If you’re currently working on a van build or planning to turn your dreams into a reality by living life on the road, we’ve compiled a list of 7 Simple Tips for Preparing for Van life! We know as well as anyone that a van build can be all-consuming, but these little preparation tasks are so necessary and will save you stress down the line!
Plus, while van life can, of course, be amazing, it’s also challenging! Generally, things don’t come easily, and there is so much more to consider than when you’re living in a house, so to ensure you’re ready for what’s to come, it’s time to get prepared!
Table of Contents:
Minimise Your Belongings
Start by minimising your belongings, whether this means packing up your home to go into storage or making some significant trips to the charity shop. You’ll need to cut down your belongings to a more van-friendly size. Exactly how small of a size will depend mainly on your van size and the amount of storage available to you, but it’s likely that no matter what, you’ll be downsizing.
For me, it was helpful to divide my belongings into sections—clothes, toiletries and make-up, hobby stuff, and then miscellaneous. Try to be strict with yourself, as you’ll probably still end up taking more than you need.
When packing clothes, think practicality and multi-purpose. The first time we set off in our van, I had an extra packing cube stored under one of our seats of clothes I thought I might need (for very specific occasions) and ended up never even looking at it. When going through your make-up and toiletries it’s also a good opportunity to chuck away anything thats out of date, or doesn’t get used.
When it comes to hobbies, I personally like to read. Our bookshelf in the van is small, so I knew I could only bring 2 or 3 unread books with me. The rest had to be stored away. I also bring along my Kindle as this is the perfect way to never be without new reading materials while taking up minimal space in the van. Definitely a van life essential.
Remember, you’ll also want to buy things while you are travelling, so you don’t want to fill up every nook and cranny in the van. Leave yourself room to grow.
Preparing for van life with Remote Work
To prepare for van life, you’ll want to consider remote working or simply consider where your money is going to come from. If your plan is to live on savings, plan how long you want them to last and budget accordingly! You don’t want to end up cutting your trip short because you were too frivolous at the beginning.
However, if you have a skill that you’re hoping to monopolise to be able to work on the road, it’s a good idea to get the ball rolling before you move into your new home on wheels. There are a ton of ways to make money on the road; it all depends on how much time you want to commit and your skill set. Alternativtly, you may choose to travel, then do seasonal work to keep you moving. There are plenty of options out there.
Getting started before you actually hit the road will also help you to troubleshoot any potential issues. When we first moved into our van back in 2021, I had hoped to take my 9-5 office job on the road, but with the amount of kit, internet connection and work hours, we quickly realised this wouldn’t work for us. So, I left to pursue more flexible working options in preparation for van life.
Consider Your Non-Negotiables
When preparing for van life, to enhance your van’s livability, it’s important to be honest with yourself and consider what your non-negotiables are. At the end of the day, while you’ll mostly be living out of your van, not in it, it’s still your safe space. What do you need in your van to ensure it feels like a home?
Try Out Some Van-Approved Recipes
Will you have one hob in your van build? Two? A full oven? An omnia? An air fryer? A fridge?! Everyone’s set-up is different, but if your set-up is going to be a change from your household set-up, you may want to start trying out some van-approved recipes. In our home of wheels, we mostly cook with only two hobs. For this one-pot meals are great! We also invested in a Ridge Monkey and an Omnia oven, which widens our cooking options further.
Experiment with some quick and easy recipes you know you’ll enjoy. Cooking on the road can be a chore when you know you’ve got to clean up and get moving, so having something simple yet filling and nutritious in your wheelhouse will be so needed! Check out our Pinterest board for some van-life cooking inspiration!
Data Plan Upgrade
If you’re planning to work on the road or even simply watch Netflix in the evening, you’ll need a reliable internet connection. Not to mention using maps to find secure places to park for the night! Consider your current data plan, and if it’s likely you’ll need more! Alternatively, you may want to invest in a hot spot for a portable wifi option for your van.
If you’re travelling abroad, you’ll also need to consider the fair usage policy and what your data allowance will be while abroad.
Preparing for Van life with Community Engagement
Connect with other van life enthusiasts through social media or local meetups to exchange tips, share experiences, and build a supportive community. This is a great idea when you’re starting, as more experienced van lifers can help guide you. Trust us; they’ll be things you haven’t even thought of!
Prescription Pickup Planning
Before embarking on a trip, you’ll need to consider prescription medication if you take any. For me, I simply explained to my doctor what I was doing. So they changed the prescription from 6 months to 9 months, meaning I wouldn’t have to sort it out as often. Also, if you’re in the UK and have a repeat prescription, you can get it sent to any pharmacy nationwide! Simply ring your doctors and ask them to change where it gets sent! Perfect for when you’re constantly on the move.
If you’re in Europe, it’s a good idea to ensure you take enough with you!
These are a few things that are easy to tick off and will help better prepare you for van life!