Budgeting is one of the most important parts when you are living a free-spirited and nomadic life on the road. Your budget will determine how far your money can take you. When it comes to making that first big decision about van life, many people are eager to rush out and start exploring. While it may seem like you’re getting away from it all, there are a lot of things that need to be done in order to start driving with confidence.
Related Link: Kev’s Vanlife and Travel Essentials
Here are some of the best budgeting tips while doing van life:
1. Find free campsites
One way to keep your costs down is by finding free camp sites.
There are a few ways to find free camp sites. One is by using websites like Freecampsites.net and Campendium. These websites have lists of free campgrounds all over the United States.
If you’re looking for an app specifically designed for finding free campgrounds, check out iOverlander. This app includes a worldwide database of camping spots, as well as user-generated reviews, photos, and GPS coordinates. iOverlander is available for both iOS and Android devices.
Another way to find free campgrounds is by talking to other van lifers. Many people who live in vans know of good spots where you can park for free.
If you’re lucky, you may even stumble upon a hidden gem while out exploring. I’ve found some of my favorite places just by driving around and looking for signs that say “no overnight camping.” Sometimes these places are off the beaten path and offer amazing views or access to hiking trails.
Of course, always remember to practice Leave No Trace principles when camping for free (or anywhere else). This means packing out all of your trash, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors.
2. Cook more and cut back on dining out
Van life can be an expensive lifestyle if you’re not careful. One way to save money while living on the road is to cook more meals at home and dine out less. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to get into the habit of eating out all the time when you don’t have a kitchen of your own.
While cooking in your van, you can control how much you spend on ingredients, and you don’t have to worry about tipping or additional fees that come with dining out. Plus, self-cooked meals are usually healthier than restaurant foods, so you’ll be doing your body a favor as well!
If cooking every meal from scratch sounds like too much work, there are plenty of simple recipes that can be made in a matter of minutes using just a few ingredients. You can also ask other van lifers on social media about some of the easy-to-cook recipes that they follow. Trust me you will get some amazing responses.
3. Shop smart
Van life can be expensive, but there are ways to save money while you’re on the road. Shopping smart is one of the best ways to save money while you’re living in a van.
Here are some tips for shopping smart and saving money while you’re living in a van:
- Plan your meals ahead of time and make a grocery list. This will help you avoid buying unnecessary items and sticking to your budget.
- Shop at discount grocers or online retailers for groceries. This can help you save money on food costs.
- Take advantage of sales and coupons when possible. This will help you stretch your budget further and get more for your money.
- Compare prices before making a purchase. This will help ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible on items that you need.
- Make sure to factor in all costs when budgeting for van life expenses. This includes things like fuel, maintenance, and repairs which can add up quickly if not accounted for
4. Cut back on the booze
If you’re trying to save money while living in a van, one of the easiest ways to do so is to cut back on your alcohol consumption. Not only will this help you save money on drinks, but it will also help you stay healthy and fit while living on the road.
There are a number of ways to cut back on your drinking without giving up alcohol completely. One way is to drink only during social occasions or when you are out with friends. This way, you can limit your intake and still enjoy yourself without spending too much money.
Another way to cut down on your drinking is to focus on quality over quantity. rather than buying cheap beer or wine, invest in a few good bottles that you can savor. This not only helps you drink less overall, but it also saves you money in the long run.
Finally, if you find yourself drinking more than usual when van life gets stressful, try taking a break from van life as there is nothing more important than your mental and physical health. Always remember that van life is not for everyone and if you are like most people, you would be better off living in the comfort of your home.
Related Link: Kev’s Vanlife and Travel Essentials
5. Maximize fuel efficiency
Maximizing fuel efficiency is one of the best ways to save money while you are doing van life. There are a few simple things that you can do to make sure that your van is running as efficiently as possible.
First, make sure that your tires are properly inflated. This will help to reduce rolling resistance and improve gas mileage.
Second, avoid excessive idling. Idling reduces fuel economy by up to 30%. If you are going to be stopped for more than a minute or two, shut off the engine.
Finally, use cruise control when appropriate. Cruise control helps maintain a constant speed and can improve gas mileage by 5% or more on the highway. By following these simple tips, you can maximize your fuel efficiency and save money while you are living the van life!
6. Spend less time in expensive locations
Living life on the road in a van can be immensely rewarding and freeing, but it can also get pretty pricey if you’re constantly running around to different, expensive locations. One great way to save money while still enjoying all that van life has to offer is by spending less time in expensive places and more time in budget-friendly spots.
For example, rather than spending a week in popular (and often expensive) tourist destinations like San Francisco or New York City, try staying in smaller towns or even rural areas for a fraction of the cost. You’ll still be able to experience all the best that van life has to offer – beautiful scenery, new adventures, and quality bonding time with your fellow travelers – without breaking the bank.
Of course, this isn’t to say that you should never visit expensive cities or take advantage of what they have to offer; just be mindful of how much time (and money) you’re spending there so that you can budget accordingly and keep your overall costs down. By following this advice, you’ll be able to enjoy an amazing van life experience without blowing through all your savings!
7. DIY Maintenance
One of the great things about van life is that it can be very affordable. One way to keep your costs down is by doing your own DIY maintenance on your van. This can help you save money in a number of ways.
First, if you are able to do your own maintenance, you will not have to pay someone else to do it for you. This can save you a significant amount of money over time.
Second, if you are able to do your own maintenance, you will likely be able to do it more often than if you had to rely on someone else. This means that you can catch small problems before they become big ones, which can save you even more money.
Third, doing your own maintenance can help you better understand your van and how it works. This knowledge can be invaluable if something does go wrong, and you need to fix it yourself.
Overall, doing your own DIY maintenance on your van can save you a lot of money over time. It is also a great way to get to know your van better and build a stronger relationship with it.
8. Enjoy free activities
One of the great things about van life is that it can be very affordable. One way to keep your costs down is to enjoy free activities like hiking, paddling, biking, and reading.
Hiking is a great way to see amazing scenery and get some exercise. And, best of all, it’s free! Paddling is another great way to explore your surroundings and get some exercise. Canoeing or kayaking can be a great way to relax and see the world from a different perspective.
Biking is another excellent free activity. It’s great for getting around town or exploring new areas. And it’s a great workout! Reading is also a wonderful free activity. It’s a great way to relax and escape into another world. Plus, it’s portable so you can take it with you wherever you go!
9. Track your expenses
When you live in a van, it is important to track your expenses so that you can save money. There are many ways to do this, but one of the most effective is to use a budgeting app or spreadsheet. This will help you see where your money is going and where you can cut back.
Tracking your expenses is also important because it can help you find areas where you are wasting money. For example, if you find that you are spending a lot of money on food, you may want to consider cooking more meals at home instead of eating out. By tracking your expenses, you can make changes to save money and live a more efficient van life.
10. Leave room for accidents, mishaps, and maintenance
Leaving room in your budget for accidents, mishaps, and maintenance while van life can save you money in the long run.
Here are a few tips on how to do this:
- Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for your vehicle. This will help protect you financially if something happens to your vehicle while on the road
- Create a separate savings account that you only use for emergencies. This will help you cover unexpected expenses if they come up.
- Set aside money each month to cover routine maintenance and repairs for your vehicle. This will help keep your vehicle in good condition and avoid costly repairs down the road.
- Be prepared for the worst by having a plan B in place in case something happens to your van, or you have to stop van life altogether. This could include things like renting an apartment or staying with friends and family until you get back on your feet again.
The bottom line
By using our tips for budgeting the van life, you can be sure to make the most of your travels. You may save lots of money and take longer trips than you ever thought possible. You will have a new appreciation for your home and partner, as well as a new understanding of what “home” really means. In fact, you may like it so much that you decide to call it home forever!
Related Link: Kev’s Vanlife and Travel Essentials
