There’s nothing embarrassing about real life not going exactly the way we planned. No biggie. You’ll correct course and move forward. That’s what we do in real life ❤️❤️❤️✌🏼
They used to teach that in schools, but for the life of me I don't know why they stopped. I'll be 38 in April and remember learning about budgets, bank accounts, writing checks, etc in Middle School Home Ec class. Anyways, I'm glad you're learning from your mistakes, helping warn others, but most importantly NOT giving up! You've got this!
Beautiful...well said. Im almost 60... I learned about finances; budgeting credit etc by living it... well school of hard knocks... Luv; like this person said; its awesome how you are sharing what you've learned. Bravo.
I'm going to be 45 this summer and grew up in California. We didn't have any of those. I had to teach my niece how to write a check when she was old enough for her own account and she's Tory 's age. I had a home economics book that was old AF that I found in a book sale-- then lost it moving cross country... but not before learning a few things and then figuring out how to apply it to current standards. I'm glad you've learned from your experience-- and don't give up hope, you have the knowledge and tools now to make van life go smoother the second time. 💜
It stopped being required. In Illinois, it was a requirement for every student to take 1 Home Ec and 1 Shop class with a C or better to pass 8th grade, then the same classes at the high school level were required to get a high school diploma. Today, students are functionally illiterate due to zero failing grades and zero retention policies, and it's significantly contributing to teachers leaving the profession. They have the skill and capacity to teach, but not with sometimes double the number of reasonable students, absentee or constantly blaming everyone but their child problems or straight up crazy parents, and unsupportive to downright abusive administration at the school and district levels, all coming together with no reasonable pay increases to meet the cost of living demands and increased expectations to spend more and more out of pocket as grants once focused on the poorest schools are now inundated with twice to three times as many applicants as Title 1 schools increase. TL;DR: The Reagan administration started dismantling the education system by not requiring such classes to keep the poor in eternal poverty and debt while making the rich into absurdly rich monsters.
This community IS growing! The economy has taken a huge turn downward and the cost of things have gone way up too. But, this may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. More often than not, blessings don't always seem like blessings in the beginning. I pray that you will be able to get enough for your van and your new build will be seamless and turn out awesome. Can't wait to see it..
Thank you so much!! I appreciate that 💐 Yes, the economy is definitely changing rapidly and I already truly believe it’s a blessing in disguise, I’m hoping I can make videos through it that will help people through their van build & make videos on the things I think aren’t talked about enough. While also encouraging solo females to know they can build too even if they have no experience ☺️
So many of the van lifers I've seen on youtube come from wealthy backgrounds even if they dont acknowledge it. but, if you pay attention, it's obvious. What I appreciate about your channel is the fact that you are balancing van life with holding down a full time job. you own your mistakes and learn from them because you have to.
Tory, you resolved your biggest issue and that more than half the battle. For someone as young as yourself, most would not even take a step back and evaluate where you are, recognize what went wrong and then coming up wit a plan that moves you two steps ahead. I am sure that there will be other issues on the horizon that will make you think that it’s happening again but girl, you are as prepared as never before and there will be many great wins ahead of you! Stay safe, healthy and just enjoy life! You got this Tory, I’m a big fan!
Just passing by. I appluad you for being honest! I believe TONS of people suffered and are still suffering from this. Budgeting is one thing. Full time van life is another. And working with or maintaining an income while you juggle the 1st two is a huge pill to swallow. I wish you success on your 2nd chapter!
Agreed! And one that I think can be difficult because it’s different for everyone! I have plenty of friends who have had 0 maintenance issues or at least not as expensive ones… but that’s just not my story unfortunately 🙁 That’s okay, living & learning & now van building 💪🏼
One of the main things I try to teach my kids is how to budget. Getting caught up in not having enough money is such a major issue so many people face and I just don't want that for my kids. It's sad that we don't teach more about finances in school but I guess that's how the system I set up sadly
I think it would benefit you to be smarter with your money going into the current/future build. $3000, for a heater? Absolutely insane. I bought my VAN or $3000. And put in a $150 Chinese diesel heater that works every bit as well as whatever you bought. Just one example. Also, doing your own maintenance is a must. Going through a dealership or auto repair shop for everything little thing is silly when it comes to wearables: filters, fluids, oil changes, brakes, etc Just my two cents from a fellow full time van lifer
Youre amazing. Keep your head up. Shit happens. I know plenty of people in their 20’s who are totally incapable of doing anything. I think you’re very skilled, talented, and independent to be able to travel the country like that. Good job!
I don't think it's embarrassing - you lived and learned and even better, you're sharing your experience with others sonthey can learn from you. WELL DONE,Tory! I'm ecstatic to see your new van!
You hit the nail on the head when you said no one teaches you about budgeting money. A course for highschool students should be managing money. This would include how to do taxes which is needed by everyone.
Thankfully my niece and her mom (sister not by blood or marriage just that closely bonded) and I taught her the best we could until it got to paper checks. Her mom passed away before that so I did myself. They really need home economics classes again but everyone thinks they're sexist it seems. I know plenty of my niece's friends that would've taken it instead of having to figure things out completely alone.
Financial responsibility used to be part of required education. It was often tied into social studies or was a class on its own that taught things like balancing a checkbook and filling out an IRS 1040. There used to be classes that taught actual social responsibility, health and STD's (and things like abstinence), social impact, and how to be part of the great American melting pot. Now they just teach activism and are afraid to tell kids "no".
You really are an inspiration Tory!❤ I'm sure what happened happened for a reason! You can build an even better van with your new experiences! I'm sure! We are with you! I can't wait for your van build series!🥰 P.S. Don't forget the partition door!😊🤍
Yes, I completely agree! Thank you so much!! And yes!!! I already have a whole list of ways I’m upgrading my safety & the partition door is #1! It’s always been my biggest build regret!
😮😮😮....I feel you, you're not alone in this debt stricken world,everyone is in debt someway or another, the good thing is that you digging yourself out,I can't wait to see your next build👏👏👏
So I only just found you on RU-vid , wow your very inspiring, thank you , keep up the videos and I hope everything works out well for you. I am from the United Kingdom, you make van life look spectacular, I know you have had issues , but in general you visit some really cinematic places ❤
Tory, if you can hold onto your van until after VL Academy. The price of vans and everything in them, from wood to pipe, has gone up so much that you might not be able to replace it. Or, it might sell for so much more in today's market, that you will come out ahead. Best of luck either way. You've got guts to overnight in some of those urban spots!
You might need to choose your vehicle considering reliability over anything else, something like toyota that has plenty of third party replacement parts manufacturers that are insanely cheap.
@Msi Toyota does not sell any vehicle in the US that is comparable to the Sprinter/Dodge/Ford high roof vans. Yes, Nikki Deventhal lived in a Prious, but Tory is a bit taller and probably wants to be able to stand up in her home.
Best of luck in your next adventures. I myself purchased a brand new Northern Lite 8'11 and had my 2013 f250 carrying it. I never thought anything about it but next thing you know expenses on the truck. I was losing money. I decided that I'm selling my camper and truck for a smaller vehicle (Ford Explorer) and with my wife's request we got a tab320. Not only that I'm also building a sleeper set up in my Explorer just in case wife takes the tab320 on a all girls weekend. I want my own little set up where I can go anywhere with little expenses. Cheers
Tory I’m not sure if it would benefit you but solar panels on your van roof. Another thing to think is security cameras just thinking of your safety then on the other hand it’s. All expenses if you keep putting the videos out what you earn off you tube will go up and have you thought of patron say for longer videos or something similar.
Tory don't get down about being broke . I had to pull money out of my 401k this year because of the inflation hit the country . I'm glad I did because I've had car repairs and medical bills . Stay strong and safe travel.
maintenance is a grand a year. they eat brakes something terrible. doesn't matter what model, they al do and if its close to max axle weight it will go through axle bearings and universal joints.
Tory you are a very smart and responsible lady. I think you have done better than most of us. I built a chevy astro van because it's cheap and cheap to fix. Plus gas mileage. I would live to build a bus but I think the up keep will eat up my monthly money. I did send you a pm the other day about baltimore.
Sad to hear that you have to sell your van, after so much effort and passion you have put in, it must be very hard 😢. But sometime life has bitter ways to teach some great lessons. But as one amazing 😍 journey ends another begins So best of luck 💐✌️, we definitely wait for your future plans and videos. And as always awesome frame @0:22 @3:57, beautiful place in entire video. Stay safe and strong 😊🙃
VAN BUILD! VAN BUILD! TORY BE VLOGGING A VAN BUILD!!! 🤩🥰😁🚐 I knew someday you're gonna decide to get a newer van, you hit it out of the ballpark with your very first van build so I'm totally looking forward to your coverage of the 2nd van. 😁👍👍
Sounds like trucking. Me and a friend bought a semi. Two things we where told. 1 fix what you can on your own. 2 have atleast a 15 grand maintenance fund ready.
Most states still technically have classes required that include personal finance, the problem is that nobody has been enforcing this for decades in most schools. So combined with zero failing grades and zero retention policies from kindergarten onward, we have a growing majority of illiterate adults who would struggle to comprehend the high school finance classes from the early 80s because they can't read above a 2nd or 3rd grade level and the texts were written at a minimum of an 8th grade level then, which could be closer to 9th or 10th grade now depending on the publisher.
Found you through Jarrod's video. Hadn't realized you were the lady from the NYC rent page. Budgeting is a big deal just for every day life. I had to teach my daughter since the schools do not anymore. So now I will follow you through the new adventure you're going to start.
See here’s the issue today. “No one teaches you about money and budgeting in school.” This is totally true. But, apparently, parents don’t either. Schools 100% should have budgeting, loan and interest education, credit card education, savings planning and reasons why education but ultimately it’s your parents responsibility. Mine didn’t teach me any of this and same as you I got into difficult financial situations. My children will learn these exceptionally critical and basic skills, from their mom not me 😂
When you mentioned buying a heater at 4:03, would an oil radiator heater have worked? You can get one of those for around $50-$80 typically, and they're totally silent and stay warm for a while even after you turn the power off if you want to conserve battery power in your van.
you obviously don't understand what a typical heater for a van is? An electric heater isn't at all practical for long term heating due to power constraints. Ectric heaters draw over 1000 watts of power and even the most powerful electrical systems couldn't handle the power requirements for long. Diesel heaters are however the norm but are expensive up front.
Actually there was a time that you were told how to manage all kinds of budgets way back in high school. It was either economics 101 or home economics.. but unfortunately by the time you grew up in this world they had eliminated those things because of budget cuts not realizing the impact on the young adult who did not get the basics.
New here, couple questions… if you’re broke then how are you going to manage to build out a new van without debt ? And why not just talk to screen like most people do instead of a bunch posing shots ?
Honestly I think some vehicles are just cursed lmao My bf and I owned a dodge dakota, it broke down like 4 times in the span of a month (it broke down lots, but it went ham that month) 5 thousand dollars in garage bills in 1 month😭 so we said fuck it and sold it to his dad. And it magially hasnt broke down even once for him. 💀LMFAO. But I try to think that maybe it does that for a reason. Like maybe its because a more fun and awsome car is out there that youd love way more, and if u didnt let go of the old car, then you wouldnt have the new one (kinda like a break up LOL). Anyway so excited to see the build and what vehicle you choose!! youve got this!😄💖
New build idea: Fedex box truck. So much space. Build a shower. Build a toilet. Can insulate them fully. Tons of roof space for solar. The damn things are CHEAP AF used. Might have to learn stick shift, though. 🫡
What I see here is perhaps your spending your hard earned money on the wrong things. Choice of vehicle is the biggest decision to make. All the glitter and glam is probably not necessary. $3000 heaters? Better to have, for example, good insulation, good sleeping gear and clothing. Make a camp fire to keep you warm.
Would you like a small bus every thing has been through and tons of great stuff to build it any way that you want I got so so much probably enough for two builds but to build inside out side everything to raise roof or not it’s 6 3 inside I have enough metal to extend bus five feet more it’s a four or four ve window diesel great miles to gallon a hummer powerplant 6.2 none erg 1000 watts solar 500 watts wind all stainless and black appliances and all real wood to build it even paint sand paper I got over 30 k parts with everything I hurt my back and my heart took a crap I’m firm at 12500 it’s cheap for a beautiful home for n wheels
It’s just the price of the items, not even labor included. I know it’s sounds like a lot but for all the van has and with only 43,000 miles it’s actually a genuine steal, especially compared to what’s on the market right now. I’m just trying to make my money back.
