Funding Your Nomadic Lifestyle on Wheels: Advice for Living Aboard a Vehicle
Are you miffed about your dull desk job and yearning for a break to gallivant across Europe or the world, experiencing exciting adventures? Then, the van life might tickle your fancy. In this guide, we'll walk you through making money while traveling to afford the cost of life on four wheels and roaming the globe, and the work opportunities available in a camper.
Funding Your Wanderlust
Living in a van is generally less expensive compared to living in an apartment with rent, utilities, and ongoing costs, but you still need sufficient funds to fund your excursions. If you're on the hunt for methods to finance your van life, you'll encounter numerous suggestions tailored for full-time van lifers. However, if you have a steady job and want a vacation-time venture on wheels, you'll require a different financial strategy.
Consider the length and destination of your travel plans. Are you targeting a worldwide adventure or just a nearby beach getaway? Calculate your expenses and income sources at the beginning of your travel planning, and educate yourself about "financing van life" to find a suitable strategy for you and live your dream.
Money Matters for Camper Living
Your camper lifestyle expenses depend on your lifestyle, budget, travel duration, and financial freedom aspirations. Here are some areas where you'll need to spend money, despite van life:
1. Purchasing the Van
A camper-less existence is, well, impossible. Set a budget for the perfect ride, bearing in mind that prices vary based on the van's age, make, and condition, as well as whether you desire a self-built or ready-made van.
2. Converting the Van
If you plan to convert your van yourself, you'll need to budget for materials. ordered goods may incur delivery fees. However, vehicle DIY-ing lets you craft your dream van!
EVOKE CAMPER KITCHEN | Stylish kitchen setup for Eurobox van conversionView product
3. Insurance
Insurance costs vary based on the vehicle model, age, and other factors. European travel is cheaper than a worldwide policy. Make sure to research insurance prior to your trip to ensure coverage in case of emergencies and to comprehend road tax obligations.
4. Repairs, Service, Etc.
Van life maintenance requires cash, just like regular life. Regular upkeep, repairs, and oil changes will cost money but are crucial for keeping your camper safe and road-worthy. Keep spare parts on hand to quickly replace small broken items.
Financing Options for Nomads
Curious about how to finance your globe-trotting camper existence without working every day? Here are some ways to fund your van life:
1. Full-time work and traveling during holidays
The simplest financing method is traveling during holidays. Office-bound, daily workers can afford a van and rentals while still maintaining an apartment. On the flip side, these individuals may have less time to explore and realize their far-flung dreams. If you're targeting a quick coastal trip in the van, this might be the best financial approach for you. For longer trips, consider taking a sabbatical or requesting an extended vacation from your employer.
2. Saving Enough and Then Go!
Another option is to save diligently until you have enough cash for an adventure trip with your camper without having to work on the side. This is possible for a limited duration. The question is: How long do you want to travel and how much money do you need for that?
3. Make Money Online
If you're searching for ways to earn online, numerous opportunities are available. Even if you don't have a substantial savings account to finance a multi-trip, consider online jobs or becoming an influencer or blogger. Share your trip online with followers, providing valuable information, and earn money from it. If blogging isn't your thing, explore other online opportunities.
As a freelancer, you can find work in various fields and only need a computer to work from anywhere. The advantage of online jobs is that you're location-independent and usually can organize your time self-sufficiently.
4. Work and Travel
In many countries, you can try "work and travel" opportunities. Suitable for those seeking self-discovery and nomadic existence, this concept allows you to meet people, explore lifestyles, and add new places to your travel list.
The idea is that you help out for a few hours daily in a hotel, on a plantation, or farm and receive food and accommodation—or a parking spot for your camper—in return.
Abundant Work Opportunities on the Move
1. Home Office & Remote Work
Any occupation that can be performed online or in a home office is adaptable for van life. Virtual workers can work flexibly from anywhere as long as an internet connection is available.
So, many occupations — including computer science, online journalism, freelancing, coaching, photography, and virtual assistance—can be done from a camper.
All professions that can be done on a computer can be done remotely without requiring office presence.
2. Self-employment
As an independent entrepreneur, you're your own boss and can decide when and how you work. There are various paths to entrepreneurship.
As an entrepreneur, you can practice many professions on the go and build an income source.
The following are suitable for the step into entrepreneurship:
- Computer science
- Online journalism
- Freelancing
- Coaching
- Photography
- Influencer
- Online shop seller (e.g., clothing, jewelry, handmade items, books, etc.)
In Germany, anyone can take a step into entrepreneurship. You just need an idea and to register your small business with the tax office.
As a small entrepreneur, you have fewer obligations, such as no value-added tax. Inform yourself about the requirements for your step into entrepreneurship and the changes in your insurance status.
If you want to finance your van life with entrepreneurship, you should set up the business in advance. It may take some time to build a sufficient customer base to cover your needs and expenses.
Once you've built the business to the point of good income, you can kick back in the van and live your van life dream.
3. Influencer
There are often attempts online where people upload videos on YouTube or social networks, pretending to be influencers. However, it's not that simple.
To be a real influencer, you need an idea that you can market well online and earn money through partnerships with companies.
People known as influencers today are mainly through the social media platform Instagram and earn money by promoting products provided by advertising partners and presented to their followers. You need a certain number of followers for your blog or channel to efficiently market anything.
Influencers are measured by the number of followers. The categories in which influencers are measured by followers are:
- Nano-influencer: up to around 10,000 followers
- Micro-influencer: up to around 100,000 followers
- Macro-influencer: up to around 1,000,000 followers
- Mega-influencer: over 1,000,000 followers
Even with the high number of influencers today, it's still possible to earn money and finance your van life.
4. An Etsy Shop
Surely everyone has heard of Etsy! Etsy is one of the world's largest online marketplaces where designers, artists, and collectors from around the world sell their handmade items.
As a seller, you can open your own shop on the Etsy online marketplace and add an unlimited number of items. To sign up, you only need an email address, password, and username.
You can sell the following on Etsy:
- Handmade items: Jewelry, art, clothing, fabrics, etc.
- Art supplies: Tools, materials, fabrics, etc.
- Vintage items: Items older than 20 years, such as clothing, office supplies, and video games
You pay Etsy a listing fee (17 cents per item), transaction fees (5% of the total item cost + shipping and gift wrap), and shipping costs (5% of the stated shipping costs).
5. Seasonal or temporary jobs
These jobs are popular among people who work and travel or live in a van. They offer the opportunity to explore new paths, meet new people and places without being tied down.
In search of a suitable vacation job, you'll encounter numerous providers online, but other camper buddies can provide helpful tips on where to find good job opportunities.
Temporary jobs are more suitable for students and students. They are limited to the summer or semester break and offer a good earning opportunity.
Here is a selection of possible temporary jobs:
- Warehouse worker
- Assembly line helper
- Festival worker
- Social promoter
- Product manager
- Call center agent
- Temporary help in a supermarket or in gastronomy
Seasonal jobs are well-known and are often offered by smaller employers in the countryside, such as farmers as harvest helpers or as service staff in gastronomy.
The remuneration for seasonal workers varies depending on the employer and job offer. Harvest helpers in agriculture help farmers with the harvest and receive either a wage or free accommodation with meals in return.
This way, you can travel to different places with your van and don't have to worry about your meals. Of course, the payment can also be shared, so you only receive free meals and a small salary and then sleep in your van.
Here is a selection of possible seasonal jobs:
- Tour guide
- Animator in hotels/resorts
- Harvest helper in agriculture
- Service staff in gastronomy
Jobs in small businesses are often only obtained through recommendations or local advertisements. So keep your eyes and ears open!
6. Work Abroad
Depending on the length of your travel plans, a job abroad can lead to financial independence. A job abroad follows a similar pattern to a temporary or seasonal job. You can make an impression with your language skills—German, English, Spanish, French, or others—and co-host city tours or work as an animator or tour guide in resorts.
Here is a selection of possible jobs abroad:
- Service staff in gastronomy
- Bartender in a bar
- Temporary help in a hostel or shop
- Tour guide for city tours
As with seasonal jobs, you may not be dependent on free accommodation in the van life. Therefore, negotiate your remuneration so it covers your consumption and expenses.
Especially abroad, it might be difficult to find such a job in the first place, and to become aware of it. Sharing your experiences with other travelers or local residents can help you find a good job.
7. Rent Out Your Van
As long as you don't need your van, you can rent it out and earn money for the next vacation and to cover ongoing costs such as insurance, road tax, and repairs. Simply post pictures and a video of your camper online and earn some extra cash by renting it out.
By renting your van, you can partially or even fully finance its ownership and maintenance costs.
In conclusion, there are numerous ways to finance a part-time van life venture while maintaining a steady job. Careful budgeting, strategic planning, and leveraging income opportunities can help you balance your work and adventure life. Happy travels!
- Consider financing your work-time van life adventure through a combination of your steady job income, savings, and taking a sabbatical or requesting an extended vacation from your employer if you aim for a longer trip.
- To stretch your budget for van life, explore online job opportunities, start a blog or become an influencer, sell items on Etsy, or consider seasonal or temporary jobs that allow you to work and travel during your time off. Additionally, consider renting out your van when you're not using it for extra income.
