Traveling Willoughby's

  Thank You for Supporting Our Van Life Journey Posted by Traveling Willoughby's | May 7, 2025 From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Every single person who has taken the time to read our blog, follow our journey, or leave an encouraging comment—you’ve made a bigger impact than you know. When we launched  Traveling Willoughby's  and started documenting our transition to van life, we had no idea how many incredible people would support us along the way. Your kindness, curiosity, and encouragement continue to fuel our passion for this dream. Whether you found us through social media, stumbled across a blog post about minimalist travel, or have been following our adventure from day one, we're so grateful you're here. This community means the world to us. If you enjoy our content, we invite you to follow us on social media or share our journey with a friend. Every click, share, and comment help keep our dream alive and allows us to keep creating for you. Thank you again...

Learn how to power your van off-grid with this beginner-friendly solar power guide. Discover the best van life solar setup, components, and energy-saving tips. Van Life Solar Power Guide: How to Stay Off-Grid and Fully Charged If you're embracing van life or planning your off-grid adventure, reliable power is a must.  A well-designed solar power setup can keep your fridge running, devices charged, and lights on—without needing noisy generators or campground hookups. In this van life solar power guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to stay powered on the road. Essential Components of a Van Life Solar System 1. Solar Panels for Vans These collect energy from the sun. Rigid panels are common for roof mounting, while portable panels offer flexibility for parking in shade. 2. MPPT or PWM Charge Controller This device regulates the voltage and current from the solar panels to prevent battery damage. 3. Deep Cycle Battery (AGM or Lithium) Your battery stores solar ene...

Van Life on a Budget: 10 Practical Ways to Save Money While Living on the Road Living van life doesn’t have to be expensive.  Whether you’re just starting your journey or a seasoned road warrior, these 10 budget-friendly tips will help you save money, live simply, and stretch your travels further. 1. Plan Efficient Travel Routes to Save Fuel Fuel is one of the biggest van life expenses. Use apps like  Roadtrippers (by the way, you can get an additional $5 off using our promo code:  BTR5QTP) ,  Google Maps , or  iOverlander  to plan efficient routes. Minimize unnecessary driving and combine errands to reduce gas usage. 2. Sleep for Free: Use Free Campsites and Boondocking Areas Skip the pricey campgrounds. Use tools like  Campendium ,  FreeCampsites.net , and  The Dyrt  to find safe, legal, and scenic places to stay for free—especially on BLM or national forest land. 3. Cook in Your Van to Save on Food Costs Restaurant meals are costly. ...

  Embracing the Freedom of Van Life: Our Journey Begins Why We Chose Van Life After months of dreaming and planning, the Traveling Willoughby’s are finally taking the leap into van life! We've always been drawn to the idea of living more simply and exploring the world on our terms. With our bags packed and our home on wheels ready, we’re excited to document our journey and share our experiences with you! What is Van Life? Van life is more than just living in a vehicle. It's a lifestyle choice that embraces freedom, minimalism, and adventure. It's about hitting the open road with fewer possessions, a simpler routine, and an open heart ready to embrace the unexpected. Our Goals for Van Life Explore new places, meet amazing people, and discover hidden gems. Live a minimalist lifestyle while still maintaining comfort and connection. Document our journey and share helpful tips and lessons learned along the way. Challenges We Expect We know that van life isn’t always as glamorous...

Van Life Preparation: 3 Powerful Lessons Before Hitting the Road May 5, 2025 • Traveling Willoughby’s We haven’t officially started our van life journey—but the process of preparing for it is already transforming us. From downsizing our stuff to building income streams, the path to becoming digital nomads is filled with eye-opening lessons. If you're thinking about starting van life or transitioning into a minimalist lifestyle, here's what we’re learning before even turning the ignition key. 1. Van Life Is About Mindset, Not Just Travel Van life might look like a non-stop road trip on Instagram—but for us, it’s starting with a mindset shift. Our van life preparation has challenged us to rethink what matters. Freedom, flexibility, and purpose have become bigger priorities than stability and possessions. We’re letting go of the “American Dream” and making room for something simpler and more intentional. 2. Minimalist Living Means More Than Decluttering Downsizing has been huge—no...

Downsizing for Van Life: What We Let Go to Live with Less and Travel More Posted on: May 5, 2025 Why Downsizing for Van Life Was Our First Big Step Starting van life isn’t just about building a van—it begins with letting go. We recently took a major step toward freedom by  downsizing our possessions  and preparing to live with only the essentials. It wasn’t easy, but every item we let go of brought us closer to our goal: simple, intentional, and mobile living. The Emotional Side of Letting Go Downsizing for van life  is as much about mental space as it is about physical space. We had to sort through years of accumulated items—some practical, some sentimental—and ask ourselves:  Do we really need this to live happily? Letting go wasn’t always easy. But each decision made us feel lighter and more in control of our future. What We Sold, Donated, and Recycled If you're wondering  how to downsize for van life , here’s a look at what we removed from our lives: Bulky f...

  How to Budget for Vanlife Posted by Traveling Willoughby's • May 5, 2025 One of the most common questions we get is:  "How much does vanlife cost?"  The truth is, it depends on your lifestyle — but budgeting wisely is key to making it sustainable. Here's how we approach budgeting for life on the road. 1. Know Your Startup Costs Van Purchase:  New or used, this will be your biggest up-front cost. Conversion Costs:  DIY builds can be as low as $2,000; professional builds run $30k+. Gear & Supplies:  Bedding, solar, kitchen setup, and tools. 2. Estimate Monthly Expenses Gas:  Varies based on mileage and MPG. Food:  Groceries and occasional dining out. Phone/Internet:  Mobile plans or hotspots for remote work. Insurance:  Van insurance and health coverage. Maintenance:  Oil changes, repairs, and tire replacement. Camp Fees:  National parks, RV hookups, or apps like Harvest Hosts. Misc:  Laundry, subscriptions, and person...

  Comparing Vans for Vanlife Posted by Traveling Willoughby's • May 5, 2025 Choosing the right van is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make on your  vanlife journey . Whether you're just starting out or upgrading your current setup, this guide compares some of the most popular van models used for van conversions. Top Vans for Vanlife 1. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Pros:  High roof, reliable diesel engine, great for full builds. Cons:  Expensive, costly repairs. Best For:  Long-term vanlifers wanting full amenities. 2. Ford Transit Pros:  More affordable than Sprinter, comes in multiple roof heights. Cons:  Slightly less cargo space than Sprinter. Best For:  DIYers and weekend warriors alike. 3. Ram ProMaster Pros:  Widest cargo area, front-wheel drive, easy to build out. Cons:  Less ground clearance, boxier look. Best For:  Budget-conscious full-time travelers. 4. Chevy Express / GMC Savana Pros:  Readily available, very affordab...

  What Is Vanlife? Posted by Traveling Willoughby's • May 5, 2025 Vanlife  is more than just living in a van — it's a movement, a mindset, and a way of reclaiming freedom. For the Traveling Willoughby's, it means trading rent payments and routine for adventure, minimalism, and making memories on the open road. What Does "Vanlife" Really Mean? At its core,  vanlife  is about converting a vehicle — often a cargo van or camper — into a livable space and embracing a nomadic lifestyle. People live in their vans full-time or part-time, traveling the country, exploring nature, and often working remotely or living frugally. Why Do People Choose Vanlife? Freedom & Flexibility:  Go where you want, when you want. Minimalism:  Live with less, focus on what matters. Adventure:  Wake up to mountain views, desert skies, and new cities. Affordability:  Ditch the rent or mortgage and cut living expenses. Our Vanlife Journey Begins We’re just beginning our...

  🚌 Van Life 101: What We Learned Before Even Hitting the Road By Hunter & Brittany Published on 05/05/2025 🚘 Introduction Before you toss your keys to a landlord, sell your furniture, or choose a van, there’s a lot to learn. We’re documenting our journey toward  full-time van life —and here’s what we’ve figured out so far. “It’s not about escape—it’s about choosing freedom.” — The Traveling Willoughbys 💰 1. You Don’t Need to Be Rich to Start—But You Do Need a Plan Van life on a budget  is possible if you start with a clear financial plan. Whether you're building out your own van or buying one pre-converted, it's easy to overspend if you’re not careful. Listing all monthly expenses Creating a  minimalist van life budget Researching what other  vanlifers spend each month Pro Tip:  Start your  van life savings fund  now. Even small deposits matter. 🛃 2. Downsizing Is Harder Than It Sounds Learning how to downsize for van life was a surprise ...