VAN LIFE STORAGE and organization/ Simple ideas I've come up after living in a van
VAN LIFE STORAGE and organization/ Simple ideas I've come up after living in a van
Today, I go over my storage under my bed to organize and create more space sharing my ideas to create more space inside my van #vanlife
WEBSITE: www.thecatladyvan.com
Everything inside my van: http://thecatladyvan.com/van-gear/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecatladyvan
Paypal: paypal.me/thecatladyvan
Business inquires: emi@thecatladyvan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecatladyvan/
Music I use: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/u7l8m5/
Please note the above links are affiliate links so Kelly and I get a small commission at no cost to you when you shop through one of the links. I will never promote something that I don’t like or use in my daily life. Thank you so much for the support!!
Thank you for watching! Please like, subscribe and share!
Hi my name is Emi. My van life story starts in September 2018. After a long-term relationship that I was trying for more than a year to rebuild, I decided it was time to end this toxic relationship one for all. This is where I decided to move away from this man that I was still in love with. I put all my owning inside my SUV (GMC Jimmy) and moved six hours from where I was living. I didn’t know where I will sleep, didn’t know where I will work but I knew I needed to make a drastic move. At that time, I told myself I will only sleep in my car for a month while looking for a place to rent. What I didn’t know is that one month became another month and another month. In the end, I end up sleeping in my car for a full year. Even if people will consider this the lowers time of my life, this experience was the best thing I couldn’t have done with my life. I took that year to focus on myself, decide what I wanted, and most importantly what I didn’t want. That year made me also realize that for so long, I was chasing the wrong dreams. I was chasing what society wanted me to be: to have a big house, a steady job, kids, get married… None of those dreams was making me happy. In September 2019, while I was actively looking for a van, I received a phone call that someone had found my cat (Kelly). After, trying for hours with no success to communicate with my ex-boyfriend (who was taking care of her), I decided to drive the six hours to go pick her up. Without going into too much detail, it turns out he wasn’t able to take care of her anymore. So I brought her in a cat kennel for a couple of days until I found a van we both could live in. I put all the saving that I had accumulated while living in my car and bought my van (a 2011 Ford Econoline that I end up adding a hightop) In the beginning, It wasn’t so glamour. My cat and I were sleeping on a mattress on the floor of the van. We both had to adjust. Now, my cat loves this lifestyle as much as I do; she looks at the window while I’m driving and she loves exploring new places. Since then, my cat Kelly and I are living full-time in my self convert van.
You have some great woodworking skilks! You are a woman who just dreams it and goes for it. That’s terrific😁. I Love watching kitty relaxing while also keeping an eye on her mommy.💜
Cat lady and the cat got it going on. Howdy!!!!! from Texas North Texas.
Check for a used cargo box online. You can also use a hitch rack, but it doesn’t look like you have a hitch. You can get a roof rack, but make sure it doesn’t rust. I bought one from Napa Auto, but it leaks rusty water.
Good idea with the bin. I hate when stuff gets soggy.
It’s the cat lady
You and a few others have change our outlook! We’re going to sell EVERYTHING and remodel an ambulance/firetruck for next year! Adios mortgage and being landlocked! Thank you Sister! Love your videos! Thx for sharing! 💞💓🥰 We’ll save tens of thousands every year! Love your smart’s! I could give you many tips….one day we’ll meet…hopefully 👍🙏💜
Take pictures of all the paperwork or scan it … then get rid of the physical junk
Kelly walked right into your chair. Lol too funny 😁
Take pictures of papers and then put them in safety box.
Hi Emmy, in this video you mentioned that you lived w/your boyfriend for 10years…Would you be willing to share that episode in your life… meaning the things you learned, and experienced, and your insights and wisdoms for other single women to learn from… this would be very interesting.
I absolutely Love your videos, you have my life that I want! My daughter loves Kitty 🐱❤️🥰 thankyou for showing us all your beautiful life ❤️❤️❤️
U can get a trailer hitch and a metal box onto it on the back of the van for woods or stove or propane or Jerry can
Cargo carrier
You said you plan staying overnight in this area…is it a camp ground… it looks like a pretty cool spot
Another trick for your cooler, you can line it with reflectics. It helps to keep your ice longer!! Cheers from the Laurentian,QC.
Does your cat’s harness hold her securely when she is scared? My cat knows he can get himself out of his harnesses in two seconds. I’ve tried a half dozen of them…he can escape any of them any time he chooses (which only happens if he’s frightened).
Good to see you as always. You found yourself a nice camping spot. Look forward to your next adventure. Give Kelly hugs from us here in TN.
You should make furniture pieces out of the van and sell it, make a living off it
You make some beautiful furniture. You are very talented.
I keep all of my journals too!!! every 5 years or so I might flip through them and have a laugh……its good to see your own evolution.
U need a small kids fold out chair for Kitty. Hehehe so cute
Is digitizing the paperwork you have to keep an option?
Kitty cracks me up all the time when I see her jump on your chair when she has her own. Adorable! It’s funny because I live through u guys. I love watching this.
My spare tire hangs on one of my van’s rear doors and its weight has bent the hinges so that the door has gone a bit askew. It’s beginning to scrape on the bottom and leak at the top. Weight is the one thing that makes me hesitate to put an a/c unit in one of the windows.
Great idea for the cooler, thank you.
Thanks for sharing
Maybe the future dog will come with a future leash. Do you find just in case items add up?
That cat loves that chair
Hi Emi Your Cat is like your baby Have you ever thought about condensing your pictures to a Thumb drive so that you have them all that way you can do them on the computer or cellular phone if you want to see them
Maybe put all your tax papers in an accordion folder
Animals do act kinda like humans lol 😆 and I think you can bring a dog into your life would be great for you & Kelly
What about a small storage unit for just paperwork, very small.
It’s great too watch you out there in the woods living the dream!!
Have you thought of mini fridge ?
Have you made a video about cat bathroom situation in your van? Looking for ideas and would like to know how you deal with it. BTW, I really love the aesthetic of you home on wheels; so open and cozy at the same time.🌿
Thank you for sharing! I think you might want to get kitty a chair of her own lol I see her take yours a lot!😃👍❤ see you on the next one!
I think it’s so cute that d you get to a place to campout! Then bring your chair out that Kelly automatically takes over it! You need to get her one so you have a nice place to sit like her! Yes your tax stuff has to be kept for 7-10 years then you can dispose of it! I know it’s a pain in the butt but it’s a safety. Thing, in case you get audited! So as each year is the right year you may get rid of it! I personally burn mine! You found a beautiful place to campout again! Take care and be safe!
I admire you emi of your strong attitude about living practical on vanlife. Ilove van life its adventure living. I love you emi take care and God bless
Mom im sitting on this chair you get your own chair mom ok
You got that down to minimalistic..same here..clothes, tools, 3 sleeping bags…I have nn heat either. Furniture,, very cool..great skill..I’m a carpenter and I have psychiatric social work degree..certainly having hobbies/interests while solo is good. I draw alot..so bunch of filled sketch books. Theses a lot more about van life that meets the eyes, like ourselves 😃Thank you for sharing
Glad you mentioned about your map! If phone goes out or no service the map helps! I have mine! Happy trails 😁
Love that tip for the cooler…that would’ve helped for the last time I went on my camping trip
Good for u
👍
Wow the amount of New Van travellers who keep showing up in my recommendations ….. LOL
No idea who you are …. lol
I wish I was sat there chatting with ya cat at the moment, I’m sick to the back teeth of people …. LOL
Have a great day 👍
You are amazing and so talented my friend.you are very creative and an artist.
The more stuff you own, the more it owns you. You are being smart by keeping belongings to a minimum. Journals have been important to you and the pictures of the furniture you’ve made are important to your inner person… they matter. Love your views on having stuff vs having what matters ❤️
Can you turn all your documents into a PDF and keep a few copies? Put some online, too. It would be worth it to get a scanner or take it to somewhere you can do that.
Those chairs you made, so beautiful
Kelly the cat 🐈😺 is a really a human cat lol
Wow! Your furniture making skills r👍!