2018 Decisions – Done

• Continue reviewing connectivity technology trends. I had postbonded this in 2015 because technology changes.  I started making my list of what we might purchase the first year and those are the items I’m planning to study in detail. Will start off with as little as possible. But because I need connectivity for work I’ll probably install at least a cell signal and WIFI booster.
• Home Improvement: Replace hall bath mirror and possible light fixture. Saving all the inside stuff for winter for the most part. Decided this is minor, too much else to do that has more value, so it’s off the list.
• Home Improvement: Replace flowering tree in front yard. Wind took it out in April of 2017. May go with something shorter because the views past the tree are incredible.  One has to consider the future growth!  Went with a tall bush.
• Consider attending an RV rally/seminar  – After much thought – we don’t need to go. I’ll have spent five years planning and really feel I have a handle on the fulltime RV thing. Might to a rally or seminar someday for fun. The RV-Dream Rally looked good and at a fair price. What I like about the RV Dream Rally is you have a chance to meet up with a lot of fulltimers or futuretimers and make friends.
• Downsizing: A good year to start downsizing more rapidly. If we sell the house in the spring of 2019 we may be living in the trailer! We are planning two garage sales this year. And continue to sell more expensive stuff on Craigslist or Facebook. Might do the Ebay thing. We are still leaning towards a 5×10 storage unit and I’ll most likely write a blog post on that later.
• Attend a larger RV Show:  We need to get out of the Kansas City area to see more units. Actually, there are only two brands that we might be interested in that are not usually at the local show or sold at area dealerships. I don’t see any point in traveling to a larger show. Factory tours would be a better way to spend my time. A friend was in Washington State and toured one of the trailers of the two I had not seen. He posted a video on his youtube for subscribers.
• Confirm alternatives for early withdrawal of retirement funds: As of 2017 we are not planning to have to use this for our budget as I’m keeping a part-time job. Without penalty I can use funds from my government 457 plan after age 50. I believe I can move money from a simple IRA to a traditional IRA as I’ve been in the plan more than two years. I believe I can use substantial equal payments from a traditional IRA at any time but not take substantial payments from the simple IRA until I’ve separated from employment. And if I take substantial equal payments they must continue for five years minimum. If I take money out of the 457 plan they will withhold 20% for taxes. Of course, I would receive a tax refund if my actual income tax was less than 20%.
• Attend 2018 RV Show: We finally have a short list of trailers by floor plan and brand. Easiest show we have attended over the past four years. Skipped all the rigs we now know we are not interested in. Spent extra time in rigs with floor plan we are interested in. Testing everything like the storage areas, seating, toilet height and more.
• Consider starting payments for one pension: I’m 55 this year and can start drawing from one pension for an earlier job. I’ll be checking to see how much more I can get if I delay. One thing I really want to do is get all the retirement payments setup before we hit the road. Preferably through direct deposit accounts. Good chance this one will move to next year. Karen took her social security at 62. Done, took corporate pension.
• Sell Motorcycle. Should have done this two years ago. I’m having it tuned up before the sale. Sold to a friend of a friend at work. Cancelled the insurance so we will save that expense for the next year.
• Sell hot tub. I need the electrical spots in the electrical panel for the new sewer system. Also will not leave me wondering if the new owners of our home will demand it be moved at the last minute.