How to AFFORD a simple life || Vanlifer finances & money mindset

I hope you’re having a great day and that video inspires you to live in more creative and frugal ways so you can enjoy more time for what matters. This long video is a departure from the video I usually make but this is a topic I’ve been wanting to tackle for awhile. The more I got into this the more I realized there was to say and yet most of it is still unsaid but that is the case with trying to condense huge nuanced topics into a short podcast-ish style video. I found this video challenge to make and appreciate the support of sponsors which allows me to take risks like making this video. Click betterhelp.com/ALPINE for 10% off your first month of therapy with our sponsor BetterHelp. Join over 4 million people who’ve met with a therapist onBetterHelp and started living a healthier, happier life.

The richest person in the world is the one who needs the least to be happy.

I also just want to put this out there...I was struggling really badly with anxiety and depression when I found your videos years ago and your videos of the mountains, nature and slow living would help calm me down and re-center my mind. Just saying all this because I want you to know that you are making a big impact in people's lives. So thank you for everything you do!

I'm 70 yrs old, and whether you live on the road or not, if ppl could understand and apply these simple financial concepts, they would find so much financial freedom. I figured these same ones out in my 20s, out of necessity, and they have served me well all my life. Writing down EVERYTHING you buy in a month (or better 3 months) is a real eye opener. You may think you know, but the truth is you probably don't realize how much you're spending on little incidental things.

Everyone asks me these 2 first questions: 1. Where do you live? 2. What do you do for a living? If I'm honest, they are put off, and suddenly, I'm of less value. I like living in my SUV, I hate working to pay rent ( basically buying a house for a stranger). Can't stand co- workers. Feel more strongly led to living simply.

Got hooked on van life videos during the pandemic. I've always been frugal so I finally took the leap, sold all my stuff and moved into my car. It's been 7 weeks so far and Ive made it from Portland, OR to Orlando, FL. Next I"m headed up the East Coast and may shift to a hybrid housesitting/carlife situation but who knows?! It's that every day is different that I love the most. Thank you for sharing!

I haven't been on the road for 10 yrs but this is my 7th yr boondocking in the wilderness full time in my van. No camp grounds, no motels. I've also been a therapist for over 40 yrs.

Amanda, this video helped me SO much. I recently retired after thirty years of social work. I put my adult life on hold for so long. I have developed habits that are robbing me (coffee shops). I have been worried that I need to find another job. Never thinking about living more frugally and avoiding that. I really appreciate everything you said!! Love you and your channel. And Frank of course. Thank you so much!!! ❤

I liked your formula for doing budgeting. I quit getting a sweet tea 7 nights a week, 365 days a yr for $2. I own an acre and half on the outskirts of a small town in SC. I built a small 12x20 cabin. I don't work a regular job. I have a 2000 truck w 400,000 miles on it and took a part time job for 5-6 months. Bring home was about $280 a week. I also had a cleaning thing where I made $500 a month.. I decided I needed a more reliable vehicle. I bought a 1999 mercury van w 74,000 miles, mint condition. Paid $3500. I borrowed $2500 from a friend and gave her $250 every week for 10 weeks and then quit that job. My bills are about $250 a month. $62 phone, $80 electric and 84$ car insurance. I don't have alot of savings. If I need money I'll pick up a job for awhile and stash the cash. I do things for friends as well. Gardening for an elderly lady who can't get around well anymore. And another elderly neighbor friend I help haul off trash and clean up around the house and property. I like freedom and doing what I want with my time. My place is full of gardens now and I just bought a pool. $439 for a 18ft x 4 saltwater above ground from Sam's. Then 4 bags of salt and a rechargeable vacuum for $125. I dipped into my small savings. Usually I save up before I buy. That helps with making decisions on buying things. I was blessed with enough opportunities of hauling mulch, unloading mulch, farm sitting for a week and cleaning a lake house so it can be put on the market all in a weeks time. I was able to pay myself back. I get invited to different peoples houses to eat so I don't go hungry. Food is so expensive now and I'm not on any govt assistance. If I want something I work for it. I have been thinking about sharing my land with a tent, car or van camper. Maybe $150-200 a month and some help on my homestead. Pulling weeds or planting stuff. I'll share my garden harvest and eggs from my chickens. I have 2 kayaks and a paddle board to share too. I'm close to Lake Murray and Lake Monticello and several rivers. (Broad, Saluda, Congaree) I'm in Chapin SC.

I want to do what you do, but on a bicycle. Gearing up now for it! I was an Orphan as a child, 16 years of group homes and foster homes, and as an adult Ive been unable to start a family, so now at 44 im ready to just finish of my life on an epic adventure. Ready to take my bike across this planet if I can, or at least the America's. I'm so sick of paying rent as well!

Let my vote be counted - I’m a YES on the bangs. 👌🏼

I've been working since I was 5yrs old and could effectively wield a hoe. I recently made a change to my schedule so that I work 4 days and have 3 off. Looking forward to getting a van and spending 3 days a week learning what is truly important to me, as in, what I can and can't live without. Thank you for being such an inspiration. Sending love to you and Frank.

saving money is a super power I possess 🙋‍♂️

Coffee isn't a luxury, its a food group. I can think of a lot of other things that would get jettisoned before coffee ever would!

Really good video, with positive information on money matters. I recently retired from the Air Force with an E8 status. So my retirement pay is very doable, I have never owned a house and have no desire to go in debt for 30 years. I always lived on base when I was in the military. So I became a nomad, my rig is a 2004 17 foot Casita camper being pulled by a 2022 Toyota Tacoma. I generally boon dock but do camp at campgrounds associated with military bases. They are very affordable and usually let you stay past 30 days in the off-season. I did purchase a small piece of property in southern Alabama to use as a future home base. And this property is listed as a year round off-grid residence. I didn't think i was going to work after I retired because my retirement pension is pretty decent, but I found a job in southern Texas that is called a Gate Keeper, basically it's working in a guard shack checking in trucks going into an petroleum supply company. It paid $30 an hour, it was 12 hour shift, 7 days a week and you had to commit to a 90 day contract. If you fulfilled the contract, there was a nice bonus at the end. I made enough money off this one job to travel the rest of the year and not touch my pension.....

One of the best spent 44 min I have had on youtube. I have watched probably thousands of hours of builds and how too, but the feel of your video was something I really needed. I am 70 years old and getting ready to head out, and the things you said reinforced many things I have known for years and years but just seemed to let life get to complicated, and I put all that on a back burner. Thanks you and Be Well.

A series of youtube how too’s would be sooo great.

I guess its about outsmarting the system..we lived in a 19ft travel trailer years on family land and saved our money.

I've been working all my life 58 years on the planet, and no further ahead. Travel. Makes me happy, and will be going to make van life Head on. Thanks for your valuable advice 😊

This is such a needed talk. Reminds me of things I've been through to. Twelve years ago I smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day...at $7 ish a pack I was somewhere around $400 a month! That's right!!!! I said no more and after a 40 YEAR HABIT I quit, cold turkey and suffered for about two weeks BUT I quit with no help. (I was the weakest person in my group). Also had a wine habit...a bottle a day...$200 a month at least! It was an addiction for sure BUT I QUIT! Now I allow myself a 12 pack a beer a month. No Starbucks, rarely eat out. Fix my own meals so my health and bank account are happy while I get to do more things. When a person is smoking, drinking, etc., tell me they are broke and oh how hard their life is, I'm sorry but my empathy goes right out the window.