One of the reasons we are so passionate about making van life accessible to all is our belief that anyone should be able to experience the financial freedom it offers.
This core value drives us to keep our vans affordable and offer financing in an effort to reduce barriers of entry to the lifestyle. Living the van life means no more paying rent or hotel costs, no more electric bills or cleaning fees, and far less space to enable unnecessary impulse purchases for life or for leisure.
Though these large expenses may be a thing of the past, sticking to a budget can help you maximize the financial benefits of van life. For new van owners there is often an adjustment period when making the transition to van life and budgeting tends to be one of the first things to fall by the wayside. Most budgeting apps and articles are geared towards people living in traditional homes or apartments (or vacations that involve flights, hotels, rental cars, and more!) making it difficult for even the most experienced van lifers to find useful advice geared towards the #vanlife community. We spoke to our team — a mix of full timers, part timers, and van enthusiasts — and gathered a list of our favorite money saving tips and tricks for life on the road.
1. Camp for free!
Finding out where and how to camp for free is a must when switching to van life. Paid campsites generally cost at least $20 per night, with some campgrounds charging upwards of $50 per night. Over the course of a month those fees can add up to more than your average cost of rent. We recommend FreeCampsites.net, iOverlander, and Sēkr (formerly The Van Life App) to find free camping wherever you go. These sites and apps can also help you find water fill ups, dump stations, showers, and more. Check out our van life travel guide series for regional suggestions.
2. Reduce Fuel Expenses
When you live on the road, gas is usually the biggest expense behind van insurance. Find the cheapest gas in your area with apps like Gas Buddy and sign up for rewards programs with the gas stations you visit most often. Maintaining proper tire pressure can increase your gas mileage by 3% and using cruise control will get you another 7-14%. Keep in mind, your van is most fuel efficient between 55 and 65 mph, any faster your gas consumption will increase exponentially. One of the best ways to reduce fuel consumption (and reduce carbon emissions) is to travel mindfully, drive less, and stay in one region for longer periods of time.
3. Pay Less for Personal Hygeniene
Learning how to take care of your ins and outs and stay fresh on the road are important parts of living van life successfully. All of our Lifestyle Vehicles come standard with a toilet option as well as an extendable faucet that can be used as both an indoor or outdoor shower. Having running water in the van is key for basic hygiene like brushing your teeth, washing your face, and taking care of your daily routine.
While out on the road, we also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the public restrooms, gyms, and rec centers in your area. Though private businesses may have restrooms available, we often feel obligated to purchase something even if the restrooms are not “customers only.” These small purchases can add up quick, so look for toilets at public parks, trailheads, dispersed camping areas to avoid feeling obligated to spend money when the “facilitrees” won’t cut it. Many community rec centers and gyms offer a “shower only” option so you don’t have to purchase a full drop in pass to use their locker rooms.
4. Cook more, spend less.
With limited space, cooking regularly can be daunting. Learn how to optimize your kitchen space so that you can avoid overspending on takeout and coffee. With the right system and tools in place, you can cook complete nutritious meals just as easily as you would in a traditional apartment. For special occasions, or those evenings when you are just too tired to cook, you can use Groupon to find deals on dine in and takeout in your area.
5. Take care of your van.
Keeping your van happy and healthy can help you avoid larger repair costs down the road. Worn out spark plugs, misaligned tires, using the wrong oil, and failing to keep proper fluid levels can cause long term damage to your van and increase your fuel consumption. Keep tabs on what maintenance needs to be done at what interval to ensure your van continues to run as smoothly as the day you drove off the lot. Maintaining proper tire pressure not only reduces gas consumption but also extends the life of your tires. Washing your van regularly reduces corrosion from salt and other road chemicals. You can save even more by learning how to do some basic maintenance such as changing your oil and other fluids.
6. Embrace minimalism.
For many, living minimally is one of the more appealing aspects of van life, but downsizing can be a challenge. Check out our guide to downsizing for van life and embrace the myriad benefits that come with having less stuff. There are fewer things to keep track of, clearing mental space to be filled with new experiences. There is less room for furniture, decor, and impulse purchases, saving you money and time. On the road, we maintain minimalism by following the “one in, one out” rule. Anytime we want to purchase something that isn’t an absolute necessity, we donate something we don’t use to give it a second life in a new home. This rule helps us decide whether we truly need the new thing and helps prevent overstuffing the van as items accumulate.
