Pam and I get into many discussions with potential full-time RVers about the cost of living the lifestyle. One question that always comes up is how can these costs be subsidized? Are there ways to live the full-time RV lifestyle and make a living while doing so? That would be a big yes!

I will offer some suggestions of things we have tried. Some of these we are still doing in order to continue to enjoy something that we love to do: travel from spot to spot, enjoy new places, never stay longer than a month in one spot, and be able to deduct expenses because of our activities.

Now, I have to say I can neither confirm nor deny what I am going to say here about tax benefits as I am not a tax expert. I can only relay my experiences based on information that has been adopted by me and recommended by my CPA/lawyer.

Work camping

For many full-timers, the concept of work camping is still a new one. Basically, anyone who lives in an RV and works is considered a work camper. Now that can be working for someone else or for those who run businesses out of their RVs.

There are some tax advantages to working for someone else and living in your RV depending on the job situation, but there are even better opportunities when you have a business and operate that business from your home on wheels. More on that later.

The best way to find these work-camping jobs is to find a service that puts you in touch with employers who are looking for folks just like you. Pam and I have used Workamper News to secure jobs in places we have wanted to visit and work. We have responded to employers postings for job opportunities. Employers have also contacted us because of our resume listed with the Workamper News online system.

We have been using this service since 2010. We have worked in RV parks around the country and found them because of this type of service.

And, again, these were places we wanted to visit. We have spent time in areas of interest to us and made money while we were there. Some of these opportunities were just to work for our RV spot a few hours a week and others were full-time jobs that paid an hourly wage in addition to supplying us an RV site.

Now, most of these work camper opportunities will not create a full-time income, but they will help subsidize those who want to travel and have some of the costs covered.

That also brings up another point. You don't want to come into the full-time RV lifestyle with huge, unaffordable payments on a new RV. RVs depreciate rapidly, and you must consider this when purchasing one. This is where a trusted tax advisor and CPA can help evaluate your situation and best guide you. It is even better if you can find one who understands the RV lifestyle.

Start an online business

Do you have your own website? If not, you should. Let me share why.

There are many companies that offer to pay people to put affiliate links on their websites for products they use and recommend. Given the power of today's Internet and the global reach of Google search engine results, it is possible to run a worldwide business from the comfort of your RV.

I started a few websites a number of years ago. I have continued to learn and develop them, and they have started to create a consistent income.

Basically, this is how this works. You use products and services you enjoy. You apply to those companies and ask for an affiliate link you can place on your website. As you write articles about these items, you can place links that visitors to your website pages click on. Once they visit that company's website and buy because of your advice, you receive a commission for the effort.

Over time, these small commission payments can add up to a nice little income. It can be one that funds your travels. It is something you can do anywhere you are located, and at any time. If you are a night mole, this is a great way to be productive while staying up late.

Start a small business and work from your RV

For Pam and I, it is great to live where we want and earn income working from our RV. We enjoy the tax benefits of owning a small business no matter where we are. Also, when we put fuel in the tank, it does not concern us as much as we can write off the mileage.

Why would a full-time RVer, or one desiring to be, want to run a small business out of their RV? How about because they want to earn additional income and save money on their taxes.

There are many ways to create a business and fill the needs of those who desire your services. These can be things that relate to the RV industry or they can be services that support other businesses that need people with specific skills.

We have friends who do bookkeeping work, transcribing services, computer programming, transporting RVs, RV weighing services, RV techs in campgrounds and consulting services. All of these business models are run from their RV homes.

Can you do this? Certainly! You can have everything you want in life if you will just help enough other people get what they want. Thanks to Zig Ziglar for that quote!

Summary

These are just a few options you can consider if you want to fund your full-time RV living lifestyle. We are familiar with all of these and would be delighted to talk to you about any ways in which we can help you. Please feel free to leave a comment below, and I will get back to you.