This is beyond frustrating to many, including us.  We were hoping to get on in the spring but will have to see what else he can find, depending on whether or not this affects other jobs as well.  One of my biggest frustrations with this line of work is trying to budget for temporary work.  You just never know when you will get on a job or how long that job will last.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the frustration of it all.  Why would they want to cut so many jobs?  How are we supposed to pay our bills?  Don’t they understand that it will take years to get to a greener earth?  I’m all for saving the planet but until we get our consumption of petroleum-based products under control there is not going to be a time when we don’t need oil and gas.

In my opinion, there are two ways to go about our current situation…

1. We can sit around and wait for another job.  Which we’ve done many times.  Sometimes it pans out and other times, it drains that bank account.
2. Or we can get proactive and do something about it.

What we are working on

For us, we have learned to focus on option #2.  That often means my husband is calling his contacts and I’m asking in the pipeline community for any leads.  The pipeline community is a tight-knit group.  I am always seeing ways that we support our brothers and sisters.  Whether it be a lead on a job, helping with kids, finding resources, or donating time/money to someone in need, y’all got each other’s backs.  We always find a way to get through.

Looking at ways to save money and ways to bring other income in so that our bank account doesn’t take such a big hit can be helpful.  That could be dialing in your budget or starting a side hustle.  Do we really need cable and Netflix?  What about all those Target runs or stops at the coffee shop?  

I know for me, budgeting has always been an issue.  Whether it was because we never really talked about money growing up or because I liked getting what I wanted when I wanted.  Whenever I searched for budgeting help/advice it was hard to find anything that addressed my husband’s line of work.  How do I spread our income over 12 months?  What if there is a layoff?  Finding information to help address these issues was often difficult or missing the mark.

I finally decided to do something about it! 

I created my own budget worksheet that can help work through some of the questions we face.  And I want to give it to y’all for FREE!

FREE budget worksheet

Ladies, I know we can get bored just hanging at the camper/hotel/apartment.  What if you took some of that time and started a side hustle to bring in some extra cash?  Do you love creating, writing, or just helping people?  Think about those skills and start something!  I’ve started my own Virtual Assistant business, blog, and soon a book!  Check out my blog post about side hustles here.

Maybe you’re even ready to call it quits and start that business you’ve been dreaming about.  My husband is always dreaming up ways to make money once he is ready to hang up his boots.  Is there a business idea that you’ve been throwing around?  Talking about “when the time is right”?  What if now is that time?

I know a lot of these things won’t bring instant money but we have to make sure we are looking ahead.  Preparing and planning for those “what if” moments.  I sure hope that our pipeliners will be able to continue doing the work that they love.  That they can continue to contribute to the communities that they pass through.  And that the country will see them as the hard-working individuals that they are, sacrificing time away from their families.  Giving to the local communities, supporting their economies, and building a way for the rest of the country to have access to a (currently) necessary resource.

In the meantime, be kind to one another.  Share resources, information, job leads, whatever you can to help out.  Contact your local union, your state representative, and anyone else that can help.

Resources

Click here to help show your support for Keystone XL

Search for local jobs through Indeed.com (not affiliated)

Want to start your own Virtual Assistant business? Click here

No income budget help, click here

Thanks for reading!

–Kate

I say “forever” because it really can be difficult to determine if that will be the home you will live in for the rest of your lives but it can certainly be the goal.  We bought our home with the intention of settling down for the kids so that they could establish friends and be a bit closer to family.

Looking back at our previous home purchases, it would have been difficult to make them our “forever” home. Our family doubled in size and then we added my parents to our home as well.  That little 1200 sq ft ranch would have been a tight fit for all of us and our things.

Luckily, when we chose to buy and then again, when we chose to sell it worked out in our favor and we were able to make a profit to help go towards debt and our savings for the next purchase.

These previous purchases allowed us to build up some savings and knock out some debt so that this was an option for us when we were ready to start thinking more about our future.

Here are just some of the reasons we thought it was a good idea to plan to buy a home before leaving the pipeline…

Pay down now with the potentially larger income

If you have little to no debt besides your home left you can take anything extra and apply it to the home. This will help pay things down even quicker and save you interest!  Also, depending on how early on you start doing this, you have the potential to have NO house payments when you are done traveling with the pipeline!!  How amazing would that be?!

Can afford your dream home

Choosing to buy your future home now may mean that you can afford some or all the things you want in a home.  With the bigger paychecks and your other debt paid off it gives you a bit more flexibility in getting what you want.  To some that may mean building a home.  To others it could be a bigger home or high-end finishes.  Whatever your dream home means to you, you have the potential to work it in to your plan if you start thinking ahead a bit.

Make necessary improvements during layoffs

If your option was to build or buy a fixer upper, buying that home ahead of time gives you space to work on it at your pace and fix things up as you go.  This way it is ready by the time you come off the road. You can work on it little by little during any layoff periods.  Another option is to pay someone to work on it during your work periods but obviously this comes at an additional cost.

Start accumulating things/equipment/toys you may want after done traveling

Getting a home ahead of time allows you to start decorating, fixing and gathering any tools/toys you may want to have when you are home.  You can take your time picking out your furniture, paint colors, fixtures, etc since you are not living in it now.  This extra time allows you to slowly update anything you may want to replace.

Rent out the home until you are done traveling

If you are worried about an unoccupied home that you are paying for consider renting it out.  You could rent it to someone you may know or trust. Utilizing a rental property management company who will screen your tenants for you and generally take about 10% for their fee is another great option.  These companies also have a team that is available if something goes wrong and needs to be fixed.  And if god forbid, someone needs to be evicted, they know how to handle the situation.

What’s great about this too, is that depending on your mortgage payment you may be getting that paid for you by your tenant!  How great would it be to have someone else making your payments for you!!  Even if they are not making the full payment they are still helping to pay it down faster.

Debt reduction is key!

It’s important to note that this plan may not be for everyone.  Your current situation will determine whether or not this is something you could do.  If you currently have quite a bit of debt and no savings, I would consider paying that off and getting an emergency fund (about 6-8 months of bills) saved up first.

If you don’t know where to start with debt reduction check out these resources:  Dave Ramsey who I referenced in this post.  Another great resource for money saving tips is from Ruth Soukup’s blog, Living Well Spending Less.

The debt snowball vs debt avalanche

As you pay off each bill of debt try following the avalanche method.  This method has you pay off the debt with the highest interest first and then take that payment and apply it to the next high interest debt.  You continue to do so until everything is paid off. This is a great method to use but can be a bit more difficult with those of us receiving unreliable or unsteady income.

For that reason, I prefer to use the snowball method.  With the snowball method you focus on the smallest debt first.  Not only can you often pay something off quicker but you also get that satisfaction quicker of knowing you knocked some of your debt out.  This can often help keep you excited about paying things off and continue to do so.

Ready?

Get your debt list going! Gather all your debts owed except any mortgages.  List them out with the amount owed and monthly payment.  If you are opting for the avalanche method be sure to get the interest rate as well.   Organize your list based on which payment method you will be using.  Then start tackling that debt!

We followed Dave Ramsey’s plan initially and have tweaked things as we have gone along.  With the plan we were able to knock out several credit cards, a personal loan and our truck.  The thing is, if you want the plan to work and continue to work, you need to stick to it and then continue following it!

What happened is that we did not…we upgraded our trailer to a brand new one, rolling our loss in to the payment.  We bought a used vehicle but used financing.  The only thing we have maintained regularly is our savings.

Looking for a boost?

Pick up a side job or two to help pay down that debt or house even faster!  There are quite a few different options for finding flexible jobs that work with our travel.  If you need some help finding ideas, check out my post here!

Let’s recap…consider having a plan to buy a home before leaving the pipeline so that you are not scrambling when it is time to come off the road.

Follow these tips to get you started:

• Pay down debt
• Save at least 6-8 months expenses
• Find your dream home and purchase
• Consider renting out home to help pay it down
• Pay off your dream home or at least half by the time you want to stop working on the road

Let me know if you have done this, are planning to or have different ideas!  I love hearing from you so please leave a comment below!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Kate

It was my first experience staying in our fifth wheel but in a mobile home park.  For a time, we had lived in a mobile home park so I knew of them and a little about what to expect as far as layout.

My husband’s foreman had hooked us up with the spot and we were thankful since we weren’t finding much more at the time.  I remember the park being pretty decent size, at least 100 spots for mobile homes/trailers.

I actually didn’t mind staying in the park.  The people were pretty decent and I felt comfortable walking around the park by myself. They tended to the grass for us since we did not have a lawn mower with us.

Highlights

Enchanted VillageMobile Home park– Alton, Illinois

• 100+ spots
• Full hookups
• Close to town
• Bar/restaurant nearby
• Paved/grassy sites
• Across river from St. Louis, MO

Layout

We stayed at this park from about September 2009 to November 2009 and then again in June 2010 to October 2010.  The park was a mobile home park right at the edge of town.

All sites were back in and we had one that was backed up to a small hill.   All the sites were paved/concrete with a grassy patch on each side and had full hook-ups.  There were a few large trees for shade.

Favorite things

For me, the best part about being in Alton was the drive up and down IL 100.  It was pretty scenic along the Mississippi River there and a great place to spot bald eagles!

The next best part was Fast Eddie’s!  This place was jammin’ every weekend.  It was a bar that had an enclosed, heated outdoor area.

They served up cheap but delicious food ($.99 shrimp baskets!) to keep you hanging with the drinks and the featured band playing in the background.

We were definitely deep in to our partying phase still so this was a great find.

The town

Alton, Illinois is located alongside the Mississippi River.  It is a smaller town by most standards and had basic amenities when we were there.

The town itself was pretty easy to navigate but a little sleepy most days so we found ourselves venturing when we could.

For the outdoors, there are lots of nice trails along the river for outdoor enthusiasts.  IL’s largest state park, Pere Marquette State Park is close by with hiking trails, campgrounds and horseback riding options.

If you like your history, there are Indian burial mounds to the south.  Alton was also a big hub for The Underground Railroad with several homes still having the tunnels under them.

Nearby

Edwardsville, IL is within a 15-minute drive from Alton.  It’s a bit bigger and has a University there with more amenities than Alton had to offer.  We usually drove down that way if we wanted to hit up a chain restaurant for dinner.

Across the big river is the north end of St. Louis, Missouri.  They have a few great parks downtown as well as museums.  If you enjoy sports you can catch football, baseball or hockey here.

Downtown is pretty easy to get around whether you are walking or driving through. Don’t forget about the Arch when you are over there, it’s hard to miss!

Laclede’s landing is a great area for just walking around and exploring the riverfront.  There is an aquarium, wax museum and plenty of hotels, bars/restaurants to keep you occupied.

We spent a weekend down there, where we enjoyed a few too many libations.  Not necessarily a bad thing (in moderation) but when you wake up to the sounds of tailgating for Sunday’s football game, you quickly regret that decision!

Overall it was a good stay and experience.  As with any place, it is what you make it.  The park fit our needs and we were able to find fun things to do nearby.

I hope you have found this review and information helpful!

Please remember that anything written above was my opinion and experience of the area/s.  I have also linked to the mobile home park page and Alton’s website for more information.

Let me know if you have visited this place or surrounding area!  What did you think?

If you want to see other reviews click here!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

That’s why I wanted to share my 7 unique gift ideas for the “hard to buy for” father on Father’s Day!

This category of men tend to

buy what they want, when they want it and

respond with, “I don’t need anything” when asked for ideas

This is great for every ordinary day but so frustrating for special occasions!

I grew up in a gift giving family so it feels so strange not to give something on a special occasion.  I find myself scrambling last minute to get something together.

So, what do you get the guy that can get himself anything?  Keep reading to see my 7 unique gift ideas for the “hard to buy for” father

Experiences

Being that we travel often and usually have limited space for storing stuff, a great gift idea would be an experience.  I’m thinking like race car driving, wine/beer tasting, or an evening out to a concert or comedy club in the closest area that offers such an event.  Groupon is a great resource for finding ideas like this.

I know most only get Saturday evening free and time to rest on Sunday so try to plan it around those days.  If that is not a possibility look at something in the future, hopefully during a layoff.  Of course, check to see if there is a refund policy and/or a date exchange in case something comes up and he cannot attend.

Something pipeline related

Have something pipeline related or job related made just for him.

There are a ton of shops selling items online that can create something unique.

I love shopping in the FB groups as well as on Etsy to find things like T-shirts, wallets, mugs, wall hangings, etc.  Check out Home Businesses of the Pipeline on FB or ask in one of the groups to see if someone makes something you are looking for as a gift.

Sentimental

Sentimental gifts like a nice card, a love letter, a back rub or helping to create a gift with the kiddos are always a nice gift.  These gifts generally show more expression of your love because of the time and/or effort it took to put together.

Unique on Etsy, Uncommon Goods

I like to try to find unique gifts to give.  Some of my favorites are found on Etsy, Uncommon Goods or Amazon.

One of my favorite gifts (his too) was a big photo of our first dog together that was made up of smaller pictures of us.  I had it matted and framed.  He was so surprised and it turned out great!!

Kid’s gifts

Skip something from you and head right to the motherland of gift giving ideas, Pinterest!

Pinterest is my best friend when it comes to finding crafty ideas for celebrations like Father’s Day! I usually have my kids make a card or something on canvas to give to the man who can get anything for himself.

Nothing says “we love you Daddy” like a few handprints and some sweet words from the kids.

If you have older kids, another option might be to have them fill out something sentimental like this book you can find on Amazon.

A trip

Taking a trip is always a nice gift too!  I know we travel a lot but going somewhere because you want to is way different than going because your job tells you to.  Find something close by for a Saturday night away or again, plan something for in the future.

Sometimes just a night in a hotel can be relaxing!  With kids, we usually opt for a nice place with a pool.

If you need more tips or ideas for finding things to do near you, check out my post here.

Donate or Save

If gifting really isn’t your or his thing why not donate the money you would have spent.  You can choose a charity that is close to his heart or has some meaning to either of you.  Another option is to donate to yourself!  Put it in your savings account, vacation fund or pay on a bill!!

Whether you choose from the 7 unique gift ideas for the “hard to buy for” father or come up with something completely different, the idea of the day is to show your love and appreciation.  Enjoy your time together and try not to sweat the gift giving.

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

Consider finding work while you travel.

Traveling with your significant other can be filled with fun and new adventures but it can also get REAL boring and lonely too.

We all have different reasons for wanting to make money while traveling…maybe it is

• a creative outlet
• extra income
• meet others
• need more than being a stay at home mom (me raising my hand!)
• security in case something happens

Whatever the reason, there are options, EVEN while traveling.

Seasonal jobs

Most large corporations as well as some small businesses will often look for seasonal help.  That season depends on their industry. Sometimes it is summer help for outdoor companies or businesses related to warmer temps.  Other times it is focused more around the holidays, usually end of October to January.  This type of work provides flexibility because it is temporary.

Nationwide companies

If you want something steadier, look for nationwide companies that may allow you to transfer as you change locations.  For part of my time with Con-way Freight (now XPO Logistics), I was able to transfer to different terminals since they were a nationwide company.

Work at home

This type of work provides the ultimate flexibility because it can go wherever you go!  In most cases you are the boss as well so there is no checking to make sure you can transfer your work.

• MLMs

MLMs often get a bad rap.  They get called names like pyramid and Ponzi schemes but their structure is very similar to corporate America.  You have a president, then VPs, then Managers, then workers.  If you drew it out it would look much like a pyramid! There are a variety of different industries/products out there that involve MLMs.  Find one that fits your interests!

• Create something

Maybe you are a creative person.  Do you love to craft?  Have you designed something unique or improved on something already out there?   You could start an online store and sell what you make.  Depending on what it is you are creating, will determine how easily you could run the business on the road.

• Virtual assistants

Do you have administrative or specialized skills, a computer, phone and time to complete the tasks?  Do you enjoy helping others get the job done?  You could sign up to be a VA for online companies or better yet, start your own VA business!

• Transcriptionist

Transcription is another great option for working from home.  You need fast typing skills, a computer and an ability to pick up words from a variety of people.  Most people think of medical transcription in this category but there are many other types. Check out Rev.com for a listing of current jobs as well as opportunities to do captions for TV programming.

• Recruiting

If you are detail oriented, enjoy working, helping and talking with people then consider recruiting.  Recruiters get to help others find jobs.  Although many companies require a degree for this position you do have the option of creating your own freelance business.

• Customer Service

People skills are a must for this type of work!  A good portion of this position is done from a phone and/or email.  So, as long as you have good signal and enjoy talking to people this could be a great fit for you!

• Writer

Do what I do, share your thoughts with others!  You could write a book or blog, depending on your goals around writing. Both formats have the potential to bring in income and you definitely have the flexibility of working from anywhere. If this interests you, feel free to message me about any questions you have.  Check out the course that got me started here

Help others

Not all significant others travel with their Pipeliner.  We all know that they put in long hours most days and could use an extra hand.  If you are looking to make money while traveling, consider offering some of the following services to help out the other Pipeliners on the job;

• Pet sitter
• Baby sitter
• Laundry or cleaning
• Grocery shopping
• Running errands

Improve your skills

This option is not great on a resume if repeated over a long period but it does get you out of your small living space and meet others!  If you choose to, look for places you could get a discount like your favorite retail store. You could also find your favorite coffee shop or bookstore.  Another idea is to think of a new skill you would like to learn or improve on and try a place that offers it.

Work with significant other/on pipeline

Another option is to also work on the road.  This could be a bit more difficult if you have children only because of the added need for childcare if you both are out of the home for long hours.  If you can make it work then there are a few options;

• Many women opt to be their significant other’s helper (welders)
• Laborer
• Safety
• X-ray teams
• Office staff

Some choose to work directly with their significant other while others choose to work on a different crew.  Take in the factors of needing childcare, amount of time spent with each other and the type of work to help you decide if this would be a good fit for you and your family.

As I mentioned before, there are a variety of reasons to take up employment while traveling.

Here are my reasons…

In the 12 years we have been traveling together I have held a couple of the jobs above and also spent about 2.5 years at home while he traveled.

I worked at a tanning salon because I wanted to meet others.

We needed the extra income so, I took a job at Con-way and stayed home for 2.5 years and then transferred terminal to terminal.  His job was not very stable at the time (long lay-offs) and we had acquired too much debt.

I worked my first MLM because of pregnancy hormones and boredom.

My second MLM was started to get healthy and have extra income.

My current endeavors have been started to begin an exit strategy from this line of work.  Our kids will be starting school and we have chosen to be stationary for them.  This means our family will be split until we can get my husband off the road.

If you decide to seek employment, I encourage you to find something that you have an interest in and do enjoy.  Remember that it is ok to try something, not like it and then try something different. Don’t trap yourself in a job that makes you unhappy.

Please feel free to comment or send a message to me with any questions about working on the road.

If you are currently working or thinking about working on the road comment below.  I’d love to hear what you are doing!

If you are looking for other ways to beat the isolation, check out my post here.

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

How about an RV?! Sounds simple enough, right?  It can be but first check out these 10 questions to consider before buying an RV.

Continue reading to find out what those questions are and how it will affect your decision.

10 questions to consider before buying an RV

1.What type of RV should I get?

There are a variety of different types of RVs to choose from; The motorhome which allows you to drive and live in the same space.  These can also be broken down into Class A, Class B, and Class C.

There are travel trailers that are pulled behind a vehicle attached to a hitch at the bumper.

Fifth wheels are pulled behind a pickup truck and attached at a hitch in the bed of the truck.

Finally, a few other types, like the van and bus conversions, not as popular but still great options depending on your situation.

Learn more about the different types of RVs here, https://www.thorindustries.com/rv-types

2.Will you be staying in it full time?

If you plan on staying in your trailer for the majority of the year there are a few features you may want to consider.

The top 2, in my opinion, being a bigger fridge and storage.  These two are my necessities in a trailer that we will spend a lot of time in.

I am not a big fan of going to the grocery store every couple of days so I like to have more fridge space.  Plus, my two littles eat like they are teenagers already!!

Lots of storage is great for being able to rotate your clothing in seasons as well as toys if you have kids.

Having lots of storage inside and out means you can bring a few more of your favorite things and also have space to store the tools and necessary RV items.

Our current camper has the most storage I have seen in a fifth wheel to date.  We found this one in 2017.  It is a Grand Design Solitude 375RES.  It has a middle kitchen and elevated bedroom in the front and elevated living in the back.

In the kitchen, there is a pantry as well as wall and bottom cabinets.  The elevated living room in the back allows for more basement storage with a slide-out tray in the middle.  Seriously, SO much storage!!!

3.Will you be traveling to cold climates?

If you think you might be spending lots of time in colder climates you may want to check out the insulation packages for the trailers.

Many claim to be 4 seasons but I can tell you from experience that our 2007 Forest River Flagstaff with the rear kitchen was NOT!

It was our first job in the camper in northern Missouri.  We had bought the 4-season camper because we were unsure of where we would be.

I believe it was November. It had gotten pretty cold, quickly. After the first real cold night we had (maybe high 20s) we woke up the next morning with our pillows frozen to the walls!

In the camping industries defense, most are meant just for a weekend or a week or two trips and not long term.  So, when they say 4 seasons you could handle it in mild winters or for a weekend.

4.If considering a travel trailer or fifth wheel, how much can I tow?

This question really depends on the vehicle you have to tow.  Usually, a diesel dually will give you the most towing power but there are many full-size pick-ups that can handle the load as well.  Some travel trailers and fifth wheels can be pulled by a light truck (F150 or Chevy 1500).  This is what we initially started out with, an F150 pulling a Forest River Flagstaff lite(not in the picture below)

5.What is my budget?

RVs range anywhere from really small pull behinds around $20,000 brand new and go up to as much as $500,000+ if you look at motorhomes.

We have always bought brand new but I have to say that I would recommend buying used and an older model!  You lose SO much money buying brand new.  There are plenty of trailers out there that have been well taken care of or just didn’t sell the first year on the market.

Consider the time of year you buy as well if you are buying from a dealership.  It is better to buy towards the end of the camping season (Oct-Dec).  Most places aren’t wanting to have to store older inventory through the winter so they may discount them to get em’ sold!

After you answer the above, check out these questions to consider before buying an RV;

6.How often do we cook?

The kitchens in most trailers are not big. The industry is changing a bit in order to get a bigger kitchen but in doing that you sacrifice space elsewhere.

So, you have to be honest with yourself.  How often do you really cook?  Do you need that oven or can you make do with a stovetop and convection microwave?

Speaking of ovens, how awkward are those?!  Who wants to get down on the floor to light the pilot??  Am I right?

For those of you that do cook a majority of your meals, check out a few of these trailers…

https://www.rvingplanet.com/blog/top-5-best-fifth-wheels-with-front-kitchen/

I would also suggest

Grand Design Solitude 375RES (our current model)

Keystone Montana 3820FK

7.How much time do we plan to spend inside?

Think about how much time you will be spending inside your trailer.  Will you be spending most of it in the living room?  Kitchen?  Will everyone be there at the same time?

In most trailers, your biggest areas are your living room and bedroom.  If you will be inside a lot you will want more space that allows you to convert areas to function for multiple activities.  Think pull out couches or tables that convert to other sleeping areas.

8.How much storage do we need?

If you are like a good majority of the country, you have a lot of stuff!  Moving into about 200 sq. ft is NOT going to accommodate ALL of that stuff.  But it can hold quite a bit.  So, make sure you take into consideration how much storage, both inside and outside, you will need to hold your items.

Need help deciding what you might want to have in your RV?  Check out my post here for some ideas.

9.How old are your kids, if you have them?  Don’t forget about those pets too!

Accommodating babies and toddlers is way different than accommodating teenagers.  They need privacy and take up more space physically.

Most people with children, no matter the age, opt for trailers that offer a bunkhouse and a half bath, a toy hauler (has a “garage”), or something with a mid-bunk room. This gives a bit more privacy to your kids and a place to close the door on clutter and some noise.

10.Will your family grow in the near future?

Same as above, think about how your family might look in the future and what kind of setup you may need. Not that you can’t sell your current and upgrade to a different layout but wouldn’t it be nice to have something that would last!

There you have it!  My initial 10 questions to consider before buying an RV.

I know there are a ton more factors to consider when buying an RV.  This was just a list to get your mind going and really think about what is important to your family for this purchase.

If you have already purchased, what was your biggest deciding factor in choosing your trailer?

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie

Today I want to talk to you about 7 tips on how to travel with the pipeline.  I know from my experience that I had no idea what a pipeline was let alone what it meant to be part of the pipeline. A pipe what?!!  

Only later did I learn that the ditch that was dug through my parent’s property was a pipeline.  I used to play in that thing all the time (NOT recommended)!!!

*Disclaimer – this is not a full list of what can happen, just my own experiences and lessons

So, without further ado…what I have found it to be like while traveling with the pipeline

You will be away from family & friends

One of the hardest things for people when they begin traveling with the pipeline is being away from their family.  Everyone’s situation is different but I hear often how people wish that they could see their family more often or have them near.  Unfortunately, most of our families cannot just pack up and travel with us so we must learn how to cope with the separation.  A few things that have helped me over the years with the loneliness and separation from family are;

• Take a few small trips throughout the year to visit my family.  They are often solo or with the kids but it is good for my soul to see my loved ones!  
• If your family/friends are able to travel, set up some times that will work best for everyone.  Then you can take them on a tour of your local area!
• If travel is not an option, increase your phone calls, do more FaceTime or Zoom calls so you can see them

Family & friends will not understand why

Those family members and friends that you miss so much may get distant.  They don’t understand this lifestyle and why anyone would want to do it. 

Your family and friends may not keep in touch as much as they used to with you.  However, when you are in town they will want you to visit them. They may not think about the fact that you have already traveled a great distance just to get home for a few short days. Try not to hold it against them.  

We have spent years exhausting ourselves during our trips home, running from one house to the next. Not because we felt bad but because we wanted to see EVERYONE.  

What has worked best for us is to set up a day or two out of our schedule.  Then try to gather as many on those days as possible, in one location, so we don’t have to continue to run around.  If anyone wants additional time then they can come to wherever you are staying, if you have room in your schedule. 

I know not all of us have a home of our own to go back to so if that is your situation plan a night out with everyone.  A neutral place can be nice since you are not responsible for set up or clean up!  If that won’t work, ask one of your family/friends to host at their place.

The number on the check will look great until you realize all the bills you have!

That number on those checks may look much bigger but they often have to stretch much further than what most think.  Those long hours add up to a great check but there are still so many other costs that you might not think of initially.  

Most of us on a job are away from our homes.  So, that means you may be paying, in addition to your bills to maintain a home in your home state, for;

• A place to stay (campground + trailer payment, home/apt rental or hotel)
• Food
• Utilities
• Equipment needed to do jobs (depending on position/company)
• Union dues, if applicable
• Savings for moving expenses for next job

Some families that work the pipeline choose to travel together while others have the spouse (with or without children) staying back in their home state.  In the latter situation you would have to double those expenses mentioned above.

It is not uncommon to change companies multiple times

Speaking of savings for moving expenses….it is not uncommon to change jobs often and abruptly.  A job can end sooner than planned due to the employer, the contractor or the employee’s actions.  We can’t forget about rain days either.  If the weather is bad enough to call for a rain day, those that are paid hourly, usually go without pay for those days.  

I would recommend always putting away money to get you to the next job or home, whichever the case.  Even better, save enough for a layoff because this work is never guaranteed.  Start with your moving expenses and then keep going until you can have enough saved to pay at least six months of bills.

I’m not sure if it is as common in non-union jobs but what I have seen in union jobs is that it is pretty common to change companies often.  It may be that the company fired you, you didn’t like the company or people who worked for that company or you were just tired of the area.  

No matter the reason, it is not always looked down on for leaving. Depending on the circumstance people go back to the company even when they left in the first place.

You can see a lot of this beautiful country if you are willing

One of the great perks is that you are able to see a lot of our country and sometimes other countries!! I have always loved travel and taken trips since I was a kid.  Some have never left their home state let alone their home town.  It can be scary but trust me, it is so worth it!  There are SO many different places and things to see. Each state offers something unique!

We try to take a trip that is within a few hours of the job location every month.  If we can do more, we will.  The internet is a great resource for finding things to do!  Check back here as my blog develops too for the places we have visited!!

Meet new people!

Traveling gives you the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends!  They may be other pipeline families that understand what it is like to travel full time or new local friends in each new town.  

Be prepared though too, that not all local areas will appreciate the pipeline being in town.  Pay attention to what information your company shares at the safety meetings about the locals and watch the local news or papers for what the “climate” may be like in your area.

You will gain packing and logistics skills you never knew you wanted

If you travel for a while with the pipeline you may want to add professional packer and mover to your resume!  LOL. The amount of moves that can happen in a year’s time is unbelievable to those outside of this lifestyle.  You may move once a year or even every couple of months depending on the different jobs going on and the pipeliner’s work relationship with the employers.  

In my opinion, packing a fifth wheel/travel trailer is way easier than packing up a rental apartment or home.  Less stuff to move or pack in boxes is definitely a bonus for those tiny homes on wheels!  Either one still can make you a very proficient mover.

You can plan all you want but the best plan is to have a back up

One last tip on what it means to travel with the pipeline (and this is a BIG one)!  You can plan all you want but your best plan is to have a backup and be flexible.  I can’t even count how many times my husband told me we would be going to X location and then two weeks or less we go to Y location instead.  Or you plan for a lay off and suddenly you are off to the next job.  

Luckily, not as often is the plan to go to a job and have that change to an extended lay off period.  This goes back to making sure you are socking some of that money away while there is work!! 

Family vacations and trips to family events may get cancelled or as a spouse you go alone.  If you are living separately, you may plan for your worker to be home at a certain time of the year but a project gets extended or a new one comes along.

You often just have to make the best of it and hope it works out better next time.

I’m sure there are a million other tips I am missing but those will have to come at a later date. I hope the ones I have shared have given you some insight!  If you are already traveling, pop on below and offer up some of your best tips!  If you have any questions, feel free to put them in the comments or send me an email or message on social media!

As always, thanks for reading!

–Katie