Trip 18 has also become a multi-leg adventure, this time with two locations. In a way, this one was planned.
As has been the case with many of our winter jobs so far, this one was found at the last minute. It's not the most secure way to live, but with so many different workamping singles and couples canceling their contracts for one reason or another, people like us are happy to come in and pick up the slack. We're very grateful to the management for offering a safe place to stay through the winter via workamping, and that the entire working situation remained as it was when we came in so we were able to make it through the season, not to mention them working with us when he had the monkey wrench of an emergency 1000-mile-each-way trip thrown in there.
As we reflect on the last few months while we wait to finish out other work obligations before heading to our next destination (one of us picks up seasonal work in town while the other works at the park to keep some cash flow), it dawned on us: Perhaps a couple weeks to actually relax and enjoy ourselves is really what we need after 5-6 months of seasonal labor. We've been going from job to job without so much of a stop, and it's certainly what we need to keep going and not get burned out. Maybe that's why we've found solace in the location we visited on trip 8 and trip 17, because in both cases it's been our "nice break". I don't know if we'll be going there again (at least anytime soon; I'm sure we will at some point), but it's always nice to have that "retreat" of sorts.
For now, we're ready to have a bit of a break as we look forward to our summer work; more on that will come as time passes. One the Internal Compass recharges, we'll be set to follow it where it takes us.
Even when you live on the road, both of the "sure things" in life still exist, with one of them being taxes. More specifically, the income type.
We've discussed previously some tax advantages that exist when you establish domicile in an income-tax-free state. As of the time this is written, the states without a state income tax are Alaska, Washington, Nevada, Texas, Wyoming, South Dakota, Florida, and Tennessee. Although New Hampshire does not charge tax on earned income, it does with unearned income (i.e. dividends and interest). The state where you establish domicile is going to cover bank interest, stock dividends, and capital gains, with each being a nice tidy supplement. But maybe you're wanting to work on the road, whether it's at the place you're staying, or somewhere in town. In addition to the federal rates, you may end up with another bill on your hands, so be ready for additional paperwork if you work in a state that wasn't listed.
Regardless of what state you're in, it's important to understand, and is a good idea to ask during the interview process, how you are being paid if you're workamping for salary. Are you receiving a W-2 as an employee, or are you receiving (or at least SHOULD be receiving) a 1099 as a self-employed contractor? This makes a big difference, because if it's the latter, you're going to be responsible for paying the entirety of Social Security and Medicare taxes, which is above 15%. If you receive a W-2, these are typically deducted as a "payroll tax" (look for FICA on the pay stub), of which the employer and employee both pay half, so if you're self-employed, you can deduct half from the adjusted gross income. An important note about these taxes is that they are due not only on April 15th, but also every quarter. You'll want to get familiar with Schedule C, Schedule SE, and the 1040-ES for estimated payments, but be careful not to get too "cheeky" with the deductions, because they might not be business related. If you've overpaid throughout the previous year, you can hold some or all of the refund as a prepayment for next year, which will help to offset these costs for at least part of the first quarter.
While we're on the subject of "every quarter", it's actually a good idea to reconcile your income generated at the end of each quarter: March 31st, May 31st, August 31st, and December 31st. Those middle two dates are intentional. Remember that 15 days after each of the aforementioned, taxes are due. When you're a full-time RVer, you're going to find that your rate of income could wildly change throughout the year. If this wild change puts you at a point where you're going to have to pay penalties, having these reconciliations will help you. You are able to reduce penalties based on an extrapolated income you would have made if what you did for the given period remained the same throughout the year. To figure this out, multiply quarter 1 by 4, quarter 2 by 2.4, and quarter 3 by 1.5 (now you see why those two weird dates are a month early).
As a quick disclaimer: The information provided may or may not be accurate as of the time you read this, so it's best to consult with a tax professional before making any sort of financial decisions. They'll make sure you're doing well when you Follow your Internal Compass.
So you've arrived at your workamping gig for the next six months, possibly after traveling a thousand miles or more. Your ideal first step after setting up is one you may not like, but is necessary.
One of the most important expectations that they don't tell you in the job description, whether you're a camp host, store clerk, or something where you are in the public eye, is that you are an ambassador for the area you're staying. In order to provide the best experience for those who visit, especially in a bit of a "tourist trap", you need to know the area around you like it was the back of your hand. Take a drive around and know where everything is. Who offers what? Even if it's something that you sell where you are, always have a plan B ready. They might have to go somewhere else once, but they'll likely return once your place has restocked.
It's not just the private organizations you need to know, but also some of the public regulations. If you have a golf cart, are you going to be able to drive it around? Where are overflow visitors able to park and not park? Maybe you have some lakes or rivers near you; what are the fishing regulations in that area? Ages for licenses, license costs, and available stock are the most common questions, along with keep limits. You've probably planned this location months in advance, so you can always do a little research before you arrive. It might be a good alternative to constantly asking the question, "Are we there yet?"
If you're in a tourist trap, it's not just the local area you need to know, but the region as a whole. More often than not, someone is going to ask you how to get somewhere, and if you're in a remote area, it could even be a couple of states away. This is where being a full-time RVer is actually an advantage. You're already going to know how to get around, including truck routes. You may have even taken a trip where they want to go previously. Bank on that knowledge. And if you don't know it, it's a good idea to learn, because you'll probably use it for your next trip.
So as you Follow your Internal Compass, enhance it with the knowledge of what is around you when you reach your destination.
Trip 11 is a bit of an odd duck for us, as we're considering several locations within the same state for this one. However, what was originally going to be two locations is now three, and potentially more.
Needless to say, we have had some really terrible luck once again with a workamping job at a campground. There was another change in direct reporting almost immediately after we arrived, and although this time we tried to stick it out for a safe place in the winter, it just wasn't meant to be. We won't go into details about what happened in order to protect the innocent, but at least there weren't any dramatics required. However just like trip 7, or any future trip involving workamping for that matter, we won't mention nor review the specific location, not only to protect the interests of those who utilize our services, but for the fact that a good review would be conceited, while a bad review would mean we didn't do well at our jobs.
On the bright side, and this is probably why we'll continue to consider campground jobs in the future, there are many wonderful people we met during our relatively short time at this location. They were very friendly and welcoming to all three of us with the Freedom Rolling crew. This has always been a great reward for us not only at the campgrounds, but at the other long-term workamping job that we had during trip 9. There are too many to mention by name, both human and canine, but we do sincerely hope that they are well, and that they are continuing to follow us by either the blog or one of our several social media outlets.
In the meantime, we are trying to stick around the same area because of local arrangements, albeit at a different spot or spots. The internal compass definitely wants to be here, but we'll see how long it lasts because it is a popular destination. At least once the months begin to pass, options open up as to where else to go, and we're already planning for the summer location. We'll find out together what happens in the future.
Ah "workamping", the way of life for many full-time RVers. For those of us retired and/or not bringing along some lucrative telecommuting job, it's how we keep the dream going. But if you're about to hit the road, what sort of oppoprtunities are there?
The most obvious workamping job out there is at a campground. One will run the main office, while another will clean up the grounds. It's not too bad of a selling point if you own a campground, either. Who better to know about and sell a camping site than the campers themselves? First-hand insight into the needs of your guests is invaluable. Not to mention, if you're the one working, you're likely to pick up a tip or two about another place to visit, and if you just came from another great time, return the favor and pass that along. The full-timers are always on the lookout for wonderful sights and adventures.
Campgrounds aren't the only place for a workamping opportunity, though. People who own commercial investment properties have noticed the influx of full-time RVers, and are jumping on the bandwagon to get them to help with day-to-day management and security. Some full-timers have been found to watch over and maintain a plaza with a number of offices and shops. Others are taking care of customers at the multitude of storage facilities popping up. Even farms, which have a history of hiring migrant workers, are now bringing in full-time RVers to help out with their tasks. The possibilities are endless!
Maybe you own a few farms or investment properties and want to bring on some full-time RVers to manage them, so here's some tips from us, your clientele:
So while you follow that internal compass, remember there are plenty of different ways to keep that journey going. Who knows what you'll end up doing while you join us on the road.
Some of our loyal viewers may be surprised to read that our first workamping trip, and what was supposed to be a long term stay, is already over. What gives? It's quite the story.
We were supposed to be spending the entire winter season workamping in Florida. It was an absolutely beautiful view right on the Gulf of Mexico, with laid back hosting and a great customer base. We were very fortunate to make a few good friends along the way, including our original supervisor who hired our services. Then came one of the great curve balls of business: A change in management. As the park is corporately owned, this isn't all that much of a surprise, since turnover happens in business all the time. However, responsibility for the campground abruptly changed in a hostile takeover, planned even before the "big wigs" arrived. A change in the expectations of the camp hosts followed, increasing hours and duties without any sort of additional compensation in return. Coupled with how some of those in the adjusted positions addressed us, as well as took "aggressive actions" against persons at the park and sometimes just on a whim, we knew it was not only our time to leave, but we would have to do so in the middle of the night to avoid destructive confrontation.
One great quotation we always carry with us is, "There is light even on the darkest nights." The last days of our first foray into workamping were quite dark. We won't go into details, but will say a number of the happenings in our final days of traditional home and salaried living were coming back to us. Many people live on the road to improve their own personal health and well-being. Our light, however, always exists, both in our hearts and on the highway. We can simply pack up and move towards that light. Sure, breaking contracts can have a negative connotation to come with it, but if the terms are going to change from our initial agreement, the original contract is void.
We aren't quite sure where we'll end up next. There are still a few more winter opportunities we're exploring. Although most of the RVing ways are done months in advance, cancellations come up all the time. Whatever happens, this entire adventure, as we always say, is about following our internal compass. Never let anyone place unbreakable chains upon you. And even if you see the chains, know that you always have the power to break them. Sure, you may see barriers, but these hurdles can always be overcome, one way or another. It may not happen overnight, and it will be arduous, but it is something you can do. As the late Jim Valvano once said, "Don't ever give up."
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