Is the "cheap RV camping" fading into the sunset?

[BrotherSpike]

Inflation leads to sticky prices. It’s also used as an excuse to raise prices beyond inflation. I went to an Arby’s with my son last weekend. 2 sandwiches combo meals $36. We can eat at Olive Garden cheaper than that. But this is a truck stop, so you charge whatever the H you want b/c the new normal is $5 diesel.

Sticky prices - real estate, and probably fuel. Even when the cost hasn’t gone up that much or especially when inflation cools off, prices may come down a little, but they’re never going back to what they were unless there’s a full blown recession or real estate bust. Never again - Black Rock and Big Oil are never going to let that happen! Let’s not even talk about medical care.

This is why I say we’ll never see $3 gas again. I hope I’m wrong but I think I’m right. It’s a complex issue, but what I don’t get is we are not in OPEC, we produce enough oil domestically, but yet we the people pay global prices. Yeah, I know we supposedly don’t have enough refineries, so we have to import…….while the oil companies rake it in.

My understanding with doemestic oil, is that the oil we "Frack" or pump out of the ground in the lower 48 is "light, sweet" crude, while most established U.S. refineries—especially along the Gulf Coast—were built to process "heavy, sour" crude from nations like Canada and Mexico. and the cost to to change their facilities to process our own, would drive the cost of gasoline way over what we were paying before the the stupidist war ever fought started. And if it were to happen during this crisis, we would be seeing $15+ a gallon. When you include the Jones Act of 1920, in that dilemma, it just reduces the possibilty for retrofitting to be cost effective at all.
You're absolutely correct. When prices come down, they never reach the previous prices. And in the meantime, corps and wall street are enjoying the profits of higher prices without even having to increase profit margins or reduce labor. The incentives to reduce prices are not built into our current form capitalism gone rogue.

 

[AbdRahim]

Let me help!
The USD is called a fiat currency. It's called that because it's value is based souly on a government promise. Or more correctly a debt note! The more green backs you posses the more debt you hold. Every buck you have, the more the bankers presses have run, and the less anything is behind it!

Think of it this way! It requires the same amount of resources to produce one USD, as a thousand USD note, so where is the value? It's in government bonds! That My friend is something other countries are no longer buying. The fact that embargoes have shown large countries holding US bonds are holding a useless asset. Means a large number of countries are getting rid of our useless paper.

That is where our super inflation has it's roots!

To blame the lower 75% for what the top.05% have created is an injustice. Those people have just been trying to pay for that burger, nothing more.


More historical information can be found by studying Rome, Germany, Venezuela, and most countries that have fallen from within.

Understand printing etc. just saying if wages stayed the same, and prices stayed the same. We would, for the most part, be where we are anyhow. Many only have the illusion of getting ahead. It is like being on a treadmill going nowhere.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Understand printing etc. just saying if wages stayed the same, and prices stayed the same. We would, for the most part, be where we are anyhow. Many only have the illusion of getting ahead. It is like being on a treadmill going nowhere.

The system was designed to make you feel failure is normal ( remember that normal I what 50% or more represent)!

 

[AbdRahim]

The system was designed to make you feel failure is normal ( remember that normal I what 50% or more represent)!

Thank God I have never been “normal”. I just refuse to comply. If one person can make it, it means it is possible. The continues.

 

[Holdmybeer]

The US dollar is a fiat currency the opposite of a commodity currency (a currency backed by a commodity like gold or silver or corndogs even). The canary in the coal mine in as far as the health of the US economy is the interest paid on T-bills, that's how much interest the gov't pays for example to sovereign wealth funds which own US Treasury Bills. It's very very low, indicating we're still in the cat birds seat. Or in other words we can pay very low interest because T-Bills are still the most trusted (i.e., secure) long term investment instruments on the planet. On the domestic front, a sign the economy is headed for trouble is when the bond market starts lighting up. That's when worried investors start moving their assets to a lower yield but a more secure refuge. At the end of the day the US economy is still the healthiest on the planet.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

The US dollar is a fiat currency the opposite of a commodity currency (a currency backed by a commodity like gold or silver or corndogs even). The canary in the coal mine in as far as the health of the US economy is the interest paid on T-bills, that's how much interest the gov't pays for example to sovereign wealth funds which own US Treasury Bills. It's very very low, indicating we're still in the cat birds seat. Or in other words we can pay very low interest because T-Bills are still the most trusted (i.e., secure) long term investment instruments on the planet. On the domestic front, a sign the economy is headed for trouble is when the bond market starts lighting up. That's when worried investors start moving their assets to a lower yield but a more secure refuge. At the end of the day the US economy is still the healthiest on the planet.

Fiat is a promise. A promise is only as good as the person giving it. When it comes to promises consider the VA. A promise is the same as an IOU. that makes it a debt note.

 

[Phillbo]

The system was designed to make you feel failure is normal ( remember that normal I what 50% or more represent)!

So, just make sure you fall into the winning 50%.

 

[Holdmybeer]

Fiat is a promise. A promise is only as good as the person giving it. When it comes to promises consider the VA. A promise is the same as an IOU. that makes it a debt note.

Nevertheless, the dollar is the benchmark world currency and US Treasury Certificates are the safest most secure long term investment instruments on the planet.

 

[team bradfield]

Seems we are of OP topic

 

[Underboss]

Prices of everything are going up. It is a runaway train at the moment. Until fuel prices are back to normal, if ever, it will drive the cost of goods which in turn drive the cost of services.
I think that cgs are beginning to see a drop in attendance and the prices will stay flat for as long as they are able.

 

[Jim]

I think that cgs are beginning to see a drop in attendance and the prices will stay flat for as long as they are able.

It really depends on the market.

Since this thread is about “cheap” camping, I’ll assume we’re talking about campgrounds and RV parks that aren’t sitting next to a major attraction like Disney or a racetrack.

If a park has built its marketing around attracting guests looking for the cheapest possible place to stay, then fuel prices can absolutely hurt. That customer is already very price-sensitive. But if the park markets to guests with higher-end RVs who are looking for a particular experience, the effect is much smaller.

Deer Springs isn’t near much of anything, mostly trees, mountains, and peace and quiet. But that’s exactly what our guests are looking for, and we just had our best year ever. I’ve asked quite a few guests about fuel prices. The answer is usually the same: they wish fuel were cheaper, but they’re not going to let it stop them from enjoying life.

 

[allenlook]

Inflation is actually the number of dollars in circulation, not prices. When that number goes up, everybody has more dollars in their pocket and can buy more and compete for products, and the price of everything rises in response.

The "Inflation Reduction Act" and related bills printed 13-15 Trillion dollars into existence overnight, and it will take over a decade to boil that off (prices decline) or bake it in (prices normalize at new highs) with higher interest rates.

We knew what the bill would do when it was passed. It's the majority that's unaware of how the world works that's the problem. And that's not a political statement, it's a sociological one.

 

[Old one]

Cheap(er) campsites....
I was a volunteer for Florida dept of parks. I was at an island park, running the shuttle boat between the mainland and the island. However, the relavance to RVs is I learned the states system of parks including the RV ones.

Best I can find NOW is: RV are $18 a night. Electricity and water is $8 (?) a night.
There is a one time charge of $7 per reservation, no mater how many nights.
Moreover, if you are over 65 and a Fl resident the RV charge (18) becomes half at $9 night. Lets do some arithmetic, for a 3-night stay. One time charge: $7. 3 nights $54, 3 electrics 3 @ 8= 24. $85. If you are a fl resident: 7+27+24= $58
Most of the sites are pull thru, full hookup. They have toilet/shower buildings.
Check for sewer hookups or a dump station. This varies with the location.

(If you "drive up" and there is spaces available, sometimes the anger will not charge the reservation fee. Depended on their mood.....
ALL that have camping/cabins/marinas have overnight rangers available. I did this for 3 years, and never had the rangers called at night.


Yes, I also know this "ain't a KOA in accommodations and size, but you are not charged that rate either.



I intent to buy an RV somewhat sone and will be using the state parks initaially. There is one very close, Wekiva state park, with camping within a 10 minute drive from my home. That will be my "break-in" for the camper and for e becoming a camper. Stores, such as Home Depot and Wally's world are within that 10 minute window, for the additions to the shopping list.
MOST parks are not in the shadow of an interstate. You will have trees, lakes and rivers, etc. However, the local rangers/volunteer will know where to call to have a pizza delivered..... Wekiva has a spring which is 72 Degrees YEAR ROUND. Where I came from upstate NY, the lakes got to 64* in an august heat wave, maybe

Note: I am not getting aid for this. I just think its an alternative to spending a lot of money for the perks you probably won't use.

Reservations can be made in advance with a credit card over the phone. This is highly recommended on 3 day weekends and winter holidays.
If the location has length rules it will be on the website, but ask if you have a long RV.

The state has "state park booklets showing all parks and accommodations. Can be downloaded from the website.

Google: Florida state parks.

 

[Underboss]

Inflation is actually the number of dollars in circulation, not prices. When that number goes up, everybody has more dollars in their pocket and can buy more and compete for products, and the price of everything rises in response.

The "Inflation Reduction Act" and related bills printed 13-15 Trillion dollars into existence overnight, and it will take over a decade to boil that off (prices decline) or bake it in (prices normalize at new highs) with higher interest rates.

We knew what the bill would do when it was passed. It's the majority that's unaware of how the world works that's the problem. And that's not a political statement, it's a sociological one.

For clarity.....There is more then one reason for inflation. We are clearly in #2. due to tariffs and fuel prices. Those two are driving the current economy. People are spending more because they have to, not because they want to.
Inflation happens when the general price level of goods and services rises, which reduces the purchasing power of money. Economists and financial guides like Investopedia group the main causes into a few key categories: [1, 2]

1. Demand-Pull Inflation

• • What it is: This occurs when consumer, business, or government demand for goods and services outpaces the economy's ability to produce or supply them. [1, 2]
  • How it works: When "too much money chases too few goods," sellers and producers respond by raising prices. [1, 2]
  • Common drivers: Strong consumer spending, low interest rates, high employment rates, or massive government stimulus and relief packages. [1, 2, 3]

2. Cost-Push Inflation

• • What it is: This happens when the overall cost of producing goods and services increases significantly. [1]
  • How it works: When raw materials, energy, or labor become more expensive, producers pass those higher production costs on to consumers in the form of higher retail prices. [1]
  • Common drivers: Global supply chain disruptions, wars (such as conflicts affecting oil or grain supply), natural disasters, tariffs, and rising wage demands during labor shortages. [1, 2, 3, 4]

3. Built-In (or Expectation-Driven) Inflation

• • What it is: This is tied to how people and businesses expect future prices to behave.
  • How it works: If workers expect the cost of living to rise, they demand higher wages to keep up. When businesses raise wages to keep staff, they turn around and raise product prices further, creating a self-fulfilling wage-price spiral. [1, 2, 3]

4. Expansion of the Money Supply

• • What it is: When a central bank or government prints or circulates money faster than the actual growth of the economy's output.
  • How it works: More currency in circulation dilutes the value of each individual unit, meaning it takes more units of currency to buy the exact same item. [1, 2, 3, 4]