FL part-year driver's licenses- hurray!

States require adults to obtain a driver's license and re-register your vehicles when you become a resident. States vary in the length of time you are allowed and what actions you take to become a resident. However, most agree that if you are working as an employee, you are a resident. If you do obtain a new driver's license, you must turn in your old one.

At the Florida driver's license Web site, I discovered that FL has a part-year resident driver's license. You do not give up your old driver's license. Your FL license is stamped "good in Florida only." This should solve the problem for those working on the RV road. Now you can be a legal driver in FL without giving up your driver's license in your home state.

Does anyone know of any other states which do this? If so, please let me know. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Live longer by working, he says

Another article about working instead of retiring: This article, by a physician, cites a study done in Greece. The study was done over 12 years. Retirees - of any age - had a 50 percent increase in mortality compared to those who kept working.

Sometimes people joke that "work" is a four-letter word. Maybe it is: "save" as in save your life.

With all the fun things to do on the road and the wonderful places to be, no wonder many RVers do choose to work or volunteer as they travel. Jaimie Hall - Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Old(er) folks are getting more valuable!

USA Today had a recent article stating that "The wave of baby boomers hitting retirement age threatens to create such a void in the workforce that states are crafting policies and programs to keep older Americans working and volunteering." The article mentions that a number of states are looking at ways to utilize Boomer skills. Several states already have initiatives in place.

Arizona, where much of the population is 60-plus, has an interesting program about to be launched, called azmatureworkers.com. "It will provide online listings of paid and volunteer work. The program also will highlight businesses deemed 'mature-worker friendly' and change state government retirement policies to allow greater flexibility," according to the article.

This is good news for RVers who either want to work/volunteer to stay productive or who need additional income. Paying positions are more of a challenge to find during the winter and several states mentioned are in the South. Also, working in an RV park, while advantageous to RVers, is not for everyone. This could open up more possibilities. Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

"In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes"

So said Benjamin Franklin. But what happens if an RVer passes away while traveling? If you have a prepaid funeral plan, it is usually specific to a particular funeral home or mortuary. That money can't be transferred to another place to cover expenses there nor will it pay for transporting the remains home.

At the recent rally we went to, we met a vendor who has come up with an answer for RVers: the Final Exit Plan. You estimate your expenses then set aside money each month, quarter or year in a specialized insurance policy. You are covered immediately for the full amount unless you have a major health problem like diabetes or heart disease. Then you are fully covered after two years. Of course you would always have any funds you've already paid in available.

Alice Kyle and Tom Owens are taking this business on the road. They will be at the Life on Wheels conferences and other rallies. Alice originally sold this plan in her home area but since it is such a match for RVers, saw a business opportunity. Jaimie

More information on Canadians working in the U.S.

Several people have responded to the original post with more information. To summarize:

• Canadians can work during disasters if they have a needed skill and follow the proper procedures.
• Canadians can volunteer for non-profits.
• The government is not considered a non-profit. One commenter gave us this link to Volunteer FAQs, which explains us this.

See the original post and comments for more information. Jaimie

Selling a product for RVers

Jim and Betty Roughton, long-time RV friends, were at the rally in Casa Grande as vendors. I hadn't seen them in a couple of years. In the meantime, Jim became familiar with Medical Air Services Association (MASA). This is one of the companies that will transport you to medical facilities in case of an emergency.

After doing research, Jim decided that this was the best company providing this type of service and to represent them. He and Betty had a vendor booth at the rally and have other rallies lined up. The company does designate territories so in his traveling he needs to make sure a territory is not spoken for, or in the case of Arizona, that this rally would not have coverage. As an independent contractor for this company, Jim and Betty will be able to deduct travel expenses related to selling these policies.

For travelers, some sort of medical emergency insurance in case you are traveling away from your homebase or where your normal doctors are is money well spent. Many women do not drive their RVs so are stuck if something happens to their spouse. With coverage, your RV will be driven back to your homebase.

If you are interested in finding out more about opportunities with this company or the service, call Jim at 214-288-1645. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

Different ways to make money

At the rally in Casa Grande, Al and Marilyn Verheyn stopped by and we got to talking. They offered some additional ways they make money that works for them.

Each summer they work for a Boy Scout camp for 10 weeks. They arrive a week early to help set up, then stay a week afterwards to pack things up again. Each session lasts week when the campers are there. Al does shotgun training and Marilyn works in the camp store. In return, they receive a full hookup RV site and their meals. On weekends, between sessions, their meals are provided. Boy Scout camps pay depending on your age. A fifteen year old doesn't earn as much as an adult. Al said you need to negotiate your salary but generally for adults it ranges between $350 and $500/week. With both working, they can earn enough in ten weeks to get them by the rest of the year. Last summer they worked at the Woodruff Scout Reservation in Georgia.

While at their daugher's in Indianna, Al is a substitute school bus driver. He has his CDL and is paid $100/day. If he doesn't want to work that day, he says he is unavailable. He works for a couple of hours in the morning, a couple in the afternoon.

Another job Al and Marilyn have investigated but haven't tried is working security at airports. Al already has clearance from a former job, but you would need to get that. Once you are hired at one airport, you can work for a while, then go to another airport and get hired while in the area. They like older part-time workers.

While at the Wal-Mart in Casa Grande, they noticed that Wal-Mart is paying $13-18 to start! Another idea for snowbirds in the area.

These ideas may give you some ideas - especially if you don't want to stay for long periods in one place or just work when you want to while you are in an area. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.

A talent can earn you money

At the rally we are at in Arizona, Michael Baker is parked across from our RV Authors' Co-op booth. It's hard to miss his rig. He has murals all over plus a intricately carved wooden door in the back.

Though Michael isn't a vendor here, attendees can sell individual items at their rig. Michael has paintings he has done displayed by his rig. And, he is doing a busy business in trade. He has pinstriped a friend's motorcycle and painted her name on her canvas chairs in exchange for a Web site design. Several others have approached him about painting their chairs and murals on their rigs.

Because of his talent, once people saw his work and realized he was doing chairs, they have been coming by and getting him to do theirs.

If you have a talent, you might be able to do some freelance work for others or display and sell your work when parked at a rally or an RV park. It helps if you have such an elaborately decorated RV!

Just another way to make some money as you travel the RV road. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com.

Fairgrounds can provide opportunities

George and I are at the Western Gypsy Gathering at the fairgrounds in Casa Grande, AZ. Alice Zyetz and I are giving seminars plus staffing the RV Authors' Co-op booth.

Many fairgrounds not only have inexpensive camping for RVers but also provide seasonal and short-term work for RVers looking for work. Bev and Jim managed the RV park at the Expo Center in Tulsa, similar to a fair grounds. See my September 16 post about meeting them. I have known other RVers who ended up being the camp host at a fairgrounds. One or both of the couple might also pick up work during events at the fairgrounds.

State fairs, racing season (if the fairgrounds has a track), or other special events mean extra personnel are needed for all sorts of jobs. This can be another source of employment as you travel. A good way to find these jobs is to spend a night or two at the fairgrounds and then go into the office on the grounds and ask about opportunities. If you express your interest in hosting, even if they have no openings now, it could result in a call at a later date. If an event is coming up and you'll be in the area, ask about jobs and who to contact. You might work a weekend or up to a couple of weeks. Or you could land a place to stay for a season. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie Hall's recently revised book, Support Your RV LIfestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd ed., see RVBookstore.com.

Time travel

How about a trip back to the Renaissance? Perhaps dress in costume from days of olde, serve at the Pleasure Feast or sell your wares like turkey thighs and steins of beer in the marketplace. Hear lances clashing as jousting knights try win their lady's honor. Balladeers, jugglers, whip masters, singers and dancers entertain.

The Arizona Renaissance Festival east of Phoenix starts today. The festival is a medieval amusement park, a 12-stage theater, a 30-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast -- all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure! They are still hiring for the festival, which is open weekends and President's Day through March 30.

Here's another short term job opportunity for RVers. There are many RV parks in Apache Juction that have monthly rates where you could stay. See the Arizona Renaissance Festival Web site for more information. Huzzah!

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com

Quartzite attendance down or are you a entrepreneur?

Jim Twamley, in the RV Now Blog, says that vendors at the big RV show in Quartzsite estimated that attendance was down 30-50% from the previous year. Of course, that affected sales for them. If you are a vendor at a show like this, it can be difficult to anticipate whether attendance will be different than past years. Booths are expensive and seem to go up each year so decreased sales have a double whammy.

Employers at the show who were seeking RV workers and who also participated in the Workamper Job Fair the following week in Mesa, reported that the job fairs were much were suited to finding employees. One employer said he got tired of people walking by and saying, "'Work is a four-letter word.' It was funny the first time, but quickly got old." "

Just as in the stick-house life, working as an employee provides a known income. Being your own boss and selling at shows has its ups and downs. The economy can affect attendance and thus profits. This is important to consider if you are leaning towards being your own boss as you travel. Working as an employee not only has a set income but you don't have all the headaches of running your own business.

Which are you best suited for? Being an employee? or entrepreneur? Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com

Customize your resume

You probably have written a basic resume and maybe even a cover letter. When you send it out, take a few minutes to make sure it is aimed at the job you are applying for and customize it for that job.

For example, you would like to work in a campground office taking reservations and checking guests in. This job also includes duties in the store. Change your objective to include working in a store and include any retail experience or use of a cash register in your work experience

Original Objective: Work in a campground taking reservations and checking in guests.

Modified Objective: Work in a campground taking reservations, checking in guests. Willing to work in camp store.

This communicates to the employer that you are looking for a job that does include work in the store and not just reservations and increases your chances of being hired. In your skills area or work experience area of your resume, you would add any experience you have handling money or working in a retail situation.

In your cover letter, make sure you use the employer's words from her ad. If you only say your are looking for work in reservations and guest registration and don't mention working in the store, the employer may wonder if you send out the same resume to all employers or you indeed did read the ad.

It doesn't take much time or effort to customize your resume and cover letter. Doing so will improve your percentage of callbacks, so it is well worth it. Jaimie


For information on writing a Workamper resume and cover letter, see Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, available at RVBookstore.com.

Managing your manager

We've all had at least one terrible boss. They are out there in Workamping land too. Some are bullies, some micro-managers, some simply have no idea what a manager should do. Most have never been to "boss school."

Chances are you are going to be dealing with a difficult person at some point when you work on the RV road. If not your boss, then a co-worker or customer. The best defense is a good offense; think about situations and know what you are going to say or do. For help, I recommend a little book I found, Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People," by Susan F. Benjamin.

For example, in dealing with a bully boss who perhaps insults you or embarrasses you around other people, she recommends some of the following starter phrases:

• If you have negative feedback, please give it to me privately.
• Please stop [Name the negative behavior].
• I don't appreciate jokes about my spouse or anyone else in my family.
• You must address me by my real name.
• I would like to improve my performance, but comments like that give me no direction.
• We all try to provide great customer service, and embarrassing my team in front of the customers destroys our efforts.

These should be said privately, otherwise by embarrassing your boss in front of others you increase the likelihood he or she will fight back. Getting upset or responding in anger will only inflame the situation and possibly invite more of the bully behavior. On the other hand, you must confront it or you also invite more. These phrases should be said like you mean them.

I do recommend this book to get you started thinking about positive ways to handle difficult people. Life is too short to be miserable on the job. Empower yourself and don't let others make you feel miserable. Jaimie

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.