Couple ditch houseshare for converted van to save £8,000 as bills skyrocket

Ollie Pearson and Tessie Mitchell’s renovated van Credit score: Oliver Pearson / SWNS

We’re all on the lookout for methods to chop the price of payments this winter, however this couple have discovered a slightly uncommon answer.

Ollie Pearson and Tessie Mitchell, each 23, have ditched their houseshare to reside in a renovated van.

Regardless of splashing £15k on the motor, they see it as an funding, claiming they’ll save £8k this winter.

Their transfer will see the couple, from Bristol, commerce hire prices of £500 a month plus hovering power payments for the price of diesel.

Ollie Pearson and Tessie Mitchell’s renovated van Credit score: Oliver Pearson / SWNS

Ollie stated: ‘With payments going by means of the roof, we’ve determined we’ve had sufficient.

‘I’m a supply driver and Tessie works in a restaurant. Our fuel and electrical for a 4 particular person home is pushing £800 a month now, which is simply unaffordable for us.

‘The van will save us hire and payments which we predict over a 12 months will quantity to round £8,000.’

Ollie and Tessie looked for the van on-line. He stated: ‘I joined Fb teams and requested varied individuals questions on van life.

‘I even have a detailed good friend who simply come again from travelling in a van, and he was very clued up.

‘It was about 4 months of wanting on Ebay and trying to find the fitting van, and when this one got here up, we simply took our probabilities.

‘We took my good friend with us after we went to purchase it to verify we had been choosing the proper one.’

The couple’s essential expense can be for the diesel – though they’re not planning on shifting round that a lot.

‘We’ll simply be alternating between the street and a household good friend’s drive to begin with, however we’re contemplating travelling Europe subsequent 12 months,’ says Ollie.

‘As a result of it’s off the street we don’t must pay tax and insurance coverage both, which can be one other large saving. We’ll simply tax and insure it as and after we wish to make journeys.’

The couple, each 23, have splashed out £15k on a transformed Ford Transit Credit score: Oliver Pearson / SWNS

The motor had already been renovated by the earlier house owners, which means it got here with dwelling quarters and a photo voltaic panel on the roof.

It additionally has a fuel cylinder which requires filling up each three months and a charger that connects to the alternator within the engine.

The setup implies that when the van is operating it additionally costs the batteries, so Ollie’s assured his new residence could have loads of energy.

The kitchen space of the renovated van Credit score: Oliver Pearson / SWNS

The van has a range and oven inside together with wooden burner which they’ll use to maintain heat.

The couple have managed to suit a king dimension mattress within the bedding space, and Ollie has put in a bathe room and a bathroom as a part of his personal renovations.

The pair splashed £15k on a transformed Ford Transit – however see it as an funding Credit score: Oliver Pearson / SWNS

They're set to maneuver out of their home share in the beginning of subsequent month, and are wanting ahead to a life with out worrying about rising power prices.

Ollie stated: ‘A lot of the renovations had been already accomplished after we bought it which is why it was fairly costly.

‘I added a bathe contained in the van, upgraded the radio and audio system and moved the bathroom set-up in to the bathe room.

The bed room space will be seen in the back of the van Credit score: Oliver Pearson / SWNS

‘It’s undoubtedly large enough for the 2 of us, we've simply needed to be strict with ourselves on what we really want.’

However the couple, who've been collectively for 2 years, do have their reservations.

‘We have now blended emotions as a result of we’re shifting from a home to a van, so there’s masses we've to get used to,’ stated Ollie.

‘We’ll be sure we get our personal privateness by guaranteeing we preserve speaking with one another, however the van is greater than large enough for the 2 of us.

‘We additionally each work totally different shift patterns so we will get personal time that means too.

‘We have now stripped again lots on our possessions to make this work, however its fairly liberating solely conserving the issues you actually need.

‘Our family and friends are actually supportive, when individuals really come and see the van, they realise it has every thing you want and it’s not only a mattress at the back of a van.

‘We’re actually excited for the adventures to return, and are wanting ahead to having some more cash in our pocket because of our change of life-style.’