Preparing for Van Life Full-Time: Downsizing, Hustling, and Chasing Freedom

 Follow the Traveling Willoughbys as we prepare for full-time van life. From downsizing our possessions to building income streams on the road, here’s how we're turning our van life dreams into reality.

Introduction

Living on the road has been our dream for a long time — the freedom, the adventure, and the ability to live life on our own terms. But van life isn’t just about hitting the road with a full tank and a playlist. There’s a ton of preparation behind the scenes that rarely makes it into the Instagram reels. In this blog post, we’re diving into how we’re actively preparing for full-time van life — from downsizing our possessions to building sustainable income, and everything in between.

Whether you’re just dreaming about the nomadic lifestyle or actively planning your own journey, we hope our story gives you inspiration, practical advice, and a real look at what it takes to make this lifestyle work.

Step Two: Building Remote Income Streams for Life on the Road

Van life requires flexibility and so does making money while traveling. Since we’re currently unemployed in the traditional sense, we’ve been hustling hard to create income streams that don’t tie us to a location. That means building passive income where we can, and active income that’s mobile and adaptable.

Here’s what we’re working on:

• Flipping thrift finds online for profit

• Mobile repair work and small engine repairs under Willoughby Auto Repair

• Detailing services to earn cash locally

• Building a blog (this one!) and future social media content to generate ad revenue and sponsorship opportunities

• Collaborating on a beard oil product that can be sold online with passive returns

We believe that van life doesn’t have to mean living on ramen and scraping by. It’s about getting creative, being resourceful, and building a sustainable lifestyle that works for you.

Step Three: Choosing the Right Van and Layout

We haven’t purchased our van just yet, but we’re deep in the research phase. From deciding between a cargo van or school bus to choosing the right build layout, we’re learning that every decision shapes your entire experience on the road.

Some questions we’ve been asking ourselves:

• Do we want to stand up fully inside?

• How important is a full kitchen or shower?

• Should we DIY the build or buy one pre-converted?

• What's our budget, and what are the must-haves vs. nice-to-haves?

We’re leaning toward something with enough space for two, decent storage, and good gas mileage. Once we buy the van, we’ll document the full build and share every step — the good, the bad, and the “why won’t this door latch?”

Step Four: Mindset Shift — Embracing Simplicity and Flexibility

Van life is as much a mental shift as it is a physical one. We’re learning to let go of comfort zones and prepare for uncertainty. But honestly, that’s the beauty of it. Every step we take — downsizing, hustling, researching — is about reclaiming control of our time, our energy, and our lives.

We’re not chasing luxury. We’re chasing freedom, adventure, and connection — with nature, each other, and the incredible communities we’ll meet along the way.

Conclusion: From Vision to Fruition

We’re still early in the journey, but each day we’re getting closer. Van life isn’t a far-off dream anymore — it’s a project in motion, fueled by passion and grit. If you’re dreaming of life on the road, our advice is this: start now. Sell one thing. Research one van. Make one small shift toward freedom.

You don’t have to have it all figured out — you just have to be willing to begin.

Thanks for following along. We can’t wait to take you with us as we turn this vision into fruition.

Until next time,
– The Traveling Willoughbys 🚐💨

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