on your top three expenses

Russ De Maris
By Bob Difley Three of the biggest expenses for full-time or near-full-time RVers are fuel, campgrounds, and eating out. But one of the great advantages of RVing is that you can easily change any one or all three of these expense categories to adjust to the changing economy or the fluctuation of your personal finances. To save on the fuel... Read More