Living with Less: How RV Life Helped Us Let Go and Save Big

 

When we moved into our RV full-time, we didn’t just change our address—we changed our entire lifestyle. Downsizing into a small space meant going through everything we owned and deciding what truly mattered. Spoiler: most of it didn’t.

RV life naturally forces you into minimalism. You simply can’t bring it all with you—and that’s a good thing.

At first, the idea of getting rid of so much stuff was overwhelming. We had closets full of “just in case” items, shelves packed with knickknacks, drawers that hadn’t been opened in years. And it wasn’t just physical clutter—it was mental clutter too. The more we owned, the more we had to worry about, clean, organize, or eventually replace.

But as we began purging, something unexpected happened: it felt freeing.

Letting go of items we didn’t use or love didn’t feel like losing—it felt like lightening the load.

Here’s what RV life taught us about living with less:

1. You really don’t need that much stuff.

Once you cut your wardrobe down to the clothes you actually wear, stop stocking your kitchen with duplicate gadgets, and ditch the “someday” projects collecting dust, you realize how little you actually need to live comfortably.

2. Everything has to earn its spot.

In an RV, every inch counts. If something doesn’t serve a purpose—or preferably, more than one—it’s gone. That mindset carries over into everything. You become more intentional about what you buy, how you spend, and what you bring into your life.

3. Less stuff = less stress.

It’s hard to explain the mental shift until you experience it, but having fewer possessions to worry about seriously lowers your stress level. There’s no junk drawer nagging at you. No closet begging to be organized. Life feels lighter.

4. It’s a frugal lifestyle by nature.

We save money simply because we’re not constantly shopping to fill a bigger space. We’re not tempted to redecorate every season, or buy something just to fill a shelf. The RV keeps us focused on needs, not wants—and that’s been huge for our budget.

5. Experiences replace things.

When you live small, you start to value experiences more than stuff. Sunsets out your front window, hikes outside your door, time spent together—not around a pile of toys or gear, but actually together.

RV life isn’t just about travel or freedom on the road. It’s also about freedom from stuff—and for us, that’s been one of the biggest, most unexpected benefits. If you’re feeling weighed down by your belongings or always chasing the next thing to buy, this lifestyle might just be the reset you didn’t know you needed.