Very informative guys..As you both say you can't put a price on getting out of the rat race and enjoying travelling and quality time together...Priceless ❤❤❤
Great you've found a pattern that works for you both and at a very reasonable cost. Clearly the 'Smiles per mile' metric is well in the green!!. Many thanks for a very informative video!!
Love it! And a really interesting video as we’re all nosy buggers aren’t we 😂 I would have lost a bet there as I’d have sworn John would be more 🥴… Happiness is priceless so keep vanning together in two 🚐🚐🥳
Thanks for sharing. As you say John, there weren't things like loo roll, washing up liquid, salt, pepper, fundamentals, but that you don't buy every week. Worth looking at accounts to divi up the real costs, not as criticism, just it can be a shock, especially comparing with previous years. Helps you have learnt so many skills so you can DIY. Good call including everything rather than being inundated with comments... like I just did. 😂😊
If you watch the video you’ll see the shop we did wasn’t just multiplied by 4, it’s all very well explained in the video. You make it sound like we didn’t seriously work this all out, then try and make out you’re trying not to criticise us. I’m not one for criticising people, but you clearly need to learn manners and to pay attention.
I did both and was complimenting you both on your honesty, and the fact that you clearly pointed out, from the off, that this wasn't a be all and end all shop cost. Jeez, compliment you and you are so on the defensive you resort to rudeness. I'd politely, not rudely, suggest you need to read your subscribers comments and consider your attitude and manners. No doubt this will be removed but I'll remove myself first. Shame as I was one of your advocates when others in the vlogging community commented on your rudeness..
It’s not anywhere close to a compliment if you also have a go criticising and then making yourself look bad by saying we didn’t truly account for our spending. As for being rude, that’s a misconception of the reality where a person is expressing their honest response to your comment. We’re not here to be berated or criticise in error, we’re here to share our experiences and will strongly defend ourselves against anyone, especially your suggestion that “Worth looking at accounts to divi up real costs” seems like you think Mandy’s accountancy knowledge isn’t up to the job AND insinuating we hadn’t given real costs in our video. We’re always open for constructive feedback & open discussions though, as you can clearly see from other comments here.
Very informative and nice to see both of you happy . Make model engine and mpg comparison would be very interesting! Keep up the vantastic videos. Have fun. Thankyou😊😊
As a fellow Chocolate snob this was great info guys and very comprehensive list! Interesting to also see its cheaper than the motorhome. For many i'm sure and me included, the ability to travel and work while saving over the more traditional house based life is one of the major attractions. Be interesting to see the comparision between summer and winter living now your vans are built too. Im thinking ill have to say on a few sites in the winter to supliment the lower solar and to just get a break from the constant need to move on each day / every few days.
Great breakdown guys, particularly comparing it with the time you had the moho 👏 it will vary depending on how you like to journey, but always good for showing others what it can mean (especially those at the start of their journey). PS i spent an absolute fortune on my first roadtrip 😂 and hadnt gone that far 😂😂😂😂 always a learning experience 😅
Very interesting comparison, I’m like Mandy and would have thought it would be more expensive. It’s nice to treat yourself now and again too 😀 Like you say, your happiness is priceless
Very interesting thanks for taking the time to do this. You can’t put a price on happiness. Did you keep the factory space? I love it that you worked everything out because you make the perfect couple. ❤❤❤
Hi John and Mandy, I’m a recent convert to Aldi shopping, it’s so much cheaper. Unfortunately they sell Mars bars different names really cheap, I eat far too many. Yes loverly spot there, I’ve been your neighbour couple of days.
Really enjoyed this video but then again I enjoy all your videos. Both of you look happy, contented and relaxed as Frank says You’re doing it your way so it’s nobody else’s beeswax, so there😂😂😉. Yesterday I spent £50 on fruit and veg for the three of us plus the dog which will last us around 10 days that’s not even including meat, think i definitely need more budget lessons. Thank you both and see you in the next one petals.
We spend well over double that on shopping and no fruit or veg 😂 it's great that you are so handy John as you are saving lots by servicing and repairing yours and Mandy's vans. A oil and filter change alone on our boxer costs £101.
Goodmorning to you both you just passed me nr Kelham nr Newark.I didn’t realise it was you until I saw Mandys van playing tail end Charley.safe travels.👋
Ah.. I didn’t say cheaper as I’d totally agree with you on the blue roll - the kitchen roll I bought is literally the best, you use 1 sheet of that for 25 sheets of blue 😁🙌🏻
John..why did you get rid of the motorhome..and get a van??...im interested to know..because..im looking to get a nice second hand motorhome...but i was surprised to see you now in a van
Hari OM I am thinking of the basic van running costs as being the alternative to paying council tax for the sticks and bricks... so when I eventually sell The Hutch, The Grey will be no more costly than my already rather budget-friendly flat. Food is such a variable - and of course has gone up considerably since your last vid of two years ago. Great little insight to the averages there, peeps! YAM xx
Interesting 👍, we did a couple of 6 month stints, half the time campsites, Tour de Lidl etc and were about £1400 per month for the 2 of us. If you add in say van depreciation, big repairs you could get to £2000 per month. I need to sharpen up for this year's long stint or eat less greens 😉
Really enjoying your channel ! ….. just discovered. A lot to catch up on🍺.. Speaking of wild camping😬, would you be able to aim us in the direction of a comprehensive source of park ups ? We’d like to avoid campgrounds as much as possible…totally. We’ll be in a van. Thanks you guys for the vids.
Great vlog 👍 would be very interesting to hear your thoughts on what a tool kit for these vans should consists of. Any tips on essentials etc and anything you think would be good to have for servicing and basic repair emergencies based on your experience.
Excellent informative video. Can I be nosey and ask what that handheld radio is in the background? Do you have a ham license, and are there plenty of other radio users to talk to?
Have you ever had to call RAC? I was with them for a few years but they got really bad at attending breakdowns. On one occasion they told my wife that she had had an accident, not a breakdown, when she hit a piece of debris in the road. They would not attend even though I had comprehensive breakdown cover. The police attended, put her spare wheel on for her and escorted her to a safe exit to make sure she was ok. I have other stories. Since switched to another breakdown company too.
@@johnmandy it’s actually part of the service schedule of most vehicles it just has longer intervals some for example, are brake fluid every 30000 miles/36 Months. Timing belt every 60000 miles etc. Part of the reason for cars breaking down is people just repeating the same service and not following the manufacturers schedule.
@@johnmandy replacing brake pads and tyres is irregular maintenance but I didn’t include the tyres in the service schedule. You should have a service guide for each van and at 10 years there would have been a lot that should have been done many of which should be done if you have no record that they were
Just to clarify, you watched a video about monthly costs. So I’m not about to talk about service items that happened every few years. If you follow the channel you’ll know I service the vans correctly.
I am currently solo, not traveling yet, but I plan to get on the road as soon as I retire. However, if I happen to gain a traveling companion, he must have his own van. 🤷♀🤣
I need to come shopping with you two if your monthly shop is around £150 ! I live on my own and it is double that at least . Did you include snacks , cleaning products and personal care items ?
Great video - thank you for the information- that works out to about $1000 Canadian dollars and seems very reasonable for the lifestyle that you have. Epic, as John would say😊 Lovely to see you travelling together but separately - being happy and content with your new lifestyle. seems to be working very well for both of you. I have long been a believer in having personal time and together time - this ticks all the boxes. You both get some breathing space and you both get the opportunity to visit, family friends and some of these wonderful places together. Happy trails. Stay safe See you on the next one All the best Sherree - Ontario
It definitely is more expensive and opportunities for free camping or off grid camping are few and far between unless you are in northern Ontario and can take advantage of the crown land. Diesel prices here roughly $1.80 cdn per litre Haven’t started my van life and yet just waiting for my partner to retire at the end of July and then we’re off - been watching you guys for years - always entertaining and always kind Take care
Great video guys and very informative. I'm just thinking that your Amazon Prime seems quite costly at £17.50 per month. Is that for both of your van's or just the one van?
@@johnmandy Just realised that it includes unlimited music. I pay £8.99 per month for movies and free delivery. Sorry I misunderstood guys. Keep the videos coming.🥰
Was just wondering if you are paying into a pension fund. I found this ‘ate’ a lot of income and was a big consideration. Now I am retired so glad I did it. Travel insurance though, now I am nearing 70 p, is getting a bit eye watering, despite ( luckily) having no medical conditions. We are not full time but do spend around 6 months of the year ( mostly Europe) in our MH and 2 months in Africa ( not MH). Enjoy both of your Chanel’s - thanks for all the hard work you do on making interesting content.
Hi guys, if you were charged £58.60 for the MOT you must have got a class 7 goods vehicle MOT, your vans are no longer goods vehicles, and should now be tested as presented, which makes it class 4. 👍
Hi, I'm just letting you know the MOT test class is a separate thing to the v5, the van is converted from a goods vehicle, it's now no longer a goods vehicle, so a goods vehicle MOT is incorrect for this vehicle, after conversion the test class should be changed by the tester on the next MOT to class 4. You are not alone, plenty people in converted vans are driving around with a class 7 MOT instead of a class 4, but as a 20 year MOT tester myself and the owner of a converted van I speak from experience, just thought you would want to know what is actually correct.
Hi, and thanks for your breakdown of your costs. I am intrigued regarding your van insurance however: you said in the video that you find your insurance through comparison sites but it is generally known that the only company that covers ‘full timers’ can’t be found on those sites. Are you not covered as full timers? I looked for premiums, spoke to lots of companies, told them I didn’t have a post code address, and got pushed to the one company, Comfort Insurance, and was quoted hugely more than you pay combined. How do you do it? Who do you use? Cheers👍
Interesting as ever. May be ok as a very much base line for someone but you had heaps missing... what about non engine maintenance and replacements (brakes, tyres, diesel heater parts etc), diesel for heating, clothing, phone contracts, gifts, Mandy's tat shops, cosmetics and toiletries, pubs, cafes, takeaways... Coming up to the start of our 13th year and we log everything, even money given to charity collection. One big saving is the flexplus account though. Travel insurers, europe wide breakdown cover, and phones cover (any vehicle you own or travel in) for £13 a month, although i had to pay top up for travel ins. PS, great park up at Boston tbough
Nothing was missed out from what we spend every month, but if you watch the video we say several times that you could spend more and do more, that’s up to you and what you want to do. As for tyres and brakes that’s every other year at least, so it’d be ott to include that in regular monthly costs.
I couldn’t survive on £25 food per week. Mine is £60 on average. Lots of fruit and veg in the mix. Greek Yogurt and a variety of nuts etc. And don’t forget the bottle of red to wash it down 👍😃
Hi J&M, wat is that drill tyre gauge ure are using?. My Renault capture tyre valves keep leaking (despite having changed) and I need 2 blow tyres up every week. That looks the perfect blowerupper lol. Thanks, John.
Hi john,mandy, when you converted your van , did you change your v5 documents to a camper van or just stayed the same has a panel van , i recently brought a van , not big enough for cooking or washing facilities, i had a rock & roll bed fitted with seat belts for passenger's, i also fitted 2 side windows , but i had to send fotos ov what i did to dvla to get my paperwork changed ,so know its a 6 seater , dont get me started on van insurance , what a faff has mine is not a camper , look forward to your next vlog 👍
We haven’t changed our V5 for many reasons, mainly it makes no difference legally or monetary as the insurers evaluate each claim on the state of the vehicle at the time of a claim and the law would see our vans as campervans not what the V5 says it is.
I’ve managed to avoid all ULEZ zones so far as they generally are not places we visit. I have my Crit Air vignette for France that gives me the same access as Johns van does
Servicing £100 per van. Air, oil, pollen, diesel filters & oil. I can't get them for that price at trade prices. I'd be interested to know where do you get them for that price?
I was surprised how expensive it was to insure my Ford Camper ( inclusive of European Insurance ) considering the years I have driving and without convictions!!! However, even after the costs it’s definitely worth it for the Holidays and weekend trips.
@@johnmandy It is! However I was very naive of the start up costs. I just thought I would purchase a van, get it converted and then pretty much it would be cheap as chips😂 It isn’t just the insurances but all the accessories and upkeep of the van that they can very expensive… Fancy servicing my van John? 😆
Aldi is cheaper food but as I once had a worm in the steak I dont buy meat from Aldi or Lidl!!! Mandy didn't mention recovery assistance RCA costs..? Hygiene? Clothes Personal all extras! Plus you hav e tech outlay? I suppose it's called In English :"running costs". week;y / monthly / annually. Here there are no road tax explicit costs ... I guess that is the TAXE FONCIERE? MY Kangoo insurance including recovery in Europe and UK was + 750 last year... and maintenance costs for bi annual MOT was £1000 because needed tyres and 4 new break pads... with heating fans etc ON I didn't always hear the beeep telling me the hand brake was not fully DOWN... but now I know it's horrid habit so I push it down harder to its bed... not just release it! Food ad Household here in January was 150 e for one pluseating from the freezer as I filled with offers ( lower priced foods ) before Christmas ! Diesel apx the same but can be more expensive pick the supermarket and dont fill on autoroutes!!!! Of course for the worst months aka 3k you probably budget for just in case.... just as home owners have to budget for utility repairs and home insurances etc... plus our vehicles.. You might have other costs like the place where you did the work on the vans or storage space to pay for?????? :) VERY nice to hear.. as I wou;dnt like to be home less half way in my 70s although after seeing PAM the VAN she gave me the courage to start my idea and friends sourced a van but its a temp van for camping and I need someting better. Vehicles in France are certainly NOT inexpensive!!!!!!!! as there atre also government fees to transfer registration. number into the new ownership name!
Who would you say has the better van? Has the fiat got a more refined and punchy engine or is the other way around? I like the idea of a pre adblue fiat but im drawn to the Peugeot 😂
The fiat has a 2.3 & the Peugeot has a 2.0 so the fiat has more torque, which does make it quick but it’s also a smaller & lighter van than the Peugeot. In reality they’re almost identical to drive, needing to be in the same gears to pull up hills and accelerate at the same speed away from a standing start or to overtake on a motorway. Where it does differ is the fiat engine is more refined & quieter, however, the Peugeot achieves around 10 mpg more on fuel efficiency and it’s also a euro6 which allows free entry into the new city LEZ zones.
Question: Hi John, where are you getting your insurance from please. I am 53, full no claims, never had an accident, clean licence and have been told if I want to live in the van with no fixed address it’s going to cost me £2000
Not sure why we need personal insurance? Do you mean health insurance? If so then the travel insurance covers that even in the UK. Business insurance comes off business costs which isn’t in the scope of this video.
QUESTION: (RE-watched) When insuring your vans did you have a fixed address (I don’t have one)? Sorry if that’s personal information, I’m being thrust into vanlife due being priced out of my rental and am likely going to end up homeless the way things are going.
@@johnmandy my questions are done. Thank you for your patience and time. I’ve watched very video you’ve made, and enjoyed them but my autism gets in the way of information retention and recall. This has been very helpful. Sadly I do not have access to a registered address , thanks anyway.
@@johnmandy Yeh sorry got yo that but after I’d typed the question although did wonder if you have a full time policy as that’s a massive difference in price ?
