Hmm... would it be cheaper?

**mommy4ever** · 02-24-2009, 12:49 PM

I'm wondering. We have a seasonal campsite, we camp every weekend. Now if dh gets laid off, it's obvious I can't afford to take 3 weeks holidays this summer. Lucky if I take 1.

But if he is laid off.... I'm wondering if it would be cheaper to ship the whole crew there for most of the summer. Dh would really do well to have a good break. It doesn't mean no job search, as I can submit resumes and book interviews etc.

But all utilities out there are paid for, other than our propane, and that is cheap. We don't even need ot use it for anything other than cooking and bathing the littlest one, there are shower houses for the older ones. If he's out there, he's not here shopping, further savings. It would mean minimal utilities used here. He likes it cool in the house, i prefer some warmth..lol. I'd go out on the weekends, and if my families take holidays at the same times, then I'd have some time to go too.

I am meticulous at planning menus camping, and it's cheap and simple.

I do wonder if he were laid off over the summer if transplanting them to the campsite would be a cheaper than having the whole crew home. By whole summer i mean 6 weeks, to of my kids start school mid August. Even then dh and the two younger could stay out there. It means less monies spent on the "we're bored". I'd set them up with the blender and supplies to make slushies and smoothies(cheap to make). They are minutes from the beach, free entertainment. The kids love it, dh could get some much needed relaxation and bonding with the kids too.

**MommyBliss** · 02-24-2009, 01:03 PM

That's a very intriguing idea. I wish I had an answer for you, but it really is interesting.

**celina** · 02-24-2009, 01:04 PM

heck might shape up to be the summer to remember...i'd do it anyhow...what does dh think...

i think you'd come out ahead, a little....but would create such memories....

**mommy4ever** · 02-24-2009, 01:09 PM

Haven't talked to him as he's not laidoff at this point. Just playing with ideas. I'm sure the kids would love it, daddy usually only has a couple weeks a year to spend with them. So why not try to turn the negative into positive.

It can also turn into extra money for me to earn. If my kids aren't home, and i can provide full time care for 2 more kids for the summer. That could offset some shortfalls.

**peanut** · 02-24-2009, 01:12 PM

What about your DH's job search? Is he not going to need to be out looking for work too?

Otherwise I'd say go for it! My dad used to take us out 'in the field' for three months every summer. It was 3 months of camping in near wilderness while he did his wildlife research. We had such fun! And they saved money because it kept Mom out of the stores...though she'd make up for it at Christmas time!

With proper planning ahead you can live very frugally while 'camping' (bearing in mind that people mean different things when they refer to camping - for us it was tents, outhouses, campfires and propane stoves).

**mommy4ever** · 02-24-2009, 01:21 PM

Dh would still be job searching. Most of the search is through the paper, which he can get at the campsite.

I'm always the one that sends out the resume anyway, he's a little computer challenged.

We have a park RV at the campsite set up, it's essentially set up as a cabin. All the amenities of home except internet.

I don't see why it couldn't work, I'm just wondering it it is viable.

When we camp, we just hang out. Read, sit by the fire, go for walks, play ball with the kids, etc. We do go to the beach, which means buying a treat, but if we have the blender, daddy is capable of making better treats there, including ice cream, and making popsicles to bring with in the cooler. I'd be going back and forth, dealing with groceries and laundry. So it doesn't have to be pricey.

I can also plan his interviews. FOr example, Mondays, he can come drop the kids, do the interview and the pick up the laundry that I brought home. Fridays, he can grab the groceries that I've picked up. So that there is less for me to do after closing to get to them.

Trying to find a way to make a positive out of a potential negative. We have the site, why not maximize use. I think if used wisely, it could be a fantastic summer for the kids and dh if there is a layoff. Let him be a full time daddy during the most fun time of the year.

**mommy4ever** · 02-24-2009, 01:21 PM

That said, it would also give me lots of time to sew and build inventory for the coming craft sales etc.

**Debbie-cat** · 02-24-2009, 01:24 PM

I think it would be a fabulous idea. Not only creating memories, but saving money (i.e., power usage, staying out of stores, free entertainment ect). I would talk to your DH about it and go for it if he agrees.

**Grainlady** · 02-24-2009, 01:26 PM

Just a thought for comparison..... Times are tough and jobs, let alone good jobs, are getting harder to come by. People I know who have been laid-off are getting 2 or 3 part-time jobs to make ends meet - which means NO benefits. There are also a lot more people vying for the SAME positions - so the early bird gets the worm and you have to work harder these days to find work.

If my husband was laid-off today, he'd get up tomorrow at 4:45 a.m., like always does, and would spend the same amount of time he spent working (7 a.m. -5 p.m.) looking for new employment, not taking a "break". It's going to take that kind of dedication in today's job market to fine new employment.

Businesses who ARE hiring might not be as inclined to hire someone who had been unemployed for a long period of time, over someone who has been out of work for just a short period of time. It looks bad on a resume that you "took a break" for the whole summer, instead of knocking on doors and beating the pavement to become gainfully employed ASAP.

**Lady_V** · 02-24-2009, 01:30 PM

Heck, if we could LIVE at a campsite, we'd be there now!!! We have been looking for a year round site, but no luck yet. If we could stay at a campsite all summer, we'd jump at it!

Life is simple there, no daily hustle. My best memories are the summers my family spent 'roughing it' (big mobile home with a/c, cable, and surround sound - Mom called it rough because there was no dishwasher

)

How will the kids be during the week without you? How will your DH be? What happens if you can't get there one weekend? (bad weather, flooded road, etc)

Run down all the 'what if's' and see how it looks after that.

With all that being said... what IF a job calls and wants him to come in for an appointment that same day?

When the Old Man was out there looking, many places would call and ask for him to come in later that day. When he got the job he is at now, they had contacted him and left a message, he returned the call and was in their office 45 minutes later.

I can understand the need for a break, but I don't want you all to lose out on a great job because he wasn't able to get to an interview.

**mommy4ever** · 02-24-2009, 01:43 PM

There is that side. I'm not saying he won't be looking. We will be, but taking advantage of the down time. There will be resumes going out non-stop. I'm not saying turning down a job should he get hired, we adapt. Just being strategic in timing interviews. So that he can have some time with the kids. That isn't something that happens for us.

It could be difficult finding a job. Meaning no interviews for a period. That doesn't mean he quits looking, it means I get him out of town, busy with the kids, and we still submit the resumes etc. Do all we need to do. But I'd rather have him doing something with the kids, than sulking here getting down. I'm quite capable of submitting resumes. Fielding calls and booking the interviews. If they wish to talk to him, he has a phone and can call them. Not a problem.

I'm just hoping that the layoff doesn't occur.

I'm just doing some planning because I know him and if he's here waiting for the phone to ring, he'll drive us all crazy. If he's out there, he isn't sulking. He's outdoors, getting some fresh air, time with his babies.

Yes, it's me doing legwork for him. I don't mind. I'm trying to find alternate plans for him.

He's never been without work, so this is likely just daydreaming on my part. He's an awesome provider. ANd if there is nothing to be found, then why not use the down time in a positive way.

**perSue** · 02-24-2009, 01:46 PM

i'd make sure the campsite rules allow that.
i know some places you pay on a weekly/monthly basis during the "camping season" & that's ok.
but some places require "time in between campers"... to check, clean up, repair, etc.
otherwise, if the campsite is ok with it, and you're paid up on it already... i dont see why not!

i think it'd be enjoyable. And definitely a great memory to have for years to come.

**mommy4ever** · 02-24-2009, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by Lady_V

Heck, if we could LIVE at a campsite, we'd be there now!!! We have been looking for a year round site, but no luck yet. If we could stay at a campsite all summer, we'd jump at it!

Life is simple there, no daily hustle. My best memories are the summers my family spent 'roughing it' (big mobile home with a/c, cable, and surround sound - Mom called it rough because there was no dishwasher

)

How will the kids be during the week without you? How will your DH be? What happens if you can't get there one weekend? (bad weather, flooded road, etc)

Run down all the 'what if's' and see how it looks after that.

With all that being said... what IF a job calls and wants him to come in for an appointment that same day?

When the Old Man was out there looking, many places would call and ask for him to come in later that day. When he got the job he is at now, they had contacted him and left a message, he returned the call and was in their office 45 minutes later.

I can understand the need for a break, but I don't want you all to lose out on a great job because he wasn't able to get to an interview.

I forgot to mention the site is 20 minutes or so from city limits, so it's not like he's hours away. And has a cell phone. So he's available at all times. Within an hour or so.

Since the site is so close, weather doesn't really play into it. We have very mild weather, and other than occasional hail, there's nothing that would stop me from driving. Not near anything that would flood out the roads. Occasional tornado watch, but that is very rare.

The only child that *might* react is the littlest one, she's 5. But she's usually very good for daddy when I'm not around, if I'm there then she is my girl.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 02-24-2009, 01:51 PM

As long as his job search can continue from there like you're planning, I'd go for it!! It'd be a summer to remember for your whole family!

**mommy4ever** · 02-24-2009, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by perSue

i'd make sure the campsite rules allow that.
i know some places you pay on a weekly/monthly basis during the "camping season" & that's ok.
but some places require "time in between campers"... to check, clean up, repair, etc.
otherwise, if the campsite is ok with it, and you're paid up on it already... i dont see why not!

i think it'd be enjoyable. And definitely a great memory to have for years to come.

No, it is a seasonal site. Our RV has been there going on it's 3rd season. Some people live out there May to November. We can stay as many or as few days as we want to during the camping season no restrictions. We pay by the season, all yard maintenance is ours to do. We have trees, this year a small garden, providing Freddy the squirrel doesn't eat it up, I'm hoping to put a small apple tree out there this year too. We have a shed and a deck we built. We plan to stay for many years to come.