Dreaming of RV life but feeling held back by financial worries? You’re not alone! Countless times, I’ve been asked, “How do you afford to RV?” or heard the lament, “I wish I could afford to buy an RV.” Let’s address the elephant in the room: MONEY. The number one reason folks hesitate to start or continue their RV adventures is financial concerns. But fear not! Whether you’re buried under bills, drowning in debt, or simply seeking more ways to save, I’ve got you covered.

Introducing: “25 Ways to Save Money & Fund Your RV Life” From smart budgeting strategies to ingenious money-making hacks, this list is packed with practical tips you can implement TODAY. Say goodbye to financial barriers and hello to the open road! Don’t let money hold you back from living your RV dream. Check out these money saving tips now and start your journey towards financial freedom and RV bliss. Your adventure awaits!

25 Ways To Save Money Today So You Afford To RV:

✅ 1. Cut down on groceries & buy generic

Cut down on groceries & buy generic brands instead of brand names (often they are made by the same manufacturer and relabeled for sale under different names) 👆

✅ 2. Cancel automatic subscriptions & memberships!

Cancel automatic subscriptions & memberships! Omg 😱 all of those $2.99 and $19.99 TV, radio, & meal prep subscriptions add up! 💰 The only subscriptions I have are for my biz and generate income for me!

✅ 3. Cut ties with cable

if you are still paying for cable, please just stop! I don’t watch much TV in my RV but when I do it’s FREE! If you pay for cable or satellite TV Cut ties with them immediately! 📺

✅ 4. Spend extra or unexpected income wisely.

Spend extra or unexpected income wisely. What do you do with any extra money you get or make? Including Gifts, Stimulus Checks, Taxes, Refunds etc…? I save or invest ALL of mine in diverse ways!

✅ 5. Reduce energy costs.

Reduce energy costs. Living in an RV you get to learn detailed costs about your Utilities cost & consumption. I’m always looking for ways to save money, especially on my electric ⚡️ bill. You’d be surprised how investing in small fixes can pay off BIG in the long run! 

✅ 6. Unsubscribe from emails.

Every day take the time to Unsubscribe from unwanted emails. At least once a week or month clean out your inbox, create folders, and take the time to start hitting “unsubscribe” from those who send emails that do not seem to benefit you! How many times do you just hit delete but never unsubscribe? Or Worse how many times do you not hit delete? Stop being distracted and tempted by unnecessary emails! And don’t check them 24/7! Set up filters, folders, and systems to automate your email inbox! 🙄

✅ 7. Check your insurance rates.

Check your insurance rates. This goes for your RV, car, house, health, etc… always do an annual review of your policies both coverage and cost. Usually, there are always ways to save by upgrading, downgrading, or eliminating items but you won’t know unless you check on the regular 🙌

✅ 8. Pack lunch (and eat at home) or in the RV!

Pack lunch (and eat at home) or in the RV! One of the drawbacks of living in an RV is wanting to try all the new foods you find while traveling! Or even at work, school, events whatever, bring your food & drinks with you! Or make it an event at home 🏡 

✅ 9. Save money automatically!

Save money automatically! Do you have a savings account, investments, or even an emergency fund? There are tons of ways you can save money automatically every time you get paid or spend money! Sign up or set up programs to do this on autopilot or else you might forget! Out of sight   out of mind 👁 ✌️ 👩‍✈️

✅ 10. Ask about discounts (and pay in cash).

Ask about discounts (and pay in cash). This goes for RV parks, hotels, restaurants, bills, products, services, and so much more! If you don’t ask, you won’t know! Plus most biz won’t volunteer to give you money! 💰 😂 

✅ 11. Take advantage of your retirement savings plans.

Take advantage of your retirement savings plans. If you don’t already contribute the MAX to your 401k that your employer matches then you are losing out on FREE MONEY there are also tons of options for saving money on taxes if you know how to plan your retirement funds accordingly! Even for self-employed entrepreneurs! 💰

✅ 12. Lower your cell phone bill.

Lower your cell phone bill. This goes back to checking your accounts regularly but I wanted to mention this directly — re-review your cell phone plan annually to make sure your getting the most of your money! They’re always updating and phasing out plans & prices! You might be paying more for less! 😡 📱

✅ 13. Try a spending freeze.

Try a spending freeze. Don’t buy any nonessential items for a week—or even a month! and saying no to anything that isn’t a basic necessity to eat, sleep or breathe. 😮

✅ 14. DIY . . . everything!

DIY . . . everything! Usually, the cost of materials and a simple Google or YouTube search will save you a ton of money on your latest home project. and, when you need to do some DIY work (or any kind of work), borrow what you need from a friend or neighbor instead of going out and buying it.

✅ 15. Skip the coffee shop.

Skip the coffee shop. I’m guilty too! But hey all those coffee stops add up ⬆️ 

✅ 16. Sell everything (that doesn’t bring you joy)!

Sell everything (that doesn’t bring you joy)! Seriously 😳 if you haven’t used it in 3-6 months, don’t need it, think someone else could benefit from it more, or would NEVER use it in an RV then get rid of it! Keep the essentials then Sell, Donate, or Trash the rest! Once you see the 💰 in your bank 🏦 account you won’t care about all that “stuff” anymore! Plus it will make space and give you money to contribute to your RV Life! 

✅ 17. Return or get refunds 

I cannot tell you how many people I’ve seen who never return anything (or they might return everything!) But the goal is to return items that you do not need, or that are broken, whatever the case is that they offer a refund do not hold on to items that you could get your money back for. I hate seeing tags on items that I bought but never use. Please do not abuse anyone’s refund policy as refunds do cost someone somewhere in the long run, whether it be the store or the manufacturer, etc…

✅ 18. Say goodbye to debt.

Monthly debt payments are the biggest money suck when it comes to saving. Try to pay off or down credit cards, loans, or any other balances you owe. And ALWAYS make your minimum payments on all your bills.

✅ 19. Reduce Interest Rates & Fees

Reduce interest rates on existing debt credit card loans etc call on credit cards and ask, refinance loans, and move high-interest credit card debt to lower or find 0% interest rate cc or loans! 

✅ 20. buy in bulk (if it makes sense)

Sometimes you should only buy what you need when you need it like when you’re limited on space like in an RV or in terms of financial resources aka money. Other times it might make sense to buy in bulk for things you need to save on either money or time. Paying for gas or shipping etc… to keep getting the same items can also cost in terms of money! So yes buying more may cost you less depending on the situation times, products or services, etc…

✅ 21. Use Apps and Coupons for discounts!

Download coupons and apps! Always check for Apps and Discounts on items you’re already buying! (Gas, Coffee, Food) or places you’re already going (i.e. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Dollar General, Family Dollar, ibotta…) this goes for in-person and online. Sometimes it actually makes more sense to pay for items online as you might get a bigger discount!

✅ 22. Shop at discount stores!

Start Saving money by shopping at the Dollar Stores or Discount stores! I’m a thriftier. I love Goodwill. In fact, before I started RVing, I actually quit my job by shopping at Goodwill and selling items I found there online.

✅ 23. Barter!

Learn how to barter for things you want or need! Trade items locally or even services online! 

✅ 24 Simplify

Simply your life, your systems, your services, sit down and do an audit of what all you’re spending! Where money is going etc…

✅ 25. Save Money While RVing

It’s not just about saving money to buy and RV or pay for RV life. There are more ways to save money and be able to RV! I’ve made a list of 30 more ways to save money RVing!

Now you know 25 ways to save money and be able to afford your RV living, nomadic lifestyle! It’s your turn — I want you to leave a comment below and let me know which one was your favorite or if you have one I should add to my list!