A special thank you to all of those who have donated to this channel. The fact that people have seen me doing nonsense on the internet and thought to donate is wild, I am exceptionally lucky to have received such generosity from you all. ❤❤ An additional thank you to all who are watching and who have supported me with your time and attention. Without you I wouldn’t be able to dream about doing this as a job. And while Im not there yet, you are the reason I remain hopeful. :) UPDATE: Due to many questions regarding my low grocery cost, I will be discussing my current eating habits in an upcoming video! Stay tuned :)
Hi Emma. I want to donate too, but I have never done that before. So my question is, if I use my credit card 💳 will it be a one-time charge, or will it continue to charge me every month?
I enjoy watching your videos. And I appreciate your honesty. Thank you and may this turn into your main source of income. I have been thinking about doing this kind of traveling/living for a couple of years now but with the car payment. We shall see. God Bless
Hey Emma, how are you? I just ran across your page today I like your style and what you got going on. Hopefully it’ll be friends you can send me some pointers so I’ma be switching up my content a little bit so maybe you could you know be friends with me and I’m doing a new family life when I say I’m new I’m new I’m getting my van fixed on right now, I will be coming across the country selling a lot of things so I’m gonna be doing a lot of back-and-forth. I’m going to be you know recording everything as I documented it so hopefully you can shut out my page. Oh my channel grow. I’ll greatly appreciate it. I’ll do the same with my followers too all right hopefully we come across each other and God bless girland I love your budgeting skills cause me I suck at it so maybe we can grab some coffee iced coffee or something or some hot cocoa more of a hot cocoa hot tea person.❤
I’m homeless living in my car which keeps breaking down. I am absolutely honored that you acknowledge us that does it out of necessity. I’m hoping your dreams are fulfilled and you become so successful.
Based on your financial situation you will eventually have to go back to work. You might want to consider starting a Roth IRA especially when you go back to work. Especially when you are still young enough to invest in one.
Hi . I want to donate too, but I have never done that before. So my question is, if I use my credit card 💳 will it be a one-time charge, or will it continue to charge me every month ?
Wow what a well balanced and realistic emphatic response to life. Your channel popped up as a suggestion and I was just blown away by your gentle maturity to life’s roller coaster ride. A lot of people twice your age are too busy judging others to see reality. I live in Australia and have worked in community service all my life - not everyone gets a great hand of cards to start life. So much respect for you to be able to point that out. I’m now lucky enough to own my own home and a van to escape in whenever I want. But it wasn’t always that way….. Not a day goes by without me reminding myself that I’m bloody lucky to have what I have. Copped a sub from me.😊
This makes me feel good as a single mom. My son lived with me while going to college on a full scholarship. He landed a good job, and now we rent a 3-story townhome with 3 of his friends, each paying $380/month. I feel this will give him a good start in life.
you have a tribe haha! 😊😊Sounds like fun. So glad for you and your son, wishing you all the best. Having a support system and having help with my financial load has had a hugely positive impact on my life.
I paid so my son and daughter come out of college with no debt..that is their inheritance, my son became a pilot in the air force which Kay's for your college but I'd paid so he has signed it over to his son...it's a shame college costs so much but he has done right and I like to think I've nkw paid for my grandson to go to college in part...I'd love to live on the road but my business needs me to be at home 50 weeks a year....but I can still live vicariously.
Greetings from an old-ish (55yrs young!) solo uk female vanlifer. I hope this doesnt come across as patronising but you are so articulate and thoughtful with how you speak. Words obviously mean something to you! Thats rare, unfortunately 😕 Emma, you're youtube gold as far as I'm concerned. You're so funny, completely uncontrived, talented (girl, you got some pipes!), and I have no doubt you'll catch a viral and go large and be in charge! Never lose your ability to play and be as daft as a brush ...I never have and I believe its kept me young at heart. And never stop marvelling at the beauty of a sunrise. Ive seen thousands and they still take my breath away 🙏 We are blessed to live the way we do. I thank god, the universe, something much bigger and better than me whatever it be, every damn day for this life I have. I may have worked hard to get to where I am, but it's the grace of some creative intelligence at work that allows me to stay here. Blimey, thats a long old message. If you're still here, well done, chick! 😂 Big hug and respek to ya eyeballs as dem uk yoof would say! from somewhere near the beach in Devon ❤ Tracy and Molly Moo the dog
Awe, Emma, you're sooo kind 💗. My baby girl was 16 when she started working. She said Grandma why can't people just be kind ?" It would make working so much better. She's already using Aspercreme for aches and pain. She graduates next year God willing. So your comment about be kind made me happy 😊. Thank you for keeping it real ✌🏼❤️🙏🏼
Travel nursing would be the way to go, thanks for putting all that out there! My wife is a nurse and have looked into that. Love your videos and stay safe out there!
This is a good idea. I work for a payer-provider, and the provider side (health care provider) is desperate for nurses, and is open to flexible schedules, travelling nurses, etc.
Thank you for sharing such personal information with us. You are blessed to have great parents to help you. 💫 Stay safe and we’ll see you in the next one. ❤️
Possibly consider working a bit as a traveling nurse to keep your income flowing and keeping up your skills. Congratulations on living your life own your own terms! Seeing the country while you're young and able. Even if you graduate to your own little family, you can live your life this way. God bless! Stay alert!!!
I went and added you to my PP contacts and although it’s not much, I sent you a small token, you are an awesome person and above all you are REAL and I respect that😊
Hi, Emma. Hope all is well! My goodness, you were attacked by a bald eagle, I'm glad you made it alive. You have a good head on your shoulder, Emma. Your folks must be very proud of you, I certainly am. One of these days, i will leave my cave and see the sun again, inspired by you. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay happy! Everything else is manageable! Pops
Thumbs up for being 100% totally honest and clear about how RU-vid money works. So many creators get very vague about it, so that was very interesting.
SUGGESTION-play 1 song on your keyboard in each vid. Doesn't have to be exceptional-just something you like. I think people want to see that creative side of you. If nothing else it will be a thing you enjoy.
I would love to and I would if I could! Keyboard cannot possibly come out in every video though, I am actually not usually in a good place to bring it out. I cannot play it inside the minivan (too big), so I can only bring it out during good weather when Im at a secluded campsite. I cant play when Im in a town, in any inclement weather, when it’s windy, or when there are other campers nearby. Thank you for your patience in the meantime :)
Hi Emma, I think that wasp was more frightened of you than you were of it. You scared it away pretty fast. I've been AWOL from the comment section of your vids for a few weeks, but trust me I'm not giving up on you as long as you continue to post your travels. I think that dog in the previous vid wanted you to adopt him. 🐶 Thanks for sharing your monthly spending, and earnings. Hope you're able to continue for a long time. How about a little more singing and piano playing? 🎼 🎹 🎵
We could not be more opposite…I’m a poor old black lady lol BUT I absolutely love your style, honesty and sorry to say but your reaction to that big azz wasp lol! I would have done the same thing! Oh and buy the way…your hair was great and looks amazing on you! You are an inspiration…new subbie! 🎉
Excellent! I am older, broke, and I'm digging road trips. I want to make it so I can "live in my car" longer at a time. My food expenses have to take a dive. My percentage of staying at free campsites has got to increase. Public showers for the win!
Hi Emma just found you, Yeah I'm in oztralia ,and I'm a bit of an old bushie, always going out in the wild places.. I'm getting a bit older now 64 , and am waiting to get the pension to go bush permanently. I have much respect for you as a young woman out and about in wild places. You must be on your guard as you never know who's about. It's bad enough for us blokes. However my hat is off to you, and like watching others in their happy trails. Yes I started out when about your age, and you grow to love nature an all of its beauty and mysteries. Now is the time to really get out there, as when you reach my age , as you know you get things wrong with you..I got arthritis in hip and it now limits what I can do. I really look forward to watching your channel from now on, and see where you go to next. From what I've seen America is a beautiful place, but please be cautious where you go. Hope you have a great time out there. love from OZ .
Thank you for pointing out the medical situation it is a real struggle.there are times Im about ready to give up.i wont give up! Fight fight and i keep moving forward..
Wow, you're amazing. I would love to know what you diet is and where you buy your food. I spend a lot of money at the grocery store, but maybe because I have a dog, and end up buying a lot of cleaning supplies, but that is an amazing budget. Great Job!
I just discovered your channel through a RU-vid suggestion and I subscribed. Will go back and watch all your vodeos .. You seem yo to be a wise young woman, continue like this and I am sure your channel will grow.
Travel nursing seems to be pretty profitable. Another RU-vidr I follow does it and then walks the long hiking trails between contracts.Thanks for the informative video.
This is a great idea, unfortunately I graduated with an associate’s degree and don’t have a bachelors yet, many travel RN contracts require a bachelor’s at this time. Also, I would need additional licensing to be able to practice as an RN in a state outside of the state I graduated in. maybe I’ll give it a shot sometime in the future!
@@Emma-and-BusBus I'm retired, not in the medical industry, but still I was going to lament that some of my favorite states aren't in the nursing license reciprocity compact. Then I realized that a travel nurse could visit them between gigs. :) When my wife was starting as a nurse the BSN was getting more important and some of her co-workers were getting their BSNs online. My hat's off to nurses.
@@Emma-and-BusBus Honestly, I hope you stay as far away from traditional medical fields as possible because you are sunshine incarnate. Hearing the bits you've said about it being traumatic lets me know you are just as human as the rest of us, and that is a job that leaves SCARS on most everybody. Some people are built for that, but most of us can do the same amount, if not way more, helping people outside of hospital walls. But whatever your dreams are, I hope you follow them and continue to march to the beat of your own keyboard. Your hair looks great btw. The bug just threw ya, lol
You can do travel nursing with an associates degree. I also understand if you just want to take a break from bedside. It's tough mentally and physically. Be blessed in whatever you decide 😊
Thank you for an interesting and informative video Emma. Someone mentioned the option of perhaps working as an agency nurse once in a while. With your upload schedule of twice a week you may be able to make a few extra videos and bank them to take time out for that or even just going back home and enjoying family time without being penalised by the RU-vid algorithm.
Immediately subscribed because of how much respect and care you had with your approach to these topics. Especially acknowledging the privileges you have had and do have to choose to do this! I've only just become interested in vanlife and so far, all I've seen is that its just a fun little gimmicky eat pray love thing people just seemingly decide to do and can immediately put thousands of dollars into the most extreme builds etc! I am so glad to be seeing more of the spectrum, and other realities that lead to this lifestyle. Thank you!
Bzzzzzz! Big Wasp made me subscribe. OMG I am rolling. 😂 Also your monthly expenses made me realize l can get by with a lot less. 24 months til retirement and I hit the road permanently. Thx.
Love your straight forwardness, intelligence, honesty, and that you don't fake smile. I subscribed to help support you. I have been vanlife style for about 30 years and am super blessed and very very very thankful. Really like your style... and how pretty you are with and without your hat because in your eyes I see a lot of love. Vanlife for me is all about freedom and adventure. Wishing you calm wholesome pleasantness Emma.
You are so fortunate to be able to do this at this stage in your life. Your point about being healthy is key. Have you thought about picking up some gig types of work, copywriting, photography or even video editing?
Wow! It's crazy how cheaply you can live in the USA. (well, while you're healthy. Your health system is frightening!). That was a great insight, thanks so much for sharing and all the best for your future travels.
I trust you will always be in the right place at the right time doing the right thing for you. Your path is one of success, adventure, love, and kindness ❤
I'm a 76 yearold fulltimer and prescriptions don't work any more in coast to coast vanlife. Good thing I'm plant based and real healthy myself ! Staying healthy is the most important thing for us full-timers right after a massive emergency fund. 👍 Rock on 🙂.
You seem real and that's cool you posted your income. RU-vid needs to hook people up a little more. You seem like me in ways. Keep on hustling with the videos. Enjoy life like you are!
GIRL. I both love and hate that your generation has been sculpted to be so hyper sensitive to the struggle of others. On one hand, your empathy radiates, and your ability to look at your situation from the perspective of the less fortunate is admirable. But on the other hand, I think you downplay how hard you've actually worked, and the struggles you've gone through to get where you are. No matter what you do, don't shortchange yourself or let anyone, including yourself, convince you that you are anything less than brave, hardworking, innovative and tenacious. Even with double the resources, most people couldn't do what you're doing-especially not in the lovely manner in which you're doing it. Stop and remember that. Celebrate every win you have in this life, ESPECIALLY when you're the only one doing it. 🙌🏆
OMG that wasp moment was priceless!!! I thought it was a dragonfly! I just discovered your channel. I don't have a driver's license but I travel with my cat (plane, train, ferries) and being a RU-vidr I have a lot of vanlifer friends 💜
You have a career to fall back on where there are always jobs. Best of luck on growing your channel, even with your privilege acknowledged, I hope you can safely take on this phase of freedom for a long as you can.
While those identified expenses may be accurate for each category, you have left out numerous important categories of expenses that do not come out each month but still need to be accounted for. Auto registration, auto maintenance, auto repair, auto depreciation, medical insurance, dental insurance, insurance copays, internet connection, showers, phone and or tablet/computer depreciation. I have included depreciation because unlike a home which typically appreciates, your vehicle is depreciating and will need to be replaced. same for phone and or computer tech. Another category is app software that does not provide free updates. If you are traveling to very remote areas, you should be accounting for sat phone service for safety. If you are not subscribed to sat service then you are neglecting a very important element of solo camping (particularly for women). If you rarely travel to areas without cell phone coverage then you would not need a sat phone or service. laundry, clothing, misc gear worn from use. Saving for a first time home owner can readily be done if you are actually earning a regular salary or hourly rate. Saving for a down payment will certainly not be available given your current income and saving plan. It is fine for a short term vacation while you are young, but not sustainable given your current situation. Being healthy now is great but you can not guaranteee the future, so you are simply gambling (your choice). Whatever savings you had that may have gone towards a downpayment for a starter home is being depleted at this time of your life for this adventure. It is your choice but recognize the trade off. I pay less in my home mortage then the average renter pays. You talked about the average person having maybe $400 possibly available for an emergency. What happens if you engine or transmission goes out? Would you have a few thousand to put into the vehicle or to replace it. Probably not because you do not have it in your current monthly budget.
I love and appreciate the cost breakdown! I’ve been trying to plan out my own intro into van life and I gotta say for as much as I’m not nervous… the money aspect is a lil doozy that keeps getting thrown in there. Could just be the getting started jitters tho I do suppose. I’ve also always wondered how RU-vid monetization worked so thank you for that also!! Sending the most fantastic vibes your way!!!
Not having any medical issues is a financial game changer. You're not tied to expensive prescriptions or having to find ways to get them. I will never take my health for granted. Being in proper good health and not having addictions that are a financial drain seems to be the rarity these days. Enjoy that freedom you get from looking after yourself. Jealous of your freedom right now. Would love to give this a go.
Thanks for this. I am always looking for real-life car camping budget videos and I haven't found many out there, so I appreciate this video. Thanks for being so honest with us! I subscribed!
Girl your parents brought you into the world so they owed you an education. I'm happy for you becoming a nurse. I'm in my mid 20's and my parents are paying for medical school. I'm in my last year. Can't wait until I graduate. Cheers!
I have a Morton's neurologment in my foot. I also have had Melanoma cancer 3 times because I had melanoma. I have now got parkerson's disease. I have spinal stenosis I have o CD.. Ball will tell you one thing with all my ill's. I had never given up and if you come across this way later in your live. You don't give up either you make everyday count.. My sister also has a nursing degree I make really good money. You don't have to work in the hospital as a nurse you could do homecare well. That's all I have for you today. I don't like things aren't worth out well for me but they are everything is under control. Including my Blood Pressure? Which I. Take bills? For.
I’m so happy for you to have this season to really live the life you most enjoy! Thank you for acknowledging the privilege/circumstances that allow you to have this experience. (I am dealing with many of the challenges that you listed, and it limits your choices in an extreme way.) Squeeze every bit of adventure out of this season. I have no doubt that you will continue to live an incredible life.
As an outsider van life is cool when you aren't trying to travel. You simply use it to save tons of cash on rent. Once you done it long enough, have your routine and crap. You buy land with all of your saved money. You stack up again but now you are saving for something to put on the land, maybe a trailer, tinyhouse kit or a camper. Spend your free time making the property a home and power efficient. Buy a gun for protection and you now can start saving money more comfortably. I think most of just want freedom and be debt free..
Nursing is a lot of work but it is also something you can do anywhere if needed. Hopefully your channel grows and grows and brings you lots of money. I retired from nursing in 2018.🐩🐶🐕🌈✨🌊🌙🌺🌻☮️❤️🌴
Emma, there's a lot of traveling nursing programs available, might be something to check into. I have to say you have the prettiest eyes. Having a budget and sticking to it is a wise investment. Several years ago me and my wife Julie had a sailing channel on RU-vid, we started it so our family and friends could follow our adventures, will before we knew it our channel had grown to 286,000 member in under one year, we enjoyed making the videos and sharing our lives and our adventures, but after 5 years it was less adventure and more time coming up with entertaining content to share, be basically were burned out. So going into the 6th year we pulled the plug on the RU-vid channel. We had 487,842 members when we quit, and the monthly adsense revenue checks were quite healthy, but because we have great pensions and have a very strong stock portfolio we decided to donated all of the adsense revenue to the MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION. They're a great organization that has made so many sick kids' dreams come true....
you've become one of my favorite youtubers, love seeing your adventures every week 🥰 you've inspired me to move away from shorts and make longer vids about my own travels but I'm scared to post that first one cuz it'll probably be cringe LOL
Awww thank you so much for watching. Also girl if you wanna see cringe watch some of my earlier vids lol 😂 and besides, to be cringe is to be FREE. I Just subscribed and am excited to see your journey ❤❤
Very interesting. Van life isn't cheap either. As a near 200lb man, I expect my food budget would be higher as well. Looks like you have a nice fuel-efficient van too. I dream of building a big white super duty crew cab 4x4 long bed truck with a cap on it (long truck), and calling it the Snowpiercer, like a road train, lol. Got to pull in some green to keep that on the road with its MPG. I've also got to have enough to pay my house mortgage (single guy on my own), and property taxes because I don't want to lose my house. Buying one again would be near impossible in today's market. Living on the cheap is a skill though. I've been doing this with food for the last 6 months or so. I have $2-$5 meals all the time now. But even just 3 x $2 meals a day, that's well above your entire monthly food budget. Got to add beverages and snacks, ect. I'd love to see what you eat for so little money. I used to be a foodie and paid $28 Lb for cheese and such. I was lucky if I spent under $30 a day at an average of $10 per meal. Can't do that while living off savings and trying to help others at the same time. (My philosophy is if I can't help others too, then I won't indulge for myself) I have this theory that when the apocalypse happens, the foodies will go first, ha. It'll be too much of a shock to their lifestyle, IMO. P.S. I love your Souvenir, lol. Definitely worth it. Keep on truckin'.
Your channel miraculously appeared on my feed somehow. You are a delightful young woman, so talented with the videography of your travels, and I am sure you are also a wonderful nurse. (Note- I am an ancient nurse, lol). There will always be sick or injured patients to take care, so enjoy your freedom as you choose.
Work for a half-year each year and live cheap. Keep your nursing degree active. Throw most of it in savings or the company stock plan if you think its a good company. Maybe the work-a-day thing is a bummer...but it'll pay for it until you can rely on RU-vid for an income.
Holy shit love r hair ur channel and what ur doing. I'm right behind you! Subscribed and hit the notification button for all your new content thank you for sharing
'Draw the cat eye sharp enough to kill a man.' 😻You always look so naturally gorgeous! 💃🏻 Thank you for sharing this with us. I plan on taking to the road when I retire early in 4 years, although some recent surprisingly useful events in my life mean I may be able to go sooner! Please know that escaping the matrix doesn't mean you aren't a contributing member of society. If anything, your contributions are more meaningful, as they are more thoughtful and intentional. You boost local economies anywhere you shop, eat and partake of services. You are also enriching the internet and world at large with positive, wholesome content and providng adventures for those who can't do it on their own. So never downplay your meaning in this world. Infinite love and blessings. 💖😻🙏🏻
You are wonderfully grounded and wise Emma. Long may you be able to enjoy life on your own terms. New subscriber leaving a comment to feed that algorithm 😀. All the best from the UK
You are in a great in demand profession as well and can pick up short term contracts anywhere in the US and Canada. There is a guy who travels in his car of the moment who does this AND makes a healthy RU-vid income as well.
Thanks for sharing your financial side and your honest input about your van life. I always wonder how people can afford to live on the road. I love how you choose to live. Kinda wish i could do it.
Yer lucky that wasp didnt grab you and yank you out of the window, it was a monster. Don't forget about vehicle maintenance, thats going to figure in as well.. Good luck!
Fair point! I do keep up on my maintenance, but it isn’t a monthly cost, BusBus usually only needs standard upkeep once every two to three months depending on how I’ve been driving him. I keep a detailed log of everything that has been done and I write reminders for his upcoming needs :)
