Hit the Road, Jack (and Jill)! Millennials and Retirees Both Looking to Recreation Vehicles (RVs) to Live Cheaper, Add Adventure to Lives
Marc and Julie Bennett Tell ExpertFlyer How They Use RV Blog and New Book to Help Consumers Maximize the Experience of RV Living, Retirement, and Vacationing
NEW YORK, March 28, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Let's be honest. At one time or another we've all dreamed of renting an RV (Recreation Vehicle), traveling around the country, and visiting all those bucket-list destinations with unbridled freedom knowing that everywhere is home. More often than not the fantasy dissipates, and we return to a "normal, structured life." But for millions of Americans, the fantasy lives on in the form of fulfilling a lifelong dream upon retirement, or a new generation of consumers who want to live less expensively while staying connected to the world via mobile technology. Either way, the trend is growing, and Marc and Julie Bennett are at the forefront of understanding how to maximize the experience.
ExpertFlyer.com caught up with the Bennett's in their RV while in the Florida Keys. Since 2014, they have been full-time RVers, enjoying the open road and sharing their adventures with others through their blog, RVLove.com and a new book titled, Living the RV Life: Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road. Listen to the full podcast interview on ExpertFlyer's blog.
Julie Bennett was quick to note that the RV craze is being embraced by the two largest generations, albeit for different reasons: Baby Boomers and Millennials. "The 65-plus crowd is far more adventurous than the previous generation and they are looking for that youthful adventure," she explains. "But RVs are gaining traction with Millennials because buying a house is expensive and their keen handle on technology allows them to work virtually anywhere. The key is you don't have to buy new, you don't have to buy big, and you don't have to buy fancy to buy into the experience."
Marc Bennett added that although some folks are living the RV life for as little as $1,500 per month, this is certainly the "frugal" end of the spectrum. "However, it is not uncommon to find many people enjoying this lifestyle for under $3,000 per month." Marc and Julie agree that one of the great things about the RV lifestyle is that a higher percentage of monthly expenses are variable, not fixed. "The two biggest expenses are fuel and where you're staying," Julie said. "You can make a significant impact on your monthly budget just looking at those expenses."
The RV experience is also making inroads with Snowbirds, people who typically relocate to warmer climates in the winter and return home to their northern roots in the spring. "Living in an RV as a snowbird offers tremendous options," Marc Bennett explains. "Florida and Arizona are seasonal favorites among snowbirds but living in an RV gives them the flexibility to stay in one place for the season or move around at their discretion, and at a typically lower cost."
"Using a recreational vehicle is a wonderful way to see the country, especially if you aren't under any time constraints," says Chris Lopinto, president of ExpertFlyer.com. "While flying to a destination is usually faster, it can also be restrictive. Traveling in an RV provides great flexibility in scheduling. If you've seen everything you want to see at a location, you jump in the RV and leave. It's a bit more difficult when you're holding an airline ticket."
Spending long periods of time in an RV can have its drawbacks. Being confined to a smaller space, and on the road, means you may not have that "quiet space" you were accustomed to with a house. "Squeezing your whole lifestyle into a smaller space can bring up things that weren't topics of discussion before. But it also provides a great opportunity to communicate better with family members," added Marc Bennett.
It also helps to be handy with tools since something always seems to need some fixing on an RV. Whether it's loose bolts, rattling cupboards, or a broken something, keeping a few basic tools on board is a must. As is the willingness to have a go at DIY-ing many other repairs.
In addition to insights from Marc and Julie Bennett, ExpertFlyer spoke with Marianne Edwards, a full-time RVer who shared "8 Money-Saving Tips for Nomadic Living" in the blog's ongoing Hot Topics series. Ms. Edwards runs Boondockers Welcome, a site that connects RVers with people across the country who are open to letting them stay on their property for free.
Visit ExpertFlyer's blog to listen to the podcast with Marc and Julie Bennett and learn more about cost-saving tips for RVers from Marianne Edwards.
About Marc and Julie Bennett
Marc and Julie Bennett live, work and travel from their RV full-time and are best known as "RVLove" sharing their adventures and learnings on their website, YouTube and social media. Since hitting the road in 2014, they have visited all 50 USA states (48 in their RV), plus Canada, Mexico and Australia and also appeared in the movie "RV Nomads".
They are passionate about inspiring and educating others to help them learn how they, too, can live and love the RV life through the content they share on their website RVLove.com, YouTube videos, online courses at RVSuccessSchool.com and in their bestselling new book "Living the RV Life – Your Ultimate Guide to Life on the Road" (Adams Media/Simon and Schuster).
Marc and Julie are known for their honesty, inspiration and positive attitudes about RVing as they share the realities of the ups and downs of life on the road. You can find the Bennetts at http://www.RVLove.com and connect with them on social media as @RVLoveTravel.
About Marianne Edwards
Boondockers Welcome is built by RVers, for RVers. Their philosophy is that RVing brings out the best in people - being in new places, while sharing tight quarters next to complete strangers every day has a way of making people learn what is important in life and how making friends on the road is often the best part of the story.
By definition, RVers love to travel, and want to do so comfortably and affordably. They know firsthand that RVers will welcome each other to stay on their property only moments after having just met. Kindness and generosity abound. Boondockers Welcome is a venue where RVers can connect and welcome each other to camp on their property, with no expectations of being paid in anything more than gratitude and a pay-it-forward spirit.
About ExpertFlyer.com
Each month, ExpertFlyer's One-on-One blog goes face-to-face with the travel industry's leading decision makers to discuss and address topics relevant to many of today's business and frequent travelers.
ExpertFlyer.com was conceived and created by an eclectic team consisting of a veteran elite tier frequent flyer, an airline captain and corporate travel manager, and information technology professionals to deliver a 24/7 real time powerful air travel information service. The company provides its subscribers and corporate travel managers alike with a complete, concise and efficient way to access the ever-changing details of worldwide air travel information. For more information, please visit expertflyer.com.
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SOURCE ExpertFlyer
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