A Gen Xer sold her $370K house to live in an RV. She explains the finances of living and working on the road.

• Anne and Brian Klumpp sold their house and boat to live in an RV full time.
• Because they work and want to enjoy their travels, they budget a lot for internet and entertainment.
• Anne thinks an RV is the most luxurious way to travel.

In Anne and Brian Klumpp's 45-foot motorhome is a US map titled "on the road of adventure."

Some of the states are filled in with photos of them or their RV, which they've called home for over six-and-a-half years. The blank states will hopefully get their own photos one day, as Anne and her husband aim to see each one by RV.

Michigan has a photo of their 35-foot boat, which was their "floating summer cottage," that they've since sold. The couple also sold their house and then hit the road in 2019. Brian works a full-time gig during the week, Anne has various income streams, and the couple travels to their next spot on some weekends so that they are ready to go for the workweek.

Anne finds traveling in an RV the most luxurious way to see the country because you have your own bed, don't have to try to fit everything you need into a suitcase, and don't have to figure out accommodations.

"You essentially have all of your stuff with you, and you get to have a nice, easy morning drinking coffee out of your favorite coffee mug sitting on your own couch with the dog curled up beside you," said Anne, who has a nearly eight-year-old Australian labradoodle named Skipper.

How they started the RV life

Anne's husband dreamed of living on a boat full time, so they set a five-year goal for that. However, they pivoted to a new plan because Anne confessed she didn't have the same dream.

Her husband proposed the RV lifestyle instead. Anne told Brian that when they started dating, she didn't like camping, so she never expected to spend six years and counting visiting campgrounds.

The two kick-started their RV lifestyle when Anne's sales job in the wine industry shifted to more travel. She said the increase wouldn't be feasible from a motorhome. Plus, it would mean traveling for work instead of for fun. So the couple got their home ready to sell for their new adventure.

They bought a 45-foot motorhome for $211,000 in February 2019. They put their home up for sale in March, which sold shortly after in April for $367,000. They also sold their boat and dinghy for $103,000. Anne left her 15-year career at Vineyard Brands, and the couple hit the road and have been traveling since.

"We have seating for eight for cocktails, dinner for four, and then we just sleep two people, so it's a really nice setup," Anne said.

In addition to their motorhome, they tow a pickup truck so that they can use a smaller vehicle to run errands and do other activities. Anne said it's also kind of like a garage because they store their bikes and other items underneath a truck topper.

Making ends meet on the road

Anne said the value of their $211,000 motorhome, which they paid off from the start, is probably about $170,000.

"You're definitely talking about a depreciating asset as opposed to a house, which would be an appreciating asset," she said. "We do our appreciation in the form of going and seeing things that help us to appreciate life more."

Anne said they prefer to stay and pay for spots at RV parks and resorts that offer electric, sewer, and water hookups rather than free parking areas. The couple usually budgets $1,200 to $1,500 for monthly rent, including those expenses.

"It just makes life simpler when we don't have to think about if we're going to have enough power, what's going to happen if our solar doesn't charge, how are we going to manage water and waste removal," Anne said.

The couple relies on the internet to maintain their jobs. Anne said they have several internet providers and "pay a ridiculous amount of money in internet fees to make sure that we are well-connected." She believes her entertainment budget is larger than it would be at a house, and they budget a lot for repairs and maintenance since they move around a lot.

In 2024, she said they spent over $2,500 on diesel for the motorhome and about $2,000 for their pickup truck's gas, nearly $24,000 on meals and entertainment, and over $5,000 on phone and internet.

After years on the road, the couple is looking to have a home base, at least for the winter season. Anne said they bought a site in Fredericksburg, Texas. She said it allows them to take a break from the wear and tear of traveling because even though it's fun, it can be mentally taxing.

"The quarter-acre lot we purchased is being developed as an RV lot with a large pad, covered outdoor kitchen and patio, and firepit area," Anne said. "We are currently living on it and will rent it out when we are not here."

What it's like working and traveling in an RV

The couple works different jobs with different levels of flexibility: Anne is a content creator, working with brands. She also writes articles and sells advertisements for RV Destinations Magazine. Brian works for solid-state computer hard drive manufacturer Solidigm as head of governance, risk, and compliance.

"I didn't have to tell my company about our lifestyle but I chose not to hide it," Brian said. "Most of my coworkers think it's pretty cool and occasionally ask questions about it. They often ask where we are parked."

Their prior experience working from home made the transition to remote work in a smaller space smooth. They use noise-canceling headphones to focus, and Anne's desk is mobile, so she can move around if they need more space. Anne's work isn't full time; sometimes she works 20 hours a week, but can get up to 60 hours. Brian tends to work at his desk for 40 to 60 hours a week.

"I do a lot of the management of our lifestyle," Anne said, including figuring out where to run errands, taking their dog to appointments and walks, and the logistics of getting mail and packages. On Wednesday nights, they like to explore, such as dining at local restaurants.

On the weekends, they also like to explore where they're at, hike, visit national monuments if they're nearby, and find a local church to attend. The weekend is also their travel time. Anne said they tend to hit the road every two to four weeks on Saturdays because they want to make sure they have steady internet for work and do not have to worry about traveling during the week.

"I am willing to drive, but my husband does most of it, but it's physically and mentally very taxing, much more so than just jumping in your car to go drive for a couple of hours," she said.

Anne enjoys watching the scenery as they travel to their next destination.

"You have this massive windshield that's essentially like your Imax screen that's right there," she said. "It's so incredible to look out the window, and it doesn't matter if you're in the desert or you're up in northern Michigan with all the pine trees and maples. It's just magical."

Anne said the couple is slowing down their travels at least for a bit. She's hoping to redecorate during that time because "when you only have one weekend in between moves, you just don't really want to spend that painting on wallpapering."