Love this, spread the word! We were going 'yay!' through almost all of these, as well as all the laughs, you guys have such wisdom! Have to say, Bec, your hair looks faaaaabulous today and who needs blusher when your man is happy to share the goings on of your Diva cup! He's passed the 'menses men' test for sure. We need more like you, Eamon! Really, REALLY great video!
Also you can just buy bars of soap, shampoos, and conditioner. It reduces the amount of plastic and such. ( yes shampoo and conditioner comes in bars, and often they’re organic and not toxic too)
Eamon talking about Bec's diva cup was EVERYTHING. I don't say this lightly but I have mad respect for him! So many men are afraid or grossed out by women's feminine products such as tampons or pads or menstrual cups and that was cool to hear him talk about it with no shame 😂
@@322stardust Yes! If she has an issue it is personal. I'm not into the craping while the wife is in the shower thing. I feel the bathroom is almost always off limits. Just my thing.
I’ve been using a reusable menstrual cup for close to 20 years now and I literally can not live without the thing! SUCH a game changer!!!! I have traveled around the world, and have done a lot of hiking and long distance biking. Having a system for dealing with your period while on the road and in inaccessible locations, I can testify that using a cup makes life so much easier. You can be “old school” and see the value of something like this. Heck, to me “old school’ is being frugal... which a menstrual cup is. I hope that you do take on this topic Bec.
I am really liking the less-polished videos... the goofs are hilarious! My wife and I have a bit of a joke when out window shopping, we try to guess how much we would get for items if we later sold them at a yard sale. It is amazing how much you put back on the shelf when you start thinking that way.
I like that tip. I need to do that before I buy something. Makes you think of what you are overpaying for. I do buy almost everything I can find 2nd hand. I love fb marketplace!!! There is no need to pay full price. Someone is selling almost everything Im looking for. Lol.
Bec, can you do a video on essential oils you use for deodorant, cleaning products, etc?! Listening to Eamon talk about the DIVA CUP!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Priceless!!!!
really appreciate how bec made sure to clarify that you two aren't judging if some of us do still use some of these things. sometimes I feel like these "things I don't buy" videos can become a little judgmental or "show off-y" so I really liked your disclaimer! great video! xx
Hi Mary! When I found these videos we felt the very same thing and I did want to make this point because I truly don't judge! Everything is a process and nobody's perfect!!
My favorite tip for buying souvenirs is the squished penny machines. They are hard/impossible to find in more rural areas. The more touristy areas have them though. They are around 51 cents and are so small. I keep mine in a dish on the counter.
Something that’s been a life changer for me: reusable cotton pads. I used to use them for my face and piercings and they’re just SO unnecessary. You can buy reusable fabric ones sustainably on Etsy or just make them out of old clothing etc
I've used those in the past two but found them ooey and gooey to store in between washes because I had to put it in a container and it never seemed to fully dry. Any tips?!
Brittany G> Girl...word. But Lush makes great bar shampoo. I just pick off a little sliver as much as you would use in one wash. Throw it in to a 16 to 20oz squeeze bottle full of warm water. Pour that into my roots, whilst my hair is dry, lathering and sudsing until I have a head full of wet, soapy hair. Then rinsing. saves so much water, too.
Eamon & Bec i use shampoo bars since I mostly shower at the gym. I open the container to dry them out as much as possible. Not only does it avoid the gooey mess, it makes it last longer. I’ve had to try different brands as, just like bottled shampoo, no one brand works for everyone.
One thing that I buy that stops me from buying lots of other items is Mason Jars !!!!!! They’re cups, travel mugs, spice containers, tupperwear, home decor and more. I just love them
Instead of Audible, you can get a library card and get your audiobooks for free. Plus, if my local library doesn't have a book, they will get it upon request. Each library member can request 10 books a month!
Am i the only arabic girl who knows his shirt said coffee in Arabic ? هيل Im from Saudi Arabia and im a big fan of ur van life i wish I could do that some day
All the same things happened when I moved to Costa Rica and or away from US consumerism. Costa Ricans understand real priorities and I have learned so much from this culture! Life is so freeing when you don't waste time and money worried about appearance or measuring up to the Joneses at consumerism.
Discovered your channel the other night guys and haven't watched much else since. Your easy going style is infectious - it makes me happy just to watch your vids. Really - I mean that. Best to each of you.
Minimalism isn't for everyone, but your right on so many levels. I was fooled into or trained to think I needed a lot of stuff I didn't. As a young man every time I moved to a new place I always pulled the dumpster up the the front door and started filling it up. Sometimes you just collect stuff with the idea that you have a plan for it somewhere down the road and it sits and sits and years go by. I leaned that it takes very little to be happy. Now everything I own fits, with room to spare in my tiny house with the rule that if you don't have room for it and your not going to use it really soon, it doesn't come home.
kathryn witte thank you! That’s one thing that annoys me about my Canadian friends. Some of us, even in the states, aren’t blessed with access to clean drinking water from the tap and even if we are, we never know when an ecoli outbreak will happen or something else. Just look at Flint!
Well done. One of the reasons I follow you is because you are both aware of the plastic waste, so many people are not. People think that it is expensive but it’s such a cost saving way to live. Have not used cling wrap for years. I love the glass containers from ikea with the bamboo tops.
Hey guys, we were also La Croix addicts! Because our recycling bin was always overflowing with La Croix cans and we wanted to cut back on overall waste, we broke down and got a Sodastream. Also from a heath perspective, it’s nice to drastically reduce our aluminum exposure from constantly drinking out of cans. Sodastream rocks! Takes little room, no electricity/batteries necessary, you can reuse bottles a zillion times, and we now actually love to custom flavor our bubbly water ourselves. We get spring water as often as possible to get some more minerals. Even with purchasing the CO2 cartridges (we return empty ones to Bed Bath & Beyond for recycling and then get half of a new one in exchange), we’re saving $$ because we used to consumed tons of LaCroix!
I love the idea about sharing formal clothes. Yes!!! Great idea!! My girlfriends used to have what we called a box party, not sure how it was named that but there were 5-7 of us. We would invite a friend or two. Everyone brought a bag (probably started as a box) of clothing they were done with. Each person would have their turn to stand in front and one by one try to “sell” (for free) each item of clothing. Who ever yelled “mine” first got it. If no one wanted it, it went to the thrift shop. We have all scattered now but I sure miss those parties and the “new” wardrobe”
I totally agree with hair and skin care being more natural. I try to avoid silicone and other styling products and people tell me how shiny and nice my hair is. Sometimes i don't even brush it! Still looks good!
I love this concept!! Not only saving money in the end but helping the environment too! There were a couple of things on your list that I have been wanting to change but just haven't made it happen. I am using this post right here to pledge to myself and to the environment to make the changes happen and live a more minimalist lifestyle :) :) thanks for the encouragement!
I threw away a pair of pants I had for 8 years....so sad. I've stopped buying makeup and buy only tinted zinc sunscreen. Solely ride my bike...been without a car for two years.
Jinin Berry generally when you eat high quality food, have less mental stress (this affects hormones), use good quality natural products on your skin and spend a lot of time being active outdoors in nature then you don't really get those blemishes or dull skin. you just have that natural healthy skin glow and good growth in hair and nails... this is why a lot of sports people, adventures and people in this type of natural minimal lifestyle appear so "effortlessly" fit and beautiful
Coconut oil is (surprisingly) a natural sunscreen. Lived on island 20 years. Worked like a charm. I have olive skin though. Not sure if it’s enough of a block for folks with milky white skin.
Love this! In addition to everything you listed...we no longer buy Paper towels - we use cloths and rags Tissues - we made hankies out of old linens Some toiletries - we make our own dry shampoo, toothpowder, lotion, mouthwash and deodorant We also have a ‘second-hand first’ rule, meaning we try to buy anything we do want/need second hand and only buy new if it’s something we really can’t get used. You’d be surprised how often we come across very particular things we want with just a little patience and searching.
Reusables are also so much more hygienic because you know exactly where the container/vessel has been and how thoroughly they have been washed cos YOU washed them yourself!
For souvenirs, we do buy a keychain and keep it with us, just as a memo from that country, although photo's and video are personally the best souvenirs (alongside memories of course) and best thing, you can keep them all digital so they take up no space :)
you two are the best! I have been watching your newer videos for a while now but it's fun to go back to the older ones. The chemistry between the two of you is my favorite part of your videos. I am looking into van life and having such a hard time committing. I know it will work out the way it is supposed to! Thanks for all of your videos!
as someone who just purchased a sprinter and am preparing for the transition into tiny living, this video was so helpful just as a reminder as i’m decluttering my life of the things that will really be important once i am living fulltime in my van! thank you for the inspiration to get out and chase this dream- maybe someday we can cross paths! my conversion starts in december and i couldn’t be more excited! 😊
While a wish people didn't have to use bottled water but it's sad that so many people need too. Like here in America Flint famously doesn't have clean water but there are also a lot of rural (country/farmland) areas that don't have clean water or good enough water filtration systems. So it's like when you're in the city the tap water is fine but when you leave the city they're high levels of lead and toxins in the water.
MsTink1020 THANKS! We're used to thinking of it as a third world problem but it's come home to roost. Plus, rural areas have issues with sulfur in their fresh water, or other well issues especially after seasonal flooding. Bacteria will make you rethink that "2018" comment fast while you run for the woods!
I mentioned this in a separate comment, but what our household does to overcome this problem is to buy 5 or 6, 5-Gallon bpa-free jugs and refill those with remineralized reverse osmosis water. The jugs are infinitely reusable and can fill your reusable water botte over and over again! :)
fantastic!! one little thing that i don't get anymore are dryer sheets/fabric softener, they really don't make much of a difference in your clothes and just take up space and cost money anyway- i used to use them every single load but haven't used them for months and my clothes are still fine and comfortable! i'm sure there are natural softeners you can get as well for down the road (eventually, clothing does get scratchy) but i haven't had to look yet. even just using softener every 10 or 20 or 50 loads is a big improvement.
Thank you for sharing! Loved Eamon’s explanation of how to use the diva cup 😂 Personally i use the Lena cup but I’ve been so happy since the switch! Also, I can’t wait for your ebook😍 to come out! So stoked! I wanna try all the recipes!
It's so dope watching this all these years later while waiting for the new video today, and seeing the ways you all have grown into the beautiful peeps you both are!!
Guys I’m not sure if it’s the same in Canada, but in the states if you have a library card you can borrow ebooks through an app called Libby or Overdrive. Saves tons of money, space in your home, and trees!
Love this! I would like to share my opinion on cleaning products, I think it might be useful to you guys as well. Sooo I stopped buying any kind of cleaning product basically. I clean with two things: vinegar and baking soda. These two things clean everything. I have to say I only use the two of them combined when any of my drains are clogged (first I pour some soda in it and then thr vinegar. It immediately starts to "buzz" becaude of the chemical reaction, but then it chills and it cleans every clogging perfectly). And I use the vinegar to clean everything. From the toilet through the mirrors and kitchen. Everything. There is no smell after like 3 minutes, everything is perfectly clean and it's such a cheap solution. I even used to rinse my hair with some vinegary-water. I love it! 😁
Love this topic so much!! My list is very similar to yours except we don’t have solar panels (at least not yet) and I still love me an occasional craft beer. Keep up the great work. Would definitely welcome more videos on the minimalism / frugal / earth-friendly side of things.
To be honest, I clicked on this video out of boredom thinking I'd see two pretentious people, but you guys actually seem really sweet and genuine! I hate when people try to boast their minimalistic lifestyle like they're better than you, but you guys don't seem like that at all :,) Also, I'm from Toronto too!
We totally stopped using dryer sheets/fabric softener years ago. People THINK your clothes will be staticky, but they are not! Who wants to put those chemicals all over the fabric that directly covers your body. I don't! HUGS FROM TEXAS!
What a great van life PSA! Most of what you gave up wouls be good for all to consider ..not just vandwellers. It's so easy to help mother earth with just a little forthought...thanks for the vlog guys! Peace 💝
Thanks for this video! We have gradually moved into minimalism by default too! Maybe it’s a vegan thing? 🌱 we don’t buy any plant milks- we make all of our own 😎
I haven't purchased shampoo or conditioner for 5 years, it was my first step to cutting out chemicals from my personal care. Now only use natural remineralizing toothpaste, make my own body wash, laundry detergent, dish soap, etc. I also happen to love DIY stuff so that definitely helps. Been getting into aromatherapy and essential oils in the last year and loving it!
Hey Eamon and Bec, for water I totally suggest you look into a Big Berkey Water Filter! They are incredible and you'll never have to worry about where you get your water from. You could literally fill it up with lake water and after it's filtered you don't have think twice about the cleanliness of the water, it's 100% drinkable! "Berkey® systems can easily purify raw, untreated water from sources such as rivers, lakes and streams."
I have a hard time giving up the paper towels because I have 2 elderly cats and a dog in my van. I just don't love the idea of washing out towels or cloths after cleaning up their messes. Sometimes, cat urine doesn't come out of those cloths! It's disgusting, but I love my animals. If anyone has a better method, please let me know.
tonyawise1 I understand needing paper towels for pet accidents. If I do happen to use a towel or cloth when cleaning their accidents I find soaking them in vinegar, prior to washing, eliminates the scent. Although I’m in a house with a laundry sink so it may be easier for me (I also keep a few gallons of vinegar on hand for this purpose, as well as for general cleaning).
Lejla C microfibre cloths leaches plastic into the ocean which kills the fishies. Try cotton, bamboo or my personal favourite sack flower towels. Or get a filter that filters out the microfibres. This is a non judgment comment just a FYI take it or leave it comment. Hope it helps. 😊
OMG I was so pleased to hear Bec talk about not using make up. You guys have amazing skin, I spend most of my time admiring your flawless, makeupless skin in every video. Bec has natural beauty and needs no makeup and I can't get my head round the Instagram fake girls who look like 'orange tanned clones' with inches of makeup on their faces. Seriously who thinks this look is good? Natural every time!
I'm obsessed with bringing my own cup/jar everywhere I go. I only buy paper towels because my roommate use them. I'm doing my best to be as zero waste as possible and reduce clutter in my life and I love hearing that others are making these efforts as well! Great video guys!!
Great vid guys, please can Eamon do a complete review on the Diva cup and can he find any other uses? Maybe its just me but I think it would make an really funny vlog Thanks guys
Everything is awesome about your van life ! I wonder , no wine , no alcohol so what do you guys do to have special fun ? you 2 are so calm and zen it’s unreal ! Wish I could feel that way sometimes! You both are beautiful humans ! Love your videos
I love watching ur guys journey u are so smart.. I am envious as hell as ur guys life.. I want to do what your doing one day.. u guys are so funny and good on camera.. thank u for sharing it journey :)
hey y'all kids! I missed you guys. Been away from the Van Life vids for a few weeks. I see you guys have not made a ton more Vids. lately. Always happy to come back and see what you have been up too. your channel has grown so much! Congratulations! I truly hope you can turn it into the business you deserve. But hey above all, be happy! Sending good vibes!
Isn't that what a good filtration system is for?....to take out the nasties.....if unsure could test the water after the filtration process to ensure it's clean & clear.
I have watched A LOT of these ‘what I no longer buy/minimalism’ videos. And this is my fave! Such good energy. And really funny. Eamon’s diva cup description - on point.
Once again Bec and Eamon are right on point. I would like to recommend a product for you. I purchased this product about six month ago and its amazing. Also great for Vegans , (InstantPot , designed by a Canadian). This product is all electric and great for van life. You can cook rice , cakes , squash in a flash, its amazing. tc BT
All right. THIS is the video that I fell in love with, of all of them. WHY? Because I live exactly like this (with the exception of the ...). I'm so happy that you both share my values.
I love that you guys borrow clothes from friends and family! Have you ever heard of swap parties? No. Not swapping partner parties. Haha. Swapping clothes and accessories parties. I've been attending and hosting this kind of swap party for years now and it is a total GAME CHANGER!!! So many benefits like: cleaning/editing your closet on the regular; scoring a bunch of (new) stuff for free; more excuses to meet up with your peeps and the added bonus of hearing the stories attached to the items they're giving away!
I know I'm a year late buuuuut the cheap side of me went CRAZY about these advices. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Personally I'm proud to say I followed almost all of them and I'm so satisfied with this. ps.: can't deny, eamon sold me a diva cup
Diva Cup totally changed my life when I was cruising on my boat in Mexico - past that now, but such a life changer! Thrift Stores or borrowing clothes work for special occasions for sure. Have beeswax wraps but still need to get past those ziplocks & paper towels... we never go out to eat, so good on that one!
What does your guys wardrobe look like for quantity! I was just curious as My fiancé and I have been downsizing for a while getting ready for van life! Thankyou so much! Your guys channel is amazing!
