Author: Zach Lazzari
Living on the road comes with a specific set of monetary challenges and while you can blow through a ton of cash in a hurry, you can also live for next to nothing with some strategic planning. Food, fuel and entertainment specifically are the biggest drain on your wallet. Planning a strict monthly budget and sticking to your plan will keep costs down without hindering opportunities.
Related Read: Budgeting Expenses as a Fulltime RVer
Park!
The biggest cost on the road is fuel but the best experiences happen when you are parked. Not just parked either but parked for free. When I’m looking for a long term site, I focus on finding something with a combination of shade and sun, an outhouse, recreational access and cell phone reception strong enough to run a hot spot for work. Luckily, most free, public land campsites allow for 14-16 days of camping before you are required to move. I spent two weeks of last September parked right on the bank of a favorite trout fishery in Montana. I had to walk about 50-yards for a strong enough cell connection but it worked out just fine. I could work offline for the day and send off emails and assignments in the evening. It actually improved my workflow. Having the river immediately adjacent to my camp meant I could go fly fishing during breaks and there was a toilet about 30-yards from my camp.
A month later, hunting season opened and I used the same basecamp strategy in a different area. I parked on a lake in north-central Montana and used the basecamp to explore the surrounding mountain ranges. It worked out perfectly and I spent next to nothing. I even stayed a few extra days after harvesting a mule deer as I had plenty of rice to accompany the prime steaks off the deer. I spent a small amount of money on fuel to reach trailheads but overall, my campsite was free and outside of food and two tanks of gas, I had zero expenses for two weeks of hunting. Arguably, I came out ahead with several months worth of meat to store in a friend’s freezer.
When you are looking for a great basecamp, consider spending the first 12-24 hours at the campsite without setting up awnings, camp chairs, outdoor kitchens and any other gear you carry along. Make sure the camp is right, then set up shop and claim your position. It’s nice knowing the temperature is manageable, the area is safe and you have everything needed before establishing a long term camp. In some cases, you may only need to move a short distance to increase the quality of your game.
When looking for great RV Resorts and Campsites be sure to search MobileRVing.com.
Great Meals on a Budget
Admittedly, I am a creature of habit when it comes to meals on the road but those meals are wholesome, delicious and cheap. Having a refrigerator makes a big difference by saving on the expense and hassle of ice while making it possible to carry vegetables and other perishables. My daily breakfast routine typically involves fried tortillas with eggs, cheese, onion and diced peppers. It’s easy, filling and your grand total is likely under 2-bucks. Eggs are cheap and serve as an excellent protein source on the road. Keep a couple dozen in the cheap, yellow egg holders found in the camping section of retail stores and you are set for a few weeks of breakfast.
Fruit, granola and nuts are great for snacking all day and I like a moderate lunch. Sandwiches are easy for lunch if your bread keeps. I usually avoid cooking for lunch and save that effort for dinner. Minimizing the need to wash pots and pans is especially important at campsites without a water source. Salad kits are helpful in this department and they usually run 3-4 dollars for a kit that feeds two people. You can add canned salmon or tuna for protein if desired. Between lunch and breakfast, you should still run under 6-8 dollars total.
Dinner is the big meal for me and it usually involves cooking a steak, pork chop or fish in a pan or over a fire. Add in some instant rice and sautéed squash or brussel sprouts and the meal is complete. If you can catch your own fish or hunt down legal game from camp, your cost of living goes down significantly. Freshly caught trout cooked in olive oil with slivered almonds and served over rice and squash is a common camp dinner and it costs next to nothing. In all you can easily eat well on the road for 10-15 dollars a day. Eat out at restaurants however, and that 15 dollars might not cover a single dinner.
Related Read: Campfire and Dutch Oven Recipes
Fun is Free
There’s a tradeoff to living a mobile life and in many cases it’s for the best. While some folks living the van and camper life are making a great living as remote employees or business owners, many of us trade a portion of that income for free time. Living in a city or other single location means you depend on the town for fun. You might go bowling, hit the movie theater, eat out for dinner and meet friends for drinks. While these things are fun, they are also expensive.
Being on the road means you can park anywhere and the world is literally your playground. Setup your camp on a river or lake or near a network of trailheads and spend your days hiking, fishing, biking and recreating in your favorite past-time. You have some upfront costs for equipment but you can use it over and over to make the most of your campsites. Even in urban or semi-urban areas, walking around a new town and enjoying a cup of coffee is a wonderful way to spend your day.
Related Read: Fun Outdoor Sports to Pair with RVing
The beauty of the lifestyle is a slower pace. Embrace that freedom and spend your time recreating, reading and enjoying the lifestyle. It’s 100-percent free to be happy wherever your camper is parked.
Related Tags
Boondocking, Budget, Camping Gear + Accessories, Hiking, Hunting & Fishing, RV Tips, Wilderness