How To Buy or Finance Your First RV

This is nothing like buying your first car.

Choosing a travel setup is one of the most challenging decisions you will make for life on the road. Take the time to figure out exactly what works for you before buying anything. The last thing you want is to commit thousands of dollars to a tiny home on wheels that won't meet your needs.

The older and more custom-built the rig, the more important this is. Why? You might find it harder to resell and get something else. So, try to make the right choice the first time.

NOTE: I am not a financial professional. I'm sharing what I know as a full-time RVer in good faith.

How To Get Cash for Your Adventure Setup

I paid for my FJ Cruiser with cash I had saved up for a down payment on a mortgage. I decided that a life of adventure was worth far more than planting roots, so it was a worthy sacrifice. I have no regrets.

Here are some ways you can get cash for your adventure rig:

• Savings and investments. I know many other people who paid for their travel setup with savings. Not everyone saves their money in liquid assets, so some people had to sell stocks and bonds or pull from their retirement funds to foot the bill.

• Ask family and friends to chip in. You can time this with a specific event where gifts are usually expected. Examples include a wedding, graduation, Christmas, or birthday. Let your family know what you have planned and ask for money instead of gifts.

• Crowdfund your journey. If you have a large social media base, leverage that to get funds for your travel setup. There are several platforms you can use, such as GoFundMe and Ko-fi. Some people have also had success with sharing their PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp information.

Where To Find Loans or Credit to Finance Your Travel Setup