CAN VAN LIFE GET YOU OUT OF DEBT
My Solo Road Episode 42 | ft. Courtnie from Court and Nate
In this episode, I chat with Courtnie from Court and Nate. We dive into life on the road as a van life couple who live together, work together, and their journey from being a valet, unemployment during covid to being successfully self-employed. Learn all about having a puppy in a van and how to incorporate wellness into your life.
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INTRODUCTION
In this episode, I dive into a conversation with Courtnie from Court and Nate. I have been great online friends with Courtnie for a long time and have always admired her and her lifestyle. Court and Nate have traveled for two years in a campervan 2017 Promaster with their pup Tonkins. Let’s dive into van life with a partner, self-employment, and so much more!
Van Life With a partner
What van life with a partner has looked like for Court and Nate:
- Before van life they lived together in a space with roomates and shared a tiny room which prepared them for living in a van together.
- Learning to create boundaries around when they are working vs when they are spending quality time together has been important as a couple especially during lockdown.
- Being really open with your partner using constant communication and going into van life having resolved big issues and in a healthy place is a top recommendation from Courtnie.
- Courtnie wanted to push that allow it may seem perfect online, every relationship has its issues and it's important to work through them.
The road to self-employment
- During 2020 in the midst of a pandemic both Courtnie and Nate lost their jobs having been valets for 10 years.
- They began building campervans as a source of income almost accidentally. Someone happened to reach out and asked if they would be interested in building a campervan for them.
- Their second van was a journalist in Portland who let them stay in his AirBnB during the build.
- Although van building is not something they are trying to actively pursue they are allowing the space to see what happens.
- Courtnie always had a passion for wellness and her Instagram came naturally and she never specifically pursed it as a way to bring in income.
- After losing her job, she was approached by an agency to manage her opportunities for health and wellness. Since then opportunities have came flooding in and changed how she views her online work.
- Next on the list is purchasing a piece of land where they can create a space for van lifers that is accessible and affordable where others can experience the health and wellness world that Courtnie loves.
Why They Chose Vanlife
- A big selling point of van life for Court and Nate was the ability to save money so they could save money.
- Before van life they were constantly taking weekend trips spending money on Airbnb's and hotels which quickly became costly.
- Van life was an easy way to be able to combine their love of travel while keeping their passion affordable.
- They both always wanted a dog which was another big reason for starting van life.
Van life with a dog
- Court and Nate were so excited to get a pup and immediately got a pup once they built out a van.
- Quickly they realized he was a very active pup and would need specific training. Even in puppy pre-school he was such a huge handful.
- After a few failed attempts they worked 1:1 with trainers to give him the specific attention and training he needed. She highly recommends @primalcanine for anyone who needs training for their dog.
- She believes whether you have a puppy or older pup if you want a dog in van life, it is a huge undertaking. Your life will revolve around this dog and they will need a lot of attention.
Wellness on the road
- Creating boundaries when it comes to what you create online and how other people perceive your lifestyle.
- Courtnie tries to prioritize mediation, working out, yoga and finding balance between staying healthy and being true to the moment.
- Staying offline when you can and getting outside to connect with yourself is a top recommendation.
FINAL ADVICE
Van life comes in a variety of forms and allowing life to flow naturally is important. If you want to go into van life with a partner really consider if you are at a happy and healthy point in your relationship, realizing that van life will NOT fix your issues. At the end of the day is it so important to follow your heart and passions where ever that may lead you.
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