How We Save Money by Living in a Camper Van Full-Time

Madison and Tyler share their journey into the freedom of living on the road full-time in their 2008 Winnebago View. After realizing how much money they could save and how affordable this lifestyle can be, they sold everything and embraced van life. Their beautifully renovated camper van is not only a home on wheels but also a space for adventure, exploration, and living life to the fullest.

The video starts with a detailed tour of their RV kitchen, where Madison explains the modern cottage aesthetic she created. The kitchen features a large sink, a three-burner stove, a full-sized oven, and a microwave that also functions as a convection oven. Madison shares her love for cooking and how this space enables her to prepare meals just like she did in a traditional home. With plenty of storage, a full-sized fridge, and a freezer, this kitchen is equipped for long-term travel and off-grid living.

Moving into the living space, they show off the benefits of their RV’s slide-out, giving them extra walking space. Their dinette doubles as a work area and a practical dining space, with storage under the seats. Madison adds personal touches to the decor, keeping the space functional and cozy for full-time living.

In the bedroom, Madison and Tyler reveal their custom mattress that fits the unique shape of the space, ensuring comfort in their cozy sleeping quarters. With large windows for natural light and storage baskets for their clothes, they maximize every inch of space in this small, yet efficient, bedroom. The video also showcases the bathroom with a flushing toilet and a spacious shower, making it perfect for life on the road.

One of the biggest advantages of their camper van is its mobility, allowing them to explore national parks, cities, and nature without the constraints of a 9-to-5 lifestyle. Madison shares how their journey began with a corporate job she wasn’t happy with, leading them to sell everything and embrace this new way of life. Tyler’s tech support job helped them stay on the road, while Madison turned her social media presence into a full-time gig, keeping them financially afloat.

The exterior tour highlights their storage solutions, onboard generator, and solar panels, allowing them to remain off-grid for extended periods. With 400 watts of solar power, they can charge their batteries from multiple sources, ensuring they always have enough energy for their needs.

The couple wraps up by discussing the pros and cons of full-time van life. While they enjoy the ultimate freedom and the ability to explore new places, being away from family can be challenging. However, the experiences they’ve gained and the memories they’ve created have made this lifestyle worthwhile.

Madison and Tyler invite viewers to follow their adventures on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube at White Home on Wheels. Whether you’re considering van life or just curious about living on the road, this tour offers valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of full-time RV living.

When we first came home, I was absolutely miserable with my job. Tyler questioned why we needed certain things, and I responded, “Because it’s beautiful.” When I realized how much money we could save and how affordable this lifestyle was, I was sold. We enjoy staying at campgrounds every now and then, and that’s one of the main reasons having an RV lifestyle is great. I’m Madison, and I’m Tyler, and this is our home on wheels. Come take a tour!

Welcome to our RV kitchen! It may be compact, but we have everything you’d need in a typical home. We installed a larger-than-usual sink to make dishwashing easier, and one of my favorite features is the sink faucet, which was a bit of a splurge. Tyler questioned why we needed it, and I simply said, “Because it’s beautiful.” We also have a full-sized oven, which allows us to cook everything from veggies to the occasional frozen pizza. It has a three-burner cooktop for our regular meals, and our microwave doubles as a convection oven. We mostly boondock, but it’s convenient to have these options when we’re at a campground.

Though our kitchen is small, we still have plenty of room for storage. We keep our plates, mugs, bowls, and seasonings in their respective places, and the silverware is neatly organized. One of the drawers had to be sacrificed for our solar system’s inverter, but it was worth it. We aimed for a modern cottage vibe in our decor, with lighting playing an important role in making the small space feel cozy. The backsplash, designed to fit the cottage core theme, is made of stone-like plastic pieces that are lightweight and thin. Despite concerns that it might fall apart during travel, it has held up well. We also have a full-sized fridge, which was a game-changer after moving from our older RV that had a very limited freezer space.

Our living room is one of the reasons we chose this RV. The slide-out feature adds an extra foot and a half of walking space, making a big difference in comfort. Though we considered removing the dinette to make room for a couch, the extra storage under the seats made it too practical to give up. We work full-time on the road, so having a table is essential for us. The kitchen pantry is also a dual-purpose space, storing all of our food.

Moving into our bedroom, it’s cozy but functional. We had to get a custom mattress that fits between a full and a twin size due to the curve of the RV. We removed the curtain that separated the bedroom because it’s just the two of us, and we love the large windows that let in plenty of light. For storage, we use baskets to prevent items from flying around during travel. My clothes take up most of the space, with Tyler having built three shelves for storage.

We purchased our RV for $35,000 and spent about $10,000 on renovations, bringing the total to around $45,000. Across from the bedroom is the bathroom vanity. We installed a bowl-style sink, and it’s nice to have this separate from the shower and toilet area. The bathroom is surprisingly spacious for the size of the RV, with a toilet that includes a bidet. The shower is also roomy enough for Tyler, who is 6’1″. However, due to limited water, we typically take quick Navy-style showers to conserve our 30-gallon water supply.

We often boondock, but having an RV allows us to hook up to city water at campgrounds for longer showers. When we first hit the road, I had quit my corporate job, and Tyler was working part-time, making just enough to cover our expenses. I decided to focus on social media full-time, posting every day. Though we weren’t making much initially, by September 2022, I realized we were earning enough through social media and brand partnerships to sustain our lifestyle. Tyler now helps out, calling himself my assistant, and we’ve managed to make it work.

One of the main reasons we chose this RV is because Tyler is tall, and our previous RV didn’t offer enough headroom. This one has plenty of space, thanks to the tall ceiling and skylight. It’s a 2008 Winnebago View, built on a Dodge Sprinter chassis. We got it painted in Baja for about $1,000, and we love how it turned out. The leveling jacks we installed have been a game-changer, providing stability and making it easier to change a tire. We also have 400 watts of solar power on the roof, though I wish we had a bit more.

Living on the road offers us ultimate freedom to go wherever we want. We’ve visited countless national parks, cities, and beautiful natural spots that would have taken us years to see otherwise. However, being away from family is one of the hardest parts, especially as new nephews have been born during our travels. There are also the small inconveniences of RV life, like finding clean water or dumping our toilet, but the freedom it offers makes it all worthwhile.

Thanks for touring our tiny home! You can follow our journey at White Home on Wheels on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. Hope to see you on the road—bye!

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