Just to clarify for those who haven’t watched the other videos. I lived in London in the van whilst I built it for 18 months before travelling Europe. In this video I wanted to show how you can live in Europe and do basically the same as what I did in London. If you want to know travel cost, just calculate the distance and add the fuel, and average predicted maintenance/service costs for that journey. Also, if you don’t yet have a van, add in the predicted cost of your van. My van cost me about £20,000 to build so it’s fully off grid like this, the van cost £7250 and I spent about £12,000-13,000 on everything else. I will do another video with how much it’s cost me to travel the distance I have with average repairs, tyre costs, servicing, maintenance etc and then you can calculate the costs per month with the time and distance you’re going to travel.
@lliamjurdom95054 ай бұрын
i subscribed
@truth33583 ай бұрын
We use butane gas which cost us €38 per year per bottle and lasts into the 2nd year and gets used every day
@dna64404 ай бұрын
Thank you for breaking down costs & sharing the info on internet ❤
@chrism29664 ай бұрын
Really good, down to earth way of explaining your way. 10/10.
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
Appreciate you sharing these words 🙏
@chrism29664 ай бұрын
@@LIFEOFSIofficial Va bene.
@wiktorkaro4 ай бұрын
Haha love the intro brother, and well done on passing through 500 subs! Your message needs to reach more people 🙏🏼
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
Taking advantage of the beauty around us 😉🫶
@Bevthewanderer21 күн бұрын
Who hard work pays off. An amazing journey. Well done. Unreal cost of data.. You should do Turkey with English sims. Think that the mega cost of europe. Definitely get local sims or esims.. Loved example of watching a movie. Unreal
@ssandraaj3 ай бұрын
I asked you about the water supplies in one of the recent videos, but here I got my answer. Thanks Si
@dro6onАй бұрын
Incredible sustainability! Valuable insight and knowledge to know thank you so much 🙏🏻 Safe travels beautiful people 🙏🏻🥰
@JamesSmith-qs4hx3 ай бұрын
Great channel mate - Just watched 4 or 5 videos and subbed👍
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
Appreciated mate 🙏
@colinmorsink96854 ай бұрын
You forgot to mention what certainly are fixed monthly (or quarterly) costs: health insurance and Body care (I assume you brush your teeth, shower with some kind of shampoo, etc and your girl uses several day/night care products) just to name a few. You already mentioned that you will make a separate video on the other costs such as toll roads, van maintenance, fuel, etc which obviously would add to the monthly costs when you calculate the actual monthly budget. Of course living in a van can be very cheap and convenient and an adventure as well as a good way to explore the world so good for you and safe and happy travels!
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
You’re correct I pay about £19 p/m for travel insurance and that’s through my bank but also includes my gf. The shampoo and other stuff is included in our food just forgot to mention that 👍 we’re both kinda low maintenance 🙏 Will make another video though with fuel/servicing/maintenance etc as that’s dependent on the distance you travel.
@lizziandlewy88033 ай бұрын
Very informative video. Cheers! ✌️
@sunnybeachwalks4k20223 ай бұрын
Great videos amazing van
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
🙏🙏🙏
@anibaloliveira6111Ай бұрын
Great video, straight to the point. How do you sort out the MOT? To have insurance and Road Tax they ask for a valid MOT. Enjoy life 🤗
@jacko80223 ай бұрын
very helpfull video thanks
@ekbalhussain19183 ай бұрын
Hey neighbour, just found your channel. I live in mile end, a few minutes walk from mile end station, so was surprised to hear you lived there too. Really liking your consent. It kind of reminds of Gabriel Traveller. Im a fan of his channel. I hope you get as big as him. All the best, mate!
@veronicabalfourpaul22884 ай бұрын
Happy trails
@SimpleStoriesRu3 ай бұрын
thank you for tips,man
@PKWeaver743 ай бұрын
I went with the O2 bolt on, it may have been €48,980 more expensive but it's a small price to pay for peace of mind of using a well known brand like O2.
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
I understand. Risk to reward calculations make sense 📱
@surfingsteven16243 ай бұрын
Great channel, I’ve subbed. I have a YT channel too but love this idea. Recently gave my notice at work. 10 weeks left until I’m a free bird too. I can’t wait. Can I ask, why did you choose a Luton van? Did you need the tail lift for any reason? With all of the vans out there most use, sprinters, transits etc.
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
Enjoy the freedom in 10 weeks 🕊️ Chose a Luton because of the space, and height. It’s also nice working with straight walls. The tail life is a bonus patio at festivals ☀️🫶
@usersomasutrin4 ай бұрын
Interesting. Happy Trails. I hope you make it to Australia. And if you do . Daintree Rainforest is the most beautiful place in Oz . Far North Queensland in general is the Bomb. Hello from Cairns Queensland
@maheshrai-n3m3 ай бұрын
I like dog saying subscribe the life of si
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
First time I’ve heard a dog speak
@kevinlorryman7814 ай бұрын
Fuel is massive but youve not put anything at all . Travel insurance is a must have. Van repairs servicing mots. Local insurance in lots of countries. socialising . Excursions .I live this life and theres a lot more costs than you are stating.. easily double
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
Everything you mentioned are costs for travelling in Europe, not living, like I did in London in my van when I was stationary for 18 months. Travel insurance is the only one I would add even to the ‘live’ cost and that’s £19 for me. I’m going to do another video on travel costs.
@simonamos94683 ай бұрын
Great Vid mate
@paulmulks3 ай бұрын
I'm a new subscriber. How do you afford to pay all these costs if you are not working? Or do you work from home/van? The YT channel is still growing so the income from it can't be that good (yet)? Cheers
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
Watch my video on ‘Getting out of debt’ this explains. However as regards to future money, I’ve just got monetised on KZbin and have faith that my efforts will pay off before my money runs out 🙏
@itrstt669 күн бұрын
what to do for a living on the move?
@lesliecloughley70584 ай бұрын
Petrol breakdowns tyres, oil top up etc etc ????
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
Will do another video with average costs for breakdowns and tyres, servicing etc as it’s dependent on the distance you travel and how quickly you’re moving through Europe if you’re travelling.
@Taylors-OnTour4 ай бұрын
What about the biggest cost? Fuel Can you tell i posted just before the end
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
It depends on your own journey and how quickly you move. I will do another video with a full breakdown for wear and tear, fuel and servicing etc. I would say we use about €100 p/m now we’re out here and slowly going around countries. Depends where you will fill up also, surprisingly Albania is 40p per litre more expensive that Montenegro for fuel so fill up in Montenegro before you cross to Albania it will save you 20-25%. We are doing around 500 miles p/m on that €100 I would say. Hopefully the above helps 👆🙏
@calumvaughan86903 ай бұрын
hey dude, loving the channel, keep it up! quick question: r.e. your insurance, how does that work - is it fully comprehensive, UK-based insurance, or just third party? how does that work with the address it's linked to, do you just have it connected to a UK address, or do you have specific "van life" insurance? I'm soon planning to be driving around Europe and camping/renting properties (i drive a regular Corsa) and have similar age/no claims to you. Currently pay £500 a year, reckon I'm looking at a significant increase for comp europe cover? obviously not considering inflation, just generally (like how much different was your European insurance compared to having it just in the UK? thanks!
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
🙏 fully comprehensive. You can get specialist insurance if it’s self converted, if it’s made ‘professionally’ by a company then it’s easier to get insurance. You’ll get it in the uk linked to an address, I use my parents. Ring and get quotes as prices vary ✌️
@calumvaughan86903 ай бұрын
@@LIFEOFSIofficial nice dude, thanks. Does it not matter that you aren't leaving the car at the UK address? like is that something you had to be honest about or did you tell them some little white lies ? :p
@tarantourАй бұрын
I just insured my van, home conversion, fully comp with EU breakdown cover and it cost just under £600. Leaving in October.
@b4tm4nrubin33Ай бұрын
Have you budgeted for diesel, van servicing costs etc?
@khanara63 ай бұрын
Hi Si, great videos. Insightful for cost of living in a van, but may i ask What do you do for income generation?
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
Have savings for now that will last another year or so and then hopefully can transition to KZbin 🙏
@khanara63 ай бұрын
@@LIFEOFSIofficial good luck mate! Im sure you will be successful as you have great content
@roberts87833 ай бұрын
Could you make a list or video summarising which countries in Europe are easiest/cheapest to stay in the van? Many countries are expensive so I assume you do it informally. I heard it is allowed in Spain. I rode my bicycle from Italy to Bulgaria camping wild. it was great. How do you stay in Europe post brexit?
@blueskyalldayeveryday3 ай бұрын
You covered heating, how about A/C? P.S. the insurance doesn’t sound realistic at all even for 10 years no claims 😮
@MrPlasma014 ай бұрын
Top Geezer Top video keep it up Thank you ,as i learnt all this valuable info for Fuc-k all.
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
Someone who appreciates the free things in life like me 😉🙏
@stokecarpanglers3 ай бұрын
Thanks for the video, you mentioned your girlfriend also does youtube, what is her channel called and whats it about?
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
sariekitransmissions (reiki and healing energy work)
@firmbutton64854 ай бұрын
Do you plan a video on solar electricity installation too mate?
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
@@firmbutton6485 yes I will do that 👍, have a request for water too so will create one for water and waste to show what I have in van and how I’ve done it. To help, I have 650w of solar panels, 3 panels, Victron electrical system with Renogy 3000w inverter.
@firmbutton64854 ай бұрын
@@LIFEOFSIofficial what size battery? Lithium or LA? I am on a tour of Italy for six weeks soon, I have not yet modified anything but will go the A2B route with a massive alternator and lithium battery I think. A short run of the engine will boost the battery quickly if necessary. And I can move it from the vehicle when I sell it.
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
@@firmbutton6485280AH battery, Lithium. Have the video done now with everything I use. Should be out in the next week for you 👍
@firmbutton64853 ай бұрын
@@LIFEOFSIofficial thanks si will have a nose :-)
@tavishurn2585Ай бұрын
Hint - it's not road tax.
@truth33583 ай бұрын
We use butane gas which cost us €38 per year per bottle and lasts into the 2nd year and gets used every day So what happens when you don’t get any sunlight that = no electricity ?
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
Even on cloudy days you still get solar. You just need the right amount of solar panels for usage. I’ve got 3, 650w, that was enough even in the uk
@Rose-wh6md4 ай бұрын
Good vid but you are forgetting that buying and building a van costs money. Some people can afford monthly rent payments but can't afford to purchase a van up front
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
I was £24,000 in debt and paying rent in London. My previous videos ‘Get out of debt’ and ‘I lived in a van in London’ shares what I did. It wasn’t easy and required 2-3 years of sacrifice, but now I can live free from the system.
@Dublin104 ай бұрын
Feck me,talk about living life.fair play pal.you and your girlfriend have an amazing adventure.🇮🇪
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
Thanks for the support 🙏🙏🙏
@lodersracing3 ай бұрын
How does it work with Visa's or is that not something you need to do. Thanks.
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
Visa needed in longer than (usually) 3 months in one country. 90 days in every 180 in the eu, hence Balkans being the break.
@The_K_Man4 ай бұрын
How do you travel the EU when it comes to Visa's and the like? Do you only stay for 90 days?
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
90 days in the EU and then chill in the Balkans for a while 👍
@saltaireorangebicyclechopp85553 ай бұрын
@@LIFEOFSIofficiall feel for kids with this 90 day hassle, l've an Irish passport so my kids are lucky, but they are the last of the line....l wonder how efficiently it's policed with open borders?
@sharonsiddall50944 ай бұрын
Do you work along the way
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
I’m starting KZbin. The goal is to be authentic and have fun and hopefully it can sustain this new journey in life. My previous video ‘Get out of debt’ explains what I did to be here.
@Simon-wi3dk3 ай бұрын
Can you please give advice on how you deal with insurance,tax,mot etc when you have no fixed address and constantly moving from country to country ??
@LIFEOFSIofficial3 ай бұрын
I used my parents address in the UK 👍
@jodagold54813 ай бұрын
❤❤❤
@xperyskop24752 ай бұрын
There is no MOT test on the Island Of Man
@JonathanCampDesigner4 ай бұрын
Fuel…?
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
Travel costs, not stationary. Will make another video on travel costs 👍
@chrisfisher28394 ай бұрын
Are you insured as a van or a camper conversion???
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
Insured as a van.
@chrisfisher28394 ай бұрын
@@LIFEOFSIofficial ahh that is why your insurance is so cheap. Heaven forbid your van isn’t written off as all the insurance company would pay out is market value of the van & all that time effort & more importantly your investment on all the equipment would be lost. I think you need to reassess your insurance. Howdens ( formerly A-Plan) do insurance for vans that are converted to campers, even whilst the conversion is in progress. Good luck on your travels
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
@@chrisfisher2839 appreciate you sharing the info. I will check it out, and I agree, in time when money starts flowing again I’ll get it changed on v5 to camper and get insurance as a camper with equipment. Also wish you the best in life ☝️🙏
@ketugrahagraha36733 ай бұрын
Insurance without permanent address even more expensive. I heard some insurance companies do offer insurance w/out address, but you have to ring them to get a quote. I don't think it's cheap. Some people, I guess, who have a family in the UK give the insurance company that address, but this is not ideal either for obviouse reasons.
@MulletAndMuscle2 ай бұрын
Man forgot his diesel bill
@LIFEOFSIofficialАй бұрын
I Fred Flinstone my van
@CarlJones144 ай бұрын
You're young, maybe take a chance, but you're going to need medical cover.
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
Yes I have travel insurance, £19p/m with my bank. Going to do another video on costs for travelling Europe
@Bevthewanderer21 күн бұрын
I can't drive boo hoo...
@Rem_NL4 ай бұрын
Why did you disable the dislikes?
@LIFEOFSIofficial4 ай бұрын
I didn’t. You can’t dislike something twice. For anyone interested this has 93 likes and 3 dislikes… probably 4 when Rem finds the dislike button again 👍
@Rem_NL4 ай бұрын
@@LIFEOFSIofficial im not a hater, i liked the vid, i just wondered why it wasn't available
@silasboyden12683 ай бұрын
KZbin disabled dislikes a while ago
@Rem_NL3 ай бұрын
@@silasboyden1268 you can bring them back with bringbackyoutubedislike, but the whole thing wasn't available regardless, only the thumbs up
@BaronFlyingClub3 ай бұрын
Your MOT will expire, and your girlfriend may get pregnant.
@BaronFlyingClub3 ай бұрын
Your MOT will expire, and your girlfriend may get pregnant.