Welcome to RVForums.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Friendliest RV Community on the web
  • Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
  • Ask questions, help others, review campgrounds
  • Get the most out of the RV Lifestyle
  • Invite everyone to RVForums.com and let's have fun
  • Commercial/Vendors welcome

Growing up.....poor to retire in an RV

Welcome to our community

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
  • Invite your friends and let's have fun
  • Commercial/Vendors welcome
  • Friendliest RV community on the web

TR25

RVF VIP
Joined
Nov 15, 2025
Messages
114
Location
Vagrant
RV Make
Many
RV Model
Many
As I like to think...and think about why/how people think, this subject has always been interesting to me.
I'm a boomer. My parents were of the greatest gen, thus both went through the great depression. Obviously, my grandparents and other relatives did too....as did millions of people in the usa.

One of my beliefs is that if something detrimental happens to a person, if it's bad enough, they never forget it. Sounds trite, but goes deeper than just remembering. If it's bad enough, people choose not to think about it or in some cases, literally blank it out.

People raised in the GD, their ways of doing things, living, usually reflected that. Growing up, we rarely got new clothing. The girls made a lot of their own, but everyone below the first of each gender got handme downs. If there were holes in them, they got patched. If they were too short for the next in line, the hem got extended and for a while, I think it was in style to have that extra strip at the bottom of your pants. Related families passed their kids clothing around too. Light bulbs were used to darn socks. Everyone had quilts and they were all home made...and although heavy, comfy.

Food--none of ot was wasted. Everything was big batches and there's even something called "depression era food", like boiled dinner, potatoes and eggs, spaghetti, chili, ghoulash, etc. Ate your ration and if you were still hungry, you ate bread. Pop was a rarity. Even into adulthood they continued to eat like that.

Living? Live in a small house, and bunk beds for the kids as bedrooms where shared. Then live in that house until you get old, then retire in it as it's paid off, your car is paid off. That was the goal, the dream.

Weird how things from the formative past can impact us. I bought my first RV in my early 30s as security, so I'd always have a place to live. Now I have 2.5 (I was home-challenged as a kid). I have 2 freezers and 2 fridges with a utility room in the basement, full of food (At times I had to steal food to eat as a kid). I have 4 nice vehicles now (struggled to have one with matching tires until late 20s).

So did any of you grow up in any way to impact your choices now? Were you one of those who worked their whole life, then when retired, sold the house, got an RV then took off to see the usa? Or just hit the road? I have relatives who lead that normal life, worked, now retired, are doing the RV thing and one about to.

Can be interesting to know more about how a peson wound up where they are. Guess that's why I've been interested in the whole vanlife thing as there's usually a story behind most of that.
 
I am always fascinated to hear the stories of people that have had success and the road they traveled to get to where they are today. If the campfire burns long enough you can learn some of the details of early struggles and chances taken that lead to success.
 
Yankee frugality was ingrained in us from the day we were born; I was youngest of four.
 
Yep boomer, great parents, I was raised right, good values, how to work and take care of my self and others. Never had to worry about where. A meal was coming from.
Grew up in a family business so working was a given. I did not mind working.
We did not take nice vacations, a few tent camping trips in the 60s.
I never made a lot of money but I did learn to save.
I RV today to see things I did not see when I was younger. Life is good.
 
I am always fascinated to hear the stories of people that have had success and the road they traveled to get to where they are today. If the campfire burns long enough you can learn some of the details of early struggles and chances taken that lead to success.
Yup. One of the things I learned later in life than I should have is, if you just shut up, you can learn something from others. That, combined with everyone's favorite subject is themselves (carnegie sales course). So just respectfully going up to people and starting a conversation, one can learn a whole not they'd not have otherwise.

I learned from a nebraska rancher/farmer that short horns are just as good and better for the buck than black angus. I was at some ag gathering, saw an old guy in a cowboy hat, looking at the livestock, so i went up and started talking to him, about the weather of course.

A lot of knowledge and stories are disappearing w/o being shared. Tech has a lot to do with that too.
 
Yankee frugality was ingrained in us from the day we were born; I was youngest of four.
Yup. A new pair of boots/shoes you bought big so you'd still have them instead of outgrowing them.

An interesting note: There's no such thing as [black] soul food. Why? Southern whites at the same food.
 

Latest resources

Back
Top Bottom