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How do people afford vanlife? How can you make money and what types of jobs are common?

Updated: Jun 25, 2023

There are several ways that people afford van life, but generally everyone will have a different situation. Some people on the road may be retired, some may live a frugal enough lifestyle to work a casual schedule, others may work full-time remotely, and many will be somewhere in between. See below for some common strategies that play into affording a nomadic lifestyle on the road.



  • Saving up money: Many van lifers save up a substantial amount of money before embarking on their journey. They may work for a few years, living frugally and saving as much as they can to build up a financial cushion so that they can afford the expenses of traveling, and provide a buffer for income requirements.

  • Working remotely: With the rise of remote work and digital nomadism, many van lifers work remotely as they travel. They may have a job that allows them to work from anywhere, or they may have started their own online business.

  • Budgeting and living frugally: Van lifers often live a minimalist lifestyle, which means they refrain from accumulating a lot of expenses. They may cook their own meals, camp for free or at low cost, and minimize their spending on non-essential items.

  • Finding alternative sources of income: Some van lifers earn money through freelance work, selling handmade goods, or picking up odd jobs along the way.

  • Downsizing and reducing expenses: Van life often involves downsizing from a traditional home, which means reducing expenses like rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and other bills. This can free up money for van life expenses like fuel, food, and vehicle maintenance.

It's important to note that van life can be expensive, especially if you're not careful with your spending. But with careful planning and budgeting, it can be a rewarding and affordable way to travel and live on your own terms.


How do people make money while living in a van?


Van life can be an affordable way to live, but many people may still need a source of income to support the experience. There are many ways to make money while living in a van. There are many routes to earning income while living out of a campervan, for example:


  • Remote work - This is pretty common for many vanlifers; some common remote jobs include freelance writing, web design, software development, virtual assistance, and digital marketing. These jobs allow you to work from anywhere with a stable internet connection. More on this later!

  • Seasonal work - If you're willing to work seasonal jobs, you can make a decent amount of money in a short amount of time. Some seasonal jobs include working at ski resorts, national parks, and festivals. These jobs typically come with free or discounted housing, which can be a great benefit for van lifers.

  • Workamping - Workamping is a combination of work and camping. Workampers are people who work at campgrounds, RV parks, or similar establishments in exchange for free or discounted camping fees. Some popular jobs for workampers include working at the front desk, maintenance, and housekeeping.

  • Entrepreneurship - Van life can provide the flexibility and freedom to start your own business. Some popular business ideas for van lifers include blogging, photography, selling handmade crafts, and providing digital services.

  • Temp work - Temporary work can be a great way to earn money while still maintaining flexibility. Temp agencies can help you find short-term jobs that fit your schedule and skill set.

  • Odd jobs - You can also make money by doing odd jobs like pet sitting, house sitting, or babysitting. These jobs can be found through online platforms like Rover, Care.com, and TaskRabbit.

The balance between income and budgeting that is necessary while living in a van will be different for everyone depending on interests, hobbies, skills and individual situations.

What are the most common remote jobs for vanlife, and how can I find them?

Some general categories of work that you'll commonly see on the road:

  • Freelance writing, editing, and content creation

  • Graphic design and web development

  • Virtual assistance and administrative support

  • Online tutoring and teaching

  • Social media management and digital marketing

  • Photography and videography

  • E-commerce and dropshipping

  • Consulting and coaching

  • Software engineering and programming

  • Data entry and analysis

If you're interested in finding a job that allows you to work while living on the road in a van, there are several resources that can help you:

  • Remote job boards: Websites like Remote.co, FlexJobs, and We Work Remotely specialize in connecting job seekers with remote work opportunities that can be done from anywhere in the world, including your van.

  • Freelance platforms: Freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer allow you to offer your skills and services as a freelancer and work with clients remotely. This can be a great option if you're looking for flexibility and the ability to work on your own schedule.

  • Digital nomad job boards: Websites like Nomad List and Working Nomads offer job listings specifically geared toward digital nomads and remote workers, including opportunities for vanlife jobs.

  • Vanlife-specific job boards: Websites like VanlifeJobs.com and VanLifeJobs.net specialize in job opportunities for people living the vanlife lifestyle.

  • Networking: Joining vanlife communities on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit can help you connect with other vanlifers who may be able to offer job leads and advice.

Remember that finding a job that's suitable for vanlife may require some creativity and flexibility, so don't be afraid to explore a variety of different options and consider starting your own business or pursuing a side hustle that can be done on the road, but think first about your skills and interests.

Where can I find first-hand experiences from vanlifers related to working on the road?


Reddit is a great place to start:

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