In this episode of The Wayward Home podcast, host Kristin Hanes interviews Eddie from the Vanabond Tales blog about his experience transitioning from van life to sailboat life.

Eddie and his wife Kelly started out in van life, traveling through South America in a van they purchased, then building out their own van to continue adventures in Mexico. When Covid hit, they got stuck in Australia and decided to check sailboat living off their bucket list.

They ended up falling in love with sail life, purchasing a 29-foot boat in Croatia. Eddie shares the learning curve of sailing as beginners, having to dock repeatedly for 10 days straight to get the hang of maneuvering their new boat.

Kristin and Eddie compare notes on the differences between van life and sail life - the sense of space, costs, finding community, and facing the elements. They agree both lifestyles have their pros and cons, and complement each other well.

Eddie has continued doing some van trips between sailing seasons. He offers advice for van lifers considering switching to sailboats - overcoming fears around storms, seasickness, and learning to sail.

Kristin and Eddie remark on how rewarding it is to be self-sufficient and explore beautiful, remote areas by wind power. Listen in and be inspired to explore the world, whether on the roads or on the waves.

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The Vanabond Tales' Complete Van Life Guide

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Feeling connected while living a nomadic lifestyle can be challenging. In this episode, solo female van lifer Courtney Stevenson shares her best tips for combating loneliness and finding community on the road.

Courtney talks about how she leveraged social media connections to find and befriend fellow nomads online when she first started out. She then eventually met some of these internet friends in person while traveling. Courtney explains how attending van life gatherings and events is one of the best ways to meet fellow wanderers. She discusses some popular events like Descend on Bend and the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous.

We also chat about the pros and cons of seasonal travel and how winter brings more interactions by nature while summer allows for more exploration and independence. Courtney weighs in on the need to find balance between community and solitude, even as an extrovert. She also talks about dealing with loneliness amidst the highs and lows of van life. 

Whether you’re a solo traveler looking to make road friends or a couple hoping to connect with other nomadic pairs, this episode covers actionable tips for combating isolation. Tune in to hear Courtney’s hard-won advice after 3+ years living in her van.

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Running a business on the road as a digital nomad can be incredibly rewarding, but also confusing when it comes tax time. Our guest today, Heather Ryan aka The Tax Queen, breaks down key tax tips for nomadic entrepreneurs.

Heather discusses making the leap from full-time RVer to international traveler, all while running her own business. She explains crucial mistakes that nomadic business owners often make when first getting started, like not tracking expenses properly or failing to open a separate business bank account.

Heather shares surprising write-offs she’s seen clients attempt, clarifies rules around deducting travel expenses for content creators, and offers advice on business entity structures. She also provides suggestions for affordable bookkeeping software to use.

Whether you’re a blogger, freelancer, or solopreneur, this episode sheds light on handling finances and taxes for your nomadic enterprise. Tune in to pick up Heather’s best tips!

Links mentioned in this episode:
Nomad Business Academy

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An Instagram-worthy van only goes so far - you need it to be functional and reliable for an enjoyable van life.  Our guest, Kristen Bor from the popular outdoor and vanlife blog Bearfoot Theory, has lived on the road for 7 years and undergone 3 different van builds. She shares the nightmare experience of her first van build and the tough lessons she learned about hiring a custom van conversion company. 

Kristen walks us through the most important considerations when hiring a van conversion company. First, learn what to look out for in a builder, from asking for references to examining their work firsthand. Kristen stresses the importance of getting educated on van systems beforehand so you can assess builders’ expertise, and to make sure their construction approach matches your planned van use.

We also compare notes on the many van builds we've each experienced, uncovering some key insights on features, materials, and components that might look good but do not always hold up for real life on the road.  This episode will not only equip you with the necessary insights for a successful van build but also avoid the potential pitfalls in the process.

Links mentioned in this episode:
Free Van Life Email Series

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Want to turn your nomadic dreams into a reality without breaking the bank? Our guest, van builder and YouTuber Nate Murphy, has spent four years living the van life and boasts 18 years of experience building products, houses, and tiny homes on wheels. Join us as Nate shares his stories, challenges, and the joy of crafting your own space.

We discuss the intimidating aspects of van building, including handling electrical and gas systems, and how you can approach these hurdles. Nate introduces the concept of 'zero cost van life,' explaining how selecting the right van model and thoughtful planning can help you sell your van for profit or break even after a few years.

Get ready for some practical advice as Nate reveals his tips on building a van on a budget, and how you can source free materials and resources for your build. He speaks about his course and webinar on zero cost van life, curated with lessons drawn from his own experiences. From the fulfilment of creating your own tiny home on wheels to the transformative experience of van life and its financial benefits - Nate's insights are sure to inspire you.

Links mentioned in this episode:
Zero-cost Vanlife Webinar
DIY Hero Course
The Van Conversion Guide Ebook

Follow Nate:
YouTube
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Check out the full blog post on TheWaywardHome.com.

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Imagine traveling the world in your camper van... and you never have to fill up the gas tank!  In this week's episode, Kristin sits down with Sam Shapiro, CEO of the electric RV startup Grounded. Sam shares how the idea for Grounded was sparked after he converted his own van during COVID and traveled around the country for 6 months, constantly frustrated by issues with the gas engine and lack of available power.

These pain points led him to conceptualize an electric camper van, free from the maintenance and pollution of fossil fuels. The recently launched G2 model features a customizable, modular interior and a robust 250-mile range - this van comes packed with some serious battery capacity! We also discuss the challenges in the current EV infrastructure and how Grounded plans to help address these in the future. 

Beyond just the RV space, Grounded aims to position themselves as leaders in the modern electric outdoor gear market, tune in to hear what's coming next!

Check out the full episode blog post here: https://www.thewaywardhome.com/episode61/

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Are you ready to save money and live the van life?  In this week's episode, I'll share my personal budget for life on the road, as well as some money-saving hacks I've discovered along the way.

Of course, expenses for nomadic living can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle, just as they can in any living situation.  But the beauty of van life is how flexible and customizable it is.  And you have the significant advantage of saving money on rent or mortgage!

Van life is not one-size-fits-all; the cost of thi can be tailored according to your choice of van, driving habits, and camping style, among other factors.  But the expenses don't stop at the van. We'll also tackle the costs of groceries, health insurance, internet and cell phone service, and how you can optimize these for your life on the road.

Whether you're a seasoned road tripper or considering van life for the first time, I promise this episode is brimming with useful tips and insights to help you save money while living a life of freedom and adventure.


Learn how to navigate van life with my Van Life Prep Pack that includes essential tools such as expense and income trackers, worksheet for choosing, financing and repairing a van, build cost and insurance tracker, and more!

Van Life Prep Pack

Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Upside
Gas Buddy App
$5 Meal Plans
Harvest Hosts
The Wayward Home Podcast - Van Life WiFi
Visible Wireless Review
Guide to Health Insurance for Full Time RVers
The Wayward Home Facebook Group

Check out the full episode blog post here: https://www.thewaywardhome.com/episode60/

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Have you wanted to travel to Baja in your campervan but just not sure how safe it is? What documents do you need? How easy is it to find campsites?

We take a deep dive with van lifer Brooke Alexander, who drove Baja in her campervan last winter and is planning another trip this year.

We navigate through the nitty-gritty, like border crossings, military checkpoints, and Mexico's indispensable FMM card. Brooke talks about finding campsites, essential gear, and why she recommends bringing your own toilet!

Links Mentioned in this Podcast:

• Car Insurance for Mexico (Lewis and Lewis) or (BajaBound)
• Air Compressor for Tires 
• Go Treads 
• iOverlander 

Other Helpful Links for Mexico:

• Visible phone service
• Starlink

Follow Brooke Alexander:

• @PettyPrinethePromaster

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In this third and final episode of the Nomad Newbie series, we're diving deep into connections - how to make them, maintain them, and tips for getting connected from anywhere.

First, we cover the ins and outs of maintaining a reliable internet connection while living a nomadic lifestyle with Cherie and Chris of RV Mobile Internet Resource Center. We'll start by identifying your specific needs, whether you're looking to casually surf or need a robust solution for those high-bandwidth activities like video conferencing.  They walk us through all the options, from Starlink and cellular plans, to hotspots (with a dedicated device our your cellphone), routers, signal boosters, and how you can build a redundant system to meet your needs.

The internet isn't the only connection we're exploring. We're going beyond the tech and diving into the social aspects of life on the road. In the latter part of our conversation, we chat with solo traveler Amber Baldwin about how this unique lifestyle opens the door to new friendships and a sense of community. Whether it's the spontaneous encounters on the road or the vibrant nomad groups and gatherings, tune in to discover how living nomadically may just make you more connected than your stationary life.

So come along and equip yourself with the knowledge to stay connected, both digitally and socially, no matter where the road takes you.

We hope you enjoyed the Nomad Newbie Series, with some of our top tips to help you ditch conventional life to hit the road or the waves.  To hear more of the conversation with our guests, check out these episodes from the archive:

Episode 7 - How to Get WiFi When Traveling Full-Time with the RV Mobile Internet Resource Center
Episode 15 - Solo Van Life with Amber Baldwin: What is it Like Living Alone on the Road?

Links mentioned:
www.thewaywardhome.com/visible
https://www.thewaywardhome.com/visible-wireless-review/

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Ready to lighten your load, both physically and mentally? In the second installment of the Nomad Newbie Series, we tackle downsizing - the first but often one of the hardest steps to transitioning to a life of freedom.

With the help of two special guests, we share tips and advice for letting go of your possessions.  Chris DeCroce, a former Nashville homeowner turned sailboat resident,  successfully severed his emotional attachments to material possessions. He discusses the psychological aspects of downsizing and provides a roadmap on where to start, focusing first on the items that carry no emotional weight.

But it's not just about letting go, it's also about embracing a new way of life. Kandace and Justin did just that when they downsized to live full time in their travel trailer.  They share their approach which consists of starting early, starting small, and making a plan to transition to this new lifestyle.

Whether you're contemplating a life on the road or the open waves, this episode is for you. Get ready to leave the conventional behind and step towards a life filled with less stuff and more experiences.

Once you’ve downsized, you might be wondering what stuff you actually do need for your new life on the road.  Check out my list of van life essentials at https://thewaywardhome.lpages.co/van-life-essentials-podcast/.

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