Two years fulltime in timeshares - start here if you didn't read one year post

[tjcj]

Our health insurance is Tricare Prime. We both got primary care doctors in Orlando and set up biannual visits. Since we visit Disneyworld so much it was not problem getting medical care. We are both basically healthy with no seriously health issues so it wasn't a big deal. The biggest problem was having surgery after a traffic accident at the Orlando Airport. I got a Orthopedic Surgeon in Celebration and scheduled surgery and doctor's visit around our scheduled visits to Orlando. It worked out very well. It helped that we spent a lot of time at or near Orlando. We always keep a 45 day extra supply of prescription medication. After I explained to the doctor how we were living he was very flexible with us. Hawaii is the only place we had trouble getting prescriptions filled. Trippler Medical center helped out. Plan on spending extra money on health care then what you are spending now. Also, the only part of my budget that was too low was buying groceries. The commissary really saved us a bundle and it is always sticker shock buying groceries someplace else.

Thanks, we definitely want to make sure our health care is locked in. We hope to factor in locations with commissaries and such during our travels as much as possible but I'm sure there will be plenty of costs we are not thinking about yet.

 

[codysmom1990]

Thank you for updating! I love hearing your stories, one day I will do what you are doing I hope!!! You and your wife worked and earned this, you have every right to it and brag, others are just jealous. Have fun and be safe.

 

[pklein09]

.....because your experience is so intriguing!

How long did you have this in the planning stage? I'm sure you didn't acquire the timeshares overnight. The only timeshare we own is DVC, but I'm certainly open to other locations. Thank you for listing your favorites - both locations and companies.

Enjoy!!!

 

[SamSam]

Thank you for your detailed posts, gives me something to think about and perhaps plan for. Love how you lowered your cholestoral!

Thanks to you for your service and to your wife for being a NICU nurse, our twin grandsons spent over a month in a NICU unit and the nurses were outstanding.

 

[OhioDVC]

.....because your experience is so intriguing!

How long did you have this in the planning stage? I'm sure you didn't acquire the timeshares overnight. The only timeshare we own is DVC, but I'm certainly open to other locations. Thank you for listing your favorites - both locations and companies.

Enjoy!!!

We casually began talking about it maybe 2 1/2 years out. Serious planning about 12 months out. We purchased extra DVC about 2 years out, and other timeshares about 1 year.

Our original thoughts were to stay at DVC for 6 months and then go back to work in Florida and the idea just grew and grew. I figured out we didn't need to work if we would be happy with my retirement and savings. We NEVER missed the extra money.

It is surprising what you can give up not to have to work.

I don't miss having a new car every year
I don't miss owning a private plane (maybe just a little)
I don't miss paying a large income tax bill
I don't miss paying state and city income tax
I don't miss the big house
I don't miss wearing "work" clothes and $50 "work" lunches
I don't miss flying to Florida every three day weekend - I live here now

I really don't miss much about my "work" life!

 

[Carl'n'Ellie'sDad]

Thank you for your service and for sharing the details of your current adventure with all of us -- and hope Shamokin wasn't too much of a downer after all of the time in Hawaii, Hilton Head, and Florida!

Info on DVC wasn't too surprising to me, although your issues at Aulani, in particular, ought to merit attention.

Loved hearing about how your new lifestyle has positively affected your physical and mental health -- hope the benefits continue!

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

OhioDVC - Your story is awesome! Just the planning alone to coordinate the back to back reservations, flights, rental cars when needed, just everything - is amazing! Congratulations!

My parents are in their 70s and are living a similar lifestyle, though they only stay in their timeshares about 1/3 of each year. Their main house is in San Diego. They spend about 3 weeks in Hawaii, 3 weeks in Lake Tahoe, 2 weeks in Vegas, a couple of weeks in Mexico, a couple weeks each in Palm Springs and Carlsbad, plus they have some weeks/points available for special trips (this year Sedona and Germany). They bought their first timeshare when I was a freshman in college. After all my siblings graduated from college and they had more disposable income, they bought timeshares at all their favorite places. They figured it was better than buying a vacation home at just one place. They own Diamond, Wyndham, Westin, Marriott, Worldmark and I don't know how many more. I am so happy to see them living their golden years in style! I hope we can all be so lucky!

 

[pklein09]

We casually began talking about it maybe 2 1/2 years out. Serious planning about 12 months out. We purchased extra DVC about 2 years out, and other timeshares about 1 year.

Our original thoughts were to stay at DVC for 6 months and then go back to work in Florida and the idea just grew and grew. I figured out we didn't need to work if we would be happy with my retirement and savings. We NEVER missed the extra money.

It is surprising what you can give up not to have to work.

I don't miss having a new car every year
I don't miss owning a private plane (maybe just a little)
I don't miss paying a large income tax bill
I don't miss paying state and city income tax
I don't miss the big house
I don't miss wearing "work" clothes and $50 "work" lunches
I don't miss flying to Florida every three day weekend - I live here now

I really don't miss much about my "work" life!

Thank you! Definitely food for thought. We're at the beginning stage of 4 college tuitions....oldest graduated last night and the youngest is entering 8th grade in September....so we've got plenty of time to plan!

 

[cadale]

following along and dreaming

 

[OhioDVC]

[FONT=&quot]Below is a pretty good monthly average expense list. I didn't cover personal expenses like medical, clothes etc.

Entertainment covers concerts, movies, theater, renting jet skis, sailboats and tours.

Rental cars and hotels were averaged out throughout the years. Rental cars mostly in Hawaii, Mexico and St Thomas. Hotels when we went back to see our son and long road trips.


[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Monthly[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Timeshare Dues[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$3,158.20[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Renting Additional Timeshares[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$416.67[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Disney Cruise Line[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$625.00[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Entertainment[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$500[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Gasoline[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$250[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Food- Groceries[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$675[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Eating Out[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$825[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Commercial Furniture Storage[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$150[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Self Storage[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$90[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Hotels[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$175[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Rental Cars[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$200[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Airline Tickets[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$500[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Disneyworld Annual Passes[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$75[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Mail Forwarding[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$70[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Pocket Money[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]$500[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]Monthly Total[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] $8,210[/FONT]

 

[alice99]

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.

My husband and I think about doing this type of living after our kids have graduated college..... which is still 10 years from now.
We are both retired with similar pensions, though our pensions are 20 year pensions, there are 2 of us. We both work post-retirement jobs now. College is expensive.

I really enjoyed reading your posts, thanks again.

 

[alice99]

We casually began talking about it maybe 2 1/2 years out. Serious planning about 12 months out. We purchased extra DVC about 2 years out, and other timeshares about 1 year.

Our original thoughts were to stay at DVC for 6 months and then go back to work in Florida and the idea just grew and grew. I figured out we didn't need to work if we would be happy with my retirement and savings. We NEVER missed the extra money.

It is surprising what you can give up not to have to work.

I don't miss having a new car every year
I don't miss owning a private plane (maybe just a little)
I don't miss paying a large income tax bill
I don't miss paying state and city income tax
I don't miss the big house
I don't miss wearing "work" clothes and $50 "work" lunches
I don't miss flying to Florida every three day weekend - I live here now

I really don't miss much about my "work" life!

This is the best post... My husband and I are in the process of shifting into this retired-fixed-income way of thinking. This expresses what I am looking forward to when my kids are done with college.

 

[Savagekids]

I'm late to this party but, Wow you are so cool! My husband and I are AF too. My retirement plan has always been to Space-A for a year and see where we end up. But I may adopt you plan if i can get husband on board and keep him in longer than 20 so the kids are out of the house. I too am a triathlete and would to train as much as your wife does. How do you get her bike overseas?

I wish you would still introduce yourself, because i'd love to hear all your stories and pick your brain, but I can understand why stranger's judgement would be a turnoff after a while.

 

[dclpluto]

Thanks for your service. 33 years is a long time. Now your living your dreams good for you.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Deleted.

 

[calypso726]

He said he was in the armed service not congress.

A businessman taking a financial risk does NOT come close to our men and women in the armed services who put their life at risk. Don't forget that they put their lives on the line away from their families and in foreign countries to fight for the freedoms that allow such ungracious remarks such as those you posted.

OhioDVC, thank you for your service. Thank you for sharing your well deserved and well thought out adventures with us. Bless you and yours.

 

[calypso726]

I see your last comment was deleted but I don't think I have ever laughed so hard so thanks for that. I marvel at how someone can simultaneously trash the government and taxes we spend while using socialist contries as examples of model governments since no one hates them. You mention dangerous jobs in the private sector but fail to realize how much more dangerous these jobs were before OSHA came about. Anyhow I don't plan to spend more time on this subject but I thought not saying thank you for making me laugh today would be somewhat disingenuous.

 

[dspud]

I can't believe you spent so much time trying to justify your retirement income. I assuming you do that because you have heard negative comments about it before. Thank you for your service. It doesn't sound like you have to much retirement, it sounds like you know how to manage your money and how to get the most out of life. I am jealous! Congrats on living the good life. I dream I will spend my retirement the way you have spent your last 2 years!

 

[CinderBelleDVC]

@OhioDVC I can't help but wonder if maybe your kids had kids and you're more settled now, or if you're still out mostly timeshare hopping. If you have the time, an update would be wonderful Either way, thanks for all you've shared, and congrats for making it happen!

 

[Nanajo1]

I am wondering what you are up to now. Looking forward to an update please.