So, you’ve made the big decision—you’re ditching the stationary life for the open road in an RV!

Congratulations, you’re about to trade mortgage payments for sunsets in national parks and unpredictable Wi-Fi.

But before you hit the road, there are a few essential things you need to tackle—like what to do with your house, how to purge a lifetime of accumulated junk, and how to say goodbye to friends and family without ugly-crying (spoiler: you probably won’t succeed).

We found an incredibly helpful video from Our RV Sunsets, where full-time RVers Mike and Tony break down the first steps to take once you commit to this lifestyle.

1. Set a Time Limit and Talk to a Financial Advisor

“We decided to give ourselves a year… and we realized after about 6 months that this was for us.”

Before burning all your bridges, give yourself a trial period. Full-time RVing isn’t for everyone, and you don’t want to end up homeless and regretful. Also, consult a financial advisor—because nothing ruins adventure like realizing you can’t afford gas for your 10-mile-per-gallon home-on-wheels.

If your financial advisor laughs when you mention your RV budget, maybe reconsider your life choices—or just become really good at boondocking in Walmart parking lots.

2. Buy Your RV Before Selling Your House

“I’d buy the rig before you sell the house… it’s just going to make everything so much easier.”

Having an RV before you sell your house means you can gradually move your stuff (or, more accurately, realize how little of it you actually need). Plus, you’ll avoid the awkward phase of couch-surfing with relatives who still think you’re having a midlife crisis.

If your neighbors see you moving into an RV before selling your house, they’ll either be jealous or call the HOA. Either way, it’s a win.

3. Take Short Trips to Test Your RV

“Things are going to break, and you’d rather have them break on the first couple of short trips.”

Nothing says “adventure” like your toilet exploding in the middle of the night. Take a few weekend trips to figure out how everything works—because YouTube tutorials won’t save you when your black tank valve malfunctions at 2 AM.

If your first RV trip doesn’t involve at least one minor disaster, you’re either lying or you’re still parked in your driveway.

4. Purge Your Stuff Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Does)

“Once you’re even thinking about going full-time, just start getting rid of things.”

You don’t need three sets of china, 15 throw pillows, or that treadmill you’ve been using as a clothes rack. Sell, donate, or set it on fire (okay, maybe not the last one). Storage units are a scam—after two years, you’ll have paid enough to rebuy everything twice.

The moment you sell your stuff, you’ll suddenly need that one random item you forgot you owned. The universe loves irony.

5. Decide What to Do With Your House

“We sold our house… and I don’t regret it at all.”

Selling means no property taxes or surprise roof repairs. Renting it out means passive income—or passive headaches when your tenants clog the toilet with “flushable” wipes. Choose wisely.

If you keep your house “just in case,” you’re not really committing to RV life. You’re just camping with extra steps.

6. Prepare for the Emotional Roller Coaster

“The first night after we sold the house… we both ugly cried.”

Leaving a house full of memories is hard. But waking up to a new view every week? Priceless. Just keep tissues handy—for both the sentimental moments and the inevitable sewage hose mishaps.

If you don’t have a moment of “What the heck did we just do?” you’re probably in denial.

7. Stay Connected With Friends and Family

“Make sure they all have your contact information… and do Zoom cocktail hours!”

Technology makes it easy to stay in touch—send updates, spam them with sunset pics, and schedule virtual happy hours. Pro tip: They’ll miss you less if you annoy them regularly. If your family doesn’t respond to your texts, just send an SOS from the middle of the desert. They’ll answer real quick.

Watch the Full Video!

For even more tips (including how to handle family heirlooms and why storage units are evil), check out the full video :