Re: Back on the road—and back to sharing my van life expenses

It’s been a minute since I’ve shared one of these updates—my last monthly expense breakdown was back in November. The holidays rolled in, tax season took over, and I hit pause for a bit. But now I’m back on the road and back to tracking and sharing what van life really costs me each month.

If you’re new here (hi, and welcome! 🧡), I do these expense roundups to give a real-life glimpse into what it takes financially to live this lifestyle. If you’ve been around for a while, thanks for sticking with me through the busy season. Let’s jump into the numbers for May…

It’s always a bit of a challenge to rein in my expenses after being stationary for a while. I wasn’t in the mood to grocery shop and ended up eating out more than usual—but I also treated myself to a $75 steak dinner I’d been craving for months. No regrets. Totally worth it. 🥩

I covered a lot of ground in May—3,266 miles to be exact. 🛣️ I left South Padre Island, Texas, made a stop in Nebraska, and now I’m writing you from beautiful Montana.

Originally, I planned to head west to San Diego, but the road had other ideas. My new route has me exploring more of the Mountain West: through Montana, down into Wyoming and Northern Colorado, looping back up through Wyoming and Montana again, and eventually over to Idaho—with plenty of adventures in between.

Why an Emergency Fund Matters (Ask Me How I Know 😅)

If I needed a reminder of how important an emergency fund is, this year has definitely delivered. In December, I had to replace my transmission and get new tires—which completely wiped out my emergency savings and then some. I figured that would cover me for a while, but the van had other plans.

While I was in Texas, I picked up a screw in one of my brand new tires that couldn’t be repaired, so that meant replacing it. And now, as I’m writing this, I’ve been stuck at a repair shop in Montana since Saturday—waiting on a part that should finally arrive tomorrow so I can get moving again. 🚐

This life is beautiful, but it’s also unpredictable. Having a cushion makes the bumps (literal and figurative) a lot easier to handle. So if you’re in the planning stages or already on the road, consider this your nudge to start or rebuild your emergency fund. You’ll never regret having it—only not having it when you need it.

Tips for Building (or Rebuilding) an Emergency Fund
Even a small cushion can make a huge difference when something unexpected hits. Here’s what’s helped me build mine back up—and what might help you too:

🔹 Name Your Number – Figure out what your emergency fund needs to cover. For me, that’s mostly van repairs and a little extra for unexpected travel or campsite costs. A lot of people aim for $1,000 to start, but even $300 is better than zero.

🔹 Create a “Van Life Emergency” Jar – Whether it’s a real jar, a separate savings account, or even a prepaid card you load slowly over time—keep it out of sight, out of mind so you’re not tempted to dip into it.

🔹 Use Extra or Unexpected Income – If you pick up seasonal work, sell something you’re not using, or even get a surprise refund, stash part of it away. It adds up faster than you think.

🔹 Make it a Game – Can you cut one meal out this week and stash $10 instead? What about skipping that souvenir or coffee stop just once? Little swaps like that are quick wins for your future self.

🔹 Automate When You Can – If you’re earning regularly, set up an auto-transfer of even $5/week into a dedicated fund. Tiny deposits turn into real peace of mind.

Stay Wild & Free,
Catina

P.S. Have you seen my new interactive digital notebooks?
I’ve been working on these little gems behind the scenes and they’re finally in the store! Super handy for planning, dreaming, or just keeping your van life thoughts in one place. Take a peek in the shop and see if one speaks to you.

📒

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