A COUPLE who sold their house to live full-time tiny 20-year-old VW campervan with two dogs have revealed they easily live off £1,000 a month.
Ben and Lola sold their house towards the end of the COVID-19 lockdown and have been living in their campervan ever since.
The pair explained that they didn’t need to earn much to live comfortably from their van.
“I think we could probably earn £500 a month each and be very comfortable and happy,” they added.
Before deciding to permanently move into their VW campervan, Ben and Lola admitted that while they enjoyed living in a house, they never had money to spend on themselves.
“We just wanted more freedom and this has definitely given it to us,” said Lola.
Their van, which they call Pooky, was Ben’s dream car and is now also his home.
Speaking on campervan etiquette, the two revealed that they regularly go litter-picking and try to leave each place in better condition than they found it in.
Ben and Lola fitted two solar panels on the roof of their VW van, which, along with two lithium batteries, provides all the power and electricity they need.
However, Ben revealed that they may upgrade the electrical system so that they can use an air fryer and a coffee machine.
At the rear, the couple designed storage spaces to hold their climbing gear, extra diesel, and work items.
The savvy duo also have a garage space where they store their winter items, preventing them from cluttering the van.
Ben and Lola claimed that the best thing about living in their campervan is the “financial freedom”.
“On a Tuesday we’re just hanging around in the Peak District, go climbing, go walking because were don’t have to support all that overhead bricks and water,” Ben said.
Lola added: “We’ve got everything we need in such a small tiny space.”
The couple, who live in the van with their two dogs, claimed the worst part about living in a campervan is the rain.
“This year it has been very wet and because we have two dogs… they don’t care about being wet,” said Lola.
The pair regularly have to clean the inside of their van because their soaking-wet dogs jump in and shake themselves dry.
However, they revealed that the best part is being so close to nature and constantly outdoors.
Ben said: “I honestly think we’ve spent more time in the last four years outside doing stuff than most people will ever do.”
Inside the van, the two have installed cupboards which house all their mugs and cutlery.
There is also a fridge that can store food for up to three or four days, so they need to make regular trips to the supermarket.
The couple revealed that they only spend £24 every six months on gas but admitted that they get through a “little bit more in winter”.
They get water and electricity for free by refilling their bottles at various spots, including gyms, natural springs, and churches.
Ben also revealed that they don’t pay council tax as they’re constantly on the move.
The couple hopes to use the money they are saving to buy a bigger van but can’t imagine leaving van life behind.
Lola added: “Our advice would be just do it and give it a a go.”
It comes after a YouTuber shared how she transformed her 80s camper can into a cosy home.
And a young traveller who embarked on a campervan-conversion journey has now moved to the coast in his new home.
