Van life is another strategy for simple living (or simply living) and seeing Nature's wonders.
Another Elective Frugality strategy for living rent and mortgage free is the "van life" movement. Van life is particularly popular with singles, couples, and seniors who want to travel and experience more while spending less.
Nor does one have to be spry to opt into van life. People with age-related or other mobility issues simply elect van conversions that enable them to travel. They or a partner needs to be able to drive the vehicle. Lifts and other apparatus aid with mobility issues.
A bed/lounging area, a place to prep food, and storage for essentials makes for a minimalist, but comfy lifestyle - and there are many chic and cozy ways to personalize your home on wheels.
Many van lifers camp free (usually a 14-day limit in any one campsite on BLM land), purchase inexpensive park access passes, or find spots to boondock (another free camping strategy).
There is a van style to fit every taste and need, both yours and your fur buddy's!
You needn't leave your pet behind, either. Both cats and dogs can be acclimated to living in an RV, be it a schoolie, a van, a trailer, or Class A, B, or C. When I was in my 30's and spent my vacations gold prospecting and rockhounding, I owned a Class C RV and my cat, Sparkle, traveled with me.
Sparkle examines the pumpkins I set out at a campground where we spent the Halloween weekend many years ago. Pumpkins and a black cat was all the decor my campsite needed!
On the subject of traveling with pets, dogs more easily make the adaption because dogs are all about the pack, rather than the place. Most will follow their owners/pack wherever that "place" happens to be on any given day.
Cats on the other hand, are both person- and place-oriented. They love their human/s, but need the security of "place", as well. However, that place can be a mobile one! A kitten, such as Sparkle, adapts quickly to the RV. An older cat needs more acclimatization to the nomadic lifestyle of her human.
Presently, I'm adapting my older cat, Junie, to car camping showing him that the car isn't just a mobile device for getting him to the vet, but a safe, comfy space for both of us.
Cats are adaptable regardless of age as long as they feel secure in their environment. For extra security teach your feline friend to wear a harness and be on a leash at all times when outside the vehicle. I didn't do this with Sparkle and all went well, but I am doing so with Junie for the good of us both.
A million dollar view for the price of a tank of gasoline.
Many van lifers work on the road using an area in the van, or a table outdoors, to do on-line consulting or marketing work. In addition to working out of a van using the Internet, others take part-time work encountered on their travels. They may work seasonal jobs such as campground host/ess, act as summer guides, wait tables or short order cooking. Some work on farms at harvest time...basically working whatever comes their way, as need dictates.
Others may opt to parlay a skill or craft into on-the-road income. Very popular with many are making YouTube videos showcasing their lives on the road AND earning some extra spending money from advertising or being product/company affiliates. There are writers and artists that ply their talent while being nomads.
For retirees working may be an elective if they have a pension. Certainly their expenses will be greatly reduced without house payments, taxes, or rent, freeing up more money to save and have fun with.
Van life fits the nomadic minimalist perfectly.
Many van life enthusiasts have discovered that they love the minimalist lifestyle. They embrace having less stuff to care for, clean, and arrange. Having just what they need and use simplifies life in a clear, manageable manner. Yet, there's always room for hiking and backpacking equipment, gold prospecting implements, and crafting supplies. Life and enjoyment aren't lacking because there's room to be had for what's truly important.
The key to happy van life is to distill out what's truly important and focus on allotting space to make it happen. My take on this van setup is that gourmet cooking and eating are important to the owner, as is backpacking or hiking, and he or she has created a home on wheels that fulfills that need amply.
There are students, who, rather than staying in hostels while visiting Europe, instead rent a van and travel the countryside seeing and absorbing a palate of cultures and experiences. Then, upon returning, miss their van life to the extent that they recreate the van life experience here in the U.S. also visiting Mexico and Canada.
Ahhh...the places you'll go!
One of the mentions made by van lifers, particularly the young adult crowd is that not only does van life distill life to its essence by eliminating excess stuff and expense, it also allows them to reduce their carbon footprint. What!?
What about all that gasoline used to go hither and yon?
Well, there's an answer to that. Gasoline is used to travel from one spot to another, but then the engine is turned off in order to stay and enjoy to the fullest the beauty, history, vistas, hiking, fishing, hot springs, etc. that an area has to offer. Unlike the commuter who drives miles to work and back each day of the week, less gas may be expended by the travel/camping modality.
Furthermore, most van dwellers opt for the solar option to power up cabin lights and charge devices, even running A/C units and fridges/freezers.
Some opt to carry water, while others carry filters to sanitize water along the way for their bathing, drinking, and cooking needs. A landscape atlas shows locations of streams, springs, creeks, rivers, etc. Your phone can show you where to fill up on water, dump waste water tanks (if you have any), and take a shower...yes, there's an app for that!
Van life is another lifestyle choice being made by many. There are entire communities of van lifers, so there's no lack of social opportunities. And, surprisingly women are taking to it in greater numbers than men!
Van life is simply one of many options available to consider when choosing to live outside the "norm" that constitutes the American Dream, which for many has become something of a debt-ridden nightmare.
To be a nomad isn't a skill set from the past or only to be indulged in by those in traditional nomadic cultures. Being a mobile nomad is an option allowing one to build their version of the American Dream on their own terms and on their own income.
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There's a van conversion to suit every taste, ability, and sensibility!
Happy Trails!
Check out Cheap RVing on YouTube. Bob Wells lives, travels, and promotes the van lifestyle...from his van! He introduces his viewers to others living and thriving on the road and hosts the annual Rubber Tramp Rendezvous attended by thousands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-_Bw83SvYI&t=16s
Also checkout another van dweller on YouTube. Not only does this fellow live in his van, but he travels with his cat, Odin his channel called, Hobotech. Odin's human raised him in a "stick and brick" home. At some point during Odin's adult life, they moved into a van where together they feature and adapt all types of equipment and electronics of interest to modern day nomads on their popular channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UH4qpRfZcY
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