Victoria from Snail Pace Transformations emailed me this story yesterday about a guy who stayed out of debt during college by living in his van. It definitely ranks up there as one of the more creative and original ways to pay cash for college.
Here’s a snippet of the story:
On the first night I tried to sleep in my van, I was lying in my sleeping bag sprawled out on the backseat, parked in a mostly empty Walmart parking lot. I’d wake up every 15 minutes because I was nervous that the security guard driving past my van would knock on my door and make me leave.
My new home had 60 square feet and four wheels. While most people would consider living in a van an embarrassment, a low point, or even a “rock bottom,” it would — though I didn’t realize it then — turn out to be the greatest financial decision I’d ever made.
No one would end up waking me up in the Walmart lot, and, over the next two years, almost all of my other fears would prove to be entirely unfounded.
Debt-free; Dirt Poor
In January 2009, when I’d decided to move into the van, I was nearly broke. I had just $4,000 in the bank and no possessions other than a laptop, camera, cellphone and a suitcase full of clothes and a backpack full of camping gear.
I had next to nothing because I’d just finished paying off my $32,000 undergraduate school debt. Still, after two-and-a-half years of working, I wanted nothing more than to go back to school and get my master’s degree in liberal studies at Duke University. But how could I afford tuition and not go back into debt?
My answer: a $1,500 ’94 Ford Econoline.
I’d cook in it, sleep in it, study in it, and live in it. I’d do whatever it would take not to go into debt again.
Read the full story and details on how much he saved here.
What do you think? Is this a creative and amazing? Or just plain ridiculous? Would you consider something like this in order to save money? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Megann says
Although some of these options are not right for me and my family; I think back on when I decided that I was going to pay off my families bills. What others might consider to be strange is perfectly normal in my home… i.e. no paper products. I think that it shows that no matter what your financial situation is that there are always ways to be more prudent with the things that you have. I’m just happy that this man shared his story. I think if nothing else it has started the conversation about money.
Emily says
It doesn’t say where he lives. If he lived somewhere like Minnesota or Maine perhaps he couldn’t have done that. And where it gets extra hot (like Arizona) it wouldn’t be possible either. So more power to him that he was able to pull it off.
cwaltz says
I’m going with ridiculous and very likely illegal. A van is not considered a habitable domicile and had the police been informed he was LIVING in it he could have been arrested for vagrancy and faced fines and jail time. He got lucky. There was a reason he was “nervous that the police would knock on his van door.”
ShoppingFool says
See I think this also, here(which is also in the same state he did this btw), you couldn’t do it. I have a friend on our local force and after reading this, I asked. He said they would absolutely put a stop to it.
I admire his drive for wanting to get it done, but I have several issues with it all. One…no matter how safe you think you are-you’re lucky you weren’t hurt. There are loonies, especially at wal-mart(Our WM scares the crap out of me from past experiences there!), and noticing you’re living in your van and it’s just you, I’m amazed you didn’t have more issues.
Two…my nephew is currently apartment sharing through his last year in college. He’s done this all four years and paid such an incredibly small amount with great results. His budget is lower than this gentleman’s and he has a car, a nice room within a roomy apartment with a well equipped kitchen/bathroom.
Three….I’m glad it worked for him, I will not knock him for having the will to get it done! Most ppl lack that will today, which is both sad and scary. I do think his numbers in his chart are skewed. My spouse works on cars, how does living in one make it cheaper than simply using it? If a part is going to break, it will break whether you live in it and then drive to work or just drive it to work….the car won’t be happier and break less because you’re there more. (for those that missed it, that was half a joke ppl 😉 )
However, there is something to be said for the liberal arts discussion here. I know it CAN help, I just know it’s not be a popular degree of late in terms of finding a job. I would think after he sacrificed so much to get the masters, he would want it to translate into a good and reliable place of employment. I hope like crazy it did! I just know, I’m not willing to put all of my eggs into a basket I cannot be sure about. I’m hoping to go back to school soon myself, and even though that might be a course I’d enjoy very much, I wouldn’t risk it simply because I don’t want to be unemployable in the industry I studied for, if you kwim. Kudos to him though, he seems happy about the whole thing and that’s really all that matters.
Shelli says
My husband lived in a stock trailer during his last year in college. He got a gym membership so that he could take a shower every morning. 🙂
Sol says
As much as I admire his willingness to stay out of debt, I shutter at not having a bathroom/shower/privacy. As a female I couldn’t do it.
The Prudent Homemaker says
I considered this type of thing briefly while I was at college.
I worked 20 hours a week and I lived in an apartment with 5 other women. Most of the apartments near campus were 6 people to an apartment (3 bedrooms), including beds, a couch, and a table and chairs. This was much less than living in the dorms. I later lived in some on-campus apartments that were similar. I know not all schools are like this, but sharing an apartment sure helps!
I cooked all of my own food except for a few rare occasions when I bought something on campus.
I didn’t have the expenses that he mentioned, however. $100 a month for appliances? I had no appliances, unless you counted my blow dryer and curling iron, which I had since high school. Even if you brought a microwave with you to school, it would be a one-time purchase, not a monthly expense.
I did not have a vehicle while in college; I walked everywhere (save for the occasional times when someone with a car offered for anyone to come with on a trip to the grocery store; one year I walked to the store and back), even when it was snowing. The cost of not having a vehicle could be the difference in rent in a shared place, however.
I attended many free things on campus; a few times I went to things but it was never more than $10 a month on entertainment, and usually it was $0 a month on entertainment.
I bought a pair of snow boots while in college (on clearance) my first year, and a pair of sandals right before I graduated, but I did not buy new clothes. I did receive a couple of new shirts from my parents for gifts.
I learned to cook very modest meals, and having an apartment meant access to a refrigerator as well, which was very nice for making a big pot of soup one day and keeping it handy to eat for several days. I ate for less than he did, and I feed my entire family for less than that a day now. Having a place to cook, and a refrigerator, really helped with that.
It’s certainly one way to do it, but not the only way to graduate debt-free. You have to adjust your priorities (as he said) to make that 20 hour a week job cover things, but it can be done.
Maria T. says
Some campuses have formalized this set up a bit and list it as a housing option. http://www.housing.ucsc.edu/camperpark/ Granted they still charge you space rent, but in an area where the CoL is extremely high, less than $600 a month is a huge bargain. In the case of UCSC, the campus entrances are secured at night with guards at each entrance and you have to have a student ID or vehicle permit to get on campus so there is an added layer of security.
Maria T. says
Ack, that was supposed to be a general reply and not nested under this comment. Oops!
Audrey @ Mama Needs Money says
Personally, I would never want to live in a van, no matter how much I saved. The lack of a bathroom and a built-in kitchen sounds miserable. That said, I can see a lot of guys – especially college-age- doing this and feeling just fine about it. Kind of like perpetual camping. So if it worked for him, more power to him!
Victoria says
I thought it was pretty creative. I did wonder about the legalities of staying overnight in a parking lot. I suppose that is something he checked into before he embarked on his idea. I do agree with people who commented on facebook that it really is not much smaller than a dorm. My guess is it would be a lot more quiet too at times.
Melanie says
I think this is amazing, and the last few lines of his story says it all. He was fed, he was healthy and he slept soundly. How many Americans are unhealthy and are too stressed to sleep at night, over financial troubles? Very wise in my opinion!
Leslie says
Yes, I think he’s creative and brilliant, and, no, I would never do this myself. He set his goals, a graduate degree from a prestigious university, obtained without debt, and achieved them. He did this on his own and will earn money and recognition from his story as well.
He earned my respect, regardless of his personal preferences of university, degree, etc. I recently completed my master’s while continuing to work full-time, make my mortgage payments, etc. My choices likely would not have appealed to him, but we both achieved our goals in our own ways. Vive la différence!
Emily says
I dated a boy in college who was living in his van and this was in 1970! Students can use all sorts of the school’s amenities, the gym, showers, wi-fi, library, it’s not too bad. It does get pretty cold in the middle of winter. I don’t think I could have done it. It shows real initiative to make a sacrifice like this. I hope he put it into his resume when he went to look for a job. I’d be impressed as an employer!
Andrea says
I read this story last week, and while I can appreciate his willingness to keep costs low (my husband and I both have grad degrees with pretty high student loan balances), I have one thing to say….
This gal is not a tenting type of a gal. Good for him, but no thanks. I don’t even like having to pull over in a rest area when we road trip it to take a nap. Sleeping in cars = yuck.
Kristin says
I read the entire article. However, I do not understand how/why cell phone, car insurance, food, gas and misc. costs would all be lower on the van budget than the “normal living” budget.
I can understand the household appliances being lower if living in a van (though I do not even have a budget line for this.). However, no new clothes at all the entire time you lived in the van?
Also, if anything I would think that gas would raise (more time spent in the vehicle) and that repair costs may also rise for the same reason.
Just my thoughts/questions.
Leah says
Honestly, I think most of the items on his chart were a stretch to make it sound like it was more frugal than what it was. I can see the rent and utilities, and perhaps the gas if he was comparing it to driving back and forth to school, but I think overall the chart is very misleading.
jerilyn says
I think the article was skewed to make it seem like he saved more money than he did. There is the option of living off campus and making your own meals there (more expensive than the van, yes, but cheaper than living on campus. I’m not sure why living in a van has cheaper maintenance costs though? Also, how is the cell phone cheaper just because you are living in a van?
He was very resourceful and I think this works with college students- since you are paying for tuition, you have access to the library, their computers, the gym, etc. I think it would be much harder for a non-student and practically impossible (and definitely not worth it for me!) with children!
Allison says
In lot of grad programs, particularly in the humanities, you can find assistantships that cover tuition and provide a living stipend. Perhaps this wasn’t an option in his case, but it’s how many students are able to get advanced degrees without going into debt. I guess what I’m saying is that there are other more reasonable options out there to get a debt-free Masters or PhD.
Meagan says
I would never consider doing that, but I do admire his drive and self-discipline to accomplish his goal of getting his graduate degree debt-free. Anyone else thinking about Chris Farley’s SNL skit about living in a van down by the river??
Sarah in Alaska says
Yes! Dh and I tried to get my brother to live in a van this summer while he’s up here working in tourism and that’s exactly what we said to him…he was not convinced.
Lucy says
First, I thought that’s a crazy, how about shower, bathroom… so on. Well, college has rec. facility or gym with shower, walmart opens 24 hr, you can go library to study. If you just use car for sleep, it’s a most cheapest way to live. But if I were him, I try to work at walmart to contribute my labor to them and a little extra money will pay for the food, you don’t need to cook!
Also, regarding his degree, I think he can be a writer, he can publish his own book for what he experienced, and his future is brighter than some people don’t believe.
Jessica @ The Abundant Wife says
What a creative solution! I can’t say that I’d go to such great lengths for a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies, but if that’s your dream then do it debt-free! “Live like no one else so you can live like no one else!” I think if he were my son, I’d be impressed with his resourcefulness. 🙂
Christine says
Initially I thought, props to him but crazy, and a grad degree in liberal arts from Duke? But after I read the article, this guy is frugal and smart. Yes, a humanities degree won’t get you a high paying job, but he used his experience to write a book and the uniqueness of his adventure got him a book deal (plus free press like this blog). A grad degree from Duke combined with having a published novel will help him get on the tenure track for professor, the Holy Grail for humanities majors and possibly one of the most difficult jobs to obtain. Good for him!
Angela Ellis says
Unfortunately, just an MA likely isn’t going to get him a tenure-track job. He needs a terminal degree, whatever that happens to be in his field. If he wants to teach creative writing in an MFA program, he needs an MFA. Other fields expect a PhD.
Christine says
OK, maybe not tenure but he’s still on a much better track to get hired or get another book deal! My friend’s DH has his PhD and has only been able to get adjunct jobs traveling between 3 CC campuses. It’s a tough job market for higher ed and his frugal adventure only adds IMO.
Jennifer says
Incredible! I love his creativity.
Sarah says
I think it’s just fine. No complaints from me. But then I married a man whose brother rather than paying storage fees in college, buried his clothing in the mountains and lived a semester on butter flavored crisco and whatever he could glean/scavenge (with permission) from the agriculture department’s experimental garden or from fruit trees around campus and town. Oh, and all the “free pizza if you attend” seminars he could find.
My husband lived off of wheat, rice, and beans by the 50lb bag full and had plans to build a “spider pit” in order to save on rent but he married me and that was end of that dream.
The only thing I would say, is that my cost of living as a student not so long ago was lower than his “van budget”. My brother is in school now and he has a very similar budget as the “van budget”. We lived in off-campus housing in shared bedrooms, and cooked our own food. But we had a bed, bathroom, cable, internet, pool, laundry, etc. So, I think it’s a fine and not crazy idea, but maybe more hassle than is truly necessary in order to graduate debt free.
The Frugal Exerciser says
He must live in a climate that doesn’t get too warm or too cold because I don’t see how he could do this in the winter. I wish I could go off the grid but there is no way my hubby would do something like this.
Meredith says
I live two hours from where he was. In the summer the humidity is insane and winters are cold. It wasn’t really practical.
Heather says
I think it’s great. Good for him. I don’t think it’s any less safe than some of the environments that many college students live in.
Perhaps he chose Duke because it was near his place of employment. Perhaps he chose liberal studies because he had a job in STEM, and found it soul-stifling. If he’s willing to live in a van, I’d bet he’s willing to make the kind of salary a liberal studies grad will make. I know someone who had a masters in Accounting, but went back to get a master’s in English Lit. Needed a change.
Dana says
I say to each his own however I would not want this for my child for a number of reasons but most certainly likely not very safe. I also disagree with his choice for his masters, while yes a grad degree is costly, did he really have to choose Duke? He could have kept his tuition fees down had he chosen a less expensive school, therein not having to choose to live in a van. And also his degree choice, he will have spent $50K+ for a degree plus his undergrad and will be lucky to get a $35K/year job upon graduation.
I think living in a cheaper apartment, w/ roommates and a less expensive school would have left him debt free with the right choices.
Patrice says
I think this was pretty extreme. While I’m all for saving money there are some things I just don’t think I’d be willing to sacrifice. As women I need regular axis to to a bathroom/shower, a rec. or activity center just wouldn’t do.
Staci says
I think the climate of where you do this would need to be considered. Running the car to stay warm or cool wasn’t factored in the $$ amount. I don’t have a problem with this but think he has guts and drive that we all can learn from. Living lean for a goal with out caring what others think about him. That’s what I take away from it.
Margery H. says
I just finished reading William Bennet’s 2012 book “Is College Worth It?”
What a great read. So many people have ruined their lives by taking out huge student loans while getting college degrees in liberal arts field which have very low value in the actual working world. Then, when they can’t find a job, they go back to graduate school while taking out…you guessed it…even more student loans. Sociology, anthropology, psychology, and liberal studies bachelor’s degrees, and even graduate degrees just don’t pay well in the marketplace. Bennet presses parents and students everywhere to take a good hard look at the college, the degree, and the loans you need to get there, and truly evaluating if it’s worth it.
Generally, ivy league schools are worth it, STEM schools are worth it (science, technology, engineering, math), and skilled trade schools are worth it. Many skilled trades pay better than many graduate level degrees, including law degrees and doctorates. Everyone thinking of going to college or with a child who may be college bound should read it!
Kabe says
I know that STEM is the obviously-profitable route right now … but I wish people didn’t automatically discount the liberal arts as “ruining people’s lives”. My fiance and I both hold BA’s in biological anthropology (with minors between us in history, english literature and religion) and hold master’s degrees in teaching as well. We both got jobs very quickly after school and at 24 make a combined 110k a year. Our anth backgrounds (which are in fact quite science and technology heavy) seemed to garner a lot of interest from prospective employers and the focus on critical thinking and analysis of data has served us both well. No degree is *utterly* useless; some may take more marketing of your own personal skill set but all liberal arts degrees (in theory) are designed to create active learners and quick thinkers with a well-rounded worldview and skill set.
Sarah says
Regardless of his degree, he did it with no debt! I think for me it would be crazy, but for a single guy in college it works. He’ll always have a story to tell! It’s good to hear that some young people are willing to sacrifice to get what they want. 🙂
Tammy @ SkipperClan says
I appreciate the willingness to sacrifice, as a mom of an entering college freshman, I much prefer he just come live at home!
jen keith says
i’m surprised and disappointed that we would make negative comments about one dude’s ‘adventure’ in saving $ and paying for college debt free! and why would we make ugly comments about his degree? the point here is that he traveled the road less common (actually, almost nonexistent) and learned a valuable financial lesson along the way; way to go!!!
jodi says
I agree!
jodi says
I give the guy props!
Pamela says
I’m thinking ridiculous. Plus I think it sends a bad message that staying out of debt *requires* crazy stunts like this, rather than discipline over time. Obviously, his solution to embrace homelessness is not practical for most people, and they might think “well, I’m not willing to live in my car, so my only other choice is debt” and that’s not necessarily always true.
I’m glad it worked for him (I guess) but it just seems like a crazy stunt to me, not a practical solution for anyone.
Meredith says
I’m thinking ridiculous as well Pamela. I know that there are many people here who are saying that they think it’s awesome but college doesn’t equal debt. You are exactly right, it is discipline over time. College equals higher education. I have a degree and I would never trade it for the world. You can easily share an apartment or house at a University and pay maybe even less than he did in gas for his van. You don’t have to go in debt to go to college. I know many many many people who are debt free and have higher degrees.
Carol says
and let’s not forget… what kind of climate can you do this in? We’ve all seen the warnings of how hot a car gets in just 77 degree weather… cannot be very economical to run the car to run the heater in a colder climate.
And does anyone know? Is it safe to run a propane camping stove in such a small enclosed space?
Rachael says
nope. not safe to run a camps stove of any style except outside.
kate says
Sounds to me to be stupid, dangerous, and unsafe. I also wonder, at the end of this experience, what a Masters degree in “Liberal Studies” got him…
Erin says
I’m also thinking the more ridiculous choice might well be pursuing a master’s liberal studies degree. Employers looking for advanced degrees aren’t usually looking for a master’s. And liberal studies? What’s the point?
Angelia says
That sounds awfully judgmental.
Deb says
That was my thought, exactly, “liberal studies?” Can we be more NON-specific? My son is working at a nationally recognized coffee chain while he is getting his undergrad and 3 of his coworkers have graduate degrees. 😉
Carol says
I agree with Kate!
…and yes, what can you do with a Masters degree in Liberal Studies?
Sarah says
Not all people believe that the purpose of education is to “do” something with it. Some people pursue knowledge for its own sake. He may not be better situated for a job after his degree, but he may feel he has accomplished something. If he was able to do it debt free then I think that is great!
Natalie says
While the concept is awesome and something I may have considered in my ahem, younger, kidless days… Yikes! A Master’s in Liberal Studies? I know that sounds judgmental, but good grief that seems like a waste! What did getting a Bachelor’s in LS get him?? Not sure it’s frugal to make those kind of sacrifices only to pay tens of thousands on an advanced degree he’s not guaranteed to be able to use. Regardless, I wish him the best. Sometimes it’s more the journey anyway, right? 😉
Natalie says
Ok… It didn’t say his BS was in LS. I just assumed. Touche.
Rachael says
I don’t understand why a Master’s Degree is a waste. Even if it isn’t the most marketable degree, this was obviously meaningful for him; meaningful enough that he was willing to live in a van to accomplish this dream.
Hannah says
I have a master’s degree in a very “liberal studies” area (more specific) and I quickly (within weeks of graduation) got a federal government job in an unrelated area with full benefits. A masters is a masters (demonstrates hard work and ability to independently finish a very difficult project).
Hannah says
I also lived very frugally during this period, but in a safe apartment. I have no student debt as I worked the whole time and during grad school, was a teaching assistant.
Julie @Logger's Wife says
I lean ridiculous but to each their own I guess. I would never have done that. I would have taken some extra time to finish school instead of taking out loans. But would not have lived out of a van.
Cathy says
I agree with you. I can’t help but think …where did he go to the bathroom, or cook meals, or take showers, or how did he see to do homework at night? Just seems overboard to me, seems like there would be a better way to do things, like work longer and save more before going back to school.
Crystal says
If you read the full article, he answers most of these questions.
Ashley says
Sounds like quite the adventure for him. He was driven, he had a specific goal in mind and he had a plan to meet his basic needs. I’m glad it worked for him. Of course those with families to support would not have such flexibility but I’m truly glad it worked for him.
Ambrosia says
I’d do it in a heartbeat to keep from going into debt!
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
That’s wild, but I think it sounds cool. As long as you’re single and not tied down, why not? Just be sure not to invite anybody over to your place.. That would be embarrassing. I don’t think most people would understand!
Krista Greene says
Love it! I had a friend who lived out of her truck for a summer. I wouldn’t do it but props to someone else who is willing to. A true minimalist.
Mary B. says
I debated this until my fiance and I realized we were pregnant 🙂 It is a fantastic way to save money, especially as a lot of universities and colleges have rec centers that you’re already paying for in with your tuition. Rec centers have exercise equipment AND showers! Showers are good!
Tammy @ SkipperClan says
I thought about that: where did he shower?! lol
Jessica @ The Abundant Wife says
He said he paid $34/semester to use the campus gym for showers.
Krafty Momma says
My husband actually contemplated buying an RV and parking it on campus while he worked towards his Ph.D. While that’s not everyone, I admire Ken for thinking outside of the box.
However, saying he saved over $2100 by living in a van is very misleading. All he really saved by living in the van was the utility and apartment rent costs – everything else (including less gas and entertainment) was simply lifestyle choices.
Leah says
That’s exactly what I was thinking. 🙂 How does living in a van save you money on food? And car insurance? Really? And how does your misc. budget go down by $10 just because you are living in a van? His chart made me laugh.
Mary Ellen says
I think – hey whatever makes you happy! No harm to others? Check. Makes you happy? Check. Helped you toward your goals? Check.
Seems like a lot of money for undergraduate school. Then again, I went to college from 1997-2001. And get your graduate degree while you are there! It made life so much easier… and cheaper. It will only go up in price!
Quite timely seeing as student loan interest rates are about to double….
Rachael says
No direct harm to others… but… what about the legality of parking in the Walmart parking lot over night? I know folks do it, and it might be just fine. But *someone* has to pay to pave the lot and keep it up. That would be my only quibble, as it seems to be taking advantage of something that one who is trying to be upfront ought not do. Maybe its that Walmart has the policy that the company is happy to let folks park in their lot over night, and if so, more power to them. So, just a thought. Most places you have to at least pay for hte space you are taking up… (that’s rent for ya)
Otherwise, it does sound like a good option for someone who is up for the inconveniences living in a vehicle presents. And they are mostly only inconveniences, nothing much more.
Heather says
Wal-mart is known for allowing people to park RV’s overnight in their lots, so I guess a van would be okay, too. Maybe he had to move around to different Wal-marts from time to time.
Jessica @ The Abundant Wife says
Actually, if you read the article, he lived on campus and paid $182/year for a campus parking permit.
Kristin says
The Wal-mart close to me allows RV’s and big rigs to stay in their parking lot overnight. They even have signs around the parking lot saying that the allow it, in the back part of the lot only.
Jessica @ The Abundant Wife says
Actually, if you read the article, he did this for his Graduate degree, not his Undergraduate degree.
Mary Ellen says
I realized the article was referring to Grad school. I was using the plural “you” and not the singular “you” since I would assume the van-dwelling Duke student would not be reading my comment.
DeAnna says
I think this is brilliant. This is what “the American Dream” is all about. Sacrifice and hard work to achieve our goals.