VanLife EXPENSES | How much does it REALLY cost?

VanLife EXPENSES | How much does it REALLY cost?

Van Life costs money. But how much? Are you really saving money? Here I break down what VanLife costs for me. From fixed expenses to gas money & food, this should give you a pretty good idea.

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We are Linnea and Akela. In May, 2020 I purchased our 2016 Ram ProMaster, Togo, to become our full-time home. With this van build, I am using my stubbornness and drive to show individuals that they, too, can convert a campervan BY THEMSELVES and ON A BUDGET, with a lot of learning, rolling up the sleeves, and getting to work.
Our goal is to inspire individuals to chase their dreams… to break from societal limitations and live the life they truly desire. And, to GET OUTSIDE!
SUBSCRIBE for van build details, wanderlust travel, and the truth about van life with a big german shepherd!

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50 Comments

  1. Katherine Cary on February 24, 2022 at 11:24 pm

    “Why am I still paying for Planet Fitness?” I literally say that to myself every month for the last 3 years 😭😭😭 hahaha

  2. Sherry Pearson on February 24, 2022 at 11:24 pm

    Thanks for being so honest I plan on becoming a vanlifer and having a piece of land that I can go back to as my home base

  3. joe cool on February 24, 2022 at 11:24 pm

    Panera bread I do my coffee it cost me under nine dollars a month that’s with creamer. I do the iced coffee myself. Hope this helps you. A lot of times we buy stuff we really don’t need.

  4. Anna Z on February 24, 2022 at 11:25 pm

    I can only imagine that cosy lovely feeling you have staying in your safe van when you have storm outside. 😊 All the best, Linnea and Akila x

  5. KANDACE PATTERSON on February 24, 2022 at 11:26 pm

    But you write it all off for taxes right?

  6. Living Inthenow on February 24, 2022 at 11:27 pm

    This actually gives me a good deal of encouragement. My fixed expenses will be much lower than Linnea’s, and I don’t need to spend money in coffee shops to work, so I might be able to get by on $1000 or $1100 a month. That leaves plenty in the bank for savings and the emergency fund. Cha-ching!! 💰💰💲💲💲💰💰

  7. Lorre Fl on February 24, 2022 at 11:28 pm

    I thought van life would be a lot cheaper than living in a home, I’m surprised at how costly it is… It must be quite hard to earn enough money for vanlifers who aren’t youtube celebrities or have a freelance job they can just do on the road.
    I spend less than you per month living in a house and I’m certain life isn’t cheaper in Belgium than the US. I don’t have a dog but I do have 2 cats and one of them needs expressive special food.

  8. Giant Travels by Van on February 24, 2022 at 11:29 pm

    Whoa, $131 for a phone bill? Somebody needs to check out Mint Mobile and their $30 unlimited plan, over T Mobile towers…

  9. KANDACE PATTERSON on February 24, 2022 at 11:29 pm

    You can geta phone for 39 bucks a month.

  10. JCResDoc94 ʕ•ᴥ•ʔߛ ̋ l Verified l V l on February 24, 2022 at 11:32 pm

    *is a Akela a van or a dog?* do we know. is it a puzzle – board her. it is the cost of breaking into other vans? – JC

  11. Boozy Beauty on February 24, 2022 at 11:32 pm

    <3<3<3<3

  12. tesla H on February 24, 2022 at 11:34 pm

    Well! I am just sooo GLAD that I saw your youtube channel and decided to watch it! You are AWESOME! I have been binge-watching now for a few hours and am a new subscriber!

  13. Graycee Calloway on February 24, 2022 at 11:34 pm

    Now that’s awesome!!!👠🚌👠

  14. Whisky O on February 24, 2022 at 11:34 pm

    Damn… I need to move to the states from Canada. $500 rent?! That is so cheap! Average here is $1300-1500 plus bills.

    And Van payment? Did you get a loan and that’s the loan payment? Cause a van payment would easily be about $850-$1000 /month.

  15. Julianne Daigle on February 24, 2022 at 11:35 pm

    Thank you for sharing this video. It certainly helps to keep things real. Love to you and Akela ❤

  16. Noah Baert on February 24, 2022 at 11:35 pm

    Just found your channel and rewatching old videos and this is very random but we have the same exact car payment to the cent 😳

  17. Sara & Blake’s Vanlife on February 24, 2022 at 11:37 pm

    I love doing vanlife in Hawaii! Can’t wait to upload more videos and have a channel like yours.

  18. Secret Lake on February 24, 2022 at 11:38 pm

    I have a pet friendly fully fenced safe private free campsite in the mountains with high speed Wi-Fi if you just need to park and rest

  19. Erik Odin on February 24, 2022 at 11:39 pm

    Which gym did you switch too? I start my vanlife in June and was thinking about getting a 24 Hour Fitness membership

  20. Seen it purple on February 24, 2022 at 11:39 pm

    No. How much was the build out 🖐?

  21. Elizabeth Carr on February 24, 2022 at 11:40 pm

    I’m paying less than that in a sticks and bricks. Granted I live with my mom, but I pay a fixed amount of $500 to her a month including utilities. My full coverage car insurance is $95 because of good driver discount and I’m no longer in the "high risk" age for getting into accidents. My Prius i fill the tank once a month for $20-30. Groceries is about $50-60 a month (I’m very frugal). Everything else is usually about $100-200 a month.

  22. Yao buck on February 24, 2022 at 11:41 pm

    Cutie living a van with a dog ! 💘

  23. Van604Media on February 24, 2022 at 11:41 pm

    Very good info thanks for being so transparent. New sub

  24. John David on February 24, 2022 at 11:41 pm

    Answering the outgoing question, just makes us all want to know what you are bringing in. It’s an answer without context. 1800 is great if you are bringing in 3000k, horrifying if you only make 1600.

  25. An Aussie in America on February 24, 2022 at 11:43 pm

    One of the best breakdowns I’ve seen

  26. Dawn Ledesma on February 24, 2022 at 11:46 pm

    What is your income? Helpful to know expenses but with nothing to compare it to???? Are you pulling that from savings each month?

  27. Leroy Augustine on February 24, 2022 at 11:47 pm

    holyyyy….

  28. Tim Dunmyer on February 24, 2022 at 11:49 pm

    10,000 miles between oil changes? I thought it used to be 3,000 but with the new synthetic blends that every 5,000 miles was recommended especially if you idle a bit more? Your engine would last longer if you change dirty oil every 5,000

  29. Taylor Coy on February 24, 2022 at 11:49 pm

    When it comes to wilderness therapy – were you able to bring Akela with you working in wilderness therapy?

  30. Karen Butcher on February 24, 2022 at 11:51 pm

    Thank you so much! Information going in helps to make better choices down the line.

  31. joe cool on February 24, 2022 at 11:52 pm

    More videos please do you have Patreon? Could you show us how to use it if you have it?

  32. Intelimote Intelimote on February 24, 2022 at 11:53 pm

    What about another big recurrent expense: health insurance? Does your car insurance have enough coverage against theft if someone breaks into your van? Or would you need renter’s insurance or similar to cover that?

  33. C P on February 24, 2022 at 11:55 pm

    Start paying more on your car payment each month than is owed and get it paid down ASAP. That should be your #1 financial goal right now. Imagine what a breather that will be not to have the debt!

  34. Lou & Sylw on February 24, 2022 at 11:56 pm

    Nice one for your honesty. Our ‘play’ budget is 170£ a week. Thats fuel, food, dog food and parking mainly. The total budget including the mortgage on the property we rent out, insurances, bills etc is 1250£. So similar to yours at $1650 USD. We fund it all from the rental fee we recieve and the savings. Unfortunately, we are not big time on YouTube. All the best. Love the vlog👍🙌

  35. Jillian 1st John 3:9-10 on February 24, 2022 at 11:56 pm

    Can you use wifi from a coffee parking lot

  36. Kandy Hilton on February 24, 2022 at 11:56 pm

    Excellent video for all van life wanna-b-ers!!!

  37. Katie Flinn on February 24, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    What camera do you use to film? Your intro shots are 🤩

  38. Jane Brommet on February 25, 2022 at 12:01 am

    Wauw, sounds like a lot of money…
    But jou are right. It depends on your choice…

  39. DrHydeOfficial on February 25, 2022 at 12:01 am

    65$ a month unlimited gigs hotspot netbuddy from att.
    And you can get RV insurance for a lot less same coverage sometimes more.
    And straight talk 65$ a month unlimited.
    You probably know this forgive me I’m offering suggestions not giving advice.

  40. Vamp Diva on February 25, 2022 at 12:02 am

    Now this is a beautiful Van Life channel… Authentic & refreshing. Exactly what I needed 💖

  41. Darkangel W on February 25, 2022 at 12:03 am

    Please, excuse me for asking. Do you have Swedish relatives by any change? Linnea, is such a Swedish mum. I’m Swedish and my nan’s name was Linnea. It seems so peaceful, being out in the wilderness

  42. Gary Abell on February 25, 2022 at 12:03 am

    So straight forward and real! Not candy coated! I’m getting ready to do van life! Every day isn’t a struggle I think, but somedays will be! Breathe and move with the with your relationship with nature! May seem hard at first! But the peace and finding what your soul seeks will be worth it! Oh and yes you just got a new subscriber! God bless!

  43. Cobra Adventures on February 25, 2022 at 12:06 am

    Hey there Linnea I just wanted to say I started following you awhile ago.. as I’ve started my Van life experience here in Tempe,Az .. it’s a slow process, however I’m looking to try to add my solar power unit to my minivan… is there a way I could communicate with you further to find out some tips and help on setting it up.. I’ll try to get in here and follow up with you… my IG is @bcarlin2021 so just kinda looking to get into it and figure out the solar I can probably get the rest I like your solar setup though thanks and travel safely

  44. David Mm on February 25, 2022 at 12:07 am

    Sad thing is I work full-time in a medical setting, 40 hours a week, have a 45 min- 1 hr long commute time one way, and clear roughly about $1700 a month. Perspective.

  45. Margie's Van Mori on February 25, 2022 at 12:10 am

    So helpful. Would you ever change your sink to a non propane one? Im building my van now and I’m scared of propane😂😂

  46. Antonia Foster on February 25, 2022 at 12:11 am

    What are instances when you have to board Akela & do you listen to music or watch movies or have hobbies when inside your 🚐 for the evening?

  47. Joe A on February 25, 2022 at 12:16 am

    Good Video 🚐👍 From videos I’ve seen, it seems that $30 to $50 a day is the normal for Van Living.

  48. Giant Travels by Van on February 25, 2022 at 12:17 am

    Adobe products? time to find non-subscription alternatives!

  49. T B on February 25, 2022 at 12:20 am

    Another great video. Would you mind giving a ballpark figure of the van cost and the build out?

  50. Vince on February 25, 2022 at 12:22 am

    No health insurance? It’s probably a big expense if you choose to have one…

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