Hello, and welcome to my channel. My name is Kara, and I have been living in my converted school bus full-time for two years now with my husband and 3 cats. My skoolie is a 1999 International school bus that has been converted into a one bedroom, one bathroom tiny home. This channel is dedicated to the Good, the Bad and the Ugly aspects of bus life, and everything else related.
This channel will include a travel vlog and information about a tiny home life style.
Weather you are thinking about converting a school bus or van into a tiny house and living life on the road or you already are enjoying bus life, this channel is for you. My goal is to create videos that can be beneficial to anyone that needs information about this alternative life style. I hope you like the videos and that they are beneficial to you. Please drop any comments if you would like a specific video on anything related to adventures in bus life.
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Thanks so much for posting your bus math. I have been hoping someone would give this breakdown on cost. I haven’t yet bought a bus to convert, just doing my homework to gather the facts first. If you know of a reliable mechanic near Illinois who can look over a bus engine and evaluate its merits, please share their name and location. We are in the Springfield, IL area. Thanks again for sharing and best wishes on your journeys.
I had that same woodstove and switched to a cheap diesel heater. Life is soooo much better now
Thank you!!
So you’re parked 9 months out of the year, how often do you start and run the Skooolie?
Should say pit toilets in forest area camps. 😇
Also Newport solid fuel stoves.
PJK, I have the smallest pellet stove I could find - its rated for a 1,000 sq ft area. I live in about 800 sq ft single wide mobile and its overkill. Not sure if they make one small enough for a schoolie. Have you looked at the small marine wood stoves for on boats? Dickenson is the makers - I think. Have a neighboring young couple living in converted box 🚚 & that's how they heat. We have cold winters - not as bad as Midwest though. They seem happy with the stove. Happy Trails from mountains of NM..
I am also in school and am considering this for next year to save money where r u in school? What is a good way to find long term parking
I like very much your video is inspiring. I'm thinking to do something with my 30ft bus in regards to the skirt but where do you keep all of your insulation squares when you are moving? as for heating have you consider the diesel parking heater they are excellent in a freezing morning you can remote start right from your bed and is also programmable
It’s really encouraging to see people surviving in crazy weather with a minimal bus build. I’m building a bus right now and this is helping me not to overthink things. I’ve been considering a pellet stove, but I can’t find a lot of info on them being used in a skoolie
I'm looking to see how to clean the air intake vent . It's a little jammed
How big/long is your skoolie? What year? Thx.
If you're self contained why not stop on BLM land or more state parks?
Very helpful. Thank you. Safe travels 🙃
I have seen the pro vids and I think they make it look way more difficult then it really needs to be. Thier job may turn out a hair better then a novice but is the cost trade off really worth it? Yours looked like it turned out pretty darn good. Did you use a ceramic window tint? It really helps block heat and uv rays. This is one case where I'm glad I have a short bus lol
It is definitely not as good as a professional job, but for the cost, I was definitely happy with how our windows turned out. We really just wanted to prevent anyone from looking inside, and also block the heat. Both accomplished :)
@@biggreenbus3565 hi! So glad I found this! I just bought my first bus 🎉❤ Where did you buy your tint? I have seen so many options so I’m unsure what to get. I don’t want it to turn colors later. Yours looks amazing!
How often do you clean your stove pipe? I find the cubic grizzly to be a nightmare of creosote. I have followed manufacture’s recommendation for pipes and cleaning. It just builds horrible creosote so fast. I don’t recommend this stove personally.
We clean the pipe about once a month. We also have an electric heater, so the stove isn't burning all day everyday which helps. I like the stove for the 'cozy' feeling, and it increases the inside temperature drastically. But there are for sure inconveniences if it is your only source of heat.
Which way are you turning the screws
Left, lol. But it is challenging when they are on the top of the stove.
Very helpful thank you. I have the grizzly and am deciding on a pipe system. Did you go with the cubic pipe system?
Yes :)
👍
The same frustrations as living in a camper.
I'm glad I got to know you. Ekuk baby.
I'm glad I got to know you. Ekuk baby.
You too friend!
My 5 year plan is taking my handmade soap business on the road in a skoolie! Lots to figure out and learn lol I’m curious why you don’t park in Walmart’s instead of paying for spots?
Sometimes we stay at Walmart, it really just depends on our budget. Sometime state parks are only 5 or 10 dollars and we can get some hiking in so the money is worth it. 😊
If you are selling your soap online please post the link to your online store, I'd love to check it out!
The question about Walmart parking is a good one. Maybe because campgrounds have water and electric hookups for their campers?
Dang..a rain water collection system! Funny I haven't heard of that (with the million videos I've watched) yet or thought of it. What an amazing idea! Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks for watching!!!! I discovered the rain water collection system when I was looking at tiny houses before we had the bus. I'm hoping to soon have these upgrades by the end of this year but it will probably be next year.
Yes, those little sink are a pain. Not only do they make it hard to do the dishes the water gets everywhere. My motor home had a small sink I hated it. I watch a lot of bus and van build videos. Every time I see someone put those little sinks in Im cringing. And Im thinking they will hate that sink and be changing it soon. So Im with you on the little sinks they got to go... And the bed looks like a backache waiting to happen lol... but you do have a nice bus😊
Hah! They are the worst. My husband and I have to take turns doing the dishes so we don't get 'sink rage', lol. I am hoping to replace it soon. 😊😊😊
@@biggreenbus3565 LOL😁
That was fun! I didn't realize that National parks have less people so that's good to know for when we get on the road!
I would love to watch a 'this or that' video from you guys if you have time to do the challenge!! It was a lot of fun and it's a great way to know fellow skoolie / RV friends.
We love how cozy your bus looks! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much !! ❤️❤️❤️
Register in VT without converting
We were able to get ours registered at a DMV express :) usually you can find a list of requirements for your state on your DMV website.
That is awesome. I have heard some horror stories from people before. My experience was super simple and stress free, I'm glad yours was too!
I love jellies (or medusas) too. Such a trippy lifeform!
100% They are so fascinating
Holland, MI is actually a city, not a town.
Oh, thank you! I'm not very familiar with Michigan, and I don't make it up there as much as I would like to. Usually, I'm trying to head south and escape the cold. 😃
You ought to try the upper peninsula, but definitely in summer. And not during black fly season. Taquamenon Falls and Lake Superior just don't disappoint.
Thanks so much! I will put in on my 'must visit' list. Traveling to Michigan is such a good option for us because it doesn't cost to much in fuel, and we can do the drive in one day. 😃😃😃
Love your video. This was a lot of fun. Great getting to know you better. We love state parks too. Florida is one of our favorite places to be. 👍#6
Thanks so much! I can't wait to take the bus down to Florida and get some time on the beautiful beaches!
Thanks for sharing your home with us. I love the kitties!
Thanks so much!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
LOL, yeah I've lived in the Midwest and Northeast... Desert for sure :P Though they get cold at times, nights mostly.
This winter was especially awful. Desert 100%, LOL.
Really good info! Thanks for sharing! Look forward to more in the future. Happy trails! 👍🏼 ⛺️
Thanks so much! I just subscribed and watched your answers for the challenge. I love it! I looked forward to watching more of your videos!!! Safe travels!!
Great bus 🚌 🤩🤩🤩 with nice details 🤩 I wish I would have that space 🤩🤩👍💪✌️
Thanks so much! Hope to see you on the road some day!!!!
@@biggreenbus3565 that would be great 👍✌💪
Excellent breakdown. Good know we need unlimited hotspot for working. Good point about the fact that you need a car to get around. We know we'll have a storage unit at some point but agreed, if you don't use them you're probably better off getting rid of it. Ouch student loans hurt! Thanks for sharing your costs. 👍#10
Eventually, I'd like to have my cost of living down to just the slot fee for the bus, food, insurance, and my phone. But for now, it is still much cheaper than a house or apartment in the area 😊
Just curious as to why no leafy greens? I always put in lettuce end, kale, celery ends!
Hmmmm. That's so weird. When I use to put greens in there, the worms didn't eat them? I was really confused by it, so I stopped giving them anything lettuce related. 🥬🥬
@@biggreenbus3565 hmm, that's interesting. I also freeze my scraps before putting them in. Maybe that has something to do with it.
@@deewormsvermicomposting I am going to try and freeze some green scraps and see if that helps. I hate throwing away food scraps. Thanks for the tip!!! My fingers are crossed that it works.
@@biggreenbus3565 hopefully it helps :) let me know how it works out for you :)
Great information. We love Utah and can't wait to visit with our camper. We're hoping to be in Colorado this summer. Gas in CA in insane! Good to know about all the boondocking in Arizona. I don't believe NJ has a lot of boondocking spots either. 👍#25
I can't wait to visit Utah with the bus! Do you have a favorite destination? I can never make up my mind, Where I am staying always seems to be my new favorite. Expect for in the north during winter! 😂😂😂
I just understand "apple" and "tomato"but i love your videos Kara😍 please upload more videos, because i miss you 😍
Awe. You're so sweet! I miss you too! And don't worry, 'apple' and 'tomato' is way more then what I can understand in Turkish. I have to use translator for the titles of your videos and I guess at everything else 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I love that shirt. That's 2 now. Love them knomes too
Thanks so much! I bought that shirt online, the website was called 'Into the AM'. They had a lot of pretty cool graphic T-shirts.
A really hot fire with some hardwood will clean your window, in case you weren’t aware. Hats off to you, we’re almost envious. We are still in the “looking for a bus” stage. Cheers, from Canada.
Hah! My window and ceiling definitely need a clean. Cheers to you up in Canada, you best of luck on your search for the perfect bus!!!
Nice to see you😍 and i love your videos💕
Thank you Sevim! I miss you. Congratulations on everything!!!!
Cambly sounds very interesting. I'm a teacher so i can see doing this on the side for a little extra money. VIP Kid sounds even better. Glad to follow you on instagram and now on YT. Will keep an eye out for future notifications from you channel. 👍#9
Thanks so much and I will do the same. ❤️
so 2 out of 3 is poor design.. not the buses fault
100% ! These things were definitely overlooked by me :(
@@biggreenbus3565 so install a big ole sink and put some plywood with hydraulics.
@@maxthereof These are for sure on the 'to-do' list. 😃
That’s not accurate at at all. You can’t include expenses that we have wether we live in a schoolie or a house. Ex. cell phone is a bill either way. Just schoolie expenses only and obviously it would only be a guide, depending on bus length, engine, location, how many people, etc. etc....
I will make a more detailed video with all of my expenses for next weeks video. This video just covers the "skoolie costs"
Shelley… rude! She legit said she included her cell phone BECAUSE she needs to account for spotty WiFi DUE to living on the schoolie. What a rude & unnecessary criticism.
2:04 and that's one important consideration. How can people find out which states or localities are bus or tiny home friendly?
There are always exceptions to the rules (my state is not really tiny home friendly, but it worked out for me). The website below provides good details on each states tiny home regulations. These are often the same regulations for skoolies. When I am traveling, I always call ahead and make sure that skoolies are allowed so I don't run into any issues after a long day of driving. www.godownsize.com/where-build-tiny-house-laws/
Please drop a comment and let me know what kind of skoolie life videos you would like to see.
What is something you considered or are considering before making the move to bus life?