I’ve Lived in a Vehicle for Three Years. I Now Have $150K

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How much can you save by living in a vehicle instead of paying rent? In this video, I breakdown my expenses of living in my van vs living in my SUV vs living in my old apartment. Hopefully this financial overview will give you an idea of what costs to expect, and how much you might save by living on the road

2:20 Insurance
3:30 Phone + Internet
3:55 Utilities
6:12 Gas
7:58 Vehicle Maintenance
9:17 Food
10:21 Gym Membership
10:54 Storage Unit
11:14 Private Mailbox
11:27 Hotels, Airbnbs, Campsites
12:41 Subscriptions + Software
13:13 Parking
13:50 Taxes
14:24 Rent
15:36 How Much I Saved
17:45 Is Van Life Affordable?

Hey :) I’m Christian Schaffer, and I’ve lived on the road full-time since May 2018. This journey began in 2013 when I left the corporate world to build my career as an outdoor adventure & travel photographer. As a semi-minimalist, I eventually decided to donate/sell most of my belongings and move into my 4x4 Nissan Xterra. After 14 months of SUV living and falling madly in love with the open road - I bought a van and hired a team to build it out. Van life enables me to experience and document the beauty of our natural world on a whole new level, all while having my home and office nearby. My hope is that by sharing my own personal highs and lows along this (sometimes) wild journey, you might be inspired to hit the road or spend more time outdoors. Maybe one day I'll see you out on that open road 🚐

**My van is a 2019 Ram ProMaster 1500 High Roof, 136" WB with 27K miles**

#vanlife #digitalnomad #selfemployed
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"We buy shit we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like"

Likeaworm
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I was living paycheck to paycheck, moved into my SUV and am now living on 3% of my income. It's not all 💩's and giggles but, it is way worth it not having worry about an apartment and ... STUFF. I am much happier and sleep EXTREMELY WELL at night. SEE YA ON THE ROAD !!!

UJENU
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I'm a truck driver. I decided to stop paying rent because I was sleeping in my sleeper bed 5 days a week. Now I just kick it with my friend on the weekends. Saving $800 a month.

blackspiderman
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Fellow Washingtonian here. You’re a smart woman living your dream so you can live your life without the stress of debt.

inthesun
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I’ve been living in my van for a year now. I have a great career and all that money I used to spend on expenses now goes in the bank. I have zero debt and the freedom that I never thought was possible. Thank you for sharing your story.

stevencournoyer
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The other benefit of living on the road when you're younger is knowing and experiencing where you'll want to live when you're older.

socialstew
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For me I would only save 20k at most living out of a car for 3 years. I've saved 32k the past few years by living in a small apartment in a smaller town vs. a really nice one. Living well below your means is a good strategy to get ahead.

alanmacquarrie
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I love the "If I can't buy it upfront, I don't buy it" philosophy. I feel like it's so lacking in todays world.

scottgibson
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Phone ... $135; Gas ... $195; Food ... $250; "Being able to sit by the campfire and see the stars at night before falling asleep, being able to wake up with the sunrise, and having the freedom and feeling of not being tethered to any one place" ... priceless.

mosesexodus
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One of the most comprehensive and authentic discussion on finances I've seen anywhere. It was incredibly detailed and affirmed the things I need to do before I hit the road. I have been tempted to hit the road sooner, but I don't want to crash and burn. I am older and have health concerns to incorporate as well. The information that you shared is going to help a lot of people if they respect it. I love how you progressively reached goal after goal. You should really be proud of how well you presented this information. Thank you.

mannys
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We haven’t had a house or van payment for 40 years. It’s amazing how much more money we have when we aren’t paying interest. It was a sacrifice at first but now sooo worth it. When we make purchases, it has to be what we have the money up front to pay for. We eliminated the number one cause for divorce. I’m retired so I never had to ask my husband if I could buy makeup, a new computer, or clothes. We’ve always has separate bank accounts which I highly recommend for married couples. Expenses are his, hers, and ours.

BJenny
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My apartment became an expensive storage unit. I gave it up and moved into a van. I'm happier and the freedom to go anywhere I want is fantastic. Living in the van has opened up lots of opportunity's that weren't available before. The ability to go work a short term job and not have to sign a six month lease or pay a large amount to a motel has made things so much easier.

eloyrodarte
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Everything you do is done SO professionally. I mean, imagine how many Expenses videos have been done by vanlifers. This one is the best I've seen. Of course, being brilliant, caring, and beautiful probably helps... stop cheating!

charlesharris
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This is amazing! This is super helpful. I’m still pretty new to vanlife and I love how you’ve really thought everything through and have it all figured out

thomasmason
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As an aspiring van lifer, this video is extremely helpful, thank you. I see financial freedom ahead and it sounds amazing.

scotheman
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Thanks for sharing Christian! It's courageous to pursue such lifestyle and doing it smartly. Learning a lot from your expenses breakdown!

andyphan
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This was awesome Christian. Thanks! I'm three years from retirement and hoping to live the van life. The practical nature of your videos is really helpful.

davidhuth
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This is a great breakdown. Anyone can start small and move up after saving. Paying cash is the way to go. Lowers stress and makes it far easier to make what you need each month.

Adventureswithbecky
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Finance is a difficult subject for many people/ persons and i love how you did your comparisons.
I am so grateful for this information.🎉🎉🎉 thank you

godevarcooper
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Hi Christian- We’ve followed you since beginning a Covid Psych Van Reno Project in 2020. Thanks for your nuts and bolts + dreaming - based approach to van life. You are giving millions of people the resources to think about following a higher quality life— particularly older folks, though your work speaks most directly to the young. You cut through the BS in an honest way. It is VERY useful.

gthomasclark