Changing Family Dynamics: An Interview With Demetrius & Family

Welcome, Demetrius and family! Thanks for chatting with us at Camping World about your RV experience!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself, and what first attracted you to RV travel?

A. My wife and I love to try different things, go different places, and we want to see more of the world especially here in the US. Watching YouTube videos on van life and living life different fueled our desire to wanting to own an RV. We both made this a goal and wanted it part of our life journey together to make memories.

Q. Describe your travel style in five words or less! Where too?

A. Let’s go!!

Q. A few lightning questions: Favorite snack, meal, or beverage to have at the campsite?

A. Chips, jerky, fresh salads, grilled steak and corn on the cob, Tequila, Bourbon, Wine/Beer.

Q. 3 pieces of gear you always have in the RV?

A. Games, cast iron skillet, TV.

A cast iron skillet comes in handy when campfire cooking.

Q. First thing you do when you arrive to the campsite?

A. Set everything up, and have a relaxing beverage.

Q. You got into RVing as a way to pay off debt; how has RVing given you financial and/or personal freedom?

A. It helped give us the motivation to live life with less stress and worry, by not focusing on the “everyday” things such as credit cards, bills, car payments, mortgages. Once we accomplished paying all these things off, we knew the challenge of living on the road one day, 6 months or so out of the year, would be a great adventure. This would not have been an option if we didn’t want to live life on the road, so to speak. We would love to have a job where we both work part-time or remote 6 months out of the year and travel the other. As of now, we plan to keep investing and hopefully, FIRE [Financial Independence and Retire Early] by 50 or 55 to live our dream.

Q. What has downsizing to live in an RV been like? Easy, difficult, refreshing, exciting?

We haven’t moved into our travel trailer full time, but we did downsize from a much larger home of 2300 SQ FT to 1100 SQ FT. We did this knowing we wanted to live in an RV one day to see more and do more before the sun set on our lives. Once Lisa and I do go “full time” living on the road we think the transition will be exciting, refreshing, and have some difficulty. But we look forward to all of the feelings described.

Q. How has RV living changed your family dynamics?

A. Using the RV and sharing videos and pictures with family and friends have changed lives. My sister seen from afar, and downsized her home, paid off all debt so she can travel more. My other sister sold her home, moved in with our parents to pay off debt faster and super save so they can travel more. Two of our friends purchased used 5th wheels and we have a trip planned at the end of August together. My daughter wants to live the travel life, she will be turning 19 and already paid cash for her car, invest in Roth IRA, Roth 401K and Crypto. She wants to be FIRE  by 35ish. All this happened by watching others RV and us getting out of debt to live the RV life. It 100% changed my family dynamics.

Inspired by affordable RV living, Demetrius’ daughter. E’Lisia, plans to retire early by making savvy financial choices.

Q. What would you say are the greatest perks of RV travel?

A. Freedom to go places, memories made with family, meeting new people, seeing things you’ve never seen. It’s an adventure every day when we’re camping. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Q. What was your first RV experience like? And what advice do you have to people who want to try RVing for the first time?

A. It was exciting and scary at the same time, especially when it’s something you’ve never done before. For anyone wanting to try it for the first time, push any fear or uncertainty aside and like NIKE—Just Do It! Find out what you don’t like, instead of saying ‘I won’t like it.’ It may not be for everyone, but I’m sure once they do it, they will get that feeling of ‘why did I wait so long?’ I’ve missed seeing so much of the world here at home and now I need to travel my butt off to make up the time.

Demetrius and family set out on a hike in New York’s Finger Lakes region.

Q. What is your favorite quote, lyric, or mantra that you repeat on your travels?

A. I enjoy seeing smiles on people’s faces, the world is filled with bad news and negativity. When we travel I give out an easy-to-read children’s book about inclusion and diversity at the campground to as many kids as I can. So I have to say one of my favorite quotes is:

“There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”

Spread love, give freely, and the happiness and smiles in return will make one’s heart rejoice.

Demetrius introduces his niece, Milan, to the joys of camping for the first time.

Thank you, Demetrius, for your time and stories. See you out there on the road!