Danielle’s Van Plan

The arrival of COVID-19 likely has us all contemplating our futures as we do the right thing and quarantine indoors for the time being. A week after I launched my GoFundMe campaign for Danielle's Van Plan, the major San Francisco-Bay Area counties issued combined orders to shelter in place. I hope you all are well and are looking after yourselves and one another (from a distance). Rather than see this as a lousy time to fundraise, I'm reaching out to all of you who are also stuck at home to ask for your support.


For 2 years or so, I’ve shared with many of you my dream of owning a tiny house on a little 2 acres with a lake; to minimize life to just the essentials and still live comfortably and contented without so much “stuff;” and of course to save money and reduce my environmental impact.

Long story short, California doesn’t allow this at this time without a main adjacent property of at least 500 sq. ft. So what now? 

Behold, Danielle’s Van Plan was born!

The Plan

1) Buy a cargo van, 2) relinquish most, if not all, of my worldly possessions through sale or donation, 3) sublease my apartment (no kickback for me since it’s rent control) to save on rent, 4) build out a Dodge Promaster Cargo Van 5) transition to urban stealth camper van living/working, take Hello Pretty Petsitting on the road and begin my minimalist journey ahead of figuring out how to transition to a tiny house.


Van Purchased

After nearly 3 months of searching, I bought my Dodge Promaster Cargo Van in February! To quote Bernie Sanders, “Once again I’m asking for your financial support...” for step 4 of Danielle's Van Plan process—designing and building out the van.

Click here to take a tour of the new van! 


The Vision, Design and Build

I envision the van having all the comforts of a basic tiny house (insulation, (sub)flooring, overhead air vent, kitchenette and cabinets, electrical (+solar), plumbing (sink and toilet), bedding and storage. Check out some of the samples I included to get an idea where this could lead. Your donation of any amount can help get there.

The Final Product

Since my new home will be the van, I'd love to host a house-warming party in the van for all those who donated. Don't live in Berkeley. In 2021, I'm planning a trip across country--think Grand Canyon camping, starry nights and a tour of Fallingwater, the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece tucked away in the green woods of Mill Run, Pennsylvania.  

To pay it forward, I've made a plan to complete at least 2 hours of volunteer work in every state I visit whether in soup kitchens, women's shelters or picking up trash at the local park or beach.

To celebrate, I'll share my travel  dates and if it's feasible, let's meet up in or near your city for coffee/tea in my van. It's always nice to see a finished product up close and personal.

Now enjoy photos of some fun times my friends at Hello Pretty Petsitting. I'll be taking my business on the road in the new van! (Visit @helloprettypetsitting on Instagram for more fun photos)

Meet Puppy, the sweetest boy and one of my first and favorite clients:
Insta: @helloprettypetsitting

Meet Kuma, the courageous Lhasa apso, but who only likes short walks:
Insta: @helloprettypetsitting

And here's Petey, the Prince of Blep:
Insta: @helloprettypetsitting

Baron the Boston who loves snuggles
Insta: @helloprettypetsitting