Life & Work with Joel & Deb Brettingen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel & Deb Brettingen.

Hi Joel & Deb, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
We are Joel & Deb, a full-time RV Couple with a spoiled dog, Maya, that downsized, sold almost everything, and retired from Law Enforcement. We hit the road as Full-time RVers in October 2021. We are both born, raised, and lived in Wisconsin our whole lives. Our Stick & Bricks (our house) was in Chippewa Falls, WI and we lived in our house for 20 years before selling it in June 2021.

We travel in our motorhome, a 2018 Tiffin Allegro Red 33aa, a 35 ft long diesel pusher, and tow a 2015 Ford Edge. We enjoy staying in all types of campgrounds, State, County, COE, private, and resorts. We like staying in areas longer, a week up to a month. We utilize Harvest Host overnight stays for in-between travel from location to location. We have not had an opportunity to do much boondocking, however, are looking forward to trying it out. We 100% love supporting local!

Some fun facts about us: Joel is afraid of heights & snakes and Deb is afraid of fish. Joel enjoys hiking, kayaking, and fishing. Deb enjoys hiking, kayaking, & running and has completed six full marathons. We both believe in finding the positive and living life to the fullest! We both are grateful for our wonderful careers in Law Enforcement, Joel 30 years and Deb 23 years, is even happier to be retired and chasing the sunshine. We are 100% debt free and believe in being financially responsible.

We have a YouTube channel- Chasing Our Sunshine. Our videos cover travel planning, budget, DIY RV projects as needed, destination reviews, and other RV living details. We hope you join us as we document our adventures in Chasing Our Sunshine throughout the country and beyond… remember life is about moments, not things and you should always be chasing your dreams and happiness.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are several obstacles and challenges that come with RV full-time living, whether it’s in an RV, a tiny home, or any other non-traditional living arrangement. Here are a few:

1. Financial considerations: Full-time living can be more cost-effective than traditional living in some ways, but it also requires careful budgeting and planning. You’ll need to consider the cost of your housing, utilities, travel, and other expenses.

2. Limited space: Living in a smaller space requires you to downsize and simplify your belongings. It can be challenging to adjust to a smaller living area and find ways to make the most of the space you have.

3. Maintenance and repairs: When you’re living in a non-traditional living arrangement, you may be responsible for all maintenance and repairs. This can be time-consuming and costly, especially if you’re not handy with fixing things yourself.

4. Social isolation: If you’re constantly on the move or living in a remote location, it can be challenging to maintain social connections and relationships. You may need to make an extra effort to stay connected with friends and family.

5. Adaptability: Full-time living requires a lot of adaptability and flexibility. You may need to adjust your plans or change your living arrangements at a moment’s notice, depending on your circumstances.

Despite these challenges, we along with many people find full-time living to be a rewarding and fulfilling way of life. It allows for more freedom, adventure, and a simpler way of living. With careful planning and a willingness to adapt, you can overcome these obstacles and enjoy the benefits of RV full-time living.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up Joel was into sports and could be found on a baseball field or basketball court most days. Growing up Deb was busy with sports, volleyball, basketball, and track.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chasingoursunshine.net/
• Instagram: @chasingoursunshine
• Facebook: @chasingoursunshine
• Youtube: @chasingoursunshine