250 a month for years Lisa on youtube with Bob

[ORANGE]

]



So where is this lady Lisa who was/is able to live on 250 a month for YEARS.  Ive searched for posts here on the forums but no luck.  I wish she did have a written how to do it on 250. Id buy that book!

Anyone have any  links as to how?

Anyone want to take a try at how to budget to only spend 250 a month?

Assuming free parking right... Can this amount of money only be done out west?

 

[B and C]

For that kind of money, probably no phone, computer or internet. Bare essentials only.

 

[Elbear1]

If she gets SNAP and doesnt have to move much can probally afford a limited smartphone plan.

 

[Kaylee]

+1 to what Brian & Elbear1 say!
I saw those vids during my initial "wow" phase, and even then I was mentally calling BS.
Unless somebody really tracks their expenses, and includes stuff paid by others, it's not reliable.

I've been meticulously tracking my expenses since starting.
Total repairs (since buying my van late last year) have been $6400, however there was a brief fund raising drive over at Gary's forum, which raised $2000, then one of the regulars kindly sent another $200 for my most recent breakdown (thanks all!).
I wasn't begging - Gary kindly offered to do a fundraiser, I declined, then two regulars PM'd me, with sizeable pledges, so I agreed to let Gary make it public.

Not counting repairs, yes, I can live & have been living in my van for about $250/month, but I'm the poster girl for frugal living, and have an obsessive "hobby" that costs almost nothing.
I doubt most are in my situation.

Very few vehicle dwellers have meticulously documented their expenses.
Of the ones who have, "happiness" & hobby expenses are significant, which is completely reasonable.
Most beginners fail to consider what in the world they're going to do with their now-"free" time.

I mean the above as a reality check, not a criticism of the OP.
In fact, just last night I PM'd Orange to praise her very well thought out plan that she recently posted.
I'm confident that you ("Orange") will succeed!
I just want all potential dwellers to think things thru.

You must start by understanding your current spending patterns.
If you're frugal now, you'll probably be at least as frugal in a van. There's a lot less temptations out here.
If you spend a lot in s&b, then please do not assume you'll suddenly change your habits, even with the diminished temptations.
Track your expenses, then see how much you can trim now, before you invest thousands into starting this lifestyle.

Also, consider getting a free (or near free) hobby that truly consumes & fulfills your being.

P.S. Latest things I've trimmed: showers (eek!), internet data plan (was limiting where I could camp plus it was a distraction).
I drive into town about once per week, mainly to dump my, um "bucket", and use the Library to get free wifi & free DVDs/books & free water.
I also get a loaf of wholewheat bread ($2), 2L generic caffeinated soda ($1), & two big soda cups full of free ice, and (sometimes) gas at a local gas station.
About once per month I go to a bigger town with a grocery store & laundry.
I will be publishing my detailed expenses (down to the penny), probably around the one year full-time mark.

P.P.S. [whisper] Everyone, please promise not to tell Bob that someone really is living so cheaply.

 

[Riverman]

If you're taking donations then apparently you aren't living as cheap as you think you are.

 

[DannyB1954]

She has her own channel on Youtube. I met her at a van build event and she was making morning coffee and breakfast for everyone. She is a very likable person. She does host visitors occasionally at her home base. https://www.youtube.com/user/simplylesa/videos

You might be able to maintain your life on $250 a month, but I don't think that includes the vehicle purchase and other equipment.

 

[MrNoodly]

I used to travel with her. (She spells it Lesa.) And she did get by with very little money -- and occasional help from friends.

Since that video was made she has settled in on a small bit of land and only travels occasionally.

 

[maki2]

don't know where she is but IF
you never get ill and need very few over the counter medications
if you have an extremely frugal diet
if you don't drive very often
if you don't need any car repairs other than perhaps changing your own oil
assuming you don't need tires or brakes for quite a few more years, etc
only need a very low cost liability insurance policy
don't have to purchase water
don't need very much electrical power
don't have a need to purchase much in the way of electronics or gadgets
don't spend much on toiletries including garbage bags, household cleaners or laundry
don't spend money on clothing but instead rely on second hand or hand me downs

Then you might just manage to live on that amount of money.
But it is such a fragile budget in the USA that it will take the strict discipline of a truly dedicated frugality person to pull it off

But why don't you just give it a try to see just if you can cut your expenses to a bare bone minimum?

 

[lenny flank]

Well, people in much of the Third World live on the equivalent of $250/year.

If you call that "living".

 

[Kaylee]

If you're taking donations then apparently you aren't living as cheap as you think you are.

Your statement does not make sense to me.
I disclosed how much I have received in donations.
There's no "apparent" in my numbers.

I recommend you carefully re-read my post.

You might be able to maintain your life on $250 a month, but I don't think that includes the vehicle purchase and other equipment.

Exactly!
Most budgets leave that out, among other things.

 

[Elbear1]

If you get SNAP you can get $600 without a work requirement. Thats $50 a month. With a garden on small property and perhaps occasional food pantry visits you can eat on $0. Amd for a little out of pocket eat very well wanting not.

I guess i got my love, excitement on doing such things fromy depression era grandma. THAT impresses and inspires me way more than anyone spending $100 on a steak.

RV basic coverage is extremely cheap. Like $100-150 a YEAR. you got tools, time, space, some internet you can fix most any one thing for a few hundred dollars.

You can get 250w panels used for $50 each. Go to junkyard and pickup battery cables laying everywhere and a bunch of used batteries. Plenty of ppl out there bucking the internet wisdom and doing this with great results.

Do all all that and the $60 a month for unlimited internet is easily paid for.

 

[highdesertranger]

"RV basic coverage is extremely cheap. Like $100-150 a YEAR"

not if you tell them you are full time. that cheap RV insurance are for those that use there RV a couple of weeks a year.

highdesertranger

 

[Elbear1]

Uhhh....If you tell them primary residence its about $200-250 a year. But if youre sitting 14 days a month, or on a piece of land, and/or youre on an LTVA 5-7 months you really are only driving 30-40 days a year.

Go to progressive and see for yourself. A $4-5k value motorhome or trailer as primary residence.

 

[maki2]

Taking a quick look at her youtube channel she is not making it on that budget. She has had to get donations from viewers to do things such as car repairs.

 

[RoamerRV428]

sure some have to bare bones it. get help from friends when they can from some generous others who can help. realistically without 'extras and help' and more a person isn't going far in life on $250/mo.

just a second of good second hair tires are gonna set ya back and any big repair, you are done for....medical, yikes

I think it is SO wrong to promote this super low monthly income as some kind of conquest. Some kind of badge of honor. It isn't. It is struggling to survive under very hard conditions. Kudos for doing what you have to do tho and always gratitude toward others who help those less fortunate when they can means others can thrive a bit on such low income.

interesting tho….how low people can go when forced. we all would do it also if forced. Thank heavens for the great group out there that do help and support others!

 

[RVTravel]

Super Ultralight Living

 

[ckelly78z]

Seems like alot of lucky circumstances would all have to occur to live on $250 a month (some of which Maki2 outlined).

No way you buy/build a van, AND live for that amount.

 

[ORANGE]

+1 to what Brian & Elbear1 say!
I saw those vids during my initial "wow" phase, and even then I was mentally calling BS.
Unless somebody really tracks their expenses, and includes stuff paid by others, it's not reliable.

I've been meticulously tracking my expenses since starting.
Total repairs (since buying my van late last year) have been $6400, however there was a brief fund raising drive over at Gary's forum, which raised $2000, then one of the regulars kindly sent another $200 for my most recent breakdown (thanks all!).
I wasn't begging - Gary kindly offered to do a fundraiser, I declined, then two regulars PM'd me, with sizeable pledges, so I agreed to let Gary make it public.

Not counting repairs, yes, I can live & have been living in my van for about $250/month, but I'm the poster girl for frugal living, and have an obsessive "hobby" that costs almost nothing.
I doubt most are in my situation.

Very few vehicle dwellers have meticulously documented their expenses.
Of the ones who have, "happiness" & hobby expenses are significant, which is completely reasonable.
Most beginners fail to consider what in the world they're going to do with their now-"free" time.

I mean the above as a reality check, not a criticism of the OP.
In fact, just last night I PM'd Orange to praise her very well thought out plan that she recently posted.
I'm confident that you ("Orange") will succeed!
I just want all potential dwellers to think things thru.

You must start by understanding your current spending patterns.
If you're frugal now, you'll probably be at least as frugal in a van. There's a lot less temptations out here.
If you spend a lot in s&b, then please do not assume you'll suddenly change your habits, even with the diminished temptations.
Track your expenses, then see how much you can trim now, before you invest thousands into starting this lifestyle.

Also, consider getting a free (or near free) hobby that truly consumes & fulfills your being.

P.S. Latest things I've trimmed: showers (eek!), internet data plan (was limiting where I could camp plus it was a distraction).
I drive into town about once per week, mainly to dump my, um "bucket", and use the Library to get free wifi & free DVDs/books & free water.
I also get a loaf of wholewheat bread ($2), 2L generic caffeinated soda ($1), & two big soda cups full of free ice, and (sometimes) gas at a local gas station.
About once per month I go to a bigger town with a grocery store & laundry.
I will be publishing my detailed expenses (down to the penny), probably around the one year full-time mark.

P.P.S. [whisper] Everyone, please promise not to tell Bob that someone really is living so cheaply.

Please Kaylee sometime in the future come back to this and post your detailed typical this is what you spend on whatnot. Yes I for sure would like to know because only exactness can give the true picture of being that frugal. Even if someone says I can never do that, or that isnt true, it will be helpful to so many many who will read now and in the future who never posts. Like the 1000 a month---well heck anyone can do that in my opinion over time of really trying to if not right off the bat. And myabe only few will/can do 250. But your 250 will give more frugality/ideas for folks. A special PLUS is that you ARE NOT IN THE WEST.

Give us a sneak preview before you fully publish. When I look at budgets I see 2 big expenses GAS and FOOD. GAS you rarely move, so that is something folks would have to figure out, how not to move around. Sit, Stay, Good girl/boy.

FOOD is something of course that I would like an early detailed preview.

I wondered how come Lesa never done such a FAQ/Report on how to do it. I looked at her YT, didnt see anything there.

I cannot fathom anyone being able to do 1000 a month not wanting to get the facts on 250 just to save 10 grand a year! Talk about emergency fund! So I for one will be waiting eagerly for your how-to!!!

 

[Elbear1]

sure some have to bare bones it.  get help from friends when they can from some generous others who can help.  realistically without 'extras and help' and more a person isn't going far in life on $250/mo.  

just a second of good second hair tires are gonna set ya back and any big repair, you are done for....medical, yikes

I think it is SO wrong to promote this super low monthly income as some kind of conquest.  Some kind of badge of honor.  It isn't.  It is struggling to survive under very hard conditions.  Kudos for doing what you have to do tho and always gratitude toward others who help those less fortunate when they can means others can thrive a bit on such low income.  

interesting tho….how low people can go when forced.  we all would do it also if forced.  Thank heavens for the great group out there that do help and support others!

I know when im talking about monthly budgets im speaking of reoccurring costs only. You always have to assuume **** happens and even costs vary region to region. 

Its not "I get $250 a month can I do this?" Its i get $800 SSDI or whatever can I, with discipline and effort,  possibly put about $500 in savings?

Most people arent so naive as to think that medicals, vets, breakdowns arent going to happen and be expensive.

This forum is mostly retirement age and dont realize that the amounts youre spending make vanliving utterly impossible for anyone not retired or rich or working fulltime. If youre under 50, and especially under 40, youre only hope is to work seasonally in conjuction with modest savings and the only way to make it work is to spend less. Significantly less. The economy of scale just is not there for people outside retirement to spend $1000+ a month.

Its this simple and its about what I actually do;

-$125-150 give or take in groceries real world. Western prices are NOT significantly different than back east..(except the coast). I can do less but its hard in a van with very limited fridge and pantry space.
- gas $120 gets me 4 weekly fills @ $3 gallon. (~500mi month in mountains)
- insurance $11.35
- an oil change bought at walmart $20 × 2 / 12 months
-tags $5
-propane $10 give or take how cold it gets
- unlimited Internet and tracfone - $75

-

 

[RoamerRV428]

That is just it....you are limiting and being too narrow in your assumptions.
many under 40 or into that 50 range are making a decent living on the road, thing is they are making sure they are doing just that. Putting in the effort to make their life and income fit. Many don't do a seasonal income life and of course everyone has a budget. You budget for what you make. Simple as that. Not many live beyond their means out and about with a freedom on the road and having to work to do just that.

People do and will always limit themselves. Or they go rogue and think outside the box and DO as they need.

Now I ain't talking those infirmed or limited in any way where it is almost impossible to do what I said above but you will see many find wonderful livings on the road and do just that.

ain't set in stone, everything is black and white out there and shades of gray are they key item, if one can think in shades of grey more and not be so narrow then they can truly find what works for them.

when the **** hits the fan is when most go down. happens to all of us thru life, we all have those moments that take us down a lot of pegs, what ya do after is of ut most importance.

Life won't happen on your disciple and effort, it is gonna come at ya like a freight train when it wants. We all experienced that in our lives to some degree.

We all find a way thru this life of our own.