As a widow I was looking to live as you do but after this reality check it’s something I’m not going to be able to afford. Thank-you for sharing I really appreciate your honesty,
Before you give up, maybe do your own budget check? Deciding on your own needs, must haves, do withouts and such. All of our lives are different, just as we are. Maybe you can figure it out? 🤗
Everyone's situation is different. My husband and I live in a house and we spend less than Brenna. Do a budget and track your spending before you make a decision.
Anyone thinking of living in a van should separate out the expenses you would have regardless of how you live - food, health, pets, health insurance etc - from the expenses you would have specifically living in a van. That gives a more realistic comparison with other life choices.
Please don’t be discouraged! Vanlife can be much more affordable than Brenna’s budget, everyone has different needs / wants! Eg: Not everyone is going to be paying for camping (some of us want to park stealthy and free). We don’t all need things like Starlink, storage units, protein powder or even that much in fuel (if we’re not travelling and tend to stay in the one area). Just do a budget for yourself (estimating the costs of the things YOU would need / want)! 🙏🏼
People's weekly income will make you adjust to the living costs, etc. Longer stays at free camps, to not travelling too far been next stops. Doing your own clothes washing, can save a lot.
I was looking forward to this annual video - I've been following you for a few years now and this is the third "Expences" video I've watched and have noted the kinds of things to expect when (one day) I can get into vanlife! Thanks for being so open and transparent about this! Happy New Year, 2025!!
When you adopt a pet you have to be 100% prepared to pay for all their health and medical issues (just like you would for your child). Thank you for loving your dog! I don’t want to think about how much I’ve spent on my pets over the years but they are totally worth every cent. They are incredible for my mental health and I would never be without them.
As you said, its still a lot cheaper than living in a house and adjustments in budgets can always be made. Hope its not too much longer before you get your new van. Another informative video, thanks. Glad Abby is improving.
Thank you so much, Brenna. I've been a viewer of yours for a few years, and your annual expenses videos are sooo helpful. I also enjoyed your budget video - both a tremendous help as I look at transitioning to van life. Big pats to Abbey ❤️
Blimey Brenna, Australia is so so expensive these days. Your costs for the same in my country would be atleast half that & that's with things gone up these past few years. Have a great 2025
@@Kirbygal55 I was in NZ in 2004 for a few months & it's was very affordable then...looks like it & Australia has become not so. No wonder many from each country have moved to other countries. I've done some quick numbers & here in the UK (away from London) it's 60/65%% cheaper than what Brenna is spending.
Thanks for your yearly budget breakdown. It was watching your video from last year that helped me get my head out of the clouds and my mind out of the US vanlife research. Australia has higher cost of living, and we can't modify our vehicles like they can. Over the last year therefore, I've moved into a share house with family, thus dropping my (and their) housing costs extensively. Then instead of a van, I've just purchased a 2017 Rav4 4cyl 2L 2wd as I'm no off roader and I want the best fuel efficiency in a petrol engine (lower maintenance costs). In general, your sensible approach is much more in alignment to my needs and I truly appreciate your videos and experience.
I separate my budget by food, household and hba[health and beauty accessories], pet care and dining out. For me, it provides a better break down of my grocery budget which previously seemed so large. By doing that I can isolate or fine tune which area to adjust more.
Thank-you Brenna. Very informative. Thank-you ❤Happy New Year, to you and Abbey❤❤❤i can't wait to do some traveling 😊i would sell your stuff in storage..out with the old and in with the new😊
This has helped me enormously recognising how expensive it is just to live on a daily basis by merely being careful and. Ot overspending. Thank you for being so diligent in keeping these records. I am just starting retirement and although living in my own home I now recognise better the costs that I will be incurring versus money coming in which I didn’t really consider previously.
A person after my own heart. I too track every penny I spend. I do not live in a van, not sure that would be fitting for me but budgets are so necessary. It is common sense and too many people live way over their means. I keep track of everything on Excel spread sheets, Love Excel. Thank you for sharing. Yes, pets can be very expensive, but they give back double in happiness!
Hi Breena, Thanks for your insight. I travelled around in a Toyota Hiace van ( two wheel drive which limits my opportunities) for ten weeks, staying (for the most part) in caravan parks. I paid anywhere between $28 a night to $49 a night for a non powered sight. I found that the closer you got to Sydney, the more expensive it became. I didnt travel with a pet but my relatives have told me that their fifteen year old dog, costs them about $10,000 a year in vet expenses. Owning a pet is not a cheap pastime. I eat pretty lean when Im out on the road: Banana, one weetbix and milk for breaky. I buy a salad sandwich for lunch, split it in two and that lasts me for two days and have it with another piece of fruit. If ive caught a fish, I'll buy some potatoes, vegetables and use the camp kitchen at around 3pm, when its quiet. Then all i have to do is use my microwave at night. Easy Peasy.
Hi Brenna its nice to see your RUclips channel again, some how I lost the channel. I appreciate the budget for 2024 I'm afraid mine is not as high because I don't have the experience for my dogs, that would be really high for me. But I'm glad I found your channel again.
Thanks for sharing Brenna. Sorry to hear about Abbey & glad things are progressing well. As a creative nomad, I have used a small storage facility or (currently) a garage of a family friend to store equipment for different projects. I wouldn’t manage without this option. All good wishes.
Thanks Brenna, this has been super helpful with my plan to move from my empty nester house to a tiny house on wheels (the van variety), hopefully this year but probably 2026 when I turn 60 and can access my super. I’d like to park it long term in FNQ near my parents during the cooler months then migrate south for the troppo season. Lots of research ahead of me to work out how it will all come together.
Hi Brenna, have a look into CIL insurance. QLD based but you can get a policy over the phone , then send photos. Im in WA also.I have an Iveco Daily self converted. Just need to show that you have a bed, stove and sink. It will cut your insurance costs by about half and they're great to deal with. My first van was in a bingle and written off 😢 but they were great to deal with and sorted very quickly and easily. Might be worth a look for you. Looking forward to the new van. Thanks for all your info 😊
I live full-time as a nomad. I drive a 2008 Chevy 1 ton box truck with a big gasoline engine. I live very comfortable and eat well on less than $1000 per month. Keep in mind I have no pet with me and I am on Medicare for health insurance. I also carry a Honda 125 Trail for running errands and exploring. My little motorcycle gets about 98mpg. I also have a diesel heater and a gasoline generator. I have 1300 watts of solar and 600 amp hours of battery. I go to free camping spot and stay at least 14 days or longer if permitted. Then I usually move around a 3 hour drive to another site. I go back to Texas for the holidays. That is when I spend the most for fuel. My yearly net income is around 19,000 per year. So I. also have a good emergency fund. I have lived this way for 6 years. I do have a set budget for my expenses.
Thanks Brenna, this is soooooo helpful, being only 4 months away from nomadic liftoff. I'm implementing your budget strategies and recording every $ so this year will be very telling of current rental expenses vs nomadic and is preparing me for expectations vs reality. I had been assuming doggo insurance covered more of the expenses so good to know this may not be the case. My van insurance is less than half what you paid - are you insured as a motorhome (I'm not)? I hope I'm not underinsured - my van insurance covers market value and one of the quotes I received was even more than what you pay. Not sure what the rego on my vehicle is as it was part of the purchase price but good to be reminded it will be another expense in December and to find out $ in preparation. Thanks again for such a useful video xxx
Wow, that is much more than I thought. $40k/yr to live in a van? Wow. You must enjoy it though and that's what matters; Live life as you want. I wish you the best of all things in the new year.
Wow, I had hoped it would of been a lot less, but reality truely does bite. I was planning on doing the east coast and ending up fully relocated in Tasmania from the northern rivers, but maybe I should just get on a plane so I don’t loose to much money along the way. Hmmm money vs adventure?!?!
In your 2022 expenses breakdown you mentioned that you ate out a bit more frequently that year. How did that compare to 2024? I keep my grocery expenses separate from eating out - I can see then if my eating out is getting a bit extravagant.
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully Although I eat out about once a week, realizing that my one meal is costing three days' worth of home prepared food is sobering.
Having a pet makes a big difference in your budget every year. We don't buy private health any more though we used to buy only extras cover. It's not worth it for us.
Hi Brenna, one suggestion I have is to make your donations to local charities who will use your money wisely (for example, a local animal shelter), instead of the big names. I used to donate to WWF and those others until I learned that they are banks disguised as world wildlife fund, etc. Your hometown charity would be very grateful indeed for your assistance.
Thank you for your cost breakdown. It helps me plan my yearly income against weekly expenses should I retire and hit the tar. Hmmm- where could I save . where would I spend more? My thoughts never vier far from POOCHY but I trust he is in good hands and you both look after each other well.
Hello Brenna, I hope you are having a wonderful day. can you please tell me how tall you are, I have a van the same as your old one, but it gives me a back ache thinking of getting one with a higher top on it
Not cheap...hi Brenna..there is no cheap way to live ..l am so lucky as l own my shed..house..so l do not pay rent...also l own my old hiace van ..which l am excited to say is now fully stripped out....my problem ..like yours ..l have 3 dogs. ..vets are so expensive..my last bill was 1600 dollars ..l am only planning on doing camping trips...and only in the west...so happy your dog is ok..
I find the savings come in the things that are inherent in living in a city. I save so much more on the road than when at home eg everything purchased has more thought in it due to space, weight & expense and every trip is thought through (no quick getting in car to do something). I have discovered, the joke of “the (city) tax” was true once I experienced how cheaper it was outside the city I was living in. No more “just popping down the shops”. No rates or utilities. Of course, everyone will spend how they like. Personally I don’t do cafes, lunches out, tours, tourist attractions or big cities…not because I can’t afford it, I just prefer not to.
Hi , I know this is not related to your video but now you have had time to breath from your accident could you please when you’re up to it by explaining what you did to stop yourself and beautiful Abby getting hurt. How did you stop safe.
Hi, please let me know if you have a way to send money from the USA to help with pet expenses. 😊 I love my fur babies, and sometimes they need a little extra to keep them healthy ❤️ please let me know. Thank you for sharing and happy new years. 🎉 Love & Light always Karen and Miles 🐶
Do you know how many kms you did in 2024 before the van broke? I seem to remember that in 2023 you did a LOT of kms because you visited Tasmania! Also interested to know how many nights you stayed in paid campgrounds? (Just comparing NZ to AUS 😊 )
The insurance also seems high. I suspect because it is not a “motorhome”. My Fiat Ducato Maxi Pro is $1482 (with lots of expensive contents included). I’m about to reregister mine as have just moved interstate. 12 months rego in previous state was $1542 (MAI insurance included).
😂 Yes I'm thinking you should get Abby out there earning her keep. Hi I'm Abby, I can exercise your human! Cheap rates. Water and rest stops as needed. Disclaimer - No collection of waste products guaranteed.
My mortgage and 2020 vehicle are paid for it's so my only expenses are utilities I pay my house and car insurance monthly real estate taxes once a year I got a $26.00 cost of living raise for Social Security this year so I will be making $1,298 I currently put $450 into savings every month so living on 2/3 of my social security check a month and I live very well. Yes owning a home does have additional costs my roof is 11 years old and I put central air and heating in 6 years ago before I quit working 4 years ago. Nomad living might be for some but I plan on staying in my house
Please, talk to a dietician about your supplements. If you're eating a balanced diet from foods you buy at the supermarkets, you probably don't need any of the vitamin and protein supplements. Likely you are making very expensive wee.
This budget you're on is extremely wasteful, instead of driving all over the place and paying for a place to park you should simply purchase a small piece of land where you can park on your own land, it will pay for itself very quickly. For food if you're on your own piece of land you can grow a lot of your own either in the ground or in pots which will cut the cost of feeding yourself. If you own your own piece of land you can put a little shower or outhouse type setup and collect rainwater to shower with cutting the cost of having to pay for a place to shower. There are a lot of ways you can cut your costs of living. Keep working on it you'll get there!
Did it occur to you Brenna likes travelling? Not everyone wants to be stuck in the same spot. I didn't hear her complain about costs she merely shared what she spent in the previous year.
It's not possible everywhere in Australia to live in a van on your own land without building a house on the land. There are many laws in non rural land regarding must build a house. Also it's not always possible to grow enough cows and chickens to eat and not everyone eats vegetables and fruit. Perhaps consider your own country and needs may not be possible in our country of Australia.
As a widow I was looking to live as you do but after this reality check it’s something I’m not going to be able to afford. Thank-you for sharing I really appreciate your honesty,
Before you give up, maybe do your own budget check? Deciding on your own needs, must haves, do withouts and such. All of our lives are different, just as we are.
Maybe you can figure it out? 🤗
Everyone's situation is different. My husband and I live in a house and we spend less than Brenna. Do a budget and track your spending before you make a decision.
Anyone thinking of living in a van should separate out the expenses you would have regardless of how you live - food, health, pets, health insurance etc - from the expenses you would have specifically living in a van. That gives a more realistic comparison with other life choices.
It’s good to know what you’re getting into.
Please don’t be discouraged! Vanlife can be much more affordable than Brenna’s budget, everyone has different needs / wants! Eg: Not everyone is going to be paying for camping (some of us want to park stealthy and free). We don’t all need things like Starlink, storage units, protein powder or even that much in fuel (if we’re not travelling and tend to stay in the one area). Just do a budget for yourself (estimating the costs of the things YOU would need / want)! 🙏🏼
People's weekly income will make you adjust to the living costs, etc. Longer stays at free camps, to not travelling too far been next stops. Doing your own clothes washing, can save a lot.
I was looking forward to this annual video - I've been following you for a few years now and this is the third "Expences" video I've watched and have noted the kinds of things to expect when (one day) I can get into vanlife! Thanks for being so open and transparent about this! Happy New Year, 2025!!
And methodical too! Great to get really accurate numbers.
When you adopt a pet you have to be 100% prepared to pay for all their health and medical issues (just like you would for your child). Thank you for loving your dog! I don’t want to think about how much I’ve spent on my pets over the years but they are totally worth every cent. They are incredible for my mental health and I would never be without them.
They truly are worth it.
I love how you made budgeting for life on the road seem so manageable! Thanks for sharing these practical tips, Brenna! ♥
I love your budget videos! They’re _so_ helpful. Thank you. 😊
As you said, its still a lot cheaper than living in a house and adjustments in budgets can always be made. Hope its not too much longer before you get your new van. Another informative video, thanks. Glad Abby is improving.
thanks brenna. this has been so helpful to me. you are a delight . see ya next time
Thank you so much, Brenna. I've been a viewer of yours for a few years, and your annual expenses videos are sooo helpful. I also enjoyed your budget video - both a tremendous help as I look at transitioning to van life. Big pats to Abbey ❤️
Cuddles and love from your furbaby is worth the costs though xx
Blimey Brenna, Australia is so so expensive these days.
Your costs for the same in my country would be atleast half that & that's with things gone up these past few years.
Have a great 2025
I was thinking the same
I don't know how true this is, but I was told that Australia and NZ are two of the most expensive to live in the world.
I think Australia is second after Hong Kong
@@Kirbygal55
I was in NZ in 2004 for a few months & it's was very affordable then...looks like it & Australia has become not so.
No wonder many from each country have moved to other countries.
I've done some quick numbers & here in the UK (away from London) it's 60/65%% cheaper than what Brenna is spending.
I'm a New Zealander and prices are insane there. I live in Australia and prices here have gone up too. Worldwide I think 😊
As im inching closer to the road this was very helpful
Me too. That I would have to convert all those dollars to British British. pounds,
Thanks Brenna. Great topic. I also think it is important to give back. Yes, having a dog is expensive eh. Worth the love you get from them though.
Very worth it.
Thanks for your yearly budget breakdown. It was watching your video from last year that helped me get my head out of the clouds and my mind out of the US vanlife research. Australia has higher cost of living, and we can't modify our vehicles like they can. Over the last year therefore, I've moved into a share house with family, thus dropping my (and their) housing costs extensively. Then instead of a van, I've just purchased a 2017 Rav4 4cyl 2L 2wd as I'm no off roader and I want the best fuel efficiency in a petrol engine (lower maintenance costs). In general, your sensible approach is much more in alignment to my needs and I truly appreciate your videos and experience.
I separate my budget by food, household and hba[health and beauty accessories], pet care and dining out. For me, it provides a better break down of my grocery budget which previously seemed so large. By doing that I can isolate or fine tune which area to adjust more.
Thank-you Brenna. Very informative. Thank-you ❤Happy New Year, to you and Abbey❤❤❤i can't wait to do some traveling 😊i would sell your stuff in storage..out with the old and in with the new😊
I am very close to selling it.
This has helped me enormously recognising how expensive it is just to live on a daily basis by merely being careful and. Ot overspending. Thank you for being so diligent in keeping these records. I am just starting retirement and although living in my own home I now recognise better the costs that I will be incurring versus money coming in which I didn’t really consider previously.
It's good to get a reality check.
A person after my own heart. I too track every penny I spend. I do not live in a van, not sure that would be fitting for me but budgets are so necessary. It is common sense and too many people live way over their means. I keep track of everything on Excel spread sheets, Love Excel. Thank you for sharing. Yes, pets can be very expensive, but they give back double in happiness!
Hi Breena, Thanks for your insight. I travelled around in a Toyota Hiace van ( two wheel drive which limits my opportunities) for ten weeks, staying (for the most part) in caravan parks. I paid anywhere between $28 a night to $49 a night for a non powered sight. I found that the closer you got to Sydney, the more expensive it became. I didnt travel with a pet but my relatives have told me that their fifteen year old dog, costs them about $10,000 a year in vet expenses. Owning a pet is not a cheap pastime.
I eat pretty lean when Im out on the road: Banana, one weetbix and milk for breaky. I buy a salad sandwich for lunch, split it in two and that lasts me for two days and have it with another piece of fruit. If ive caught a fish, I'll buy some potatoes, vegetables and use the camp kitchen at around 3pm, when its quiet. Then all i have to do is use my microwave at night. Easy Peasy.
Can I ask how you use your microwave if you don't have a powered site?
@@EmmEmmm26 I plug the microwave into my portable power pack. When the power pack gets low on charge, I connect it to my solar panel.
@tonyneal4716 thank you! I am a microwave fan and wondered how I could use it off grid.
That sounds like a great way to keep your food costs down while on the road.
I don't have a microwave. I manage fine without one.
Thanks for sharing. Really appreciate your yearly summation.
Thank you, hope your dog stays well, cheers from Perth, WA
Hi Brenna its nice to see your RUclips channel again, some how I lost the channel. I appreciate the budget for 2024 I'm afraid mine is not as high because I don't have the experience for my dogs, that would be really high for me. But I'm glad I found your channel again.
I hope you can find all the videos you’re looking for. 😊
Hi just came across your video, here showing support to our Aussies. Happy New Year. Subscribed.
Thanks for sharing Brenna. Sorry to hear about Abbey & glad things are progressing well. As a creative nomad, I have used a small storage facility or (currently) a garage of a family friend to store equipment for different projects. I wouldn’t manage without this option. All good wishes.
Thanks Brenna, this has been super helpful with my plan to move from my empty nester house to a tiny house on wheels (the van variety), hopefully this year but probably 2026 when I turn 60 and can access my super. I’d like to park it long term in FNQ near my parents during the cooler months then migrate south for the troppo season. Lots of research ahead of me to work out how it will all come together.
Good luck with your plans. It’s a wonderful life.
Another great summary. Thanks.
Glad you liked it!
Thanks Brenna for this was great to know.
Hi Brenna, have a look into CIL insurance. QLD based but you can get a policy over the phone , then send photos. Im in WA also.I have an Iveco Daily self converted. Just need to show that you have a bed, stove and sink. It will cut your insurance costs by about half and they're great to deal with. My first van was in a bingle and written off 😢 but they were great to deal with and sorted very quickly and easily. Might be worth a look for you. Looking forward to the new van. Thanks for all your info 😊
It took me a moment to realize you are talking Australian dollars, not USD! That is MUCH better! Hope you have a good 2025!
I live full-time as a nomad. I drive a 2008 Chevy 1 ton box truck with a big gasoline engine. I live very comfortable and eat well on less than $1000 per month. Keep in mind I have no pet with me and I am on Medicare for health insurance. I also carry a Honda 125 Trail for running errands and exploring. My little motorcycle gets about 98mpg. I also have a diesel heater and a gasoline generator. I have 1300 watts of solar and 600 amp hours of battery. I go to free camping spot and stay at least 14 days or longer if permitted. Then I usually move around a 3 hour drive to another site. I go back to Texas for the holidays. That is when I spend the most for fuel. My yearly net income is around 19,000 per year. So I. also have a good emergency fund. I have lived this way for 6 years. I do have a set budget for my expenses.
American dollars?
@@DianeMitchell-f4c Yes, all American, U.S. dollars
So if you're spending $1000 US, you would be spending over $1600 Australian dollars
Just to note that Brenna was speaking about Australian dollars
@@DianeMitchell-f4c Oh, I apologize for the mistake. It was an oversight on my part.
Thanks Brenna, this is soooooo helpful, being only 4 months away from nomadic liftoff. I'm implementing your budget strategies and recording every $ so this year will be very telling of current rental expenses vs nomadic and is preparing me for expectations vs reality. I had been assuming doggo insurance covered more of the expenses so good to know this may not be the case. My van insurance is less than half what you paid - are you insured as a motorhome (I'm not)? I hope I'm not underinsured - my van insurance covers market value and one of the quotes I received was even more than what you pay. Not sure what the rego on my vehicle is as it was part of the purchase price but good to be reminded it will be another expense in December and to find out $ in preparation. Thanks again for such a useful video xxx
Good luck with your nomadic liftoff! 😊
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully Thanks Brenna, super exciting - did you change what your van was insured as after you finished your first build?
Thanks so much for sharing Brenna
No problem 😊
Happy new year🎉
Wow, that is much more than I thought. $40k/yr to live in a van? Wow. You must enjoy it though and that's what matters; Live life as you want. I wish you the best of all things in the new year.
Wow, I had hoped it would of been a lot less, but reality truely does bite. I was planning on doing the east coast and ending up fully relocated in Tasmania from the northern rivers, but maybe I should just get on a plane so I don’t loose to much money along the way. Hmmm money vs adventure?!?!
Another great video!
In your 2022 expenses breakdown you mentioned that you ate out a bit more frequently that year. How did that compare to 2024?
I keep my grocery expenses separate from eating out - I can see then if my eating out is getting a bit extravagant.
I don't think I ate out at all in 2024. Food has just gotten really expensive.
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully Although I eat out about once a week, realizing that my one meal is costing three days' worth of home prepared food is sobering.
AustraliaWide Ambulance cover ? Perhaps you included it in Health Cover
Happy 2025 Brenna n Abbey ...looking forward to viewing your new vanbuild
🤗🚐🦘
Ambulance is free in Australia.
How is that so ?😊@@EmmEmmm26
Urgent ambulance is included in my health insurance.
It actually isn’t free, in WA it is user pays. There are some exceptions
Oh good Brenna 🥰@BrennaLivingJoyfully
Having a pet makes a big difference in your budget every year. We don't buy private health any more though we used to buy only extras cover. It's not worth it for us.
Also, grocery prices have increased like crazy (cost of living crisis). So I think you did amazing to only go $10 pw over budget!
Yes, they have!
Hi Brenna, one suggestion I have is to make your donations to local charities who will use your money wisely (for example, a local animal shelter), instead of the big names. I used to donate to WWF and those others until I learned that they are banks disguised as world wildlife fund, etc. Your hometown charity would be very grateful indeed for your assistance.
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep that in mind! 😊
Thank you for your cost breakdown. It helps me plan my yearly income against weekly expenses should I retire and hit the tar. Hmmm- where could I save . where would I spend more? My thoughts never vier far from POOCHY but I trust he is in good hands and you both look after each other well.
Yes, absolutely
Pet insurance is so important..good for you ❤
Vanlife costs as much as you want it to. You make it work for you.
Use bicarb soda for deodorant and toothpaste. Coconut oil for moisturizer and gum health.
Hello Brenna, I hope you are having a wonderful day. can you please tell me how tall you are, I have a van the same as your old one, but it gives me a back ache thinking of getting one with a higher top on it
I’m 5’2”
Hi Brenna, I have a totally unrelated question to your video topic, hope you don't mind 🙂 what brand power bank do you use and are you happy with it?
ruclips.net/video/F13eGvhDl6M/видео.html
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully many thanks 🤗
Not cheap...hi Brenna..there is no cheap way to live ..l am so lucky as l own my shed..house..so l do not pay rent...also l own my old hiace van ..which l am excited to say is now fully stripped out....my problem ..like yours ..l have 3 dogs. ..vets are so expensive..my last bill was 1600 dollars ..l am only planning on doing camping trips...and only in the west...so happy your dog is ok..
Im so surprised your fuel is so much less than food. I spend about $75 a week in America.
It really does vary depending on where you live and how much you drive.
Most of these expenses are ones you would pay if you lived in a brick and motor. How much did you save on housing.
I find the savings come in the things that are inherent in living in a city. I save so much more on the road than when at home eg everything purchased has more thought in it due to space, weight & expense and every trip is thought through (no quick getting in car to do something). I have discovered, the joke of “the (city) tax” was true once I experienced how cheaper it was outside the city I was living in. No more “just popping down the shops”. No rates or utilities. Of course, everyone will spend how they like. Personally I don’t do cafes, lunches out, tours, tourist attractions or big cities…not because I can’t afford it, I just prefer not to.
I live in America. That's huge.
How much a week would your supermarket purchases amount to? I’m at about 100$ a week.
$135 week
Wow...your expenses living in Australia are high.
Hi , I know this is not related to your video but now you have had time to breath from your accident could you please when you’re up to it by explaining what you did to stop yourself and beautiful Abby getting hurt. How did you stop safe.
The van just came to a stop, absolutely no drama.
wow
Hi, please let me know if you have a way to send money from the USA to help with pet expenses. 😊 I love my fur babies, and sometimes they need a little extra to keep them healthy ❤️ please let me know. Thank you for sharing and happy new years. 🎉 Love & Light always Karen and Miles 🐶
You are very kind Karen. We are okay for money, thank you. You could always donate to a local animal shelter.
Do you know how many kms you did in 2024 before the van broke? I seem to remember that in 2023 you did a LOT of kms because you visited Tasmania!
Also interested to know how many nights you stayed in paid campgrounds? (Just comparing NZ to AUS 😊 )
My total Km's for 2024 was 17,214
Sweet Abby 🐾
Wow! I guess I won’t be getting a dog.😢
Your van registration seems high ,mine for my Mercedes Benz sprinter is $754 for the year
The insurance also seems high. I suspect because it is not a “motorhome”. My Fiat Ducato Maxi Pro is $1482 (with lots of expensive contents included). I’m about to reregister mine as have just moved interstate. 12 months rego in previous state was $1542 (MAI insurance included).
Are you in WA? Our registration here includes 3rd party insurance
Insurance was for 17 months as I had to pay up to May 2025 when it was written off.
@ no I’m registered in Victoria and no third party insurance included
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully Was in ACT which includes Motor Accident Insurance - essentially 3rd party. Interesting.
I'm trying to work out a £1000 .00 a month. Could I live on that?
You need to do your own calculations. I will make a video for next week about how to work it out.
😂 Yes I'm thinking you should get Abby out there earning her keep. Hi I'm Abby, I can exercise your human! Cheap rates. Water and rest stops as needed. Disclaimer - No collection of waste products guaranteed.
Love it😊
$135 a week seems a reasonable amount these days
geeezus!
Dog food?
Included in the total Dog expenses
Many people do it for much less.
They do. I am blessed to still be working and have a decent income
My mortgage and 2020 vehicle are paid for it's so my only expenses are utilities I pay my house and car insurance monthly real estate taxes once a year I got a $26.00 cost of living raise for Social Security this year so I will be making $1,298 I currently put $450 into savings every month so living on 2/3 of my social security check a month and I live very well. Yes owning a home does have additional costs my roof is 11 years old and I put central air and heating in 6 years ago before I quit working 4 years ago. Nomad living might be for some but I plan on staying in my house
I am a nomad at heart and love the lifestyle, regardless of the cost.
Please, talk to a dietician about your supplements. If you're eating a balanced diet from foods you buy at the supermarkets, you probably don't need any of the vitamin and protein supplements. Likely you are making very expensive wee.
Woops -she is in good hands , not he is
This budget you're on is extremely wasteful, instead of driving all over the place and paying for a place to park you should simply purchase a small piece of land where you can park on your own land, it will pay for itself very quickly. For food if you're on your own piece of land you can grow a lot of your own either in the ground or in pots which will cut the cost of feeding yourself. If you own your own piece of land you can put a little shower or outhouse type setup and collect rainwater to shower with cutting the cost of having to pay for a place to shower. There are a lot of ways you can cut your costs of living. Keep working on it you'll get there!
Hi just wondering where you have bought a little bit of land where you can legally live out of your van and what is the cost. Thanx
Did it occur to you Brenna likes travelling? Not everyone wants to be stuck in the same spot.
I didn't hear her complain about costs she merely shared what she spent in the previous year.
@@leeleek9677 New Mexico
How about you live how you want to live, and I will live how I want to live, and we don't judge each other? What do you think?
It's not possible everywhere in Australia to live in a van on your own land without building a house on the land. There are many laws in non rural land regarding must build a house. Also it's not always possible to grow enough cows and chickens to eat and not everyone eats vegetables and fruit. Perhaps consider your own country and needs may not be possible in our country of Australia.
Thanks, Brenna... handy to know. Everyone's budget would be different, and this is a good basis for people to do their own calculating... 🙂👍🫂