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Living in a van forces you to think differently – about your waste, your resources, and your habits. When you’re off-grid, every drop of water, every scrap of trash, and every watt of power matters. We’ve been traveling through over 10 countries aiming to live a zero waste van life. This post isn’t about perfection – it’s about what’s actually worked for us on the road: the tools, habits, and tips that help us reduce our footprint. Here’s what’s working for us: Powered by the sun Solar energy lets us stay off-grid while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Our solar panel kit powers everything we need – lights, fridge, fan, and devices – without the need to plug into the grid. We only charge things during the day, and we use USB chargers whenever possible to avoid energy loss from power conversion.  To keep our devices topped up during the day or on cloudy days, we carry a portable power bank – a lifesaver when you need to charge phones or cameras without draining the main battery. Tips from the road: Start small with a basic 100W panel if you’re unsure about your energy needs. Combine with a deep cycle battery and charge controller for maximum efficiency. Park strategically: choose sunny spots during the day and shaded areas at night to reduce cooling needs. Water hacks that work We installed a water filter, which gives us clean, safe water wherever we go – whether it’s a public tap, mountain stream, or gas station refill.  We also installed a water gauge so we always know exactly how much we have left, which helps us stay mindful. Here are a few more specific tips that help to conserve A LOT of water and have a sustainable van life journey: Washing dishes – Keep one bottle filled with 1) liquid dish soap + water and another with 2) clean water. We spray dirty dishes with soapy water, scrub them, and then clean them with the clean water spray bottle. This trick saves SO MUCH water.  Reusing water & using exactly how much we need – For example, when we boil tofu, we then keep the water to cook noodles. When we cook noodles, we first boil the water in the kettle, and then we use exactly the amount we need for the noodles. Cook one-pot meals – It’s simple, sustainable, and saves both water and fuel. Camp, gym & gas station showers – Most are pay-by-the-minute so we take quick showers, which saves water and money. DIY wet wipes & body spray – Between showers, we clean ourselves up with DIY wipes we made out of cloth squares and a DIY spray. It’s refreshing and works well, without wasteful disposable wipes. Greywater systems for the win Managing your wastewater responsibly keeps your van eco-friendly and avoids contaminating natural areas. This means: Use natural dish soap. We buy refillable natural ones from bulk stores we find on

Image Source: 123rf.com According to a Relationships Dynamics study, 67% of couples who regularly compromise report feeling happier in their relationships, compared to only 33% of couples who rarely or never compromise. This highlights that compromise is a key factor in relationship satisfaction and overall happiness. But do you feel like you’re always the one compromising in your relationship? While compromise is a necessity in any relationship, it needs to be done equally and with consideration to […]

I’m in the first year of several, being age 49. Yep, I’m going to delay that 50 as long as possible. I thought this might not be the audience for this type of article, but I got a recent comment that convinced me otherwise: Also, why not write about skin cream? Last July, I wrote about trying to grow hair. I gave the option I went with and included a budget option for those who […]

You barely have time to microwave dinner—so who’s got hours to “start a side hustle”? I completely understand, as a busy mom myself, I’ve put together a list of the best side hustles for stay at home moms. I get it. You’ve got responsibilities. Kids, housework, group texts you haven’t replied to in three days. But here’s the deal: the right side hustle doesn’t drain your time—it multiplies your options. This post is for people […]

All you need to know about the Winter Fuel Payment The Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) is an annual payment to help UK pensioners with heating costs during the cold winter months. Last year the Government removed the WFP for all pensioners, except for those on Pension Credit and certain other means-tested benefits. This affected Winter 2024/25. After many months of criticism and backlash from their own MPs, the opposition and charities, it has made changes […]

You know the feeling. Friday night lands on your shoulders like a heavy coat. It’s been meetings, complaints, the printer jammed again, and you’re running on caffeine and sheer willpower. You want to switch off but don’t know how. Sometimes you don’t need a holiday; you just need to feel like you matter again. Let’s … The post Little Luxuries: Subtle Ways To Treat Yourself After A Rough Week At Work appeared first on The […]

Dogs are man’s best friend and a pet, but a part of our families who deserve our love and care, as any other family member. However, our busy schedules, exhausting lifestyles, and long commuting times have given birth to a fun job opportunity that pays well. Demand for dog walkers has grown tremendously in the… Read More The post 7 Best Dog Walking Apps to Make Extra Money appeared first on FinSavvy Panda.

We’re all looking for ways to save a little money. Not only are expenses going up, but we’re rolling into the holiday season. We can’t just stop buying food and gasoline, and many of us would like to do a little non-essential shopping, too. Hopefully you’re already searching out sales and using coupons, but there’s… | Read More… The post The Best Shopping Rebate Apps appeared first on KateHorrell.

On her first day as CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi fired her general counsel. Then rehired him before dinner. It wasn’t a stunt. It was a signal. She ran a $200 billion empire the same way she ran her life: with surgical precision, uncompromising standards, and an allergy to corporate theater. But here’s what separates this conversation from every other CEO interview: she tells you what her massive ambition cost her and her family. What it means to carry […]

Dear Reader, as you’ll shortly discover, the subject of this post is pretty simple and straightforward. But, hoo boy have I had a devil of a time tackling it! I meant to publish last week, but the trouble I was having and my usual procrastination led me to hold off and work on the post some more.  Then I meant to post the whole shebang today. But still I was having some trouble adequately expressing […]

Have you ever noticed the same problem keeps showing up, no matter what you try? It could be anything, struggling to save money and invest money, getting paying clients in your business, or challenges in your career. Unfortunately, what we think is the problem isn’t really the problem. When we don’t get to the root of an issue, the cycle continues to repeat itself. That’s why it’s so important to understand what’s really causing it […]

A Metal Revival in Manufacturing There has been a lot of talk about bringing manufacturing back to the United States, and there is about to be a resurgence in manufacturing in America. The rhythmic clang of machinery will meet the deafening roar of opportunity! Experts are saying the manufacturing sector will rise like a legendary phoenix from the ashes. We are talking about a staggering projected growth of nearly 30% through 2033. Check it out, […]

For 2024 I published my side hustle income report each month to maintain accountability. This year, my main goal is to be profitable. To maintain transparency and accountability, I’ll be reporting both on my income and my expenses this year. I haven’t been profitable for a while now. My day job has been subsidizing my side hustles, which kind of play out as a time-consuming hobby. My goal this year is to turn this around. […]