Roadschooling VanLife - A Nomadic Single Mom and Kiddo Survival Story
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  • Home
    • About >
      • Our Van >
        • 2018 Ford Transit Cargo Van
  • The Build
    • Planning is Different Then Doing - VanLife Van Build
    • How Much Does it Cost to Convert a Van?
    • How Much Time Does it Take to Convert a Van?
    • DIY Van Conversion Checklist >
      • Phase One DIY Van Conversion - Research >
        • Designing Your Perfect #VanBuild While Going on Practice Van Life Adventures
      • Making Decisions for Your DIY Van Conversion >
        • Rural Internet
      • Selecting and Buying the Van DIY Van Conversion >
        • Finding a Van
      • Prepping the Layout- DIY Van Conversion >
        • Detailing the Van Before Conversion
      • Installing Windows on Van Conversion for #vanlife
      • Selecting a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van >
        • Vent Placement in Conversion Van
        • Cutting a Hole for a Vent Fan for our Conversion Van
      • Solar Panels on Conversion Van >
        • Wind Solar Power on Conversion Van
        • Van Conversion Solar Set Up - Everything You Need
        • How Much Solar Power Do I Need?
  • Our Adventures
    • The Backstory >
      • We Found a Van!
      • Pre-Purchase Van Freak Out
      • Vanlife- Van Purchase Day
      • Registering an Out of State Vehicle
      • Single Mom Cross Country Road Trip
    • Full Time Van Life Diaries >
      • Full Time Van Life - Kates Blog
      • Full Time Van Life Diaries week one
      • Full Time Van Life Diaries week two >
        • Full Time Van Lifers - Are We Homeless or Not?
      • Full Time Van Life Diaries week three
      • Full Time Van Life Diaries week four
      • Full Time Van Life Diaries week five
    • Van Life Adventures >
      • Sea World - Orlando
      • Aquatica- Orlando
      • Treasure Island Florida
    • Friends on the Road
    • Roadschooling
  • Resources
    • Basic Van Life Must Haves
    • Van Life Overnight Parking - Where Do You Sleep?
    • Van Life Trash
    • Financially Supporting Van Life
    • Vanlife Websites and Blogs
    • Vanlife Hashtags for Families on the Road
    • Vanlife YouTube Channels
    • Random #VanLife Stuff
  • YouTube
  • Contact
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YOUR CART

Basic Van Life Start Up Must Have Supplies

#vanlifeessentials #vanlifeshoppinglist #nomadnecessities 
We originally wanted to complete a full build before hitting the road, but our plans changed.  We hit the road with only a mostly finished sub-floor.  That's it.  An insulation-plus-plywood floor.  No vinyl. No wall insulation. No solar. No cute tiny kitchen. No tiny bathroom. No coordinating bed set. No bed. 

It was winter- the end of January 2021.  (Yeah... covid, too.)  Our empty, un-built van was our new home. We had to grab some basic essentials and just make it work.  We'd figure the rest out along the way. 

We had already taken our stationary-life storage items to a new storage location in our eventual future home in North Carolina (read about that cross-country trip here) and had only some van build equipment and supplies on hand.  We needed actual basic van supplies to get started.

With only hear-say and common sense, we put this "bucket and a blanket" dry camping, basic, BLM- ready, boondocking-ready, list together and hoped for the best:

chargeable power station
cold weather sleeping bags
pillows
pillow cases
5 gallon bucket
trash bags
kitty litter
air neutralizer 
bath tissue
hand towels 
bins for easy storage
bungee cords
gallon water jugs
cooler
ice 
plastic bags
back-pack for shower items and change of clothes
food
a roll of ​Reflectix for the windows (for privacy and temp control)

We already had packed our suitcases with...

a few changes of clothes (for various kinds of weather)
tennis shoes
flip flops
dry shampoo
baby powder
baby wipes
real shampoo, conditioner and soap (for when we have access to a real shower)
deodorant 
a laundry bag
vitamins
nail clippers
tooth brush
toothpaste
brush
hair ties
Vaseline
Chapstick 
first aid kit
hydrogen peroxide
laundry soap
dryer sheets
bag o' make up (I'm not going on camera bare-faced- Sorry, Charlie.)

And, we each had separate suitcases for school and office supplies including:
laptops
chargers
mobile wi-fi
books
pens
etc. according to our individual needs

Tip: Don't forget to pack any necessary medications and plan on transferring your prescription pick up location as you roam.

About a week in, we bought leave-in conditioner and cleaning supplies like window cleaner and a dust pan with a sweeper.



Kate & Mel

The Build
We are Kate & Mel, daughter and mother fulltime van life nomads who have set out on a gypsy adventure in our currently being built van, Eliza. Join us as we explore the non-glamorous, not-Pinterest-worthy, real, figure-it-out-as-we-go, sometimes ugly version of full time van living.

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#mommysgotavan #singleparentvanlife ​#vanlife  #familyvanlife #vanlifediaries #fulltimevanlifediaries #roadschool #roadschooling #vankids #vanmom #vanconversion #vanbuild #homeonwheels #gypsysoul #campervan #vanlifegirls #vanlifewithkids #wanderluster #fulltimetravel #solotraveler #nomadlife #hippiespirit #travellife #vanconversion #nomadfamily #livinginavan #mobilesheltering #vehicleresidency #vehicledweller #vanlifecommunity #nomadcommunity #gypsygang 

Single mom and kiddo set out on a nomad, van life, roadschooling lifestyle. Watch the beginner diy van conversion, first time homeschooling, first time build, first time on the road experiences, and newbie family van life adventures unfold. 

We will share van life travels and tips to encourage other people to get out and explore the open road.