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Hi Ladies

Ron and I have been offered full time jobs with Funtastic Show and Carnival traveling through Western WA and Western OR from Mid-March to the end of September. We are excited and yet nervous. We have to give our answer by next Wednesday, February 10th. We are seriously thinking we are going to do this especially since work here in Whatcom County is not much at this time. He only worked 7 days in January and one week in December ~ that is not enough for us to pay our bills.

We are pondering the following as we try to make up our mind. Maybe some of you can help with information.

1. How difficult is it to pay your bills online or via the telephone?
2. Since we will be moving from once a week to every three weeks how do we handle the mail? We are thinking of asking a friend to pick up our mail and then flat rate it to us via General Delivery when we are going to be in one area for a week or longer? Does that make sense? We would pay her for doing this for us but then the question is how much is fair?
3. Do we take a toad with us or not? Ron is very comfortable driving the MH and says we can stop and do laundry, go grocery shopping, etc. as we move from each venue. He is thinking not. What do you think?
4. What are some things to keep in mind when we have to boondock at small venues? We know we can dump and fill with water along the way - either at rest areas or campgrounds. Is there an average that campgrounds charge just to dump and fill with water?
5. Do we keep our four legged friend, Charlie Brown or do we find him a home?

I am sure I will have more questions. But these are the ones off the top of my head.

Thank you in advance for any info or advice you can give.

lots of questions there Ali not sure I'll remember them all but here goes ..
as long as you bank with a bank that you can do it on line shouldn't be a problem we have everything taken out automatically with the exception of two and they are temp ones so try and do them via mail or on line
we go through a mail service again because we full time and our "home state is SD" for such a short time think that would work and talking with your friend about what she thinks is fair would be the best you are asking her to package them up go to the post office and ship them does the post office hold and forward to a general delivery?
one thing to remember is that some states are closing there rest areas so it may not be an option to fill and dump at a rest area...we've seen signs that it cost 3 dollars to dump would think that would be normal give or take....not sure where to get water although we are boondocking the town is well set up for boondockers.
I would take the toad...that way you have the ability to site see easier.....you won't be working 24 x 7 will you? and what if one of you wants to go do something and the other can't or doesn't want to?
Why would you give up your four legged pal? that you would need to discuss with your bosses if they have a no pet rule than you will have something to decide and then if its a temp placement or forever
Sounds like a opportunity and one that will be totally different
good luck in what you do and decide
sheila

Here are a couple of sites to help you locate places to dump in the areas you'll be traveling. Fees at cgs vary...some won't let you use their dump if you're not camping there. Often a city's wastewater treatment plant has an rv dump.

http://www.sanidumps.com

http://www.rvdumps.com

I stopped most of my mail by going "paperless" and having my statements sent to my email. Bills that are the same every month I put on auto pay from my bank. The others I pay online. If a company has a website you can usually pay online from your bank. Leave some of those new "IF it fits, it ships" boxes from the PO and leave them with your friend. Am sure your job will have a definite route so just pick a smaller town to have your mail delivered to General Delivery. Get an aircard for internet access - wifi isn't secure to pay bills and access your bank. So much easier to have a toad for shopping, etc. The KOA's I've worked at charged $5 to dump. If I'm going to be boondocking, I try to stay one nite at a CG to fill water and dump. I can't imagine being without my dogs. They stay in the rig while I'm working. If you have limited cell phone minutes (I have 450) look into getting a Magic Jack phone ($40 the first year and $20 a YEAR after). Plugs into your computer so you do need to be plugged into electric for it to work well and I suggest getting a USB hub that plugs into an electric outlet (more power than one that only plugs into your computer).

Hey Ali.
1) Kelly and I pay all our stuff online, it's a snap. If I can figure it out anyone can. You will need to ask your future employer about direct deposit unless your bank has a lot of branches or atms scattered out in the areas you will be in.
2) If your friend is willing to forward mail to you that's great. Not sure how general delivery works.
3) I would most certainly take the toad with you. That part about being parked maybe for 3wks at a time is the clue. You wont want to have to pull the motorhome out of it's spot just to get to the grocery store, laundry or PO. Ive seen some of the parking for employees and vendors at fairs and it can be kinda tight.
4) Liz's link to places to dump is a help. Your employer might also have ideas. Maybe they have honey wagons that come in and empty ya out? Oh, and I've seen tons of hoses running to the rigs that travel with the fairs.
5) I would most certainly keep your 4 legged buddy. Have see lots of pets owned by the fair people. Now if the employer does indeed have a no pet or dog policy? Then you could look into finding him a temp or long term home.

Write a list of the questions that you will need to ask them, at least #'s 1, 4 and 5 and keep it handy.

I think this would be a really neat opportunity to experience. Let us know what you decide!

Ali, I agree with what the girls have said. I pay all of my bills on-line thru Bank of America and it's easy as pie. Even the once in a while or once and never again bills.

As far as the toad, that's a personal decision. If you're limited on money right now, you might try it for this season, and then get one later if you find you need one.

Absolutely take your fur buddy with you! Most Carnies have dogs and/or cats.

Most shows have huge generators and plug their workers into them. You might only have 20A service, tho. They can also usually tell you where you could dump, altho the one I was on had a honey truck come out and take care of it every couple of weeks for a nominal charge. Most of the folks get their mail thru the show.

My suggestion to you would be to call whoever offered you the job and ask them some of these questions.

And yes, girls, I did run away and join the carnival when I was 18....altho that was many many moons ago! I had a lot of fun, but I was young and single and still partied hardy. Long hours, but still fun.

Ali, what are you guys gonna be doing in the way of work for them?

1. How difficult is it to pay your bills online or via the telephone?
Easy as pie - how I've been doing bills for years - before I owned an rv.

2. Since we will be moving from once a week to every three weeks how do we handle the mail? We are thinking of asking a friend to pick up our mail and then flat rate it to us via General Delivery when we are going to be in one area for a week or longer? Does that make sense? We would pay her for doing this for us but then the question is how much is fair?
For two years + I used a friend for this. However, it's real easy to use mail services also - and they mail to you when you need it. So whichever works. Can't say what would be fair. My friend wouldn't take a penny - work that out with yours.

3. Do we take a toad with us or not? Ron is very comfortable driving the MH and says we can stop and do laundry, go grocery shopping, etc. as we move from each venue. He is thinking not. What do you think?
I proably wouldn't tow if you'll be moving that often - but there will probably be times you might want a car. This is a tough one - and everyone will have different answers. Dow what will work for you.

4. What are some things to keep in mind when we have to boondock at small venues? We know we can dump and fill with water along the way - either at rest areas or campgrounds. Is there an average that campgrounds charge just to dump and fill with water?
Every cg is different - and you'll also be able to find free places to dump and fill - gas stations, sometimes in the towns themselves.

5. Do we keep our four legged friend, Charlie Brown or do we find him a home?
I wouldn't even go if it meant considering giving up a four-legged friend. In my opinion, when you get an animal it becomes a member of the family for it's life. That's just me.

Hi Ladies

Thank you so much for the input. I did send some of my questions to Rob who interviewed us. That has helped us clear up a few things. They do automatic deposit and I can pay all my bills either via the internet or by phone. We did find out that they have a no pet rule on all their carnival sites so we have begun talking with friends about taking Charlie Brown for us. It will be sad to give him up but at this point employment is a very important thing for us as Ron only worked for two of the last 8 weeks and we just can't make it on that. It is sad that we have to get rid of him but he will be going to a good home and for that we are thankful.

We did find out that we can plug into the power at the venues through the carnival boxes. Yeah! We found out we will have to use laundromats along the way...the challenge will be finding them in the towns we are in but we are hoping that since the carnivals have traveled this way before they will know where the local ones are. We are also not against stopping at a campground for the night, filling up the water, dumping and doing the laundry ~ that is just something we are going to have to figure out along the way.

We are 90% sure we are going to take the job..there just is no employment around here and we need to work to eat. I think you get the picture. We make our final decision on Wednesday. Today Ron started organizing our large storage unit so that we can empty out the smaller one and eliminate that and save us $70 a month. We have decided to give up our Direct TV for the six months we will be traveling..we can access the newspapers online which is what we do most of the time. As far as wi-fi we have a verizon air card and really like it. We will continue to keep it so we can keep in contact with friends and family.

Sharon...I would love to hear how you liked traveling with the carnival. When I told my boss/pastor (I am our church secretary) today he laughed and said he has never known anyone to quit their job to run away with the carnival...he was very encouraging as have been those we have chosen to share our thoughts and ideas. We know we have a couple of friends that will be against it but we have to do what we have to do and we are ready for a new adventure.

Thanks again for the encouragement and suggestions. I will let you all know what we finally decide.

Wishing you all the best, Ali. If you look at it as an adventure, then you will make it fun!

I can't wait to hear all about your adventures on the carnival circuit! May God bless you both on this new journey!

I can see Pastor C saying that... " you have to admit...I do not know of many people that have quit a church job to join the carnival.

I know I am excited for you guys.