11-YEARS of VAN Life: How One Woman Lives for UNDER $1000 a Month

[@bunnyandbeyond]

Hiya Bob! It was a pleasure and an honor to be interviewed by you - thanks for posting this and doing what you do: inspiring anyone on any budget to live their dreams! I could only hope to follow in your footsteps ❤

[@TheContentTee]

I know you have 200Watts of Solar but I was curious how ah battery?

[@joshuamckillen3712]

Great job on the video. I have 06 yukon similar to your setup

[@rosec6890]

I follow yo on TikTok. Great so see you here ❤

[@romandurski4147]

Chapeau! 👏👏👏 Und ❤ Dank für die Inspiration 💐 🍀 🫂

[@Spidaface666]

You have a nice round hips on you 😘💕😘

[@amrose250]

“If you always live below your means, you’ll always have some extra” your best advice ever Bob.

[@angelaschaefer5883]

We live as Nomads call in the Bricks and Sticks. Be he is absolutely right.

[@nomadedoasfalto]

Sim é isso mesmo......

[@sxwrtr918]

Indeed! Mom taught me that many years ago when I was a kid. Living this way was great in a stick 'n' brick, and it's great now as a vanlifer for 10 yrs.

[@audreysmith2557]

The stove on your door is so simple, but it’s brilliant!

[@GratefulWarriorMom]

I'm curious about how that little gas stove hooks up to its fuel supply. I know those lp hoses aren't supposed to be flexed back and forth because it can cause them to leak. I'd like to know how she did it safely. It's genius for a space-saving way to utilize that space!

[@shawneetree1440]

It’s a wood stove, but yeah, creative. I think I met her this summer

[@juliebarnett9812]

Yes, that is a great idea.

[@valthomsen8272]

​@shawneetree1440 it's propane. Can use the little bottles or a big one.

[@tikitiki7610]

she is great! i sold my van in feb this year, cried for a couple of months. but i am 81, good health, good sight, and i miss my van!!!! the freedom , loved it.

[@scottemmer3301]

Get another van!

[@dorisshanks7295]

I will be 93 in October and still solo full time Rv in my baby A motorhome and move every two weeks. Blessed with good health.

[@drivinfool9902]

God bless you. Teach ppl how to do it...where you went, kept yourself safe 😊

[@talesfromtheleashexpatdogl1426]

Would love to have a van!!!

[@alexsandoval1585]

I enjoy reading this

[@0230Raveena]

Best Part of this video: Always Live Below Your Means. When tough time comes, and it definitely will, there won't be drastic adjustments and struggle. I have to do better at it myself.

[@asmradventureasmr]

So true 👍 😊

[@lidar37]

Trying may be successful. Not trying guarantees failure. You tried. You succeeded. Fantastic!

[@donnagarcia3679]

You go girl! Living what’s your dream and not someone else’s nightmare!

[@bunnyandbeyond]

🎉🎉

[@ronpeted]

Eleven years! Impressive.

[@SandraNelson063]

The stove on the door is GENIUS!

[@dawn7882]

That was my first thought too😊❤

[@Alexa4Grace]

This woman is just awesome in every way! You inspire me.

[@bunnyandbeyond]

Tysm!

[@annemurphy9339]

But how did she leave a senior in high school all alone? And I’m guessing homeless after they graduated?

[@Solopathic]

this lady is incredible! she looks like she could be a friend to anybody.

[@scotquest12]

pratical and smart.....love to meet her😇🥰

[@LifestyleCoachingWithDonna]

Best stove setup I've ever seen.

[@bunnyandbeyond]

I have a tutorial for this stove setup on my KZbin too 🍳

[@wanderingoutyonder]

We always appreciate seeing the minimal builds! We went with a NO BUILD approach as well! Love her set up!

[@donnahurtak55hurtak99]

😂

[@zareththealchemist8982]

Freedom may not be "free" but this lady proves it isnt that expensive either. Bless her heart (& her doggie) ❤

[@sylviajones4907]

This lady is so sweet! Thanks for the tour & interview, Bob.

[@leoblumhagen644]

“Sometime it stinks” the truth spoken here 👍

[@johnlatham3854]

She is REAL. Sometimes I feel like I need an interpreter to help me understand the b/s that average people seem obsessed with projecting which most of the time is totally inaccurate. She is beyond that realm.

[@OffGridishHomestead]

Ha! I loved this! It’s true and also true with flush toilets in houses. I’ll take the van version any day 🎉

[@Applecider-Poetry]

use spagnum moss and separate your urine when possible.

[@Applecider-Poetry]

use spagnum moss

[@pamsmith1665]

Nuts

[@joycemaurer3588]

She keeps everything so simple, that is part of the "secret" of vanlife I am thinking.

[@dianejohnson1991]

I’m impressed with how frugal Bunny is.

[@flooredjustfloored]

"I didn't want to be in a cubicle the rest of my life." How so many of us have just accepted this as a way of life ... without question. Thank you Bob and Bunny: for setting another standard-a different way of thinking, and for paving the way for others.

[@marcnetterfield3353]

Really appreciate the attitude Bunny brings to this. Her advice to just try it out is exactly how I got started. You try it, if you there's something you want to improve you figure it out but the freedom of nomadic lifestyle is so satisfying. I've spent hundreds of nights traveling in my 4runner and exploring the country and I couldn't give that up for anything in the world.

[@FindPlace]

She is absolutely precious

[@bunnyandbeyond]

Awww😊

[@Locd4life707-yv4jj]

Yes... Just do it. You'll get over the fear within a night or two. You can always leave if you don't like the area you are parked in. I'm almost 60 and I've been a van dweller for two years now. I wish I would of done it sooner. My family though I was crazy at first, but now they say that's smart!

[@bunnyandbeyond]

🎉🎉so happy you are in the community of nomads appreciating this lifestyle! ❤

[@flooredjustfloored]

LOVE 💓 this comment!

[@MeYou-vp7jb]

I'm just starting, any more tips

[@Barny-26]

Awesome. I’m 64 and have thought about doing this, just selling my house and banking that and living off my social security while van-dwelling and doing whatever I wanted and getting away from noisy neighbors. The only thing is I worry that I wouldn’t be able to sleep for fear of someone trying to break into my car. And the bathroom situation. Otherwise, I often think about becoming a van-dweller, lol!

[@Liimpy]

Ive never seen anyone else mount a stove like that, nice I have 2 of them mounted the same way in my converted cargo trailers countertop, I have bottle adapters connecting them to a 5lb bottle

[@bunnyandbeyond]

I love that! Do you have a video about it? For anyone interested, there is a tutorial on my KZbin for this stove setup as well ❤

[@uwdawn11]

Very down to earth, low maintenance and great ideas she shared. She's so articulate! Very independent too. wow I'm impressed!

[@megg7558]

My bills are around $1000/months food included and I live in a two bedrooms co-up. I travel on the weekends and on vacation times. Once I lived in a dodge van and traveled and was okay because I knew I have a home to go back. I have never considered my van as my home. I find it difficult to live in a van, away from friends and families. Last year I purchased a land it has a 1970s Apache and a shed on it. I enjoy my yard. I pay only $600/year taxes and HOA. My bills here would come about $600/month including everything. If you don't have lots of money you got to figure out how to live cheap. I mean there are options just have to find it. I payed 3k for my apartment and 11k for my acre land with a camper, cabin and a shed on it, better than paying rent.

[@kevinstouffer9978]

FYI in Canada Home Depot and other stores have piles of wood from pallets and other shipping items that they leave out back of their stores to take for free. Always ask before but that is how it is here in Brandon, mb Canada

[@bunnyandbeyond]

We have clearance stacks in the US towards the back of the store (nothing is free here 😅)

[@mlisaj1111]

@@bunnyandbeyondThere is definitely free wood and supplies in the US: I have seen Home Depot let people take the scrap lumbar, or at construction sites/dumpsters (ask, obviously), or on my last trip to HD someone left a sheet of decent plywood in the parking lot propped up against a tree marked “Free.” FB Marketplace and the many Freecycle sites usually have free or garage sale price items: bricks, pavers, appliances, fabric, whatever.

[@cotter9751]

What a great example of what’s possible. Thanks so Much for the interview and tour!!

[@bunnyandbeyond]

😊🥰🥰

[@BradSavoie46]

You really cant beat a conversion van for starting out! I love mine for vacations!

[@BaysideBranding]

You are a Buddha BOB. Thank you for bringing this channel to the world.

[@joanndavis4843]

She is an inspiration! A good point to remember is that when financial setbacks happen in vanlife, any income can be used to pay off a loan or save up to replenish funds, without having to pay rent on top of that. It can take a year or more to get out of debt while making rent a priority. And of course, because it's a roof over your head. Fortunate for this lady when she said upon waking up the first morning in her vehicle, "I can do this!" Another person could have woke up thinking the opposite. It's worth it to give it a try and see what happens either way. One hint I like about this van build is the slide out table she writes on. So practical. I use everything from back of mail envelopes, to napkins, to brown paper bags to write everything! I'm thinking now to get a thin piece of plexiglass and a permanent marker and start writing. I'll always know where to find a number, a date, a name, an agency, important resources, the list goes on, literally😉. And btw, Home Depot has free to almost no cost lumber pieces at the back of that department. Just the right amounts for any project in a small van👍.

[@pattycarretta4818]

Great story and video! Her advice on starting out is spot on! I was one who had to give it a few tries before I could adjust but now.... I'm living in a RAM Promaster build and exploring Alaska for the summer. You come a long way from being "scared" to loving this life. Take it Day by day... and community and traveling with others are very helpful when making this decision ❤

[@chistinemartel9043]

You did great, and I love the simplicity even more then these perfect looking vans.

[@teresanoel4035]

I think it’s called pine pellets 7-8. Dollars and works wonders

[@my_freelance_life]

Bob, you look like you're losing some serious weight, hope your health is ok. Thanks for continuing these great stories.

[@EllenDuke-y3d]

Looking healthy, Bob.

[@vickyabramowitz2885]

So I'm not the only one who noticed.

[@sylviajones4907]

Oh, he looks fit to me! Lifting those weights. Muscles! Whoo-hoo. I am trying to increase my weight lifting regimen.

[@serenityjewel]

I’m glad you added hope he’s ok. Society has brain washed people to think losing weight is “healthy” or being skinny is “healthy” and those two are not remotely synonymous. It’s common for older people to lose weight because of health problems. Hopefully Bob’s weight loss is intentionally and not because he’s not ok.

[@cherbear1996]

I think he looks great n healthy..😊

[@kandi8640]

What a great lady with many good ideas and lessons for this lifestyle.

[@MeditationParadiseLand]

Awesome interview . Beautiful van home❤️🌷

[@Tm2go]

A soul filling interview 🙏🏼 I spent eight weeks crossing the country and back on my Harley after my divorce. It was the most free Id ever felt in my life. I'm following bunny and you, keep up the good work and enjoy the day!

[@stratos175escape7]

Simplicity. I like it!!!!

[@kandelinaanderson817]

Anyone thinking about van life she's giving you a glance at reality. Freedom to me.

[@missreg333]

Thank you Bob❤Love your channel and your interviews with real people! I've been watching for over 10 years!

[@bevnanceq]

This lady is such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing her story.

[@eddaniels3404]

I was Doing that 50 years ago. In a panel truck 😅

[@mlisaj1111]

It’s has likely had always been around for some, going back centuries to things like horse or ox drawn covered wagons, Gypsy wagons, etc.

[@MARKCANEER]

Great Inspiration!! Thank You Both for sharing 🙏👍

[@derykmacleod4979]

I like the bottle cap idea!

[@PulpParadise]

Can someone explain the taping method she mentioned for her solar? I couldn't understand what she said and I don't want to drill holes in my roof either. Thank you in advance!

[@bunnyandbeyond]

I talk a lot about that in my Patreon and Tiktoks 😉

[@azcactusflower1]

3M VHB tape

[@nmartin5551]

I can help. I am honestly not sure if she has flexible panels or rigid panels on her roof, but either way, she has used VHB tape for the surface between her panel bottoms and the top of the roof. Edit: VHB tape is two sided and very sticky stuff. Then she added tape from the top surface of the panels to the top of her van using Eternabond Tape. This stuff is from the RV industry, and it is best not to put it where you don’t want it to stay. It’s amazing. It comes in 2, 4 and larger widths. They sell a 6 foot length of their 10” wide tape for when you have big area but not a long distance. I think the regular rolls come in a 25 or 40 foot length. I have had a roll of 4” for years, from my time in Vintage trailers, and it occasionally comes up for a purpose in my ongoing world. I hadn’t thought about using eternabond to hold a solar panel to a roof. If there was anything that could do it that wasn’t a mechanical connector, Ebond tape would be my bet. Edit: If I was taping to my roof, I would make sure the tape covers from top edge to roof on the front. Prevent catching air (if you are using rigid metal frame panel.). As much as it is scary to drill into fiberglass roofs, to bring the wires inside, consider a cable gland to take the cables through. Protect its edges with the Ebond tape. Or just do what she did!

[@GypsyBewytched]

She put on 3M VHB tape, and put Eternabond over that. Eternabond is super AWESOME (except if you accidentally stick it to yourself ugh). Eternabond does not work over or with silicone products however.

[@gratefulgram]

Nice set up and above all I loved her spirit! Sometimes it stinks and that’s what open windows and incense are for 😂 love it!!! Thank you Bob, I love your informative and fun videos, you are greatly appreciated! Much love and many blessings

[@randy1203]

Thanks Bob for show casing her here on youtube! As it is, I dont follow other media sites, only youtube!

[@dianna58dw]

Your an inspiration we have a 96 gmc explorer and camp every year we love our van it’s so freeing thank you for your story

[@tracylawrence5258]

Bob, I downsized in 2009. Paid cash for an acre and a half. Put a 40 ft camper there. Lived sorta off-grid for 7 yrs or so. Then county made me pull permits and build so I turned a 12x20 rough sawn cabin into a livable space. Everything I have I own. My bills are ph $62, Elec $80, Car ins $91. Roughly $250 month. I do have a mini van. What can I do to afford living in a van as cheaply as my cabin? I would like to travel around some. I do a lot of different things for work. I am working part time now at a convenience stores/restaurant because someone has a terminal relative and I'm filling in for awhile. I haven't worked a 40hr job in yrs. I do side hustles helping people with yardwork, housework, painting. I have that freedom you all have as far as the financial burden, but I'm 56 now and would like to be somewhat mobile. Thought about work camping or work trading at some intentional communities. Wow...I posted here 2 months ago.

[@BlackandBlessed100]

Your Home❤️ A Van A tiny house A RV or a Car No more paying $2000 rent no more

[@rosey4exclaim]

Bunny! I follow her on TikTok, and I love her videos and lives. Good to see her here!

[@bunnyandbeyond]

😊😊

[@peggykreider3852]

Thanks Bunny. I love you attitude on life.

[@bunnyandbeyond]

Tysm! ❤

[@donnakirk215]

Great living arrangement. You could paint your desk with blackboard paint and erase your notes after you transcribe them.

[@slackleashdogtraining3598]

She may want to daily see, and imprint in her consciousness of these “notes” most days. Is that possible.

[@maricotodiz4475]

😂you are just like me. I would have everything painted. And use one color only for the fabrics. I would feel more relax

[@bunnyandbeyond]

@@slackleashdogtraining3598you ✨get it ✨😉🫶

[@faithevolution552]

What a great van. I love how Bunny sticks to a budget and keeps her life simple and her videos real ❤

[@travelbug69]

Good for her! I applaud anyone seeking different options to save themselves money and enjoy life. Property taxes, mortgages, in some cases association fees, homeowners insurance…. I can keep going. These things make life very hard on most people. This young lady will live a long fulfilling life because she’s not burdened with the stress load that comes with meeting so many financial obligations.

[@aprilbaxter2578]

Hi, Bunny! That was a great interview. You seem to have all your bases covered. I glad you are able to keep doing what you love. Wonderful interview Bob!

[@njanderson4342]

Thanks Bob!

[@marybeth9397]

Thanks!

[@robmurphy6292]

I like her. If it works for her, that's great. I will never understand why people install a permanent bed in a limited space. 1/2 her van! Personally, I use a $12 walmart air mattress, inflator is $7 USB 12V cig charger. Sheets, bed, inflator fit in a grocery bag and takes 2 min to inflate. You can have a folding "Murphy bed." You can rig up a hammock. There are many alternatives to a fixed bed taking up 1/3 to 1/2 the space. Ideas?

[@weirdwolf888]

I really like the pull out table and door stove - crazy simple, but space saving & functional.

[@ItsMimiYallXOXO]

I love how she set up her stove! It gives her options and is a space saver!

[@digginsmaggoo]

Fantastic, down to earth and real. Love this simple build without the Instagram tryhard fakeness

[@EchoOutdoors365]

Am I the only one that thinks the bottle caps to keep the tension bar in place its a Great idea!? Brilliant i say.

[@Sherry1092]

This women was working wonderful, a free spirit inspired me !

[@FourHuskyHomestead]

She is living a good life. And yes she is an inspiration. Please interview her again in a couple years. I’m praying she gets a bigger van. I’ll check her out on KZbin. ❤

[@jeremytorgersen]

Great video! Living below our means and living a simple life of freedom is truly where it is at!

[@ericwitt4586]

Smart lady and she is free to do anything she wants to do and that’s awesome 😎!

[@markweis3483]

Boom! He said it in the first three seconds of this video. I just stopped it right there to comment. Thanks Bob. Lots of love to you.

[@lesnorton5785]

I am super impressed. This young lady epitomizes all that is lovely and wonderful about being a road warrior and adventurer. Do you have to get your ducks in a row and grow into what you need it is a perfect way to get it

[@kellie-u2i]

Bunny you are an inspiration. I hope ya get a bigger van although I’m sure you will miss that comfy van. Safe travels my sister. On the road in Wauchula Fl. ❤ the more nomads I meet the more my confidence goes up and know this is were I belong. You are my people

[@pattyk8594]

It would be nice to know how she keeps warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It’s amazing she does not have an air conditioner and lives full time for 11 years in a van :o)

[@leeleroux9092]

Thank you so much Bunny. I have more and more hope with new changes coming next year for me. I am planning on what might be best to start. I am going to start as simply as possible.❤I am so grateful to have found you Bob.❤

[@socaloutdoors7355]

Great attitude. Making it happen, big applaud to you.

[@jeremy49988]

My main concern being on the road is that I survive by doing my own vehicle maintenance. The only things I pay to have done are state inspections, and since I don't have an alignment rack or tire machines, those too. Plus there's a lot of dishonesty in the field of auto repair...coming from a previously certified and employed auto service tech. But having a "home base" where my tools are, then it would only be the unexpected repair and weighing the pros and cons of getting a tow home vs letting someone else do the work if I were too far from home. Great videos, as always, and so nice to see Bunny and so many others enjoying this lifestyle.

[@errata101]

Solo I sleep up front. I have a lowes shelf board-non lattice. I keep behind seats for store-for docked board goes across front seats, bedroll n bags then, pillows at one end, I sleep up front at 5'11" i can stretch out door to door. Entire dash and windows are at hand as needed, phone mount for viewing horizontally. I can sit up, turn to rear and be facing bay. With no need for bed i have all that space. I have a partition wall, took off sliding door to cage, so, my board leans against that with seats back. Sleeping up front I learned from truck cab(uhaul/box) sleeping. Because it is also useful say if using a uhaul and you dont want to go pay for motel. A board and a bedroll are as comfy as you make it. All that room in back at times means i have a two+ bedroom cargo van. Anyways, that is one of my main hacks. And for safety, I could sit up front ways, lower steering wheel and blast off.(when sleeping I have steering wheel all the way up for more headroom.)

[@peggybach6750]

Smart lady

[@prissilou]

This lady, like so many others I've seen, is an inspiration to us all. Have seen quite a few of your videos, love them all. The main take-a-way for all of these videos is older Americans living on their own terns

[@ohizkimmie]

That door stove is genius!

[@maryhight6030]

She's amazing. For flourishing for 11 years, what a beautiful happy soul❤

[@kt6332]

Awesome for you. I bought a van a year ago and have been working on it since and hope to be on the road next spring. I like the simplicity of your build!

[@traceyyoung9077]

This lady is an inspiration to me tfs

[@carlahargrove7278]

Great van build! Thank uou for sharing a part of your experience. We have the portable USB ceiling fans too. Greatest invention ever -- lately. 😊

[@SoloSailer]

This lady is goals.

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

I am impressed with her fold down burner.

[@daphne7897]

Admirable…❤

[@junemacintyre5289]

What a great interview and I loved all of this information. I’m just so excited about towards the end when she says just go out and do it🎉

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

I would love to meet her on the road eventually. I am planning one way or another to escape the expensive sticks and bricks. My home is paid for, but I will not be able to afford it when I stop working because of Taxes, Insurance and other costs with owning a home with a yard and a pool. My house needs all sorts of things and I just can't see me spending my paychecks on that when I need to save for retirement at the same time. I am currently looking at trading my SUV for a van, and taking some 'trial' trips since I can go see family and friends. Then make the decision. Shower? Internet? Mail? so many questions for someone that has been doing it for 11 years!~!!

[@fern8003]

What a nice lady. Love the video Bob!

[@bootsybadger]

So good to see this resourceful woman - she is clearly thriving. Go, Bunny!

[@StacyHackney-z2x]

Bunny is smart. I thank her for some great tips.

[@patdawson5401]

I saw your Vermont license plate. I also am a Vermonter. Good for you living free on the open road. 💕

[@dandeliondragons9616]

Trying to find remote work to get into! Will figure it out eventually. Awesome build definitely taking some tips from this video

[@evelyndunn50]

Love your videos and she is amazing!

[@RoxanneSumner-lg7gu]

I saw no clothing or space for that. Does she have a storage unit to maintain

[@Shantelle6253]

I love the fact that she asked her son's blessing to go. I am hanging out in the town where my son is in school until he graduates in June and then i'll move around following the weather.

[@saturninc3786]

What a lovely woman Bunny is! So much wisdom, 'street-smartness', experiecnes and great attitude. I like the van - it looks like someone is really living in there and being cosy. I love the stove in the door - that is a really good option, and I bet many people would love to repeat that option in their own rig. Really impressive, that she did this for 11 years already. That means, for sure, this formula workds!!! Thanks very much for sharing Bunny, thanks Bob! Greetz Jason

[@bunnyandbeyond]

Ty ever so much❤ there is a tutorial for this stove on my channel for those interested!

[@bonniefuss-ny3jr]

Yea.Bunny you go girl.

[@maricotodiz4475]

Loved the idea of the propane at the door❤

[@leoblumhagen644]

Explorer built the highest quality conversions available, also built in Texas

[@bunnyandbeyond]

Not exactly but yeah they’re in Texas!

[@carriecreates1207]

She was a good inspiration, thank you for bringing her on!

[@donnasloane9031]

Thank you bob for continuing to do these interviews....it helps all of us to know we are not alone.......soon i might be able to get a dog.....still saving...❤😊