I remember researching this lifestyle years ago, wondering how much it'd cost and how to plan a budget (and job) that would support my dream chasing. So here I am, openly sharing how much living in a van costs me.
FYI: I have chosen to keep a traditional '9-5', 40-hour-a-week job which is on the rare side in the vanlife community. But keeping a normal salary (and benefits) while my expenses have drastically decreased has enabled me to meet some major investment goals. 🙌🏾
I break my finances down into:
N E E D S
I only have two bills nowadays – car insurance and cell phone – easy!
Progressive auto insurance | $95/mo
Paid upfront in six-month, $571 chunks
Disclaimer: I need to adjust this to insure the build as well; currently it's just covering the vehicle 😬 (on my January to-do list)
Verizon cell + hotspot | $140/mo
Admittedly, this is a big expense!
I chose Verizon because I know them to have the most reliable remote service 📶
It includes paying off my new iPhone 11 Pro, which I use for all the photos/videos to document these beautiful experiences
And it's how I work – an extra $15/month for 15GB more hotspot capabilities (totalling 30GB/mo)
Gas | $350/mo
Costs $50-75 per tank, depending if I'm in California or Arizona 😒
This differs heaps month-to-month – some months it's been closer to $500, this past month was only ~$100
Groceries | $300/mo
This is not being stingy at all! Could easily reel it in, but (a) it's difficult to buy bulk in such a tiny space and (b) food . . . not an area to compromise, imo! 😉
W A N T S
Optional expenses that can come or go, depending on the status of other expenses for the month/year.
Eating + drinking out | $100/mo
For when those cravings hit 🍔
This amount is more pre/post-Covid based (remember those days we had social lives??)
Fun + shopping | $50/mo
This covers State Park passes and other paid adventures
I'm also still tweaking some decor stuff in the van 🙈
Sorting out how to live very minimally means trying to find a few staple, quality pieces I truly love
Planet Fitness membership | $20/mo
Unlimited showers on the go! 🚿
I actually haven't started this membership yet because so far I've been near family enough to rinse off at their houses
Might not even need it?? We'll see!
S A V I N G S (sunk funds)
This money just stacks up until it's needed, or is enough to invest instead.
Emergency | $200/mo
For if/when Ranger or I have medical needs
For when things break in Copper (no 'if' about it!) 🚐
P.S. I always have 6 months of living expenses saved up, just in case
Vacation | $300/mo
For when we can fly again, my passport is achin' for a stretch! ✈️
I N V E S T M E N T S
This is a passion I picked up in 2020, thanks to one of my best friends who's a total inspiration and wealth (🥁) of knowledge. Highly recommend following @fireroundtheworld for some brilliant finance and travel hacking.
It's also a massive benefit of vanlife!!! Heaps of extra money to save for future-Brenda. 😃 I've set the following investments to auto-deduct and auto-transfer so the money never even hits my sticky fingers. My living budget is based off the amount after these investments are made, so it's basically like this $2,725 doesn't even exist. 💨 It's so hard to not spend money when it's sitting in your easy-access checking account; when it's never there, no problem!
401K | $1,625/mo
I've finally maxed out this benefit ($19,500/yr pre-tax) - HUGE tax break!
P.S. This is almost exactly how much I was wasting on rent+utilities each month in Portland – thank you vanlife! 🏆
Roth IRA | $500/mo
Maxed out this benefit as well ($6,000/yr post-tax)
Vanguard brokerage account (VTSAX) | $600/mo
This is a super simple, super safe, super diversified investment option – just my style ✨
"Designed to provide investors with exposure to the entire U.S. equity market, including small-, mid-, and large-cap growth and value stocks. The fund’s key attributes are its low costs, broad diversification, and the potential for tax efficiency." – Vanguard Mutual Fund
E X T R A G O O D I E S
These are the annual subscriptions I've chosen for life on the road.
AAA | $95/yr
Honestly, it is such a relief to have this back-up assurance
Run out of gas, no worries. Need a tire changed, no problem. Get stuck, pull me out, baby!
National Parks Pass | $80/yr
No need for comment! ⛰
Tone It Up app | $118/yr
This is my mobile gym and gritty girl gang! Absolutely love working out with the Tone It Up team
There are heaps of free workouts on their Insta account as well
Harvest Host membership | $65/yr
This was an impulse buy which I slightly regret because there are so many free apps and options for overnight parking. But I'm sure the first time I park at a stunning winery, that regret will be gone!
Well there you have it, that's what life is costing me on the road. Mostly: I am thrilled by the effect it's had on my investments (in case you couldn't tell)!
Holler out if you have any curious questions or brilliant ideas to share.
Where can I buy that hammock?
Quick Question: How many miles do you get from the 350$ spent on gas?