8 Surprising Budget-Friendly Vanlife Essentials
Soon, it will be time to say goodbye to Jean Genie, my 2006 Citroen C8 minivan/home on wheels, where I have lived for the past eight months- and I must say, it’s been a wild ride.
I started my mostly solo female van journey in cold, dreary Berlin, made my way carefully through the French Pyrenees (nearly skidding off an icy mountain in the descent), stopped by sunny Valencia for a few weeks to walk some rescued dogs through the orange groves, submersed my body in a hot spring in the middle of a Spanish desert, made a detour through Morocco to rendezvous with a charismatic Berber (one whose tagines cooked on an open fire taste better than any restaurant’s) and ended up driving all around Portugal where I currently am. In that time, I have “surfed,” slept on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic, and got inspired to start Exiting the Matrix, LLC., a fake company that helps people build a life they don’t want to escape from.
If I had known how beautiful life could be on the road, I would have done this long ago. But like many of you reading this, many barriers (including financial barriers) prevented me. That’s why I want to share my insights with you. You actually need a lot less than you think.
Embarking on a vanlife adventure doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. Whether you’re dreaming of road trips through rugged mountains, lounging by sun-soaked beaches, or simply seeking the freedom of the open road, the essentials don’t need to break the bank. After eight months of living in my trusty Citroen C8 minivan, I’ve learned firsthand what’s necessary—and what’s just extra baggage.
Below are a few essential items that have helped me feel good about van life and living outside the matrix. I am sharing the list because I did a lot of research about what I needed beforehand and even bought some crazy things that I didn’t ever end up using. I hope this list can save you some time and money. Ready? Let’s go…
8 Essential Vanlife Items You Need to Buy
#1—Foldable Camping Toilet, $40
IMO, van lifers don’t talk nearly enough about stuff like this. All the van tours I’ve seen on YouTube go something like this, “And here’s my chemical toilet, but I’ve never used it; it’s only for emergencies.” YEA RIGHT, COURTNEY, you aren’t fooling anyone!! Since we are all adults here (despite that adolescent outburst I just had), I’d like to talk bluntly and openly about one of life’s most taboo topics, poo, and WTF to do with it when you live in a van. I like that this toilet is discreet and doubles as a stool or footstool (no pun intended) when not used as stool storage (pun intended). It is also completely collapsible, so it is easy to tuck away. When you have to go #2, and you can’t find a safe/clean toilet, which happens quite often on the road, double bag it, do your business, and then dispose of it accordingly. No chemicals are needed. Link to a similar model.
#2 - CAMPINGAZ - Twister Plus Backpacking Stove, $20
I bought a double burner before I got on the road but have never used it to this day. I overestimated how much "real" cooking I would actually be doing while van-lifing. I like this miniature version because it's super easy to boil water in the morning for coffee or hard-boiled eggs and tucks away easily. You can find gas cartridges in many countries (and all Decathlons which are everywhere), so bonus points for the convenience.
#3 - Wet Wipes, <$2
Wet wipes are essential for cleaning up spills and mopping up the sweat under your pits before bed if you cannot find a place to bathe yourself properly (it happens more than Courtney would like to admit). I kept a pack handy in every compartment of my van.
#4- Decathlon Foldable Camping Table, $20
This table is perfect for preparing and enjoying meals, but it also works as a "desk" for those of us who still have to work for a living. Few van lifers explain how they funded their first van or complete “home” makeover. SUS.
#5 - Battery Pack, $25
I initially wanted one of these high-tech solar-powered generators, but I held off because of the price and got this one instead. I'm glad I made that choice because I never needed more. I usually house-sat, stayed with friends, or topped up my devices at cafes or restaurants along the way - so this little battery pack forced me to be strategic about my usage. Rationing my tech usage also had a positive side effect; I didn’t resort to scrolling aimlessly when I was bored. Instead, I would reach for a book or explore the surrounding area. Here's the one I bought.
#6 - Homemade Insulated Window Coverings, $40
These were the first things I prepared after I bought my 2006 Citroen Minivan. I traced some patterns onto a large piece of paper, cut out the pattern, spray-glued the insulation to some upcycled blue material the same color as my van (to bring less attention to the fact that I was sleeping inside), and then ran colorful tape over the edges. If I were to do it again, though, I'd go to the dollar store and buy the foldable window coverings made from similar materials and then cut them to my window size. The rolled insulation I bought below is expensive, and I didn't use half of it. My window coverings are still holding up, though they are now well past janky.
#7 - A Good Pee Jar, <$2
What makes a good pee jar will depend on your stature. One that is not too tall but can hold a considerable amount of pee in case you aren't able to water the plants in the middle of the night. Ladies, take it from me and look for a jar with a wide opening (like a sauce jar or pickle jar). It's much easier to get a broader mouth in the correct position, and it will prevent leaks when you are squatting. Take it from personal experience, LOL.
#8—A Spray Bottle, $1
I learned this method on YouTube and loved the idea. Fill a cheap plastic dollar store spray bottle with water and a dollop of dish soap. You'll be amazed at how dramatically it reduces the water you need to wash dishes (or your hands when you’re fresh out of wipes).
And now for my not-so-sentimental conclusion (I hope Negative Nancy approves)…
If there is one thing I want you to take away from this essay it’s that you do not have to be a nepo-baby to do van life. You can start with a very minimal budget and only buy the necessities. After all, the whole point of pursuing an alternative lifestyle is to spend more time outdoors, having good old-fashioned fun, not holed up in your Pinterest-worthy van.