CHICK CHAT- 5 TIPS to Survive RV Living for Women

Melissa Lucas- Harlow (me) with TheAdventureTravelers.com gives helpful survival tips for women living in an RV. Whether you are living temporarily or full time in an RV, this TIPS series will help you navigate the female challenges of life on a home that moves.
I lived on a 38 foot Island Packet sailboat in San Diego, Mexico and French Polynesia for 1 1/2 years with my husband.

Before I left, I purchased multiple supplies, which I listed below. This forethought helped relieve my anxiety about looking like a hag during my travels.

There are challenges to living in an RV full time. We sold our boat and now live in a 30 foot Sunseeker by Forest River. Honestly, it feels like a palace compared to the boat! I learned a lot of organization skills while living on a sailboat and most of them translate to an RV.

Anyway, the first 5 tips are my biggest pet peeves.
1. Learn how to dye your own roots. It takes practice but once you master the process, you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself. I estimate that I save about $1,200 a year just doing my own color. I have it professionally done at Supercuts about every 3-4 months. They do an amazing job and it’s usually under $60 for everything. Supercuts is Nationwide so you can always find a location. In French Polynesia, I would color my roots in the marina bathrooms which was not pleasant, but it got the job done. If I was desperate, I am sure there would be a local hair stylist who could at least give me a trim no problem.

Also, you may not always have access to power like at home, but when you do and you want to style your hair, it’s nice to have your tools. The tools like curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers are usually bulky and don’t fit into the spaces in an RV. I keep mine in a nice carry bag so I can just move them around if they get in the way.
We also purchased a Hair clipping and grooming kit for men for about $28 so I can cut my husband’s hair on the fly! Again, this takes a little practice so make sure you don’t have a wedding or event to go to for at least a few weeks. LOL! In our case, my first time was out in the middle of the ocean so we were pretty safe.
2. Measure all your shelves including in and out of the cupboards. In my experience, the spaces in RVs and boats are extremely narrow. Even a lotion bottle may be too tall or wide to fit some of your favorite items. Once you measure, you will be able to know what will work and what needs to stay at home. I also purchase very narrow rubber shelf baskets (at the .99 Store or Dollar General) and this helps keep some of your bottles from sliding around. Also, just in case something leaks it will go into the basket instead of your nice shelf.
3. Bring only your favorite and well- fitting clothes! You do not need back- ups, upon your backups! I suggest jeans, black pants, camo and yoga type pants. Of course if it’s warm you will need a summer set of clothes so you need to prepare a summer kit that you can store below your RV. In addition, I always pack lots of scarfs and sarongs too. I always bring a stash of rubber bands too. I usually roll up all my clothes and put a rubber band around them. This prevents them from rolling around and they also sit wonderfully in a pile. When you have a limited space, you tend to move things around a lot so having your clothes wrapped in a rubber band is essential in my opinion.
4. Get some Poster Mounting Putty (Walmart) for placing under anything you want to keep out on the counter. I like having my earrings and bracelets in the bathroom. It just makes me feel like I’m at home. I also have a basket in the bathroom with my hair scrunches and other miscellaneous items. I even put a small piece of putty under my tissue box. You can also hang a few lightweight photos just to make it really feel like home!
5. Make a small girly spot for quiet time. For me, it’s as simple as making my bed every day (my husband does this with me!) I can shut the door and do whatever I need to do. Sometimes that’s a pedicure, my roots or even trimming my bangs a little. Whatever it is, you need a little space or you will go crazy.

Want to go on an adventure? Rent an RV here: https://www.theadventuretravelers.com/rv-rental-rent-a-motorhome-pop-up-camper-and-more

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