Common Mistakes 1st Time Vanlifers Make. Including Me!

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[@RaymondWard-c1y]

You can rent a U-Haul to sleep in while your van is being worked on. I have a lifetime table with adjustable legs and an air mattress. Also a backpack for the rest of the stuff. So a U-Haul van temporarily fixes the expense of checking into a hotel

[@cvcoco]

This. I left my van at the dealer and thought it was going to be a day. It was 15 days! I had a house to stay in but if I didnt, it would be $100/day (or more) in a motel. The beauty of Uhaul or similar rental is that its $19.95/day plus mileage. So park and dont drive anywhere and just wait, hence the lowest cost. The reason im making the comment is to mainly say that there is no such thing as instant repair service. Often there is a long wait just to get in somewhere, especially with RVs. This is a major thing to prepare for.

[@Buck_Jones1909]

So glad I found your channel. My wife & I are starting RV life in 3 days! I really like your approach to being a nomad! Your advice about having savings is mentioned by almost everyone. So that is hammered into my thick head!! Thank you!

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@Buck_Jones1909 Good luck to you both! Maybe I'll see you on the road

[@MikeClavetteSr]

I did it for a few yrs fulltime until I could afford to step up to a Class B RV...... I boondock all the time and lucky enough to have a small craft gig that does excellent at campgrounds and Flea-markets so I only work weekends and on the weekdays I sell online and ship..(Custom carved wood signs)....12yrs later Im still out here.. (on my 4th rig ) .....happy travels and good advice !!

[@rogerthat1553]

I retired a couple years ago and bought a Toyota Sienna minivan, it works good for a travel vehicle(24MPG), but still a little small for living in. I bought it to be on the road for 2 to 4 weeks at a time.

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@rogerthat1553 Sounds perfect. Although I've seen some live in smaller. Check out Sharing the Wild. He lives in a minivan and does his own work on it. You might find his videos helpful.

[@tonybalz2726]

You've made some very good points. I travel, not a full timer, for 7-21 days at a time. I use a small Yeti and I keep the bare essentials in it. Most of my food is dry goods (dry packaged foods, canned items, or microwave foods that don't require a fridge) and will stop in a grocery store every 2-3 days to restock my essentials or pick up something I will cook that night. I have traveled over 20,000 miles since retirement. I knew what I wanted to do, so I began building a special travel fund 5 years before I retired so I don't tap into the regular family budget. I have discovered that I spend about $100 per day on average, most of which is gas. My van only gets 13 mpg, so a 1500 mile trip adds up fast. I budget $45 a day for food and lodging (rv paid sites). So I avoid take out as well, also avoid junk food because too many crap calories upset the digestive system.

[@Debrasvantasticjourney]

Getting ready to head out. Great video. I have a Ford E150 2013 that I converted. I calculate my gas separately from my other costs. I calculate number of miles I’m going times 1.20 to add 20% for driving around. Then divided by my gas mileage times $3.75 (avg. gas price). If I spend less, I keep it in that pot. If I’m running over, I cut back on travel until I get my next check. I always have enough in my emergency fund to get home.

[@cvcoco]

Arent you Flex Fuel, though? $2.70/gal or less. I have a Flex Fuel Transit and I calculated with its lower gas mileage Id still save 30% overall.

[@Debrasvantasticjourney]

@ what is flex fuel? My car has that logo.

[@crystalzimmerman2042]

I also built a small awning that comes off my van, it makes into a room

[@tianikane3312]

Cushions are important. You need a cushion of funds also for times when you are sick. Being sick in a van can be difficult. Some vanlifers opt for a motel for their sick times, while others like their van. Also, you need to consider an exit plan from vanlife. If you are getting on in years and can't get up into the van easily, you need to consider this. If you get injured or sick, you may need to go to stix and brix for a while to recover, or to live permanently. Not many vanlifers consider this and get caught out when stuff happens. You need a decent nestegg (cushion) for that also. But generally, it is a great life.... Just have funds set aside for these things.

[@BetterDays_Now]

Good points. ❤

[@geriatrictrippin]

Wow, my monthly gas budget is $350. If I'm serious about getting somewhere, I'll burn almost 3 tanks a day at $70 average per fill up. Then I may spend a month in one local area and only fill once in that month.

[@daywalker3053]

I really enjoyed your message. Thank you for sharing.

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

You are so welcome

[@courtneysands6646]

I drove around way too much and wasted money on gas. I used to panick when the sun started to go down.

[@e6ensperception]

how did you get comfortable after the sun went down? favorite parking spots?

[@Ennuae]

Thanks man - future van lifer appreciate the wisdom

[@jimnjele.bean-dayone3505]

Wow great tips !! Beside that emergency fund , you should have a manual on your vehicle AND some basic tools. I feel that most everyone can do basic maintenance on their vehicle. Oil changes, tire rotations, etc. I hVe tools for most everything on Chuck the truck. I do most of my own work. It isn't hard and very rewarding, but most of all you save cash!!

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@jimnjele.bean-dayone3505 Absolutely! I'm not very handy or mechanical, but I'm learning.

[@kaymerritt3694]

New here... Part timer... Love my smaller class C! It's perfect for me! It's not much for stealth camping but I just try to park in safe places where I'm out of the way.

[@raylenetatum8185]

Glad you showed up in my feed. Loved everything you said. I have subscribed to your channel and I look forward to following you.

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@raylenetatum8185 Glad to have you on the journey. 😁

[@hs-vp2dx]

New subscriber here..been binge watching your videos..really enjoying them..

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@hs-vp2dx Thank you

[@judyconnelly6919]

I enjoyed this video and am looking forward to more.

[@crystalzimmerman2042]

with a van we didn't have enough room for us and our stuff so we built a small trailer that carries our things

[@katrina48]

Dude, I saw your van in Fort Bragg a couple of weeks ago. If I see you around, I’ll say hi. 👋

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@katrina48 Please do! Still here!

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@katrina48 Are you still in Northern California?

[@katrina48]

@ I will be back next month.

[@teresaferrer4748]

Thank you! Great reality check!!

[@qaosqitty8098]

Thank you for sharing your life and adventures.

[@jplay1i973]

Funny you mention the 'fantasy- van -life'. I will do van life, I watched movies in KZbin. But I have watched them to do some ideas abouts how the van can or should look like. I will work while doing the van life.

[@cindyjohnston3134]

Thank you for information...got me thinking :)

[@lonesomestrangerlonesomest8992]

My van is simular to Yours, I used Plastic cardboard for covering My windows,, Used news paper to help make a pattern.

[@glennk.7348]

Nice video. Thanks! You should grab a coffee with Static Campervan. He’s often in your area! 😃

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@glennk.7348 I check out his channel

[@sharonfaison7231]

This has been so helpful I'm looking for a van that I can go to flea markets and have a little crochet in business I want to be able to go and set up in different places any suggestions on what type of Van to get and I am a large woman

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@sharonfaison7231 Honestly, I love my Ford E 350. It's spacious, for me, and runs great. If you really want more room look into a small school bus or shuttle bus. Spacious without being overly large. You can park then in most parking lots and street parking. When I upgrade I might go to a schoolie.

[@RuthAnn-f4j]

Just found you🙋🏼‍♀️ That was good advice. Thanks

[@HaroldLeeDye]

Thanks for sharing good info. I still have my Remodeling Co. and dont need or want to travel. My area is the Southeast usa. Your thoughts on a small travel trailer, camper, ect... or renting a place to van park.

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@HaroldLeeDye I thought about a trailer. I might upgrade to one if I decide to do overlanding. Find a good campsite, park the trailer and then explore in my Jeep, or whatever off road vehicle I decide on.

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

Hi there,great video and insite on Vanlife congrats.

[@craigbrowning9448]

I have an agreement with a local mechanic who allows me to park in his lot.

[@BetterDays_Now]

That's nice. Good idea.

[@sharylcobb6857]

Here's how to "make a budget." (I had to do this after my husband suddenly died.) First: Write down all categories of expenditures. For you, stuff like car insurance, van repairs, gas, food, laundry, you get the idea. In a little notebook, write down how much you must save toward a six-month car insurance bill, plus a hundred or so (costs go up!) Put aside cash each month in an envelope to prepare. Keep each category in a separate envelope. Use cut catd dividers in your wallet for each category. When the money's getting low, you'll see it! Each month, try to estimate how much you will spend for food EACH WEEK. Pad it a little for unexpected costs. Do that in every category. WRITE THIS DOWN IN A SMALL NOTEBOOK. Have an overage envelope and entry. Hey, surprises happen! ( Save up, don't pay down. ) Review at the first of each month. Adjust, if needed. Try to build up cash for a major medical/car emergency. Take care of yourself! Eat right. Exercise. Give God His due. If not, well, you're on your own. That won't end well. Hope you make it!

[@johnwolf1475]

battery jumper and a winch

[@shericontrary2535]

I have not bought a van yet but I want to hook up a 30 amp adapter or something so I can plug my power station in at the campground. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it.

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@shericontrary2535 Have you thought about a shore power inlet?

[@shericontrary2535]

@@MyWellnessJourney1 yes, I want something super easy

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

I'm doing

[@laurafacteau5551]

some people have no choice but to live in their vehicles

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@laurafacteau5551 Very true

[@BORNAGAINGYPSY54]

I have chosen to live on my minivan. I also have a full time job. I did t want to rent and be a slave to that. And didn't want a mortgage to outlive me. I'm newly divorced and ready for this new adventure in my life. My last van blew the motor. So unfortunately I bought another with pymts. It'll be my mini camper for who knows how long. But. It's still doable and you can be smart to save money.

[@bookbakery]

I am new and just subscribed. What kind of large van do you have? I need a large van, too. TIA This is what I found: 2008 Ford E-Series E-350 XLT Super Duty Passenger Van 2008 Ford E-Series E-350 XLT Super Duty Passenger Van

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@bookbakery I have the same van but it's a 2003. I love it! Ford's are great because most mechanics, maybe even all of them, can work on it.

[@Sam-f1k8e]

if you are traveling 200-300 miles a day it'll cost you ~ $100/ day

[@exploringnext1111]

Really?

[@WilliamKilduff-d4i]

Ya more than that,

[@IngeWelch-h3b]

Buy a small piece of land for a home base to go to when you dont want travel every day.

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@IngeWelch-h3b Someday I plan to. Definitely keeping an eye out for nice places to settle down.

[@CindyCaVANas]

I'm not looking for adventure, I just want the freedom to live my life and use my money when and where I want. Rent is not where I want to spend all my income and pinch the rest. I do not do street camping. Two bad experiences have ruined that part of my vanlife. State Parks, BLM land, and RV parks is my choice. Retirement is a beautiful thing, why ruin it giving all your money towards rent. ugggg... Good content and suggestions. Thanks for sharing.

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@CindyCaVANas Thank you. I agree, the main reason I do this is to avoid rent and travel. Adventure is what you make of it.

[@CindyCaVANas]

@MyWellnessJourney1 Yes, I just finished traveling to 12 states, what an adventure, and truly enjoyed the journey. 🙋‍♀️😊

[@marcelolney4213]

First view .it was informative .all good vid.

[@cvcoco]

All good points but I dont like some of the commentary. Im getting ready to head out and the most major point of stress is where to park/sleep. Videos lately keep saying you cant park, cant park, cant park. I'm worried I have to keep rolling, just 1-hr naps in shopping centers or something and thats it.

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@cvcoco I use iOverlander app. Free app which lists places to sleep with reviews. I have another video called Finding Safe Spaces to Sleep. You might want to check that one out. I had the same problem when I started.

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@cvcoco kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6urZIKcjc5rpLssi=9RHj1KfTqbNntsjb

[@cvcoco]

@@MyWellnessJourney1 I have the ioverlander app and others but havent started them. All these seem to be pay-apps which is OK if im assured of a place. My point in the comment was to say that places that WERE ok and safe are rapidly disappearing, according to vids. I lose sleep at night worrying about this. A year ago everything was OK, like Walmarts, but it keeps shrinking. Campgrounds are always full, or high cost, or only reservable at some distant date in the future. I know I sound so negative, I just never thought this was a problem. Now its the most major headache of my life and has delayed my departure.

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@cvcoco iOverlander is free and works great. Took a lot of stress off my shoulders, but you're right. It's getting harder. Look into BLM land. Free for up to 14 days with a few exceptions. What area do you live in? Where I am now is very van life friendly.

[@cvcoco]

​@@MyWellnessJourney1 Ok i really thank you for the replies. I should have explained my trip plans, that would help narrow down choices. Im in Calif and going across the country to S. Carolina. The trip itself is straight through, then I will focus and spend time in TN, GA, NC and SC region until I find a lot to build a house on. I have no interest in adventure travel or sightseeing around the country, especially in snow. I will continue to work but from the van so Im setting up a no-build thats less for comfort/fun and more for work. I figure this will take two years until I can build. So I need places to sleep in the South for two years or so but I also have to get across the country too which I estimate 7-10 days. Im not in a rush but still going basically the shortest route. Im setting off in January and still looking for ways to keep myself and my cat warm, thats another headache. I wish I could have chosen a better time to go! Ok, does my explanation change any suggestions? Thanks so much.

[@crystalzimmerman2042]

for 40 dollars ,your going no where

[@MyWellnessJourney1]

@@crystalzimmerman2042 I don't drive that much right now