7 Ideas To Create Extra Wall Storage In Your RV

7 Ideas To Create Extra Wall Storage In Your RV

by | Minimalism, Organization, RV Tips, Storage | 45 comments

Wall Storage Ideas | Living and traveling in an RV can be chaotic at times.

Stuff can accumulate and with the little storage space available it can become cluttered quickly.

The small space almost always requires better organization.

Living full-time in our Travel Trailer, we have re-organized our space so many times.

Now, that we are expecting our first child, I really want to find some creative ways to use our vertical wall space for extra storage.

We all have bags, keys, hats, and other items that could potentially be hung and stored in a creative way right on the wall.

Therefore, I’ve put together a list of great items that would work amazing for extra storage right on your walls.

1. Floating Shelves

I love the look and functionality of floating shelves. They work great in the bathroom or bedroom to add some extra shelf storage for miscellaneous items.

For RV’s I do recommend getting shelves that have a barrier to hold things in place when traveling.

2. Wired Baskets

Wired Baskets are fantastic because it allows a more secure fit for extra items.

You can put books, mail, fruit, veggies, and much more in the wire baskets.

These baskets are the best for fruits and veggies because it allows space for the fruit and veggies to breath and prevents them from rotting too soon.


3. Over the Door Organizers

Over the door, organizers are fantastic to add more storage in your pantry, bathroom or closets.

Since we are expecting a new baby, they are even great to store all the baby items like diapers, clothes, and much more.

The potential for the over the door organizers is limitless.

You can use them for extra shoe storage, hat storage, coats, bath products, and so much more. They are definitely worth every penny!

Over the Door OrganizerOver the Door Basket OrganizerShoe Organizer over the door

4. Hanging Woven Baskets

I love the look of the hanging woven baskets. They add great style while also creating functionality.

When living or traveling in a small space, functionality is key to successful trips.

The hanging woven baskets can be used to store a multitude of items including the ones that are less pleasant to look at.

We all have a miscellaneous drawer that has everything from birthday candles to pens to tape. The hanging woven baskets are great to items like those.

Hanging Woven Baskets for Extra Storage


5. Hanging Spice Racks

These are phenomenal to add in the kitchen, pantry, or bathroom area.

Our RV actually has a built-in spice rack, however, it doesn’t fit all the spices we enjoy using to cook and bake.

The hanging wooden spice racks are great by saving space in your pantry for other food items.

Spice Racks can also be used for Bathroom items to add extra storage and organization for all the face and makeup products.

6. Expandable Peg Rack for Coats/Hats

These always remind me of the ’30s and ’40’s era when men wore fedora hats every day.

They are making a comeback and a lightweight option to hang hats and coats on the wall.

If you and your significant other enjoy wearing hats and struggles to find a storage option, this is a great idea.

Wooden Peg Hat Rack

7. Command Strip hooks

When living in an RV, hanging anything on the walls can be a challenge.

One of the best items are the command hooks. They are great for hanging hats, coats, keys, and even pictures.

Command Hooks


Final Thoughts

I hope you now feel inspired to add some extra storage space in your RV or tiny home by utilizing your walls. They have helped us in so many ways and I know that once we are ready to have our new baby in October, we will utilize more wall storage space for the baby.

If you would like to know where to purchase these items, all images are clickable and directed to Amazon.

If this helped you in any way, please share on Pinterest and other Social Media platforms so others can feel inspired as well! Thanks for stopping by!


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4 Tips on Keeping Your RV Space Free From Clutter

4 Tips on Keeping Your RV Space Free From Clutter

by | Minimalism, RV Tips | 48 comments

There is something intriguing about going tiny and living the minimalist lifestyle. Tiny living in an RV or tiny home has been on the rise for many years now. More and more people are feeling the draw towards a simple life that allows one to have more experiences and less material items.

Maybe it’s the economy or the increased ability to make an income online that drives people to live in an RV or tiny home. Everyone has their reasoning, however, going tiny means downsizing and for the majority that means getting rid of a lot of stuff.

Now, if you live in a standard brick and mortar home, it’s easy to accumulate many things without feeling cramped. However, when you go tiny you start to recognize what you can and cannot take.

One thing to note also is living tiny can cause even the smallest individual to feel cramped. Small spaces tend to get messy a lot quicker which causes the space to feel less open, uninviting and cluttered.

Many RV’s do have some nice storage options with closets, shelves, under bench storage, and under bed storage. However, even with these storage options, it is easy to fill them up quickly and have your stuff overflow into your living spaces.

So how can you keep your RV space open, inviting, and free of clutter?

1. Stay organized and give everything a ‘home’

The greatest thing to do is to create a home for everything you own. There can be many items like shoes, blankets, keys, or kitchen appliances that can be used quite a bit and left out. When items are left out, this can begin to cause the cramped and cluttered feeling.

Some of my favorite items to use are baskets. They provide dedicated spaces for assigned items while also keeping things stylish and organized. Another great option is Command Hooks for hanging keys, jackets, and bags.

For us, we actually have two designated baskets for our shoes, one for my shoes and one for my husbands. By making sure we keep our shoes in the basket it frees up the minimal floor space in our RV from shoe clutter and minimizes the amount of dirt tracked into the RV.

So, Give every item their own home! Plus, when you need something you will know exactly where it is!


2. Get creative with both horizontal and vertical space

First, I want to mention an amazing book by Ashley Mann @RVInspiration called “Create Space From Thin Air“. Such a catchy title, I love it! This Ebook gives you some fantastic ideas on how you can best utilize the entire space in your RV by adding storage vertically and horizontally. You can download it here!

What do you mean Horizontal and vertical space?

Well, Horizontal spaces are the drawers, under bed storage, cabinets, and storage shelves, whereas, the vertical space can be a little challenging. Vertical storage space requires some creative thought. Some examples are hanging baskets on the walls or hanging musical instruments like a guitar, instead of it sitting on a floor stand.

So, get creative and utilize every square inch of your space and don’t forget to download “Create Space From Thin Air” by Ashley Mann @RVInspiration.

3. One thing in, One thing out.

This is a great tip to live by, especially when living the tiny life. If you decide to purchase something new like a pair of boots, or pillows it’s better to get rid of the old ones then try and store them in a small RV. You can do this by donating them if they are still in decent condition or just simply tossing them or recycling.

By following the one thing in, one thing out rule can prevent overcrowding the space, which will keep the space open, inviting, and free from clutter.

4. Keep it simple!

What do I mean ‘keep it simple’? Isn’t living in a tiny space of an RV already keeping it simple?

While living tiny is a simpler life, it is still easy to accumulate items for decor, outdoor activities, kitchen items, or more clothes and shoes.

Keep it simple is referring to multiple things. One, for example, is your wardrobe. It’s easier to have just basics that are extremely versatile.  This is also called a Capsule Wardrobe.

Another example is RV’s decor. Too many pillows or overcrowding decor on the table or walls can make space feel crowded or cramped.  RV’s are small spaces, therefore a little bit of decor can go a long way.

I hope these tips are helping! We love living tiny and do our best to utilize these 4 tips to keep our space open and inviting. It’s surprising how many people request to tour your RV, and the last thing I want is them to feel crowded or cramped while spending time in the small space.

Also, Keep in mind it can take time to designate items with there ‘home place’ as well as time to figure how you can use your vertical spaces more efficiently. If you haven’t downloaded the ebook “Create Space from Thin Air”, here is the link! (I do receive a commission if you choose to purchase through my link. Their is no additional cost to you.) It has some amazing ideas for storage in RVs.

If you’re living the tiny life I would love to know; do you have a tip on organizing or keeping your tiny space open, inviting, and free from clutter? Comment below!

Also, Feel free to share on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter! Thank you for stopping by!


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5 Tips on Creating the Perfect Budget

5 Tips on Creating the Perfect Budget

by | Budgeting, Finances, Minimalism | 4 comments

Creating the perfect budget doesn’t have to be intimidating or overwhelming. But first, what is a budget?

A budget is just creating a plan for your money. Kind of like how you create a plan to write a paper or create a plan for a day of fun. A budget is similar.

Now, if you don’t know how to budget or the thought of a budget causes you to stress, I am here to tell you to not worry! Budgeting can actually help you relieve stress!

It’s all about taking it step by step. Just like when you plan your day, you start with a section of the day like the morning and then move on to the afternoon and evening. Budgeting is the same concept and it must be broken down into sections and taken one step at a time.

There are many different apps to help you, or if you enjoy writing things down, check out these budget planners.


Step 1: Look at your Monthly Income

Take a look at your paychecks and see how much you bring in every month. If you get paid Bi-weekly, then add 2 paychecks together. If you get paid every week, then usually that is 4 paychecks that need to be added together. By knowing what you make on average every month will help you become aware of what you can afford.

However, if you wait tables, bartend, or live on commissions, look at your deposits on your bank statements and average a least three months.

Step 2: Subtract your monthly expenses

Monthly expenses are usually the following:

  • Mortgage
  • Car/Gas
  • Insurance
  • Utilities (electric, water, gas)
  • Food
  • Credit Cards and/or Loan payments
  • Phone/Internet/Cable/Netflix or other programs
  • Memberships
  • Savings (Pay yourself)
  • Miscellaneous

Look at your bank statements from the past couple of months. Take all your expenses and add up your purchases by category. Categories can include bills, food, extracurricular activities, etc.

Once you’ve categorized all your expenses and added them all together, next subtract the total from your monthly income.

Is the number negative or positive? If it’s negative, it’s time to prioritize and cut back. If it’s positive, you did well last month, but you should still create a budget because you might be able to put more money towards savings or debt.

Step 3: Check your calendar and due dates

Now that you know how much your average income is every month, and how much your bills and expenses are, now it is time to check those due dates. It is important to know when your bills are due every month, this will help you make sure you have the money in your account, so you never miss a payment.

For example; if your rent is due on the first and your car is due on the 20th, write it on your calendar and budget spreadsheet. Then, you will want to make sure that the paycheck you receive before those due dates will cover those bills.

Tip: Always try and make your due dates for bills are spread out through the month instead of all being due on the first or all on the 15th.

Example:

Type of Bill Due Due Date Every Month Amount
Mortgage 1st $$$$
Car Payment 10th $$$
Insurance (Car, House, etc.) 15th $$$
Phone/Internet 20th $$
Groceries 5th & 20th (2x a month) $$$
And so on….. ……… ………
Step 4: Break it down and Create a plan

Okay, so now that you know your monthly income, you know the amount you spend on your bills, and you know when all your bills are due. Now is the time to break it down and create a plan. You can create that plan by working paycheck to paycheck or you could work it monthly. Whatever works best for you.

For Me, I know how much I make every month and I get paid bi-weekly. Therefore, I work by paycheck every two weeks, and the total amount I make covers all the bills for a month.

So first, I take what I currently have in my account, then I mark down my next payday. Once I know what and when I will get paid next, I then take all the bills that are due after that payday and before the next payday and subtract what is due.

For Example:

Take your current amount in account left over from the previous month: $100

Next paydays in January:

4th: $1000
18th: $1000

Bills/Expenses due between the paydays of the 4th and the 18th:

Bill/Expense Due Date Amount Due
Groceries 5th $200
Cell Phone 10th $300
Insurance 11th $190
Credit Card 12th $100
Loan (Student/Personal) 15th $110
Savings 15th $50
Total Due 4th – 17th $950

 (Total paid on the 4th) $1000 + (previous month remaining) $100 = $1,100

Total amount due in bills after the 4th but before the 18th = $950

$1,100 available – $950 bills = $150 remaining

Move on to next payday-> Payday January 18th: $1000 

Remaining after previous payday and bill paid = $150

Calculate what is due from Jan. 18th payday to Feb 1st payday.

Bill/Expense Due Date Amount Due
Groceries 18th $200
Car Payment 20th $200
Cable/Internet 25th $150
Utilities 25th $100
Total Due 18th – 31st   $650

       (Total paid on the 18th) $1000 + (remaining from last month) $150 = Total available $1,150

Total due from the 18th until next payday on Feb. 1st is: $650

$1,150 available – $650 bills = $500 Remaining

And so on…. Work paycheck by paycheck. If you find yourself with not enough money to pay your bills in between paydays, that is ok! Just cut back on some expenses. Work out paying just the necessities only.

If you still don’t have enough, take from your savings to cover it until you can get to a point by working this method where your amount from the previous paycheck can overlap to cover the expenses. Also, once you get to the point where you always have the money available to pay and have extra, pay yourself back

5. Work your plan and revisit it every paycheck or more.

After every paycheck is deposited in my account I check my budget. After every bill is paid, I check my budget and mark it off. I re-budget, and if I have extra money or need more money towards something that has come up, I move money around and cut back on non-necessity purchases. This has helped me never go NSF in my account.

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This is the exact method of budgeting I use and have used for over two years now. I have completely paid off two loans, one was over $6000 in 5 months and the other I had over $2000 left to pay and paid it sooner than expected.

By working paycheck to paycheck and being conscious of where my money was being spent every week, I have been able to have more money left over after bills to pay off debt faster. I cut out the expenses of eating out and instead started to meal plan before grocery shopping to prevent overspending on food. I have canceled memberships such as gym and massage envy to save money.

If I can do it, you can too! You can pay off the debt, save more, and live without stressing about money again. Budgeting does help relieve the stress because knowing what you spend money helps prevent you from overspending. If you spend $200 eating out every month and it has caused you to go NSF (non-sufficient funds) in your account, you can now say no or at least budget a certain amount for eating out monthly without going over.

Don’t be afraid to budget for those fun things like going out or purchasing a new outfit. But, make sure the necessary bills are always paid first.

I hope this helps to see another way to create a budget. It’s truly helped me overcome a lot of financial bumps and as I said helped pay and continuing to help me pay off the debt.

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How to take control of your finances while living in an RV

How to take control of your finances while living in an RV

by | Finances, Minimalism, RV Tips | 6 comments

Oh… Finances! We all have them. Money is universal and some are completely unaware on how to truly manage it. According to an article written by CNBC, 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, 56% are in way over their heads with debt, and 56% save $100 or less a month.

Those numbers are surprisingly high, but with everything becoming more expensive it is understandable. Our incomes are having a difficult time keeping up with rising prices and many people often live above their means to keep up with social society.

Matthew and I weren’t living above our means, but we also weren’t living below either. So, we began our journey of getting out of debt, learning to live below our means, and started to take control of our finances. We saw that a couple of years of making sacrifices by not going out as much and living in an RV with a small loan payment was going to help us get out of debt.

Our goal is to one day pay for everything with cash, and never have another loan or credit card to pay back. We want to take amazing vacations without going into debt, save for retirement, give to others freely and live financially free.

So, we have done an extreme amount of research and are really digging deep to understand finances, how to best pay off debt, and make our financial dreams a reality. These are the 6 tips that have been helping us take control!

Step 1: Create a budget!

When you create a budget this forces you to look at your monthly income, your monthly bills, and where you spend your money. It also allows you to consciously “trim the fat” meaning stop spending money on all the miscellaneous things that you don’t really need or can substitute for cheaper alternatives. I wrote a blog called “Why it is important to create a budget”, you should read it if you’re still questioning why a budget is a necessity.

Step 2: Stop spending money!

Seriously, cut the “fat” as they say. When you start budgeting, you begin to see all the unnecessary purchases as I said before. Purchases may include eating out, coffee runs, or unused memberships. The extra money you save by cutting out the extra expenses will allow you more money to pay off the debt and save. Which brings me to step three.

Step 3: Save an emergency fund!

Having an emergency fund is so important. Try saving at least $1000 to have just in case you need to go to the doctor, or you need maintenance on your car or RV. This prevents you from placing those expenses on your credit card. Once you have that emergency fund saved, now is time to focus on step 4.

Step 4: Pay off the debt!

Once you can create a budget and see where your monthly income is being spent, then trimming the unnecessary spending habits, this will give you some room to put more money towards debt payments. So, check your balances for all the credit cards, loans both personal and student, cars, and mortgages as well as the interest rates! Pay off the smallest loan first while making the minimum on the rest. Then take the amount of money you used to pay off one loan to pay off the next smallest one and keep going until it’s all paid. This is also called the “Snowball effect”.

Depending on the amount of debt and income you bring in, it could take years, but it is so worth it! Getting rid of that debt is going to bring freedom for you and your finances. If you dream of taking those bucket list travel trips, having no debt will allow you to save more for those once in a lifetime experience.

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Step 5: Stop using credit!

Instead really try to develop that habit of paying cash only. If you can’t pay for it outright, then choose to save for the purchase until you can pay cash. When you use credit you not only increase your debt, but you will also end up paying interest on that purchase.

Step 6: Stick to the plan!

This is extremely important! You can do the budget, check your loan and interest amounts, and create a pay off plan but unless you stick to it, it won’t become a reality. Again, getting out of debt can take years. That means for some that can be years of living with a budget and living below your means. Don’t forget to continuously check the budget, adjust as needed, and focus on paying off the loans.

There you have it! 6 steps and tips on how to get control of your finances. This is a personal decision that is going to take strategy and implementation. You can do it! You don’t have to live every month paycheck to paycheck and you can pay for a house or car with cash instead of credit. It is completely doable with patience and persistence.

If you have a spouse, run through these steps together and work together on your finances. It’s important for couples to be on the same page.

We are excited for the day when Matthew and I are completely debt free and saving for our retirement and vacations. It is a dream that I know will become a reality! Stay tuned to our monthly blogs in the sections “goal setting”. Every month we talk about our monthly goals and our journey to a debt free life. You can sign up below for our monthly newsletter to stay updated!

Stay Motivated! You can take control of your finances!


References: Dickler, J. (2017, August 30). Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/24/most-americans-live-paycheck-to-paycheck.html

16 Best Frugal Living Ideas You Can Start Today!

16 Best Frugal Living Ideas You Can Start Today!

by | Finances, Minimalism | 4 comments

So, what does it mean to live frugally? We see people talk about this subject a lot!

All it really is about is money management and never living above your means.

Living frugally is the ability to stretch the dollars you spend.

It is also the conscious ability to substitute items that are less expensive and never wasting what you have purchased.

Frugal living can help you free up your income to give more, to save more, and in some way makes you more grateful for what you have.

Frugal Living

When you become grateful for what you have you focus less on what you don’t have and more on what you do.

It’s not always easy to live frugally, but it is worth it.

So, I have put together a list of frugal living ideas anyone can master and implement into their lives.

1. Don’t waste a drop!

Frugal living begins at not wasting anything. This includes Toothpaste, Lotions, hair products, makeup, sauces, and the list can go on.

2. Buy products that are multipurpose

Don’t buy shaving cream. Instead, use a little bit of your hair conditioner for shaving cream. Works wonders.

Also, Dawn dish soap can be used in more places than just the dishes; such as cleaning counters, toilets, sinks, and even bathing the dog.

3. Meal plan and prep!

This is the best and easiest way to not waste any food or money. You only purchase what you need to make the meals and then cook in bulk.

This is why we love the $5 meal planning service. This allows us to have our meals planned ahead of time and they even provide a grocery list with everything you will need.

Tip: always check your pantry and fridge before you go to the store and take note of what you already have. 

4. Use a Cash Back Service

Download an app that gives you cashback on your groceries and other purchases.

Here are three services I have used to get cash back on groceries items after purchase and cashback on other items at the time of purchase.  

1. IBOTTA – Get cash back on groceries, extra coupons, and more!
2. Ebates – Get cash back at the hottest store you already shop at plus on Travel and Hotels too! Earn $10 Walmart Cash Or $10 Ebates Free Cash for Signing up! 
3. Swagbucks – Earn Cash Back on purchases plus Daily Trivia Games, Searches, and Surveys.

5. Read More and Watch Less.

Reading is always better than watching T.V.

If you have your favorite shows though, there are great services like Hulu and Netflix that are way cheaper than cable.

You can also purchase an antenna to get local channels. 

6. Purchase things of Value.

Buy quality clothes that you can wear over and over again knowing that they will last.

It’s ok to be caught in the same t-shirt and jeans more than once. I have clothes that I have had for over 10 years.

I have my favorite pieces and I’m not afraid to wear them again and again. 

7. 48 Hour Rule

Wait 48 hours before making a purchase that is more than $48.

I like to call this the “48 Hour Rule”.

After 48 hours, if you still want it and can afford it, go get it. 

8. Buy a water filter and drink more water.

This is one of my favorite frugal living tips. We use a Brita water filter and glass water bottles to reduce waste and cost.

Drinking more water and buying a filter will not only save money but help the environment too.

So, skip the sugary soda, juices, and teas.

Water is cheaper and also better for you, especially if you have a water filter. 


9. Cancel Unnecessary Memberships.

We live in the days where it feels like everything is a membership and on a monthly retainer fee. 

You have Music like Apple and Pandora, Gym Memberships, Makeup Memberships, Shoe Memberships, and the list can go on and on.

If you don’t use the items or go to the gym or massage parlor then evaluate the importance of the membership.

10. Be Patient

Never purchase anything full price. This includes clothes, new toys, new gadgets like phones and game consoles.

Always buy items on sale, clearance, or have a coupon! Thrift Shops are great!

Plato’s closet is the place to go if you looking for a new outfit for a date night or pictures.

Remember, just because you purchase at a thrift store doesn’t mean you can’t find good quality designer items. 

11. Always Pay Cash

Try and prevent any spending on the credit card, especially if you can’t afford to pay off the credit card on the next due date. 

12. Always try to do things yourself

If something breaks, try to figure out a way to fix it yourself before paying someone else to come out.

Now, there are things that do need a professional for so know when to call and when you can fix it yourself is important.

13. Skip the Hair Salon

For Women, hold back on dyeing your hair.

I know for some this can be difficult with roots, but you can always work your way back to your natural color.

14. “X” out the Extensions

Don’t buy extensions, whether it is Hair extensions or eyelash extensions. Extensions are expensive and you’re beautiful just the way you are! 

15. A little goes a long way

Minimize the amount of makeup you wear. I personally work from home so the only time I actually put any makeup on is if I’m going to an event of some sort of meeting with friends.

Makeup is expensive, so the less I wear it, the further my money stretches.

If you do have to wear makeup on a daily, then I suggest using it sparingly. When I was working in an office, I had my mineral foundation, blush, concealer, chapstick, and mascara.

Those were my only go-to makeup products that I used every day. Very minimal and I didn’t over purchase products that I knew I wouldn’t use. 

16. Don’t compare your life to others.

You don’t have to have the latest and greatest gadgets that the “Joneses” purchased.

This goes with being grateful for what you have and what you can afford.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! 16 of our favorite frugal living tips that we implement and use daily.

Remember no one is perfect, I love my coffee so we don’t only drink water but it is cheaper than all the sugary drinks out there.

Also, living frugally is just being mindful of your money and the items you purchase.

I enjoy living frugally because it makes me grateful for what I do have.

It also allows me to save more money and give more back to the community.

If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to share! 🙂 As always, Thank you for stopping by!


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Frugal Living

The Ultimate Guide to Downsizing for Life in an RV

The Ultimate Guide to Downsizing for Life in an RV

by | Minimalism, RV Tips | 11 comments

So you’re looking to Downsize into a smaller space or specifically an RV?

Well, I am here to tell you that it is possible and it could be an easier task then you imagine!

But first, our journey in downsizing to live in an RV started way before we even made the purchase. You see, Matthew and I have in some way been downsizing since we got married.

Instead of moving in to our very own place, we moved in with roommates in order to finish up an apartment lease and save money. It was definitely a challenge being newlyweds in a 10×11 room. We had to learn to live small early on in our relationship.

After the roommate situation, we moved into the 1 bedroom 700 sqft apartment. That was the largest space we have ever lived together. Then we moved in with my parents November of 2017 for 6 months. That living situation was a temporary financial decision to help ensure the transition into the RV Life was pleasant.

While living with my parents, we went from a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment with a washer and dryer to a 10×11 room with no closet. Most of our items were in boxes and placed in their garage for storage. We didn’t realize how much we had accumulated in our 1 bedroom apartment until we saw it all stacked up in boxes.

The garage was so packed, there was barely any room to walk through. This fueled me to get started on downsizing and getting rid of items as quickly as possible. Now, with everything being in the garage, this did give us the ability to truly figure out the items we needed to live with and the items we could go without.

So, during the 6 months of living with my parents, we went through all the boxes and followed these exact steps to downsize to live in our RV.I believe that starting early and not waiting until we bought our RV gave us time to really go through our belongings. So, if you plan on moving into a smaller space, the sooner you start downsizing the easier it will be.

Whether you are moving from a 1 bedroom apartment or a 5 bedroom house, these steps can assist anyone.

1. Understand your RV’s layout and amenities.

This is important before truly downsizing because all RV’s are different sizes and have different storage options. If you have not picked your RV, check out this book by Alyssa Padget, this will help make the decision on what type of RV is right for you.

Once you do find your RV, know that getting rid of everything isn’t necessarily the best answer. When we moved into our RV, we discovered that we had more space and storage than we expected. This is great because it has allowed us to grow.

Therefore, by understanding the RV’s Layout and Amenities, you will realize that there are some items clearly not needed like a dining table and chairs, a bed, sofas, dressers, and usually any other larger furniture items. These items just will not be able to go into the RV mainly because of size and there is usually already one built in. If you choose to replace the sofas or dining tables, one thing to be aware of is the size and the weight of the furniture because each RV frames do have limits.

 

2. Take notes on items used every day

By making a conscious decision to recognize what items you use daily will help you realize the items you can go without. Take your time in this phase. Go a week or even a month and really figure out what you use on a daily basis. This is important because RV’s have limited space. Therefore, ensuring the items you bring along are items you WILL use will help you use your space wisely.

For me, I had dresses that I had only worn once or twice that just took up way too much space. Those types of clothes will have to be stored or sold unless you can make room. If it’s not clothes, it could be kitchen appliances, dishes, shoes, and the accumulation of cleaning products or pantry food. We realized we had way too many plates, and 3 sets of pots and pans. The RV just can’t hold all those items, so we had to choose which set to keep and which appliances we use the most.

 

3. Organize items: Keep

Now is the time to really set aside the sentimental items. If you have pictures, books, important documents, items or furniture that are heirlooms set them aside. You might be surprised at what you could take with you after you figure out the necessities.

The keep pile can also be items that you do not want to get rid of but would rather place in storage or items that you know you want with you in the RV. Some keep items for us was extra blankets, our crockpot, an extra plate set for guests, small décor items, pictures, etc.

 

 

4. Organize Items: Sell

You always want to try a sell as much as you can. There may be some big-ticket items like furniture that can make you some money to save or pay off debt. We sold our couch, washer/dryer set, TV, and much more. The money we made we put right back into our savings for a down payment on the RV.

To sell items, host a garage sale and advertise it on local Facebook groups or community forums. You can also individually list items on Facebook marketplace, craigslist, Let Go App or consignment. The majority of items we sold was on the Facebook Marketplace and Let go App.

 

5. Organize Items: Donate

Not all items are good to donate. Sometimes overly used towels or torn up blankets are not best, but the ones that are gently used are nice. Gently used clothing items are great to donate but don’t donate undergarments unless that are new and in their original package. Items good to donate are also Kitchen appliances, cookware, dishes, and toys!

Don’t forget your family and friends. Sometimes there are items that they might enjoy to take off your hands. For example, My sister in law wanted some of my Décor items and I was happy to hand them over to her.

Also, pantry items like canned foods are great to donate. RV pantries are small and usually can’t hold items in bulk so donating unused canned items that have not expired is always nice.

 

6. Organize Items: Trash

Once the items are separated in what you will keep, you’ve already tried selling, and some items just aren’t great to donate don’t be afraid to just toss things out. We threw away our mattress and box spring because they were overused and not donatable. Some items can also be recycled if your city has a program.

 

7. Move into your New Home on Wheels

Slowly start to add the items you know are necessities for living in an RV, Camping, and what you will use daily. Make a place for them and organize. Then bring in the Décor and Sentimental items to store and keep. For us, after moving in we were surprised with how much we truly were able to bring in to the RV and how much space we still had.

 

8. Locate a storage unit

Remember those sentimental items that you set aside but can’t take on the small RV? Now is time to find a place to store them. Many people locate their nearest storage facilities and rent one out. Some storage places are even climate controlled depending on what you want to keep safe will depend on the type of storage unit you get. For us, our extra items that we didn’t want to get rid of remain in my parents’ garage for now.

 

There you have it! The exact steps on how we downsized to live in less than 300sqft RV. Remember, downsizing takes time and it depends on how much stuff you have. Sometimes you will need to repeat the steps of organizing the Keep, Sell, Donate, and Trash piles. Take it day by day, and don’t rush. The last thing you want to do to is throw something away that is extremely important or sentimental.

We had a one-bedroom apartment, so it wasn’t that painstaking for us; however, you might have a larger house that is fully furnished. The Larger the space, the more stuff accumulates! So, take your time through the downsizing process and continue with the steps until you’re happy. Remember not everything has to be sold in one garage sale, and sometimes an item can sit in the Facebook marketplace for months before catching the eye of a buyer.

I truly hope these steps help anyone who is wanting or needing to downsize their space. It truly helped us get the most out of our stuff. We were able to make more than $1000 from our couch, tv, and washer/dryer.

Let us know how these steps have helped you or if you have found other ways to downsize. We love to hear your story. Comment below, share on social media, and don’t forget to follow us!

Have a wonderful day and happy downsizing!


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