Nesting an RV: The Unexpected Expenses of Buying an RV

What happened next can only be described as “Nesting.” Yes, nesting. Most men can relate to this when you buy a house. Sure, it needed a little paint. But I didn’t anticipate the whole house being painted, the carpets replaced, new curtains, etc. etc. The whole experience reminds me of those dreams where you see the dollar signs floating by with the sounds of cash registers ringing over and over again. Any man who has been through this realizes that home ownership comes with your spouse making it “hers.”

Somehow, I missed the note that the same thing applies to RVs. Soon after we drove the RV up into the driveway for the first time, my wife told me that she needed to “get a couple of things” for the RV.  Sure, I thought, we need a few things like hoses, oil, etc. You know…the basics.

A couple of hours later my wife comes in the door with multiple bags in each hand. I am speechless at the sight. My wife, however, doesn’t seem to notice that as she asks me, “Can you go out to the car and get the other bags?” Other bags? She must have gone grocery shopping. There can’t possibly be MORE!? My mind is reeling, but I am able to keep it together enough to ask nicely, “Honey, how much did you spend?” She responds with a patronizing smile. You know, the one where you get the eye batting and the charm going full stream. “I just got some things that we needed,” she says. I realize my question has been dodged. Having gone down this road before, I know I’m in a no win situation.

My wife has started her nesting and she is fulfilling her dreams of RV “ownership.” Who am I to dash her dreams?

I figure it’s best if I just leave the situation and go out and get those bags she wants. It didn’t take long to realize after hunting through bags filled with new curtains, bedding, and other items, that no hoses or oil or anything I expected was purchased. At this point I’m left with only one possible option…go out and shop for things I want.

Now I understand why they call it the “RV lifestyle.” I haven’t even used it in a campground yet and we are both “embracing” the RV in a way that only my credit card can understand. I have high hopes for the wonderful camping trips ahead. I have to. It’s the only way I can justify the cost of the upgrades.