Is Van Life LEGAL? (how we get mail, file taxes, and more!)

[@jujubean8870]

These are all questions that I was curious about but no one talks about in these van life videos. Thanks for the information! Great video.

[@rockurox]

Moral of the story: be nice to your parents

[@chrisandsara]

lol YES!

[@chrisandsara]

@44JesusIsLord44 From our understanding, yes, it is illegal because for tax (and other) reasons you have to have a permanent residential address.

[@Gia.10]

😆🤣🤣

[@marcofeature]

Sad that US is probably the only developed country that basic health care is not considered a human right but a for-profit business ... ...

[@kriscox4019]

Matt Chang I was thinking the same thing

[@subninja8069]

I think about it like this The US is 22 Trillion dollars in the hole do you think we can even afford basic healthcare?

[@Marane8]

Somebody still has to provide the service. More importantly, prices are maintained at unaffordable levels because of the many restrictions placed on healthcare providers. We already spend a majority of the budget on porkbarrel, and it's at the point that we're completely insolvent. Trying to treat things as "basic human rights" instead of the valuable services they are is the reason why our debt is continually mounting.

[@coppersense999]

Ikr. Food, water, rent. Nothing is free! Too lazy to pay for your health, better off dead anyway, do us a favor already. Oh, except for one thing, in the case of health. If we had access to preventative care, we would require drastically less disease management, which how humanity normally functions. For example, in the wild animals don't pay for insurance OR hospital visits! Now you are gonna see a trade off with actual mortality, but as far as THAT goes, see above. I am a proponent of end of life rights too, aka don't be a drain on your family during what is a very difficult time for them. You want to drag it out, no I don't think so, there's a good corpse. All very common sense. 👍

[@gracefool]

The skilled service of another person is not a right, because that makes everyone with that skill a slave, violating more fundamental human rights. Yes it may be negligent not to save a life in an emergency when you have the ability. But it can't simply be negligent to not treat someone! Thus there cannot be a right of everyone to be treated (for anything or whatever "basic healthcare" includes). It may however be a great public service, and I'm glad I live in a country with public healthcare. The healthcare industry in the US is an insane graft due to insurance. What most Americans don't realise is that their healthcare costs are grossly inflated.

[@lindahealey6992]

Nice post. Two things I know. Be careful of a vendor who sends Amazon Ground instead of regular Amazon, when it happened to me the regular Amazon location would not accept Ground and returned the piece to the sender. Second is, if you have an item too large for Amazon Locker, like a solar panel, they’ll tell you it’s too big and you can’t use that method.

[@LifeUnafraid]

Legal to live in a van in CA!

[@zomaninc]

Thank you for the information. I'm on the edge of committing to the "van life" this is stuff I didn't think about. I too live in the Seattle area for now thinking of moving to somewhere more central of the state. I love your van set up is the cleanest and practical I've seen so far "love the Shower" it looks like one. I will continual watching.

[@lucasjones6566]

Gotta say I love the opening with Chris Farley. Thanks for all of this stuff, it is super helpful and informative =)

[@meetmattl]

Love the Seinfeld references, thanks a lot for opening up and sharing. Much love.

[@nairbvel]

You got me curious, so I did a quick check for Amazon lockers (the only one I've ever used went away when the supermarket chain hosting it closed that location). I found 20 in my zip code, many at 7-11s, Safeways, a couple at local malls, etc. etc. I also have friends who've traveled a lot who use "mail drops" -- either individuals or businesses along their planned route who agree to receive & hold mail on their behalf for pickup as my friends pass thru that area. The key is that they need to kinda-sorta stick to a travel schedule plus remember to tell people to send mail to the right address based on where they are in their travels.

[@pimpmatic2k2]

Man this was extremely important. Keep sharing these lil nuggets pleeeease. The things people don't think through when wanting to go the van life route.

[@1monagale]

I worked with UPS one holiday season as a driver. The UPS stores are independently owned franchises, they are paid are by each package they receive. They can be cranky at the end of the day. The packages they ship out, are picked up by a UPS driver to take to the shipping centers.

[@christianschettler6755]

Oh shit! I recognize that fedex! Been to it multiple times. Wish I saw you guys cruising through, woulda picked your brains a bit, I'm about to jump into the van life. Hope you had a good time up here!

[@wishcandyyy]

Thank you! I'm a freelancer, and saving for a van. Been wondering how i'd handle these things

[@MIRAJADESIGN]

I think it’s called USPS General Delivery

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Great video! You can send via USPS by labeling it as "General Delivery: C/O [Your Name]" Hikers do this along the PCT, etc and have great luck (I've never had a problem), but I've never tried it in a larger city. Generally they'll hold packages for 2 weeks

[@SensatiousHiatus]

For USPS delivery you would address it the following: Your name c/o USPS Specific Post Office’s address I used it several times while thru hiking the AT and PCT…very common, but expect a long line and the clerk can sometimes take 10-15 minutes to go find your package in the back. Maybe it’s just common along those popular long trails so some random post office in the middle of nowhere might not be as familiar with someone doing that.

[@aypahyo]

I watched three videos now - love them. Consider tuning down the music intermezzos. They are really loud compared to the rest of the video.

[@Elizabeth-kc9qw]

Love this but can you adjust the volume on the clips...they are so loud...like when the commercials on TV are louder than the regular show.

[@AustinK95]

You can always adjust your volume down, if it was to quiet now that's something I get as you can't really do much after your device is all the way up. As a person who watches alot of their vlogs on a cell phone without head phones I appreciate louder audio (:

[@piney70]

Austin Kienitz it’s not the entire vlog, it’s the Seinfeld and SNL and added clips like that. They are super loud compared to the rest of the audio.

[@pavel9652]

They have to adjust volume of these TV series fragments that pepper the video. You are listening to person talking calmly and suddenly actor starts shouting jokes I presume like he was insane.

[@beautybyleanne76]

Thanks the was helpful! I’m curious about getting prescriptions when your all over! I know i have a “home” pharmacy I’m wondering if when i needed a refill for my insulin would my dr just call whatever local pharmacy I’m close to? And how does your insurance work! I’m in CA but if i was say on the east coast would i have trouble with having medical coverage?

[@paulwilliams2024]

Amazon locker is beyond clutch been using it for the last few months

[@zajournals]

What does, beyond clutch, mean?

[@Saint_Medusa]

Dependable

[@zajournals]

@@Saint_Medusa in what language?

[@justink4060]

Z A It’s slang, we millennials use it sometimes lol

[@TheHebrew]

Thank you for the information. Did you know two of your suggested links go to the same traveling mailbox website?

[@BEAdventurePartners]

Awesome Q+A y'all! We use virtual mailboxes for our biz mail. It's so easy to use and we haven't had any issues. These were some great questions because these "legalities" are sooo elusive if people don't have a reliable attorney or CPA to guide them. Great answers! - Brian + Erin Currently traveling in Bonaire

[@chrisandsara]

We may have to give the virtual mailbox a try one day! Thanks for sharing!

[@BEAdventurePartners]

@@chrisandsara - Ya... It's fairly good for mail. We don't receive packages there. It doesn't make sense, because then we would just forward them to our parents. We totally see what you get about someone else scanning your mail. May not be the best solution. AND recently... My (Erin) virtual mailbox stopped offering the service at the one UPS location, so I had to move my address to a new location. This turned out to be VERY expensive, because it is my business address... So I had to pay a ridiculous amount in lawyer fees to change the address. Can't predict these things. But all in all having your dad send you mail sounds pretty darn good, and nearly free. BE well adventure friends.

[@Kaptain.Obvious]

UPS stores are obviously independent franchises. I’ve had good experiences and horrible as well. No rhyme or reason for their pricing structures. Suggest you look poor when you enter. Appreciate all the useful info. Thanks guys!

[@victorianaztec555]

Ps: I totally luv the interior design of your Van! Very High Tech and looks very comfortable!

[@marketingopswill2738]

relevant to my life situation. my only question is why GA? can't you save on taxes if you chose another state

[@victorianaztec555]

Super info! Thanks a bunch for sharing a whole bunch of important info that folks have to ponder about b-4 getting ready to hit the road!

[@whenufirstrealized]

I have a friend of mine who wants to take a new job in a small town hospital in the middle of nowhere. He talked to the hiring manager and they really hit it off. She told him there was not a lot of good rent options near by and to try to share a place in a trailer park. The hospital has 24 hour showers, discounted cafeteria and a huge secure parking lot. There is a Walmart, Anytime Fitness and retail 10 minutes away. He's thinking about selling his small car, flying over there and buying a van and sleeping in the van while he converts it on his time off. It's in the southwest in a dry arid area, but cool, lush, green mountains are only 30 minute away. He's anticipating they will ask him for a local address and his living situation.. any suggestions? Can he get fired over this? He's gonna be there alone working alot of hours and the idea of zero commute and zero rent seems mighty tempting.

[@jayloiselle9281]

Super informative from a super couple! 😊

[@chrisandsara]

😊 Thank you!

[@Dorlocor]

So me, with no friends or family available and no property to my name, simply can not do van life. Very reassuring :D

[@_hernameischris]

Kramer @ the beginning: "sup" 😆😂🤣

[@burkefox3208]

I live in East GA. When I go full time I will be using a Florida as my permanent home. NO STATE TAX . The trade off is some times insurance is higher

[@dianeibsen5994]

Thank you for this video. Love the S&L humor🤣

[@chrisandsara]

Thanks for watching!

[@Scrambler85]

Great information, thanks for posting this

[@jeffklpo]

Great video, very informative, My spouse and I are regular viewers and enjoy all the videos. A small critique I have is your camera seems to always be searching for correct focus, which is kind of distracting, maybe adjust your focus and then turn off auto focus, that will help for sure. Keep up the great work :)

[@chrisandsara]

Thanks for the kind words Jeff! The focus issue is something we’re working on. Thanks for the tip!

[@Mr.Beastforpresident]

Great Video 👍 Love the Seinfeld clips! What do you guys eat? And where do you store the food for the week?

[@AustinK95]

always great content thanks guys, keep up the great work 👌

[@donjames5761]

how do you handle severe weather while in a van ? i've been in a RV in 60+ mph wind an it was rocking us back and forth

[@charlielocke1808]

I aspire to be like you guys one day

[@chelseagirl278]

start and save today! :)

[@WingsandWheelsAlaska]

Great informational video! Safe travels.

[@sentinelau]

Great videos guys. If there is a way to manually set focus and white balance with your set tripod video shots, that will help heaps. Depends on what camera you have.

[@H2Dwoat]

Hi, I’m looking at visiting the US to do a through hike of one of the long trails, PCT probably. I have watched a couple of channels on the experience which can take 6 month sometimes. They discussed post and receiving packages through USPS. It might be worth checking out as I’m sure the issue is comparable for both groups, hikers and van lifers.

[@gbell9119]

Your Dad sounds like a wonderful man! How big is your guys battery bank? Do you have any issues with powering the iMacs daily?

[@oremackley]

Great video! The focus seemed to be put on auto so it's really struggling.

[@zajournals]

Liked the film clips 👍

[@justinburgan]

Thanks so much for this insight, all great things to know as I embark on my own van life journey :)

[@leefithian3704]

Paperless , internet based mail , auto payments , freedom of travel , multiple strategic change of address through mail , it’s also not illegal to be homeless and SUCCESSFUL

[@jenniferlawrence1372]

Oh my goodness, don't you know anyone in Chattanooga you could use for the lease? Tennessee doesn't have income tax.

[@manifestrubies]

Thank you this really helps

[@chrisandsara]

Hey there Ruby, I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@blanewalker5512]

A physical address is good to have, but where do you store the great white shark at?

[@chrisandsara]

Hey there Blane! We are actually able to store it at our home but during COVID we rented a spot at an RV storage facility and that worked very well!

[@Minddebt]

Very informative! Thanks

[@burkefox3208]

Your dad ROCKS

[@anarsuazo]

This video is very informative and im have to watch it a few more time to get some notes. Thanks alot for taking the time to teach us. My husband and i cant wait to start our van life but we want to do our diligence first. Do you guys have an email where i can reach you guys if i have any question

[@coorsleftfield]

Why would you pick Georgia? Why not establish residency in Florida or another state with no state income tax?

[@chrisandsara]

Because we legal lease drawn up with Sara’s parents at their home in GA. By law we need a permanent address and we stay at their place more than anywhere so we signed a lease for legal reasons.

[@coorsleftfield]

@@chrisandsara I understand the legal physical address requirement. I established a legal physical address with a RV club in Florida that is completely legal and I use it for my address for banking, taxes and home address. It is not a PO box or virtual mailbox.

[@slasher0630]

@@coorsleftfield does that work if u r not living in Florida? Nd what if u just use your car?

[@coorsleftfield]

@@slasher0630 you should pay tax to whatever state you are living in. If you live full-time in a van or RV, then it is reasonable to establish residency in a no-tax state before heading out on the road.

[@jimliu2560]

How do you get WiFi on the road/in a van? And how much do you you pay/month? What do you do if you van gets stuck/ breaks down and you don’t have phone signal/ WiFi on more remote places?

[@chrisandsara]

Hi Jim! We use a Verizon Jetpack hotspot and the hotspot off our cell phone (also Verizon). You can buy satellite phones that get service even when normal phones do not (these are great if you're worried about getting stuck/in trouble in off grid areas).

[@jimliu2560]

Let's Be Us Great! Thank you for the advice!

[@VANESSASCHICFRUGALLIFE]

*great information*

[@chrisandsara]

so glad you found it helpful, thanks for watching!

[@debbiedebbie9473]

Thank you for this.

[@madness9998]

I wish I could find an answer to this question that doesn't involve family 😕 I'm estranged

[@chelseajamieson8439]

So if I lived in a van and went between different states a lot but had a remote job that didn’t care where I worked from, would I have to claim taxes in every state I travel through and work remotely in even if it’s only for a week or two?

[@chrisandsara]

That's a really good question. It differs from state to state and it depends on how long you are in said state. We highly recommend getting a good CPA to help you navigate your taxes when it comes to working and traveling. :)

[@nicholasburbano4781]

what about P.O. box?

[@mousediscord2803]

I bought a tiny plot for very cheap and now use that plot to park my van on

[@chrisandsara]

Great idea!

[@hawl20]

Even though this video was a year ago. The FedEx office clip was in Boise! If only this was more recent and I would have said I’ll buy you two a beer. :)

[@chrisandsara]

When we come through Boise again, we’ll take you up in that!

[@hawl20]

Let's Be Us sounds good to me! That offer doesn’t expire too. 🙂 Maybe by then, I’ll have a van to share with you two.

[@auntielobster2325]

Will it not be considered fraud if you enter into a fake rental contract in order to convince the authorities that you rent somewhere when you actually have no intention to rent? Where I live, the authorities can in addition go after the "landlord" for the rental income as per the agreement. Residency where I live - and I am not a US citizen, so please check whether applicable- includes even a place you left, as long as you kept an intention to return to that place. This would be the case if you go on an extended vacation/work somewhere else. Would it not be a better option if your father simply gave a declaration that you reside with him?

[@chrisandsara]

We do have intention to return to their residence, actually. When we visit we stay there and are even storing stuff inside the bedroom we are renting while away. It should be mentioned that the lease was originally drawn up because we rented the space last summer while renovating the van at their place. It’s a legit lease and is a place we can return to as we’d like. ☺️

[@auntielobster2325]

@@chrisandsara Wonderful! As long as it is not a fake lease and you really pay rent and your landlord declares the income it is fine. If one wish to avoid all that,or a fake lease which constitutes fraud, a declaration from the parent to whose house you intend to go back is the safer option.

[@beccaham]

@@auntielobster2325 I had a legal lease and did not pay rent. I exchange ged services in lieu of rent. So landlord doesn't have to declare rent in that situation. If they rent for $1 they also don't have to declare it as income because it is now the threshold.

[@polecatfan1627]

Why does everything happen when I can’t watch it !?!?! Why must you do this to me world!? Why!?

[@spiritlove2]

I have seen amazon locker in save a lot

[@indianapolisairport3205]

what kind of insurance do you have for the van? just car or rv insurance?

[@macaloowify]

Who cares if it's "legal" or not. Until they come after me

[@silentecho4445]

Hello i chose VANLIFE 2yrs ago unfortunately... I'm right now in prescott az.... can't get a place to live here. I heard California is a good place for living in your van... Is this true, plz reply with answer thank you... You're Cool ppl Be safe out there 🙂

[@a64738]

Here in Norway you automatically loose your citizenship if you do not have an registered living address for more then 2 years... Most people is not aware of this until they suddenly get told the do not live in Norway anymore and is state less in their own country without any rights and have to go trough hell of a bureaucracy to get their citizenship with social security back....

[@claresage]

In usa, people pay thousands to lose their citizenship. Often the negatives outweigh the benefits to citizenship in usa.

[@enduringnomad8385]

USPS is great. Just ask them. Where is the video on your solar build including type/amount of batteries?

[@chrisandsara]

We finally uploaded our solar video! Check it out here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX_WpGeXatiaias&lc=UgwtLvGQAEMvpd9Ammh4AaABAg

[@darktemplar106]

Cool that the lease with parents thing worked out for y’all but I was expecting a solution to the address thing that doesn’t rely on signing a lease or relying on someone else much less a parent

[@allisonsherman7231]

Thank you :)

[@le_th_]

Amazon lockers are not really "newish" as the last time I used one was back in October of 2013.

[@debbiedebbie9473]

They're "newish" to me. I didn't know they exist, So im glad to learn about them. 💝

[@raczyk]

What about dating and van life?

[@kelsonwarner8409]

You guys are so cute.

[@TheShift_OfEnergy]

Hey, what about the tourists from europe if i plan visiting us for half a year or a year? Or couple months. If i sleep in van or park it somewhere aside would it be illegal? Thanks

[@chrisandsara]

You’ll need to look up the laws for each state you visit while you’re in the U.S. it varies.

[@TheShift_OfEnergy]

@@chrisandsara so complicated :D

[@truthmatters3449]

nice video. just a thought (doesn't apply to me, an old white men living in the jungles of thailand) but, another way to make money on the road? teach english online to chinese students? living on the nomad trail, can be funded pretty good that way?

[@slasher0630]

Where do I find that?

[@truthmatters3449]

@@slasher0630 Just google "teaching english online to chinese students" there might be an intial cost to get certified, bit then? More work than you can fill. The exprience of people I know. Another? Challenge? You have to work on the students timeline? China style. Might be late at night your time.

[@truthmatters3449]

Example: it's 2 a.m. here now. I just happened to get up for pee time during the night.

[@slasher0630]

@@truthmatters3449 okay sounds kinda gratifying

[@truthmatters3449]

From your appearance on the videos? You appear to perfectly "fit the bill" as for what it seems they are looking for. A friend of mine here was making $1k + a month? For? 20 hrs work a week? I've watched many of the van - bus video community? Lately. And have thought. "What a perfect way - opportunity for 'community development / human rights work! Stopping in a local school somewhere? In poverty filled areas around the world? And offering hope? Love? Peace? After 30 years of such work? I'm wore out with the sadness. Seen more than enough of the 'shit'. But now, sharing in local poor schools, has become my JOY MEDICINE. Just my thoughts. Blessings. "Carry on my wayward son?" Ref: "Kansas" from the 70's

[@Litlrasculdelia]

What do you both do?

[@chrisandsara]

Hey! We do a few different things actually. Here’s a video we made about our jobs and how we make money on the road. Hope this helps! How We Make Money On The Road kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJykeXSemr-Ja9k

[@hebraist]

יש תקוה What is your hope?

[@KosherGoddess]

יש תקנה...It says on his arm

[@leramay6413]

What if you do not have an address to use?

[@alchemists4443]

Lera May you can’t do it I assume You need a address to get government issued mail

[@zajournals]

Use something like Mail Boxes Etc. as an address. Worked for me when I needed it.

[@LadySeraphineCC]

Okay...but what about when your parents pass? Sorry to be morbid but that's life

[@lukeswetland6516]

How do you do laundry?

[@chrisandsara]

Laundromats

[@crazyovan1]

What do ya'll do for your income?

[@TruRaidersG]

Just get a PO Box

[@RealJustLaw]

Why is it illegal?

[@AquaRover]

Maybe dry, but definitely useful information. Thank you.

[@arkhamkillzone]

Women seem to always be health insurance enthusiasts. Men just can't be bothered with it and unless we are about to die, we won't be seeing a doctor.

[@kaiz0099]

No offence but this video reminds me why i left the US, God forbid the day my visa runs out.

[@chrisandsara]

👋

[@TheHebrew]

Why do you have Hebrew on your arm?

[@chrisandsara]

It's a quote from Job 11:18 that means “there is hope”

[@ericeagleton]

Outdated , plenty of mailing services thee days ,2024

[@chrisandsara]

Yeah this video is like 4 years old

[@tracey940]

Great info! Thanks!

[@chrisandsara]

Hey Tracey! I'm so glad you found it helpful!