Van Life Is On The Rise 🚙
The #vanlife movement has been picking up speed lately, literally! There are social media influencers like @vanilfe.living that have amassed huge followings. But not everybody knows exactly what it means. So, what exactly is it!?
A growing number of people are moving from their houses, apartments, townhomes, into a rebuilt, livable van.
Most people travel around sleeping in a range of different places, from National Parks to parking lots. 🛣
An Instagram search using #vanlife will turn up over 7 million posts!🤳
The majority of people living out of their vans do it by themselves. 👩
Each person’s travel plans and patterns are unique. Hygiene is a big factor. Some people use gym memberships, while others search for travel stops to shower! 🛁
Converting a van takes a lot of time and energy. While some people can do it cheaply, it usually costs at least $5,000 on top of buying the van.
Money matters! 💰The majority of people living in their van have flexible jobs. The ability to work remotely is a must!
It’s Not For Everyone
✌️While turning an old (or new) van into a trendy, livable space
can be exciting, it's not plausible for everyone. It can take a lot of time and money to turn a van into a comfortable place to live! There are a lot of factors that can get in the way of living out of a van.
Work is a huge obstacle for people trying to join the #vanlife movement. 💻
Family is an even bigger obstacle! #Vanlife is mostly suited for single people with no major obligations or couples with no kids. 👪
Not to mention that living out of a van can be cramped, dirty, and exhausting. 🤢
Whether you are bound for #vanlife or not, hopping in your car and hitting the road for an adventurous vacation is a viable option for almost anybody! Forget the fuss of converting an entire van, and use what you already have for a good old-fashioned ROAD TRIP! 🚗🚙🏍🛣🌳
🚘 5 SAFETY TIPS FOR A ROAD TRIP 🚘
1. Get Your Car “Road Ready”: Make sure you do an overall check-up on your car before hitting the road. Check the oil, the brakes, the tire pressure, the wiper blades, and the wiper fluid. Fill up your tank before you go! Take a peek at some “how-to” guides or Youtube tutorials for
things like changing the tire and checking the oil. Make sure to have a spare tire and a car jack.
2. Rig up your GPS + Take A Map: Constantly checking your directions can be exhausting and dangerous. Change the settings in your maps app so it talks out loud to you. Buy a phone mount for your car or cup holder so you do not have to keep looking down. Also, bring an old-fashioned paper map with you for backup for when you do not have service or if your phone dies!📞
3. Bring An Emergency Car Kit: A kit that has all the proper tools can be purchased on Amazon or bought at a local auto-parts store for somewhere around $40. These kits equip you with things like jumper cables, basic first-aid, a flashlight, a reflective vest, and much more. This one from Everlit is a great choice.
4. Take Advantage Of Rest Stops + Get Enough Sleep: Even though driving is just sitting down, it can be extremely tiring! Keep your eyes peeled for exits marked “Rest Stop” for when you need to take a quick break or get some shut-eye. Make sure that you get enough sleep the night before a long drive. If you are unable to get to bed early, then sleep in a bit extra. It is very important to be well-rested before a long drive. 😃
5. Plan Ahead: It can be exciting to have no plans and no idea where you are going, but it can also be dangerous. You don't want to end up in a dangerous place late at night. It works well to plan things in at least 2 night increments! If you are into camping, then reserve your spots ahead of time. If you are using motels, call before you show up so you do not waste gas driving to each one just to find out they are booked for the night! Sometimes a day with no plans is the best one, but you do not want to miss out on an awesome excursion due to ineffective planning.
🤷♀️🤔What & Why:
What🤷♀️: Katana Stun Gun Glassbreaker Combo
High voltage stun capability
3 flashlight settings
Glass breaker
Rechargeable
Lifetime Warranty
Why🤔:
When you start your road trip, you may not think of being approached by an ill-intentioned person, but it can happen. The Katana allows you to stun your way out of it. The glassbreaker is also great for emergencies related to being locked in a car.