subject: Outfitting On A Budget [print this page] Sometimes, as a new RV owner, it can be quite expensive no matter how you look at it.Outfitting your vehicle is no exception. There are ways to battle the almighty dollar from using things in your home to yard sales to thrift stores. Each have their perks, it just depends on your preferences as a family.
When we started camping, I made a list of the things we would use that I wanted to leave in a packed box. Our camping box. It is a great place to start so you have your shopping list made. I know many people who leave their RV stocked and ready with the exception being food, and some who prefer to have a box. Either way, it leaves little preparation on departure day.
I have found that Corelle brand dishes are amazing at withstanding a beating. I happened to have an extra set that I had stored in my garage so I pulled them out to use them, but thrift stores are loaded with all different kinds of patterns and even just plain white does the trick. If I am tenting it, I prefer to take paper plates. But if I am able to wash my own dishes and use the same ones again and again, the cost difference over time is worth it to me and it cuts down on my shopping list each time we head out. So although I might use a glass plate to eat on, I only use plastic cups to drink out of. Glass cups are far too breakable. Again, if shopping for paper suits you, then by all means! Have a great time! I simply like knowing the housewares are already taken care of. Single person silverware bundles are available at most stores for about a dollar a plate setting. These are not the best quality, but for camping they do the job! Plastic utensils have become so expensive, it really is worth washing them.
For linens, rummage through your existing towels, sheets, and blankets. You can find some amazing deals at yard sales and thrift stores on these items, many with the tags still on them. Camping doesnt always have to be about having everything completely color coordinated, it is about the experience so worry about meeting your needs. If you look through your bath towels and see that yours are beginning to wear a bit, perhaps now is a great time to buy new ones for your home and graduate the older ones to your RV for camping. Im not a big sheets person while camping, I prefer to use sleeping bags. If you are a camper, you probably already have these. It is all in the experience you want to have. Tablecloths and placemats...well, I like the red and white gingham look but I want to be able to clean up messes so I use a vinyl cloth in the wild and I dont worry about placemats. We take paper towels to use for a variety of reasons and one of them doubles as a napkin at meals.
In all, packing for camping can feel overwhelming and expensive. However, things you have more than one of at home are free. Thrift stores are not free but are less money than department stores and you would find most of your list there. Yard sales are great and most of the time run even less than thrift stores, but your selection is really limited. So make a list, figure a budget and try to stay in it. But most of all, enjoy yourself when you reach your destination. Happy Camping! If youre looking for more information about RV trailers and RV travel, theres great information online.
