They can't do the kinds of holidays they used to anymore because Chris can't be around people. It suits him to have them isolated in the van, they can move on frequently and now that they are vlogging behind no one can alert others at the same locations that they are there. He can't spend days playing around in the pool, he can't sit every day in a busy all inclusive restaurant. He's on edge enough when he sees anyone and anywhere that might be busy they go after dark and when everything is closed. With his hair/beanie combo, the amount of feral children and just the volume they all speak at, he also knows they could never blend in with all the other people around and even people that don't know anything about them recognise that these are people to avoid.I think they are just really rubbish with money. For amount they spent buying the van, ripping bits out, putting new stuff in, maintaining the van, the extortionate fuel costs at the moment, still spending on hotels, eating out and hiring holiday homes. I’m sure if they added up every penny they have spent on everything associated with their ‘road trips’ they could have had quite a few years of nice holidays abroad if they wished, not 7 people squashed in a van - which looks horrendous.
Sometimes when you do less holidays you appreciate them more. They seem to spend as they go rather than think about how much it is costing altogether.
With all that they spend on the van as you say, it isn't about money so much as the need to keep moving/running away. That's why he can't stand being at home for long and will still go away even when the children are unwell. I think Sarah would be happier at home going shopping every day and mostly ignoring everyone except Mila and Jace, for all that she's living her best life travelling around she certainly seems miserable. She likes buying more useless things for the house, sofas, clothes that don't fit her children and eating, all of which are easier at home. Chris likes cheating on his wife and chatting up teens, both give a reason to run away and hide.