Her $20k DIY School Bus Build

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VIDEO DESCRIPTION:
Liv only took 48 hours to buy a bus and quit her job to travel the nation. She was burnt out at her job in D.C., found the bus, researched skoolie life, and started her conversion journey. The kitchen was partially built when she purchased it, so she added to it and installed a top-loading fridge and cosmetic upgrades.
In the center of her rig are two hooks mounted for hammock chairs, allowing extra seating when guests are over. She prioritized clothes storage over a full shower room and didn't regret it! The bed in the back has a gorgeous broad view with windows and several small open storage spaces for plants, drinks, and a phone charger station.
Shot by: @sagetraveling
Edited by: @sagetraveling
Insta: / liv.inthebus
00:00 Introduction
00:30 School Bus Living Room
03:27 School Bus Kitchen
07:12 Why/How Buslife
08:13 School Bus Electrical
10:07 Original School Bus Ceiling
11:31 School Bus Closet
12:35 School Bus Bedroom
15:54 How Nomad Life
17:51 School Bus Exterior
20:58 Buslife Advice
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[@wildsage]

I had a ton of fun filming this with Liv! She really is as kind, down to earth, and cool as she comes across on camera.

[@wildsage]

@@kamikazitsunami supporting the performance of this video and supporting liv but spin it how you want.

[@harrypottah8889]

Sage, meeting all the bus baddies ♥️

[@vegout4085]

She seems like a really cool person. Loved this tour!

[@CozyCrime101]

@Life as we know it She said she sold her house so I assume the money came from whatever she made off that.

[@jenp5413]

great tour! thanks for this, always inspiring

[@user-nc3gf7ro5x]

I was on the bad side of Covid. I almost didn’t make it. My family and I are incredibly indebted to nurses like you for helping save my life. Believe me when I say we love❤ nurses!!!!!!

[@WilletteB]

I love what you did and why you did it... Sometimes when burnout hits nurses it's better to consider other options for our mental health survival. I left in 2010 for personal reasons. Life was getting in the way of trying to do it all. I' m a Mom of adult children, wife, ER and former Hospice nurse. Also a perfectionist at heart and realize there is no such thing in the profession. Best of luck. Stay alert and live your dreams. Willette from Alabama

[@brandyyolidio4213]

Bless you for all of your hard work and compassion, the perfection attribute can work out to more of a curse than a blessing at times, but I am so glad you knew when it was time to make a major change. Hugs to you, from Michigan 😊

[@carlapierle8623]

I had been a nurse for 21 years and was already completely overwhelmed and burnt out when Covid came along. It didn't take much for me to decide to quit. Good on you for not forcing yourself to continue in a ridiculously stressful and unappreciated (by employers) job. I'm impressed with what you've done with the bus and wish you the best in your journey!!

[@geraldmerkel7145]

Yo Liv, Love the fact that you were brave enough to make a lifestyle change within 48 hours lol Your bus is amazing. You definitely did not overdo it on tech. Just enough to be totally comfortable. Beautiful rig. Congrats

[@Janartable]

I’m so impressed. With everything. Obviously, your new found building skills….but also, your courage. It takes such bravery to realize you have emotionally stalled and must make huge changes. I moved to a different country in my 30s. People don’t realize how much of your inner strength comes into play for major life changes. I congratulate you on recognizing your need, and meeting it. And here you are, you can actually say you’re healed. Fantastic story!!! (And i loooove Poppy!)

[@marcellaorourke8997]

You should do a tutorial on how you made that couch cushion. I love, love, love it! Love the whole bus tour actually.

[@sandradicesari5015]

An awesome decision to put yourself first. Am a retired ER nurse. Congratulations

[@buzzinbee9463]

Love the idea of keeping the ceiling. Love everything you have accomplished. I'm one who needs a showerhead and toilet even if a drain in floor and showerhead setup.

[@nonyabizness.original]

the bus, the puppies, and the nurse are all simply adorable. great job doing it yourself!

[@sapphiresword139]

Very nice rig. Find a lock shop. Ask them about the door lock. They will put a smile on your face.

[@adamjones9600]

No building experience other than IKEA? Mind blown. She did such a great job! I absolutely love the cane webbing on the door panels and hope to incorporate similar one day.

[@lorenl9262]

Kudos to YOU for such a beautiful build as I have rented apartments since I was 18 and now I am 51. I am a minimalistic individual who has never been married, never had kids and never owned a home so I am looking into vanlife but vans seem too small so I am researching a home on wheels where I can move freely. Great JOB and thank you for such great ideas!! :)-

[@bevtrue6937]

That truly is a perfect size home, not huge yet not too tiny. Very nicely done.

[@alexander5207]

Perfect if you're 5'5".

[@bevtrue6937]

@@alexander5207 I meant the length of the bus, not the height.

[@vincentmckiernan4975]

I am a nurse. You make this look so simple. Please post more. You are amazing!

[@miniskooliewanda]

Love, love, love! Love her story (sorry to hear re the burn out though)...love how she did things....love the aesthetic....love that both she and her doggos and Poppy have so much personality...and I love that it wasn't a budget-breaker build. Thank you for sharing!

[@kevinwheat390]

I see this different than most of the people that left a comment. I love the work that you did on the rv, But I see something better than the rv. Your confidence to take a risk and follow your dreams. Good for you! A very small percentage of people can do something different than the majority of us. You did it , Congratulations. You have nailed it. Dream big. You have already proven that you can and will achieve your dreams. Just remember to challenge yourself and Dream big.

[@nell8170]

What a beautiful soul.....and an amazing home on wheels, fantastic job. TFS

[@MagneticOriginals]

If you drill extra holes and put in some extra neodymium magnets in your knife rack it will hold all your knives better.

[@morrisyarnell6083]

I admire your commitment to following your dream and how you accomplished your goals. I sold everything once and moved myself and my cat into a 20 foot RV and just traveled. It was so freeing.

[@bdaddy3997]

Millennials building Rvs that have been around for years!!! They’re a special breed!!

[@Aleka1943]

Good for you. Proud of your achievement.

[@ronaldmercer9616]

Good job , she has a much stronger home than any of the RV junk for sale out there today

[@craigmcdonald8348]

Well done Liv, you are truly an inspiration, having the courage to make the change you needed in your life. Stay safe mate. Much love from Australia.😊

[@sandrasomewhere]

Lovely space -- nice job on the build. Cute pups!

[@tammyjantzen9004]

You did a really great job! I love the colors & the cedar wood. You and your two buddies look sooo happy!! Thanks for being an inspiration to others!

[@fjtalleyauthor2242]

And I appreciate her leaving the ceiling as is (hope it's insulated!) It provides a clean look, and the ceiling doesn't appear as low as ceilings that are also cedar as in many other builds.

[@meredithgraf4744]

Love how the bus is setup and decorated. Being able to live on the road with your two cute doggos seems like a dream.

[@DogBusAdventures]

Very impressive for a first run of a project this size. I’m renovating a mini-bus for our dog business this year and then doing it again for a road trip to help save dogs in 2025. Love the video and thanks for sharing it!

[@brad.m1997]

I love her energy with showing us her build, so often I see these bus/van tours and the owners couldn't seem more bored or disinterested if they tried. What a lovely little home Liv! Thanks for sharing

[@mikemanjo2458]

Beautiful Bus/Home!!!! Perfect for you and the pups! Amazing work! Love from SC, Jane ❤ LOVE the couch cushion and the cabinets are gorgeous!

[@YourMindsetMattersNOW]

It's so amazing how much of the work you did yourself! It's so beautiful and unique. LOVE your story and I am so glad you did what was best for you!

[@inesmundt6130]

what a wonderful way to overcome burn out. good for you for taking the plunge! Love your bus and all of your personal touches

[@jamesorendorff2731]

What a great build!!! What a fun young lady , now this is a person that I could hang out with , easy going ,cute , smart ,and great taste in decorating... well done, be safe and happy trails ...love your two kids they're beautiful 👍👍

[@chetmyers7041]

You have a wonderful grand-dad to encourage you to start this journey. Your home is amazing and you did a great job on all your custom projects. All the colors work so well together.

[@jennyfulcher8035]

Cozy tiny Skoolie home! You did a great job putting everything together so that it's warm and cozy plus reflects your happy personality. FYI the 'girl" bookend is actually a Resting Buddha! Enjoy traveling to many fun places in your Skoolie.

[@JHJohnson]

I love this build. It’s flowing and efficient and clean. Not cluttered. My husband and I are just now looking into pursuing this for our retirement. We love to local camp with a few small trips in the summer and we really want to go this route

[@TinyHomeTours]

So glad you liked it! Maybe we'll be seeing you and your husband down the road! 🤗

[@livingauthenticallyonmyownterm]

Liv, good on you for being mindful and realizing you were in trouble mentally and physically. I’m a Retired RN and totally relate to your former life and feeling the burnout. I watched my friends go through he££ working through those years because I was already retired, and it broke my heart. You’re such a cool chick and a handy one to make yourself and your puppers such an incredible little cozy home! Good on you for going for it. You won’t regret being your authentic self! Big love from Canada! ❤❤❤

[@philmickey7247]

Admire gutsy people! This is a 'chapter' in life that WILL be fondly remembered. Safe travels! Thanks!👍

[@MajorityXII]

Nice build. F'ing up is part of the experience. What doesnt kill you, makes you stronger. As Ms.Frizzle would say, take your chances, make mistakes and get messy!

[@raysun2be]

Very nice build! The cedar really becomes a nice accent against the white roof. Thanks for sharing your story with us, it took courage to admit you were burned out, more courage to do something healthy to make the change, and courage to share your story with strangers. I like your honesty and your ability to find amusement in your mistakes, like not priming the outside. I'm sure it was frustrating then, but to accept it and see the humor in it is a great thing. May you continue to grow and find the joy and blessings in your journey! Thanks for a great tour!

[@ruthannetalley4891]

What a delightful young lady and your home is darling!!!

[@candybutler1955]

She is super cute, lovely personality and her bus home is very cozy and cute. I love it!

[@LukeG84]

I really enjoyed this tour. Am I the only one who just wanted to hug the cute dogs? I’m so glad you were able to overcome your burnout and depression in such a positive way. I don’t love the electrical setup or the security so I hope you get that upgraded at some point, but otherwise a nicely designed interior. I could live in a bus this size.

[@amandacummins9301]

Thoroughly enjoyed your tour of your home and loved your lifestyle and it works for you so glad life has all worked out for you as it should Thank you for being so nice to show us your beautiful van Amanda

[@amandacummins9301]

I loved everything you created and your encouragement to go for it myself too

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

Fresh and natural. A pleasure to share this nice project. Thank you.

[@CrystalPhoenix1979]

Very cute & elegant. I like how simple it is. Not over the top, but very functional. Great job! 💕

[@niclinblue]

What a beautiful bus. It looks like a very comfortable and inviting mini home.

[@blydnhvghn]

Obsessed with this bus!!

[@meeshterious8644]

I can relate to you as I am also a Nurse ( PICU/Pedia Step down/ NICU) for 12 years and I got burnout and quit my job 2 months prior to the Worldwide Pandemic Lockdown. Goodluck to your future endeavors.

[@michellerene951]

Very inspiring! My goal when I retire in 6 years 💞

[@Jeremy-kg1zr]

This bus is Awesome and Liv seems absolutely delightful. This was great to watch.

[@marykoch1666]

What a lovely young woman. Love your bus. You have everything you need. Your doggies are cute too. Happy trails and stay safe

[@kopenhagenkid]

Great job on your bus Liv

[@biasedaudio]

Love the bus. Great job. Your serene positive energy might inspire me to quit my job! Good for you congratulations for following your heart.

[@shotgun4348]

Great mods and great vibes. Thanks for sharing.

[@76katieb]

yay Liv!! Congrats on being featured!

[@luv2jazz]

Nice job! Creative, functional and aesthetically appealing 👏

[@VirginiaBarber-nv9hj]

Kudos to you! What a lovely build you have done here.I hope your life to continues to be full of adventures and happy times!!! Bravo!!!

[@MikkosCassadine]

20:57 GREAT advice! Love your bus. Thanks for sharing. Thumbs up.

[@jadarose3370]

I'm thoroughly impressed how awesome that bus is, especially since she had never built anything before. It's amazing what you can accomplish just by putting your mind to it.

[@meridethhendry5733]

Love your home! You did a wonderful job putting it all together. Comfy and practical!

[@richardl4562]

Good on you, thanks for sharing now I want one. I put it on my Wishlist.

[@joycebrower8822]

Loved this! Thanks for sharing!

[@williamgehring2291]

She's living my dream! working on converting a handicap shuttle bus and using the lift to load my motorcycle.

[@bloodybonescomic]

This build is very nice. I like it a lot. I'm also impressed by your escape from the ratrace and the adoption of bus life. I just bought a 28' Bluebird to convert. Only had it one month and all I've done is rip out the seats.

[@Blackxs93]

Love your bus and your puppy dogs and Thanks for your service as a nurse

[@theresasutton6311]

And you did a wonderful job. Very different from others I watched. It totally works. Love sofa upholstery, backsplash, caning, storage Velcro, so many good ideas. Enjoy your home. It’s such a happy atmosphere.

[@theresasutton6311]

Didn’t hear your story before I wrote. Totally understand your burnout. My eldest was an RN for almost a decade before she became a MD. She too has burned out. She keeps up her license and takes a out of corses to stay up to date but doesn’t know what she wants to do in the future. Right now she’s a 4th grade teachers assistant. You too will figure it all out. Good luck.

[@bohoxplorer840]

Good for you.. What a gorgeous bus. You did a great job finishing up this ideal tiny home on wheels. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@casperhoss2952]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing. Your bus turned out great!!!

[@markbajek2541]

you might be able to lock the door from the inside by placing something similar to a hasp style shed type mechanism and toss a longish bolt through the hasp to secure it, or just place a round (like an eyelet) piece of metal on each door and slide a bolt through that. .

[@nancyheneghan4760]

Your bus is one of the nicest one I’ve seen. Clean lines without all the fuss. Very nice.

[@darrellbrown8165]

Wow, she just comes across as an incredible person, and I think she did an excellent job on her build. I wish her the best of luck!

[@scotegertson2300]

Great build, especially with such little research before starting it. Nice asthetics and quality work, too. Very impressive!

[@MarineGuy-oo7wr]

You're talented and did a great job.

[@josima11]

Love that you have built a beautiful bus and a life.

[@1mourningdove54]

Love your bus! I bet you were a great nurse. I'm sure you will find your perfect niche when you are ready to go back. Best of luck to you!

[@546Scott]

Great story and good for you for sure! Bus looks great

[@davidfrisk4978]

Nothing wrong doing and living off what you love. There is a lot more hard work in this than most people will understand from a couple of videos... AND, this is before or during the trek.. Glad to see what you are doing...

[@maggiem.2919]

You did an amazing job. I love the colors.

[@kimlovelace3031]

Great video. I'm a nurse too. I totally get this. I'm trying to figure out how I can do this too. Good luck going back to work. Nursing is definitely a challenging job. Consider Case Management, that's what I do now. Good luck 😀

[@lisasantak3632]

I understand nursing burnout, had it many times throughout my 35yrs in profession but never left the job security & pay. I retired in 2020, so not long into the pandemic. It certainly made my decision to retire earlier than anticipated. Love your build, only thing it couldn't do without a bathroom/shower. I would still keep a lg wardrobe somewhere...lol

[@hedymoore1739]

purchasing my bus this weekend and I'm so excited! this bus is a beautiful build! I'm very inspired. I tried to find her on instagram but her page doesn't seem to be active.

[@HappySunshine37288]

Putting together IKEA furniture is the prerequisite to building a house so if you can put together IKEA furniture you can put together anything. ❤❤❤

[@goldiekildea2924]

Your bus is stunning! It's so light and airy looking and I just love your decor. Good for you for having the guts and desire to change your life around and to do what you did buying a bus and fixing it up and living the way that you want, I think it's awesome, it's not easy doing what you did but it's exciting all the same!!😊 Btw I absolutely love the color of your bus!❤

[@jenniferfreedom]

LOL- I was looking at the dog rubbing himself on the pillows and all the sudden POW OUT. Super cute and sweet young lady. Best of luck. Be safe.

[@lars_of_the_north]

5:03 I have that exact same drawer thing wedged into my makeshift nightstand.

[@angelamurphy3331]

I love what you have created Liv. I live in Dublin Ireland and we don't see this lifestyle as in the US. if I had been born in America it would be the type of lifestyle that would possibly have tried at some point in my life. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely home. 🍀🍀😺😺💚💚🍀🍀

[@bretthashey1040]

Very thoughtful design. Great use of space.

[@Cyphera59]

Great Job! You rock, lucy lady.

[@gaylaneely9857]

Love this beautiful bus!

[@TheMord1997]

One of the most beautiful designs I've seen for a small schoolie - the vibe is wonderful ! Very very nice... :)

[@serenasams2772]

Burnout is so real and understandable. You knew what to do to heal in some way 👍 some ppl don't 🙏 prayers of direction to our brothers and sisters who also suffer this your van is beautiful btw 😊

[@sashabenoit1518]

For nurses who experience burnout and want to live a more nomadic lifestyle, I've seen a lot of other nurses accomplish this by becoming a traveling nurse, volunteer per diem at hospitals/clinics... be your own boss, have more control over where and how much you work and still get to travel and be a nurse, helping people, without the burnout! And this goes for many people in the medical field, not just nurses and everyone I've seen make this their lifestyle are all super happy, well-rounded individuals living life to the fullest! 😊

[@lisasantak3632]

I'm a nurse for 35yr, travel agencies where always contacting me with offers ( phone,text,emails). I'm sure she's aware, alot of it has to due with the pandemic which is why I retired ealier than planned. It's is a great way to manage yourself as a business. I worked many years in my local level 1 trauma hospital, magnate certified, in critical care. I had burnout many times throughout the years but would have never had the guts to leave my security for this nomad lifestyle, kudos to her...

[@brandyyolidio4213]

This is lovely and quaint to see! I love your taste, creativity, and the space you have created. I love the color of the bus, I can totally see your hard work on a TV show where a character lives there but it so satisfied and happy with life! Who knows, but I love what you have done here!!

[@pamelaking9715]

You are so beautiful, so spirited, so creative! Thank you for your inspiration!

[@joenabelpeterson8349]

Thanks. Vacationing with style. No need to worry about getting stranded without hotel rooms and food.

[@shogun666able]

Hi Liv. You should take your door locking handle off and see if it a square bar that comes from the back of the handle and fits in a square hole in the door catch itself. If it is you can drill through from the inside out and fit a longer square bar, so the square bar now goes right through the door inself. Probable done that way to stop the school kids opening it from the inside. There are loads of different locks you can then fit on the inside, key and keyless ones, so you can lock it from the inside. Any locksmith or good hardware shop will sort the bits you need, but you may need to cut the new long square bar to length. Have fun. Arthur (UK).

[@seanhennessey5945]

beautiful van and stunning lady .Glad you are living the life you deserve ...

[@balidriver9391]

Thank you