Minivan Converted Into Camper For Under $250 /Solo Female Prepares For Future 

Go Katie! Great build and good job preparing for your future. Love her quote “I won’t work two jobs just to pay rent.” I heard that!!!

She's a survivor, you do what you have to do to survive, instead of letting homelessness happen to you, she's preparing and not letting it happen. Good for her, very inspirational.

This is the kind of "builds" I enjoy. I find nothing fun or interesting watching the builds that are spending 5, 10, 15 thousand dollars but showing me how someone takes a plywood sheet and puts a 5 dollar finish on it wows me.

“I will not work two jobs to pay rent.” Amen! And two and three jobs is what it’s taking for many, many people. Ridiculous! My husband and I decided we were DONE working 80+ hrs/week and still barely living hand to mouth, so we bought our rv and hit the road with our son. Now we’re making no compromises in life, plus we’re putting so much in our retirement accounts now. We were barely trickling anything into our savings before; some months, it was nothing. We go where the work is and we have our picks of jobs whereas before, stuck in my hometown, prospects were miserable. I have so little stress now! I’m sharing this video with my grown son so he can see this can be done even more cheaply than he and I believed. I really don’t want him getting trapped in the rent cycle as a young person. Thank you so much for your practical, feminine perspective on van life. I can’t express to you how helpful you are.

I am saddened sometimes thinking we are aging, we are becoming poorer, we are becoming isolated especially to us women folks. But I am happy she is figuring out how to live brilliantly instead of becoming homeless. Thank you for showing us this great lady.

I love the set up but just a word of advice. I would suggest getting a carbon monoxide detector since you have the propane tank inside. Even when turning it off when not in use it can have slow leaks which can be deadly. No criticism, just a word out of love.

I admire her for getting ready and doing trial runs. Rent increases are inevitable. No build builds are a wise choice for women that are older or not handy.

What a lovely woman, gentle, peaceful, practical and positive. I love Americans. Love from New Zealand 🇳🇿

I just bought a Ford Transit Connect, will be homeless VERY SOON due to rent gouging. My landlord DIED ten months ago and no one told me until the day after Hurricane Ian devastated this area. They are tossing me out because they can double the rent (that’s more than my own fixed income, so I’m out)! I have been “saving” things in the event this happened and will be starting the same way as Katie! I’m so inspired by her!! I’m broke and living on a limited income also!

I am 61. I am so appreciative of seeing all the women, especially of my generation and older, doing this! Thank you. It's such an inspiration.

Your van/rig tours are the best on RU-vid! You show the clever, inexpensive solutions and you are always so appreciative and respectful. Thanks for all you do "Glow"!!!

I find it funny that whenever nomads are asked about food storage the first thing they usually mention is their coffee which brings me to the conclusion that the key to nomadic survival is coffee and Bailey's .....every day!

GOOD FOR YOU, Katie! I'm in a very similar situation. In fact, prospective buyers toured my home today. I just purchased my first Van Life item this week and I was so scared I was shaking & knock-kneed at the register! ($6 for a 40 lb bag of pine pellets for my future... toilet? "Pee Packs?" See, I'm still designing and figuring out what will work!) I admire your spirit and the self-respect you display in choosing to not work-to-exist. Working to live a decent life, sure! Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and positivity! There is so much negativity regarding Van Life that we need to support each other. Live your dream indeed! And take care of that cute pup! I swear sometimes I'm just taking my 🐶 because she throws a bunch of heat, is an excellent judge of character & alarm system and will listen wisely without comment.

That is exactly what happened to me last year. My landlord was older and became unable to handle her affairs. The property where I had lived for 12 years went from her daughter Tammy to her other daughter Cheryl and then to John her brother. I was assured that they did not want to sell the property. The house was built in 1931 and had many vintage features. Then one day out of the blue I was informed that the house was being sold. I was stupid enough to trust what I was told about them not selling. Anyway I had some money saved and very blessed to have found a nice place to live and the rent is very reasonable.

Love her attitude. "I am going to be ready." That is what I am trying to be, ready for the next stage of my life. As a solo part-time lady car camper, I love my solo adventures to explore, really prefer it. I have invited family and friends and they have joined me more than 3 times per year, but I have to say, nothing like doing it by yourself. You are able to do what you want, not have to deal with anyone that doesn't want to explore. Company is good but freedom is better. I like her attitude because she is aware she is tied to a homebase but has produced a plan B, to improve her life before a situation is dumped in her lap. I think she is a brilliant inspiration not to just accept and settle. Have a plan B. Even her dog is living the life 🤣😂

Smart Woman instincts true survivor miracle* God Bless*

she's so positive. I love it. I wish her all the best and pray that the higher gas prices don't hurt people like her that want this lifestyle.

I live in a small house but these van life videos make me appreciate how much room I have.

she is such a beautiful lady, and has the heart to be rescued by a dog.. and this dog is already so spoilt.

Great minivan tour. Katie is smart being prepared now for when she'll need to live full-time in her van. Loved the simplicity and practicality of her van no-build build. Awesome. Many blessings. 🚐🐾🦋💛

Hi, I'm so glad we started our full time RV life in 2015 - we did it at the right time! The crowds weren't as bad, gas wasn't so expensive (we thought $2.99 was expensive!) and camping costs were very low - not now though - gas is climbing everyday, apt. rentals are untouchable and RV parks are crowded and expensive. But we found a beautiful place on the Coast for $500 a month +elec (which is nothing) - it's the only way to live these days - thank god we don't have any kids or pets - just us two in a 27' Class C - home is where you park it!

To me Katie's beautiful smile looks just like Goldie Hawns! Great van home, it's giving me great ideas!

"I will not work two jobs to pay rent and have money in my pocket." Preach Sis!!

This lady is inspiring. I love this channel. Definitely the life I want.

Great build. My timeframe to move into a vehicle has been moved up and I am so grateful for all of the wonderful ideas I am getting from your tours.

I'd love to see more of her van in more detail. Great for those of us on really tight budget. Good tour,

Thank you Carol and Katie. This video is very encouraging for those of us who are planning for the day rent becomes too expensive.

OMG HER DOG IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUTEEEE!!!!!!

I like simple and low cost and Katie has done a great job! Love her set up!

If anyone is interested: The smallest Pecron solar generator unit: the S200 is on sale on Amazon for $109.00, if you use the $60 off coupon. It's only 200w, but for that price I just ordered one as a backup/aux to my Jackery. Reviews were good.

Love the simplicity of Katie’s van!!

It is always interesting to see how we each deal with the challenges in our lives. She has made something for herself that she is happy with. She did well with her solar. Good video.

She is doing a great thing practicing. I will say, however, that NOT having a home base is emotionally challenging and should be something addressed so folks can be aware and possibly prepare. Nomad life is so totally different when it is a true nomad life with no place to return to when things go bad.

What a lovely lady. Thanks for sharing.

She's gorgeous too!

Hi Carol👋What a sweet Lady! I've neve seen sny no build builds with the seats left in♥️that! Looks great! Spacious,neat & organized! Thank you for sharing! Great video👍🤗:✝️🙏♥️✝️Safe Travels!🙂

Sadly we all seem to buy a few things that don't work out a couple of years later..but you gotta try and get it exactly as it will work best for you.

Thank you for rescuing! My favourite breed!

Very nice..well setup..very functional..smart lady thinking ahead..congrats..

Great job Katie. I could easily do this. I would just need a fridge, or really great cooler to go for a week or so. I want milk, yogurt, eggs, etc.

Awesome! Love Katie’s spirit. Very inspirational.

This is a great way to show ppl how to survive during these challenging times.

Love it ... keeping everything simple and without having to make a large investment. Enjoy!

Katie, you and your pup are so photogenic!! you are both beautiful,,,thank you

I love such an affordable no build van. And Cookie is adorable.

Smart lady!!! This i love. Frugal, comfortable and fun space. Doable!!!

Carol it was wonderful meeting you. Thank you for doing a tour with me ❤

What a wonderful attitude and I love that solar power and urpro shower! Best Wishes Miss Katie and keep that smile lady ♥️

This is a great set up, Carol. I'm in a similar situation so this is inspiring. Envious of the nice weather as I sit looking out my window at a blizzard going by sideways 🥶🥶🥶 lol So looking forward to Spring 🌷🌿🌄 here in Canada so I can get out in my van 👍❤️⚔️🔥🐴

What a smart, capable woman! Best wishes. xoxo

I love it! I just sold my 2008 Honda Odyssey I bought new before I became very sick and had to stop working. I got a newer Honda Odyssey. It’s a 2015 so newer and a few less miles. I’m disabled now so I don’t drive much. My new van has a sunroof and a built in cooler. Leather seat. And its gray my first one was white. I do miss my first Honda Odyssey because I took my daughter and several neighborhood children to school in it, sweet memories. But it’s time for a new faze. My youngest is about to graduate pharmacy school. I never thought I could get a new van before my daughters finished school but a little money came my way , just enough to upgrade. But I’m telling you Honda Odyssey ‘s are fantastic! And her 2006 will be on the road 20 years from now. Very smart lady ! My husband and I bought a class A last year. But we decided that we really want a bus to convert. A small bus. So we are selling the class A and getting a short bus to convert, I would even consider a box truck. We talked about a very large van because I love vans but we think the wider bus would fit better. We are big people. Lol. I wish Katie all the best in life ! God bless you Katie. I’m going to look for your channel, Leslye

Kamping with Katie is a channel that I will look into. Nice lady and is getting ready for what might come in her life. And enjoying the time and fine tuning her no build- build. Smart gal. See you all later.

Life really can be a little less scary if you do some basic planning. I was just exposing to someone on disability (less than a year) that their goal might include trying to have a tad bit left in their bank account at the end of the month. Sounds impossible to do on $850 a month, but the right attitude, and willingness makes all the difference. Katie realizes that things can change in the blink of the eye and she’s using a lot of wisdom now to prepare.

Love this girl nice work

Camping with Katie, You could add a water filter where you have the water flow valve and use it as a one hour shower and this simply just recycles your water and it continues to flow and also put a sock on your water ( put a sock over the water intake) To help keep nasty stuff out.

Kamping Katie says she's gonna be ready! Love it!

That’s so cool. Loved the part where she said she found “like-minded people”. I’m in Colorado and do I need to find these people myself.

Very well done, both the interview and the set-up inside of the van. Katie was smart to think ahead. Best wishes to you both!

Nice home…. I am sure she knows to keep the charger out of the sun….God bless her n keep her safe.

GREAT JOB MY DEAR, MANY BLESSINGS , ENJOY LIFE 😍😍😍

Thank you for the video. Blessings to you

Thnx ladies...nice tour...so nice to you both...and sweet Cookie

I'm so happy to see this setup because sometime in the future I'm going to get a minivan to live in. I've been thinking about having a been setup like that and now I believe that's how I'm going to do it! ❤

She has a nice set up. Great tour. Thanks

I enjoy watching all these “no build” builds! I am physically incapable of doing this myself, no way I can get around in something so small, but i live vicariously through all these folks!

I really appreciate simple, easy builds. I don't see the point spending a vast amount of money on an overly complicated build out.

God Bless You.....you bless others

She keep it very simple.Love it

Fun and definitely thinking ahead, a little small for me . I’m tall would have to re think the bed , the wonderful thing Carol is living in the southern United States you have some great weather , so much rain and cold weather up here in Canada . Thanks for sharing ladies.

Great idea- I have a 07 Honda Odyssey and I have never had the back seat up! I'm inspired

I just invested in a 2014 Odyssey and didn't realize at 5'6 I could almost stretch out in the back sideways...😮 Now I can focus on other things instead of worrying about a bed. This is awesome

I'm gonna take my 10 year old daughter to an anime festival in a couple of months and I don't want to stay at the hotel. I've got an SUV tent and I can't wait to try it out! My BIG goal is to get on the road with my family of 4 but I'll be patient until my husband's heart catches up.

Very smart thanks for all the ideas

hello brave adventurous lady, i wish you wellness and many miracles.

Glad she has a good plan, but I'm too tall to sleep sideways. Would like to see a no build set-up for a 5'10 person in a rav4 type car.

I'm glad she's prepared ahead of time. That's what I'm trying to do now.

Van life is where it is

Very clever build

She is one smart cookie and a definite survivor. She could give others tips on how to make it on the least amount of stuff in their car. I love her attitude and she's made me grateful for my mansion 5th wheel 🤗

Great! Just a tip, you could find a cheap or free cabinet to put your stove, & lots of other stuff in to look more organized.

Great job with the water valve!!

Fabulous! Such an inspiration ❤️🌹👏👏👏👏

Love this it's basically what I'm planning on doing, I don't understand ppl who make the entire back a bed and put hardwood flooring when bed takes up whole space

Such nice meetups on the road! ✨ .... Her build is an inspiration.

Very cool. Cute , comfortable, and practical. It's all you need. Safe Travels Katie 💙💙

Thank you for the no build van tour. Hope everything goes well for you. 😊 for your vehicle turning out so comfortable.

What a wonderful lady!

Thank you Carol for all your hard work editing and travelling to people and places to bring us wonderful vlogs

Enginstar power station is also on Amazon now 199 on Amazon or Ebay You do the best no build interviews. I am definitely following you and luv luv luv what Katie has created. I am looking for a van now and plan a no build not sure how but want to leave one seat up in back and find a way to turn passenger seat around for a living space or perhaps use one of those small chair beds that unfold and turn the passenger seat. Thanks Katie for sharing your ideas and the grand van tour. I am definitely fitting my portable shower head with the valve she has on her unit . and will go look for Kamping with Kate too. Thank you ladies!!!!!

I've been interested in the shower pump idea for awhile now but the restriction valve is an awesome and clever adaptation!

I think you have made this look great, love the space

I love this ❤❤❤. I am doing the same thing. I wish everyone would stop renting and make the cars into tiny homes and stay there until rent is affordable. Landlords will have no choice but to make it affordable once everyone stops renting

I'm in a 2100 sf 4 br I was so grateful to be able to qualify for after a divorce. Oldest enlisted & spread those wings. Second one finished hs, has some bumps along the way, then enlisted. Last little Birdy just flew the nest this month... I've given two loads of things ranging from dishes to clothes to tables & chairs to her and the Goodwill. What's funny is I keep seeing myself doing a no build build on my Toyota..... And I'm loving it! 🚐☁️☁️☁️

I like what this gal has done with her minivan. Follow the good weather doll.

Yay! Hi, Carol, Hi Katie!!! Great tour - love it! Blessings!

Good set up ..Enjoy ..

I love this ❤❤❤❤❤❤

What an ENJOYABLE laid back Lady. It just goes to show that by utilizing what you have, coupled with a little inspiration that it is very possible to set up for a Nomadic lifestyle on a frugal budget. Well done. Keep it Simple. Greetings from Ontario, Canada.

see that handle on the back of her van, she practically had the shower, where i think she could place a hook to hold that shower up for her! i may go to her channel and suggest it for her. xxx

Excellent