What It's Like To Live In A Camper - Travel Like Anna

Saving money on like live camper travel does not need to be complicated. Here is a clear, no nonsense rundown of what works and how to make the most of it.

Key Takeaways

• In this week’s Travel Tuesday Interview, I chat with travel photographer Whitney Tressel about camper life.
• Travel photographer Whitney Tressel left her job in New York City at the end of March 2017.
• After looking at 30+ campers, I knew even through the pictures that this was “the one”.
• Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio Country count: 32 Blog/Website: @whitneytravels & whitneytressel.com 1.

Where the Real Savings Hide

After nine years of working in New York City, Whitney bought a camper, which she aptly named Penny Lane, and hit the road full-time eight months ago. (Whitney was one of my editors at Google and Budget Travel.) She discusses the pros and cons of camper life and how she balances work on the road! Worth noting: i bought her (Penny Lane) May 1st and hit the road by May 15th.” (Photo by Shaylene Rees) Name: Whitney Tressel (& camper Penny Lane!) Age: We’re both 32.

• How did you begin traveling?
• I traveled a ton as a kid, it became part of my nature early on.
• More importantly, my dad coached football, and my family would frequently support him by traveling to playoff games in far-flung U.S. spots such as Missoula, Montana and San Luis Obispo, California.
• We once tried Christmas in San Antonio, Texas and have spent numerous New Year’s Eves in Tempe, Arizona.

A Closer Look at Like Live Camper Travel

The first time I traveled outside of North America was at 20 years old when I studied abroad in the south of Spain. I lived with a Muslim family whose only English words were “purple plum” and took art and history classes in the Spanish language, having only basic classroom knowledge of Spanish at the time.

• Remember that i had at no point felt so helpless, panicked and lost in the beginning, but leaned into the discomfort, persisted to find joy and opportunity in each day, and eventually departed the country four months later nearly fluent and missing those paella Sundays.
• Tell us about how you ended up living in your camper and traveling full-time.
• Living in a camper full-time was at no point my dream.
• I’m frequently sidelined by folks expressing to me that I’m living their [dream], but for me, it was a pretty natural decision.

What to Know About Like Live Camper Travel

As a rule, i’m a travel photographer and road trip producer who was rarely in my New York City-priced apartment, so I thought, “why not live on the actual road?” When I transitioned in the Spring of 2017 from a wild and fulfilling nine-year stint in NYC, it was hard for me to pick where to go next. The paradox of choice.

• I thought Denver, Pittsburgh, Austin, Los Angeles… but none [of these cities] felt quite right at that time.
• I figured I’d just purchase a affordable camper and explore numerous places rather than just one.
• In short, after all, I can theoretically do my job from anywhere.
• It’s not nearly as glamorous as #vanlife makes it look, nor as freeing as I expected, but it’s definitely a special method to live.

How Like Live Camper Travel Really Works

I love the mode of transportation, sometimes even more than the destination I’m headed to. Planes, trains, and automobiles alike, I now get to live in my happy place, literally.

• Worth noting: i’m used to small spaces, know people all near the country, and have already been to 49 of 50 states before this adventure (ah, elusive Alaska!).
• A friend recently described me as, “a professional traveler” which I at no point genuinely thought about and now identify with that descriptor even more so than “professional photographer.” A shot of Lolo National Forest in Western Montana from windshield of Penny Lane (Photography by Whitney Tressel) 3.
• How are you balancing work and travel?
• How are you finding work?

Getting the Most From Like Live Camper Travel

More importantly, balancing work and travel is difficult. I totally see why people save up a bunch of money and pick not to work at all for a period of time.

• It’s so hard to keep up with basic requires such as clean water, safe places to sleep, personal hygiene and work deadlines.
• I definitely work less than I did in New York, expectedly, but what I didn’t expect was how challenging and time intensive it would be to get straightforward tasks done.
• Remember that finding electrical outlets and wireless internet proves to be tough, and varies in each city and state.
• My work has mainly come from clients I’ve previously done freelance projects with, such as Google and National Geographic Student Expeditions and Budget Travel, but I’ve acquired a couple of new clients like Samsung and WeWork, for instance, which have been fun to work with this year.

Tips That Make a Difference

I will continue the balancing act in 2018, but I have a feeling balance is a lifelong test whether one is in a camper or not… 4. Share one of your travel highlights from camper life.

• As a rule, arriving after dark somewhere to set up camp having no visual concept where you are is certainly unnerving, but it is so thrilling when you wake to an unexpected, breathtaking scene.
• That consistently reminds me of one of the reasons I’m out here: to feel alive and to discover.
• But can I pick a second highlight?
• They are a surprise within themselves.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

In short, one of my heroes Brene Brown says, “People are hard to hate close up,” and that could not be truer than on the road. The country doesn’t look so kind at the moment from a broad view: from the couch, from social media feeds, from the he-said and she-said, but up close, qualitative and face-to-face, people from each background, race, spiritual belief, political stance, gender and age are so innately kind, and also highly much alike.

• That is another reason why I decided to be in the camper in-country, rather than [go abroad].
• I wish to experience all of the United States, this time post-divisive election, in detail and in person.
• Worth noting: so far, for the most part, I’ve found that strangers have been a bottomless well of generosity.
• Being in a vintage vehicle, I’ve definitely had problems along the method, and if it weren’t for those whom I call the “angels of the road” I’m not sure I’d still be so keen on this camper life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on like live camper travel?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Worth noting: i bought her (Penny Lane) May 1st and hit the road by May 15th.” (Photo by Shaylene Rees) Name: Whitney Tressel (& camper Penny Lane!) Age: We’re both 32.

Is it worth shopping around for like live camper travel?

Usually yes. How did you begin traveling?.

Smart Ways to Save More on Like Live Camper Travel

• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line on like live camper travel: a little research goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is a click away.

Originally published at savingswitch.com.