How I make money while living full time in my van - UK Van Life 

What I find refreshing about you James is you're not constantly banging on about this "buy me a coffee malarky" and promotions .There's a guy on here (not van life related) and he's always asking for coffees, hitting super like button and he's amazon wish list. Can't warch him anymore. You do great videos and people can spot your genuine nature.

At least you're honest James that's what I like about u buddy

I think you and helen should do livestreams on youtube, in the back of the van or just in a pub or out and about on a walk, It would be a proper laugh and we'd all love to support you with superchats and donations

Right decision about the adverts, I switch off when there are too many, we like your own content, not cheesy adverts!

So lovely to see your honesty and personal morals aren't for sale.

Enjoyed that mate, I understand wanting to do what you want to do, companies wanting you to do reviews tell you what to , let them jog on. We follow you because your genuine, so honest, some RU-vidrs have lost there way, vannlifers.

Dont lower your standards like other youtube van lifers keep it real do it your way and keep up the entertaining vids 👌

OMG it was lovely meeting you in Morrisons today lol. Was proper starstruck (saddo or what? ) and forgot all the main items I actually went for! Good job Helen wasn't there too I would have gone home with nothing at all lol.

You guys stay as your are , thats why i think people watch because you are genuine . Looking forward to your van build

We don’t watch television anymore (with the exception of special events eg The Coronation etc). I only watch RU-vid as it’s more entertaining and informative. We have 3 📺 but they are ornamental lol. Your channel is good because it’s how the normal man lives in general and tunes in to what I enjoy watching (true crime, van life, first class travel experiences, cooking, old 70’s 80’s TV, etc anything that springs to mind really). I’ve paid before for Patron but after a few monthly subscriptions stopped because it offered little more than the normal RU-vid viewing. I feel with you and Helen that you have become ‘friends’ someone that we can relate to. Your recent Benidorm on a budget experience was top class. Thank you

Top lad we love that walk as well pall nice video 👍

Hi James,this time next year you’re going to be millionaires 🤞 Thanks for your video and keep trucking 🇬🇧😃

Hi James, You know it surprises me a little that apparently people like to know about “money” I hope you channel grows fairly steep as I watched you from the beginning basically. I said it before your channel stands out, it is really different in a positive way, love the sense humor you both have. Best regards, Albert PS If I got to choose, I would buy a t shirt or a cup or so,etching like that. I have this cooks apron from an Italian guy, cuoredichocolato, just as you said it feel more positive too me, plus you get that bit of advertisement especially wearing a shirt or a hoody or what ever you know.

So nice to hear that you have integrity when making your decision about promoting products. It also shows when you have integrity to an audience. Keep up the good work enjoys your vids.

Good for you James staying true to yourself and not promoting any old thing, keep just doing what feels right for you and Helen. Enjoyed the video and the day to day insight to your life, as others have said i think people are just curious (not nosey!) to know about the money side of it because some of us would love to do what your doing, but don't have the know how on how to earni money when as a vanlifer you might not be in a fixed place all the time. To be honest until i found your channel i never knew about vanlife!, but the idea appeals to me more abd more! Have a good week, whats the name of the stout in the little blue bottle?, not seen that one before xx

Hi James. I loved your video as always. Honest, entertaining and creative are all words I would use to describe them. I love all the vintage TV and film clips you often use and I can see the work and research that you put into them. I really wish your channel all the very best and hope it grows exponentially as it is everyone's dream to earn a living doing something they love and are good at. Aren't some folk nosey though wanting to know about how you make your income? Just wonder if they'd be as open and honest as you about their income?! Keep loving what you are doing and best regards to both you and Helen 💜

Great video James! You come across as a very genuine person and what you see is what you get. Some people are just watchable and that’s you!!😊

Get you both over here to Ireland, and your channel will grow for sure👍

I am almost 80 and I envy you, I have always loved motorhoming but no longer, my wife would not accept this lifestyle so it’s 4 walls for now, I wish you well in the future will be following your travels with envy

Hi, as everyone has been saying love how open and honest you always are. The idea of a patreon is good, but as someone else mentioned for a small cost, as a rehabilitation Support worker I am only on basic wage, but happy to help out if I can. Definitely design some stickers, we would be happy to purchase one. Stay safe, we look forward to your next video.

good on ya, James. The channel IS you and Helen and not the latest product review. Keep on doing what you are doing. much respect- Kenny

I follow many van life channels on RU-vid including yours and they do live chats for about an hour or so. They get many donations via the live chat feed from subscribers and is a great way to respond and communicate to your audience live. No editing involved so that's also a win win. I've witnessed totals of over £1000 during these live chats. Defo worth looking into. All the very best Ricky 👍👍👍

We’d support your Patreon channel to see extra video content. 🤗 Loved the ‘finding the right camera angle’ in the van section! Hilarious! 😂 Been fans from your very first van-life vlog! 👌 Good luck & safe travels. 👍 Cheers Cally & John 🍺🍷

Making money from RU-vid is obviously a great bonus if you can make it happen. In your position I'd see how things go with the base income you have from your other work. Being happy and in control of it all without feeling too overly bogged down has to be priority. You wanna keep enjoying it as much as possible and create stuff that you feel has integrity. I think you're doing that pretty well now and expect your channel will grow. People are curious about your income cos a LOT would probably love to have a bash at your life... You're a standard bearer for a lot who I'm sure are rooting for ya! Good hearing your musings as usual!

I know the income important, but we like the channel just the way you send it , entertaining and fun. Good channel

you come across as a genuine fella James (as does your missus) stay honest to yourself, you will prosper. I stumbled across your stuff last week, subscribed straight away. Many more will

Hi James, looking forward to when you get your new van and do it up. I'm not keen on patreon really, it seems to spilt viewers in two, those in the group and those on the outside who cant afford it. Just my thoughts. Enjoyed this vlog very honest.❤

Good to see that cooperate businesses are getting refused. Well done this man 💚🌍💚🤝🏼

Another very enjoyable video. Just shows, you don't need Helen to make a watchable episode (although believe me, she helps!) It's interesting to hear the details of the income you get from RU-vid. Not many people are as honest and open about this stuff. Love the way you're always saying you'll have to edit bits out, and yet there it is in final vid. Makes me wonder how much you do actually edit out.

It won’t put ppl off duck u having ads. We love the channel anyway. Really interesting vlog thanks for sharing James. Lisa ❤

A full time sponsor sounds about the best, im sure the odd product might be worth doing a plug/opening thing 👍👊👍👊

Really enjoyed that blog interesting knowing how you make money ange

Hi James great insight in to what you do and loved that you put some vanlife and a fanatic walk in Love your honesty and wit ❤👍

I would deffo by a 'By the curb' sticker for my campervan...could be a talking point when seeing other people with them!!

Thanks for sharing so openly. Do what feels right for you in regards to RU-vid. Hope you both have a great week 😊

Thanks for reminding me. I love Chimay too!

Well youve gain another 3,5 k subscribers since this video so your doing something right. I enjoy yours and Helens enjoyment of life. Nice to hear your honesty and keeping your integrity when earning your daily bread. Keep up the good work

I think it's nice to have a variety of work/income projects and maybe then it's not boring and you're more inclined to want to do it. I love your English countryside and seeing you all out there on your hikes. I follow One Man and His Whippet and he does a lot of hiking with the dogs. That would be great to see you do meet-ups with other van dwellers whether it be camping or pub crawls. I don't really see that on channels in the UK like in the US, maybe I'm just not aware of their channels. If you are up for a Patreon account then go for it but I do here people say it's a lot of extra work. I know Foresty Forest just quit his Patreon because it was just becoming too much work and he couldn't get enough time to enjoy what he really wanted to do. You'll figure it out in time what works best for you, but in the mean time I really enjoy what you all ready have done with your channel, it's a keeper! Thanks James

I don't think it's any business how you earn money I just like to watch your videos just my opinion 😊

Only just come across your channel thanks to your Benidorm vlogs. So just looking back at your previous vlogs… what a great down to earth guy you seem to be. Looking forward to following your journey. Thanks for sharing

I've just brought an e bike, there brilliant, I've got bad arthritis and it's so helpful

Loved it thank you 😊

Love to see you guys walk round a car boot, maybe an option..

Come 24 Arundel road to buy lots of antiques, loft full of em we done so much car boot shopping, we need to clear it for cheap

I used to collect pedal car's as a hobby austin j40s and triang. My aunty had an antique shop in Bridlington it was quite big i love looking around them. Theres quite a few here in rawtenstall Lancashire but very expensive, loving the vids James.

Great video James👍🏻.

❤ rock on being yourself, wish is was happy to be as open as you ,!

Good on you , i couldn’t handle another van life portable power station video. Saying that , if you’ve got one to plug , go for it ..

Your just so down to earth James ❤

Whats the name of your ebay shop if you don't mind me asking P.S your videos are not to long for many of us we love watching and listening to you 😊

Great video James , intreasting to no how you earn your income ,obviously the more likes you get and subscribers you get your earn more and you should for the time you put into your channel. Wish you all the best for your future.😊keep safe 👍

Newbie here love your channel and your integrity breath of fresh air. 🙂

Top bloke! Some folks ain’t half nosey wanting to know about the financials 😅 Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards for you and Hel. Can’t wait for the journey! You guys are the kind we’d all like to go for a pint with… or 2… or 3! Come the content comin’ Lovejoy! 🤙🏻

I've delayed looking at this video because I wasn't sure about the title. If you get some advertising/work/money out of it then that's fine. If it encourages others to join the van life that's fine. If it's just people being bloody nosy - that's really not fine. Don't feel you have to tell people everything - that's none of their business! Just ignore them or ask them what they do and how much they make before you share any info!

Enjoyed yr content am a collector myself was yr stall in elsecar heritage centre keep on with yr channel easy on the ear you lad

Hi, I enjoyed your latest video. You asked for some suggestions, so, seeing as you are experienced in ecommerce, why don't you use your unit to stock up on some items you find handy in van life and hiking and sell them through your website and print your logo things such as travel mugs, water bottles and flasks etc. You can also print your own stickers and put one in with each purchase.

Nice area for a walk, don't know if you are aware but you can drop down to Grindleford railway station where a reasonably priced large full English awaits. The most valuable thing anyone can posses is their personal integraty.

Well done, keep your video free and great.

Didn't have my glasses on, thought you're thumbnail, was you leaning out of the van taking pictures! 😮

Another great video 😊 thank you for sharing

Me n the lady have walked up there a few times! You never know we might bump into you one day in the peaks as we live in Totley and are always up and around that way. We once tried stealth camping in a hammock in those woods in the valley (Burbage plantatation) but the trees where way creaky and loose in the boggy soil so we moved on... We usually walk around the top side either stanage edge way or higger tor for a short one as I hate walking up hills. Anyway, Stick at it youth!

love every video ,You know how much we love Helen but I have enjoyed these videos where you open yourself up to us.I think the Patreon thing is a good Idea but one chanel I became a patron of didn't give hardly any additional content I would defo be a patreon member of yours butI think the cost needs to be carefully considered.I know I'm tight but I think £5 is reasonable fcos with the additional costs it would be about £6 a month .and at this sort of figure I wouldn't expect many additional benefits I would do it to support you and H. regards Harry

Hi James as always brilliant regards Howard from Cyprus

Thanks for sharing the information about your income streams. Your channel is very different from a lot of other van life channels. Patreon Accounts can alienate normal subscribers so be cautious. Who knows in 2024 there could be a Bythecurb festival?

Also like the Idea of stickers and hoodies ,although al the other chanels seem to charge quite a lot for clothes because they com from an additional marketing Company (like I said before ,I'm tight but will pay for good value) good luck with your decisions

Patreon is an great idea, build your tribe, meet ups etc that would be good, it worked well for Ash of ‘Lost in Europe’ Merch also a good idea, beer mugs 🍻, stickers, hoody’s You both have so much positive potential to grow this channel! Cheers John & Cally 🍻

We’ve been watching you from the beginning of your channel. We thought how good would it be to bump into such good fun company who van life. That thought has never changed, what a lovely fun couple. You’re true to yourselves, very refreshing. So on that note, why not make content true to you. Antiques/bric-à-brac buying and selling, how much fun would that be. Following you while you search, source, purchase and sell. Car boots, flea markets and jumbles. That would be brilliant. Hope to bump into you one day.

Really enjoy your content keep it coming!

My advice would be if you both enjoy filming it then keep on doing it. I have just started doing some oil landscape painting myself and am thinking considering doing a RU-vid channel of my art work over time. But I really have enjoyed your videos especially the pub drinking any good beers you recommend ? I'm a lager and ale man myself, who can't beat fish and chips, proper beer batter as well , keep up with the good work on the channel looking forward to be seeing the next ones 😁😁👌👌

Hi, a very honest and open vlog which gives us a little bit more insight into the true you. I love the fact you're not sacrificing cash for integrity. The e-Bike was a great vlog to be honest. I think we all know the product placing you mean. To be honest the ads do my head in so I'm premium anyway. Most of the channels I watch (mostly wood working / shooting ) do have a patreon accounts. I think merchandise is worthwhile as long as it's decent quality ....most I know use a third party and the t shirts are so thin and printing is crap before it's washed.....and was £29 plus post. It's that shit I haven't worn it. So I think as long as you can keep the quality good 👍🏻 it's a winner 🏆 Keep up the great work 🙏 G 🦉

Loved the intro

Great vid James. Thanks for sharing your private finance incomes for all us nosey gits lol. Gutted you didn't end up in water though lol. Only kidding! I think the noise you heard was a grouse not a Cuckoo. Lou & Chris (de-da's)

Jump on the live streams one a week or whatever you’ll get donations through that and also what your viewers want to see next etc.

Great video James but it's just dawned on me you look a bit like Clive James 😆👍

If you ever land up in Batley and fancy a pint let me know. (I wouldn't recommend batley but you can have use of my drive 😂)

Interesting video James. Now we know what makes you tick. You are funny and so are lots of your followers, you only have to look at their comments here. Keeping it real.👍

Very enjoyable 😊👍😎

I used to be a freelance web developer and problems with plugins rang a bell although I used Joomla I presume your van insurance company are aware that you’re earning an income whilst doing RU-vid videos - not being a kill joy but some companies take a dim view Anyway another cracking northern video keep it up Need some more Reeves and Mortimer references next time please :-)

That was good, someone leaving that bottle of beer on the wall for ye 😅

Good video once again. Go ahead with Patreon mate, will give you a nice bit of cash for the new van 😊

I’d love to support the channel and the Patreon thing would very much depend on cost. Times are tough and it would need to be a nominal amount for me at least but I do really like the idea of being part of a community. Your bike review video was great fun but I wouldn’t want to see lots of review videos. It’s not what your channel’s about. An occasional one if it can be done in your own style would be okay, but ultimately you do what you need to do.

Can you do vid on training diet and getting into hiking for men over 40 seem to have some good hacks must have lot tips all the best Paul from London keep up the good work 👏

God love you, you do you sod the shitty companies, I love your adlibs and Helens so funny, we love ya both ❤

Love your open & honest approach to your channel James. People really appreciate that I'm sure. I also love the hillwalking (not hiking) footage you & Helen do 👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

keep going cocker u r doing brill ,me & the enemy(mrs)love watching u both so thanks 4 the laughs.😂😂😂🥂🍺🎸

Stop thinking Only of money son, life is more important than you tube! Don't get carried away with Patreon when money is right tight for most. Just be Organic and let it happen, you have a new van to build/buy for content and people waiting to see it. I admire your morals and good sense on blatant advertising by channels bud!

I have never understood materialism the need to own useless trinkets. All i own has a productive use anything else is clutter.

You're right about integrity. Combine that with personality and charisma and I'm not even sure content really matters, it's more like meeting your (virtual) mates in the pub for some banter. People can see these qualities in others and it's watchable. I watch a bloke with nearly 100K subs review bloody fishfingers but I don't watch any TV.

love sam smiths, weird pubs no music or owt , but great beer ..... got a nice painting for sale at the mo, think its a Rembrandt ? going cheap

Mate your videos are very entertaining just keep on being yourself and if you want to go down a different route with the channel you do it but dont sell out and get too big lol🤘

none of their business how you earn money imo. nice to see you out walking.

I’d be a patreon and have a van life meet up ! Especially if you come down to devon, especially Plymouth and I will take you both on a top pub crawl 😊

Hi James. Been viewing your channel for a bit now. Find it very interesting how you're getting on living in a van, must be so freeing. You mentioned websites, do you still design/create them? I'd be interested. If you are let me know! Thanks and be well

Another ace video! I love your honesty and if something is shit, you will say so! Am a bit like that 🤣 i want to grow my channel (like everyone does) am just gonna keep plugging away and you never know 👍 one of the best shots today was the clip of Poundbakery.......love that shop 😂 keep up the good work sir 🎩 i have Betty stickers but tend to give them away!

Great vlog again thank you! Was that near stannage Edge?

a croissant 9:13 is a pasty without the meat. 😜😜😜😜😜😜

Where can we find some of your DJ sets or raps pal? Would be great to hear them

Go too Dagfieils in Staffordshire full of things collectables people would like Wedgwood Doulton beautiful china but maybe you know about that

That was the longest 4 miles ever..I think you must have done at least 8!😅. As for earning money,I like the merchandise side,van stickers,t shirts,that sort of stuff. Fully agree about the only excepting offers for products that you feel are good & that your audience will likely want to buy. Another fabulous upload 👍.. any look finding a van yet? Also just thought, what about reaching out to one of the pre packed weekly meal subscription services, that would be great to see how that would work with van life and you could combine it with wanting to get healthier etc. It would be interesting to see if its even possible to make those meals up on camp cooking set up.just a thought & you could say "" this video is sponsored by (whoever they are lol)..5 birds with 1 stone eh 😊

That was a great video 👏. +1