Let's break it down into categories, examine where the money goes and talk about ways to save some green.

• Cell Phone
• If you want to use your cell phone a lot, some companies offer plans that will exempt you from roaming fees and long distance charges, but require a fairly hefty monthly fee. Consider signing up for the least expensive plans with few or no 'local' minutes and then pay as you go, using the cell phone for emergencies only. Most cell providers offer a 'safety' plan for about $20 a month. When you want to make non-emergency calls, use a pay phone.
• Phone Cards
• Get a good calling card with a good rate. For instance, both Escapees and Good Sam offer calling cards with per minute rates as low as $.13 or $.14 a minute. These will save you big time over calling collect or feeding coins into the slot. Beware some pre-paid phone cards offering impossible low rates like $.02 a minute, as most have 'catches' that will actually cost you more in the long run.
• Internet Access
• Most full service providers charge about $20 a month for unlimited access. Many also offer non-advertised lower rates for a limited number of hours per month, and these plans can offer significant savings. Call the provider and inquire about special limited access plans. Some can be had for as little as $6.95 a month.
• Sign up with a free service. Some are quite acceptable, if you don't mind the ads. Only problem is that most do not offer a toll free number and have limited 'local' access areas. You may be forced to use your calling card to get connected, and that's billed by the minute. If you use more than a couple hours a month, it can run into more money than you'd pay for a full service provider that has many local access numbers all over the country.
• The ultimate free access can be found in libraries all over the country. Many have computers that you can use to get your email and browse the web. Be aware that most libraries limit use times and do not allow you to use your own computer on their lines. This is an option if you have a limited need for access to email and the web.
• Mail Forwarding
• Most mailbox providers charge between $8 and $12 a month to provide you with a mailbox and forwarding. You can save a bunch if you have a reliable friend or relative who is willing to collect your mail and send it to you. Alternately, you can look at mail forwarding as provided by some RV clubs like the Escapees club. The rates are a bit lower, but you must be a member and pay yearly dues for the membership. If you have bills that must come by mail or other important correspondence that must get to you on time, my suggestion is that you don't scrimp on this one... the larger professional mailing services will offer better response time and greater piece of mind.
• Everything Else
• When it comes to Insurance, Medical Expenses, Satellite TV, etc., you just have to shop around for the best deals. Everyone has different requirements and will need different levels of service. Just do your homework and find the best deals you can.....

• Gas, Diesel
• Shop around, but don't be foolish and drive 20 miles to save $.03 a gallon.... when you find a good deal, fill 'er up, but be prepared to be annoyed when you drive 40 miles down the road and see it $.10 a gallon cheaper! ...Seems to happen to me a lot, anyway.
• One exception I have found is that many Indian Reservations sell fuel at a significantly lower price. If you're passing through one, keep your eyes open!
• One way to save a lot of money on fuel is to slow down. No, I don't mean driving at 25 MPH everywhere, but slow down your traveling pace. Stay longer in one place.... when you're not rolling, you're not burning fuel.
• Propane
• Propane is in the same boat... pretty much, you'll have to pay the going rate locally for whatever fuel you need. However, I have found that you often get a better price if you go to a propane distributor rather than a RV dealer or campground. It's worth shopping around a bit for the best deal.
• You can save a lot of propane in the winter by replacing your inefficient RV furnace with a Catalytic or unvented heater. These units use less than 1/2 the propane that your furnace does and also do not require large amounts of 12V power to operate... a real plus when you are boondocking in cold weather.
• Campground owners are going to hate me for this one... You can use an electric heater to supplement or replace your propane heat when you're plugged into AC power. Also, many water heaters have an electric heating element or you can buy an add on kit to retrofit your gas water heater for electric operation. This saves you on propane, but runs up the electric bill big time. Many campgrounds have been forced to charge extra for those folks who use electric heat. This is a great money saver for the RVer, but be reasonable and don't abuse the campground's rules.

• Groceries
• Everyone knows how to save money here. Be a smart shopper and watch for sale items. You can't stock up the way you might like due to limited storage space, but try to take advantages of good deals when you find them
• Take the time to fill out the application and get a savings card if the store you're in offers them. Do it even if you don't expect to be back this way anytime soon. This costs you nothing and can save you some bucks. I have quite a collection of savings cards from all over the country!
• It can be a paying proposition to pick up a newspaper and clip coupons. The savings will offset the cost of the paper and you can read the funnies, too! ;-)
• Take a look at some of the membership stores like Costco or Sam's Club. They are all over the country and offer some great deals, but you have to pay a yearly fee to get a card.
• Cleaning products, etc.
• Take a look at restaurant supply stores like Smart and Final. You can get great deals on paper products, cleaning stuff and some kinds of food at these stores. Check the local phone book under Restaurant Supplies.
• Consider browsing through 'dollar stores'. These are places that advertise "everything's a dollar". Many offer non-name brand cleaning products and such at significant savings. There are also several chains found all over the country like "Family Dollar" stores. Check these places out!
• Flea Markets. Not just for junk anymore, many Flea Markets offer a wide array of consumer products and you can save some $$ here. Plus, it's fun to look at all the junk, too. Be sure to curb your collector's urges, though.... remember that your storage capacity is limited!
• Eating "out"
• Save a lot by cooking your own meals most of the time. Your RV has a kitchen.... use it!
• Take advantage of 'early bird' specials when you do eat out.
• Paper plates and misc.
• Use washable dishes and utensils whenever your water situation allows it. I only use paper and plastic when I absolutely must conserve water. It's lots cheaper to wash dishes than it is to throw them away.
• Save money on bottled water. Keep a few gallon jugs handy and when you have good tasting water available, fill a few jugs for making coffee and drinking when the water from the tap is icky.
• Don't spend a fortune on "RV" toilet paper.... just buy the cheapest single-ply tissue at the supermarket. It works just fine and costs 1/4 as much.
• Minimize your use of toilet chemicals. Dump your tanks more often when it's hot and you won't have serious odor problems. Cut way back on chemicals in the winter, when cold weather reduces the odors anyway. Those chemicals are expensive, and let's face it.... no chemical in the world will actually make sh*t smell good! ;-)

• Boondocking  The best way to save money is to not spend any at all. There are a lot of great scenic places to camp for free. Called Boondocking, this kind of camping can be found in some of the most beautiful spots in the country. Here are some ways to find a spot.
• Invest in one of the several books on free camping available from any of the camping retailers. These books have info on the free spots to be found in each state and will pay for themselves the first time you use them.
• There are several lists of prime boondocking spots available online. The Escapees club publishes a list that is very good. Check them out online at www.escapees.com
• Boondocking is an art form and some fulltimers are true artists when it comes to finding free camping. Many of your fellow campers can tell you of excellent spots if you just ask.
• Check with local BLM (Bureau of Land Management) authority in your area for info on free camping on BLM properties.
• Many State and National forests have 'dispersed sites' that are free for use. Ditto with many reservoirs and Corps of Engineers projects. Again, the best way to go is to inquire locally about free camping areas.
• Many popular State and National park campgrounds offer free camping during the off season. There are no services or water available during these free periods, but there are no charges either!
• Most, if not all, boondocking sites have no hookups or facilities of any kind. Some may have a source of water available seasonally. All require you to take advantage of your RV's self-contained capabilities. Remember to pack out all trash and never dump sewage on the ground.
• City Parks  Almost as good as boondocking, there are many small towns and cities that offer free or very inexpensive camping spots inside of their municipal parks. A lot of these are scenic and quiet and offer a pleasant camping experience.
• There are books, such as the 'Camping on a Shoestring'  guide, that list a lot of very low cost municipal camping spots.
• It can really pay to drop in at the local Chamber of Commerce and inquire. Alternately, you can stop in at the local Police station and ask. Many towns have such camping available, but it isn't advertised anywhere.
• Check out the local fairgrounds.... many have parking spots for RVs and some even offer hookups!
• State and National Parks
• Definitely consider a Golden Eagle or Golden Age card. These cards waive the entrance fees at any National park and also provide reduced camping fees for seniors. The Golden Eagle passport is $50 and will easily pay for itself in a year of use.
• If you plan to spend some time in one state, look into their available camping passes. Most will waive your entry fees and can be a good bargain if you will be staying a lot in one state's parks.
• Asphalt Camping  This is my term for camping in parking lots. A useful way to save bucks, but the scenery is somewhat lacking. Also, if you camp in public parking lots, it's best to be as inconspicuous as possible. That means no tables, BBQs, awnings etc. Even with those restrictions, it's still a great way to stay a night or two at no cost. Here are some possibilities to consider:
• Wal Mart:  Many Wal Mart stores welcome overnite parking. Check with the store manager for permission first.
• Truck Stops:  Can be noisy, but are usually safe and truck stops are everywhere. Park out of the high traffic areas and never block access roads or scales. Some Truck Stops are beginning to cater to RVers and even have propane, dump/fill stations and partial hookups (there may be a fee).
• Police Stations:  Parking behind a police station is a pretty secure spot. Sometimes it's your best bet inside a large city where RV parks are few and far between. Ask permission first!
• Public Schools:  In the summer and on weekends, most school lots are empty. This can be a good spot, but remember that some classes start as early as 7 am.
• Museums, churches and visitors centers: Often, you can overnite in their parking lot if you get permission first.
• Campgrounds
• When staying at a private campground, consider staying for a week instead of a few nights... weekly rates are often much lower than overnite rates.
• Consider workcamping.... many RV parks are chronically in need of workers to do light maintenance and misc. duties. You'd be surprised how easy it is to find a brief workcamping job and usually you will get your site free.
• Shop around... most campgrounds located near a major access road or highway will be more expensive (and loud!) than the smaller, older park located a few miles out of the way. Best source for information would be either the Trailer Life Directory or the Woodalls Directory. Both books are worth having and list thousands of campgrounds, including amenities, rates and directions. Both are also available on CD ROM.
• Always ask if the campground takes any type of discount card. AAA, Good Sam, Escapees, these can often get you a 10% or 15% discount.
• Consider taking a site with only water and electric... most parks charge more for full hookups. Many offer a great rate for drycamping.... if you don't have to have hookups, this is a good way to get a better rate.
• Memberships
• Consider joining Passport America. They are a great value at only $39 a year and have a directory of parks that offers members camping at 50% off regular rates.
• Consider joining one of the other discount camping clubs. There are always ads to be found in camping magazines and many offer significant savings. Be careful and read the fine print!
• The Escapees club should get a look from anyone who is a fulltimer or wants to be. They are a club that offers fulltimer specific support services and they are real nice folks besides.  They have their own 15% off camping directory and a network of member parks that offer very good rates.
• You may want to consider one of the big resort membership organizations like Coast to Coast, RPI or Thousand Trails. There are always ads for these organizations in camping magazines. You can often buy a resale membership at a significant savings, but be sure to do your research carefully before signing on the dotted line. Despite their larger buy-in expense, these memberships can be a real money saver for a full time traveler.
• If you are an Elk or a Moose, many of your lodges all over the country offer RV parking, of either the Asphalt or Boondock kind. Some even have full up campgrounds with hookups and everything. Prices are always reasonable and there are added benefits. Contact your local lodge for more information.
• Driveways and Unique Spots
• Never pass up a chance to park in someone's driveway! It's a great way to visit friends and family and it's easier than being a house guest. You have your own space and don't disrupt your host's household routine too much.
• Some privately owned businesses will let you park on them. I have stayed at a sawmill, a farm museum, an internet service, a cafe and a gas station. Get creative! Make some new friends and see some unique places while parking on the cheap!
• Resources  A partial list of books and clubs out there to get you started.
• Guide to Free Campgrounds by Don Wright. Published by Cottage Publications 800-272-5518
• Camping on a Shoestring by Don Wright. Published by Cottage Publications 800-272-5518
• Exit Authority   Published by Interstate America, 5695 Oakbrook Pkwy, Ste. G, Norcross, GA  30093
• Elks Travel Guides Published by Carmichael Travel'n Elks, PO Box 765, Carmichael, CA  95609
• Escapees:  www.escapees.com.
• Passport America: www.campsave50percent.com or call 800-283-7183.
• Good Sam: www.goodsamclub.com
• Trailer Life Directory: www.tldirectory.com or call 877-209-6680