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I'm going to do van life to save money

Zod

Zod

New member
Joined
Jan 27, 2025
Messages
9
Sup Cleburne people

I am in the market for a conversion van or RV. Instead of saying "oh crap I'm gonna live in a friggin parking lot for a few months" I'm saying "Sweet! I'm gonna travel the world & live life like an adventure!... in a parking lot!

I've decided to scrap the idea of getting a cheap car for now and focus on a mobile home. I plan on saving thousands of $$ from not paying rent, cable and other fees. I sleep at work more than 3 times a week, and I will request more hours at work. Many times I go to work at 11am and leave at 10am next day.

With 2 jobs I can sleep less at "home" and more at work, I can shower at work or at the gym which opens 24 hours as well as gas stations, friends/ family etc...

I'm looking for something that is maneuverable and decent mileage since I will be using this vehicle to commute to work as well so a van would be best however an RV would provide more comfort...

I'm planning on doing this for 6 months. But realistically I want to do this for at least a year so I can save as much money as possible and also develop stronger discipline as a result.

Why would I want to live on the road? Well I blew almost $30 grand living in a nice condo for over 2 years in Arizona. I blew almost $14 grand in rent in Texas and blew $8 grand last year living in the worst apt I've ever lived in...ever...

I rather live in a huge bucket with holes for windows then where I live in now (long story). Renting is weak, I rather save up for a house... even if I have to do it in a van...


I've compiled a list of items I will need for my new journey, feel free to add any items I missed.

-Needed Items
* Power generator
* Mobile potty
* P.O. Box / Mailbox address
* Blinds / Drapes
* Sheets / Comforters
* 110v adapter to cig lighter
* Ear plugs (just in case 20 bikers speed by or whatever...)


-Entertainment / Killing Time
* Magazines / Books
* Satellite Radio
* Mobile Internet
* Laptop / Possibly Desktop
* Music


-Eating Plan
* Propane Heater (If necessary)
* Cook at work
* Friends/ Family
* Eat out

-Parking Locations
* Drive around and scout ideal locations
* Walmart (or equivalent)
* Cul de sac roads ( dead ends)
* Park & Ride locations

- Benefits
* Saving a crap load of $$$
* Learning to survive on only needed items
* Discipline
* I can go on vacation more often
* Tell women I'm living an adventurous life... (without going into too much detail of course...)
* No credit check
 
Bro, I don't know about your friends, but I'm pretty sure that the first few times you stay over for food/shower, you'll wear out your welcome.

Plus.....why live like that? In some ways living in an RV costs just as much as living in an actual apartment with none of the benefits. Also, forget about women (unless you get a sketchy trashy girl -- then she won't care and but you'll get STD's). Plus get used to having land owners kick you off their property at all sorts of ungodly hours...perhaps even tow your car with you in it.

There's a reason why the hippie lifestyle went out of style years ago.
 
I don't expect a lot of positive reviews from this and it's not gonna be easy or fun however I estimate that I will save at least $15 to $25 grand.

I'm not the type of guy who abuses privileges, I only go where I'm invited. When it comes to women if your game is good enough then you can still winl. I knew a guy who could get dates with pretty women and he's dirt broke. My cousin in FL is the same way.

I don't see how I can get kicked off someone's land when I'm parked on a public road but that's a good reminder to be extra careful.

When I was paying $1,200 for rent I was rarely home, I paid $90 for cable and never watched it. Also many other fees.

No one would even know about my lifestyle unless I told them, it's funny but I'm actually looking forward to it. I've been thinking about this for weeks and I'll probably make my purchase within the next 3 weeks. I like to get opinions before I make a big decision like this... errr I'm guessing there aren't too many people here who took this path.

I can easily move in with mom in Denton and live rent free... but I'll pass. I could do that but I'd have to start all over, new job and everything. To be able to save money and live the way you want in this world is insanely difficult. I could work 50 years and still not be able to afford a house in this county. However if I live on a shoestring budget voluntarily and ditch the luxuries of life (like a roof) then I can live successfully in no time.

My mom also suggested she wants to buy a house in Denton for me but I'm telling her to put her money in a high yield CD account for a while so she can have more. And I want to make it on my own without having parents pay my way.


Oh yeah, I already have a storage unit that I use so I'm going to put the rest of my stuff in storage. I pay $74 a month for it so it's a good value. Honestly the only thing I'm gonna miss is my sweet 5.1 system and 51 inch plasma... gotta break some eggs to make that omlett man...
 
I'm sure you'll be a pillar of the community😅
 

Attachments

  • Eddies RV.jpg
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Even public lands have laws about how long a can car sit there. Plus, if the police receive enough complaints about your vehicle, they can have your RV towed. I can't tell you how many times I've seen motor homes and RVs towed -- and they were legally parked on public land.

Granted, the area where I work is a bit sketchy -- go down one street, and you'll see nothing but bums and motor homes. But the principle still stands. Even if you go out in the middle of nowhere and park, I'll bet someone will find a new reason to complain.

Do some research on this before you buy a van... getting your stuff out of the impound lot isn't cheap. There is a reason why tow truck drivers just loiter around near motor homes or RVs -- they consider it easy money. One of them told me that he was the one to call to complain about the RV, then an hour later, he got an order from the dispatcher to tow it. Kind of a scumbag thing to do but that's what you can expect sometimes.
 
Meh! OK plan B... no CD account or RV for me. As much as I was looking forward to a sweet RV like the one @ post #4 and growing a mullet I'm gonna scrap this idea.

Instead I will move in with mom and go to school. I did my research and spoke to a bunch of people and decided that school would be the best move for me.

Thanks for the advice dudes.
 
While it would have been fun for a while, you made the most logical and responsible decision. You can always get an RV and go on a road trip, but living in one as your main home is probably not the best idea.

Back to that pic, wasn't that on National Lampoon? I have seen some that looked like this. Usually Joe Dirt types hop out. But none quite that bad.
 
Agree I don't think you would have liked van life much. I did it for 6 months back in the 1980s before it was cool. There wasn't much cool about it.
 
Why wouldn't you just get a cheaper apartment and live on rice/beans and save as much cash as you can? To me it doesn't make sense to go with an RV when you could get a fairly inexpensive apartment and have your own bathroom.
 
Gremlin255 said:
Why wouldn't you just get a cheaper apartment and live on rice/beans and save as much cash as you can? To me it doesn't make sense to go with an RV when you could get a fairly inexpensive apartment and have your own bathroom.
Click to expand...


I've been living with a roommate for over a year now paying $350 rent, I need to move out in two weeks and there's no way that I'll find another room for $350 in Johnson County.

My past spending habits and budget cuts have put me in a predicament. An apartment is out of the question, the best thing for me to do is live rent free so that's why I considered living in a van for while. (as sad...and funny as it sounds)

I've been living on a rice & beans type diet for over 3 years now... same stuff every month with the occasional treat of eating out.

However I can live in my mom's house rent free for a while so that makes better sense, when I start working and pay her rent then the money will go into her finances and help her which in turn helps me, also the home is in my name.

I've calculated the info up and down, school is the best move for me... there's nothing for me but living in a van and working a job that provides me no opportunities for growth.

I plan on moving next week and I've already started looking for work, a car and possible schools. Getting work before I even move back in would be fantastic however not too likely...
 
Van living can be quite liberating, and the savings from not having to pay rent and utilities will definitely add up. Just be sure to do plenty of research and planning regarding insurance, maintenance, parking, etc.
 
Van life has been what I’m into for some months now, and the experience has been rollercoaster. I get to wake up every morning in different places and it's pretty cool!
 
That's adventurous. Living in a van is a great way to save money and feel free. Just be sure to do the research, plan properly, and take everything from parking to showers and laundry into consideration.
 
That does sound like quite a solid plan. Van living can save a penny here and there and provide a certain degree of freedom. Just make sure you find safe spots to camp in.
 
Loving your enthusiasm on that. It's a way to get rid of those traditional rent and utility bills and watch out for the savings. I’ll advise you to ontact area with safe parking for vehicle parking and check out the best solution for solar panels and a portable shower.
 
kyran said:
Loving your enthusiasm on that. It's a way to get rid of those traditional rent and utility bills and watch out for the savings. I’ll advise you to ontact area with safe parking for vehicle parking and check out the best solution for solar panels and a portable shower.
Click to expand...

Uh, he said no guys. Yall didn't read his last post did you :ROFLMAO:
 
Yeah I squashed that idea

I think I made the better choice. I've since watched a ton of van life videos. Basically don't do it unless you have a lot of money. Otherwise there will be suffering
 
Zod said:
Yeah I squashed that idea

I think I made the better choice. I've since watched a ton of van life videos. Basically don't do it unless you have a lot of money. Otherwise there will be suffering
Click to expand...

Wise decision friend. You can still do it someday and your post sounds like you want to. I think youre right it would be an adventure! But if it were me I'd wait until I could do it the right way. Not barely surviving!
 
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