Couple quit rat race to live in a motorhome and save £1000 a month
A couple who dreamed of having more freedom have quit the rat race to live in a motorhome and now save £1000 on their bills.
Working up to 60 hours per week in the healthcare industry in London during the pandemic made Gemma Spence, 27, from Erskine, and Campbell Kerr, 28, from Bishopton, long to make a change to their lifestyles.
Having managed to save an incredible £50,000, the couple decided to invest £33K in a motorhome in order to give them the adventurous life they had been craving.
They now spend their time cruising around the nation and are saving over £1000 each month on bills, meaning they are free to enjoy more living and less working.
"This lifestyle isn't for everyone, but it is a great way of living," Kerr explains.
"There is a lot of uncertainty, it can be difficult if you like consistency in life.
"But we love the adventure and not knowing where we will sleep for the night.
"We are so much happier now.
"I studied engineering at university but I was never inspired by the industry, it didn't get me out of bed.
"But now the sun rise does and I can't wait to get the day started."
Read more: Family 'unschool' their children in tiny caravan after selling family home
The couple previously forked out £1,200 per month to rent a one bed apartment in the capital.
Their utility bills were an extra £200 and their food shopping amounted to £250 per month.
Now, their biggest monthly outgoing is the diesel they spend to move around, which sets them back £300 every month.
The adventurous pair, who are currently in Wester Ross, Scotland, earn money by creating content documenting their travels.
They have also written a book, Destination NC500, which is about the scenic north coast route in Scotland.
"We produced a guide that not only advises people where to go but provides tips such as where to dispose of waste," Kerr explains.
"Selling the book has been one source of income but we make most of our money by creating content online."
The couple average about three days per week on their content work, which involves writing, editing videos and photos and responding to messages.
Watch: Woman saves £20K on bills after swapping her flat for a narrowboat
For the rest of the week, they enjoy the perks of life on the road, which include hiking and open water swimming.
It means the duo are now enjoying a much better work-life balance.
"We work for long hours for three days a week which is much better than life before," Spence adds.
"Previously, we were both working 60 hours per week.
"It was intense."
Read more: Woman transforms old van into glam motorhome to travel Europe
The couple originally left England in June 2021 and went back to Scotland to purchase their new home on wheels.
The 7.2 metre motorhome has a toilet, shower and bedroom.
"We spend £100 per month on gas and £50 on insurance," Kerr says of their new expenses.
"We have also both become vegetarian so our food bill is less now.
"We tend to park up on lay-bys surrounded by mountains in the middle of nowhere.
"We find park ups that are remote to ensure we aren't getting in any locals way.
"We have never felt unsafe in our van."
As well as saving money on their monthly outgoings, the couple say there are many benefits to living a slower paced life.
"We get to travel a lot so we can create content for work," Spence says of the lifestyle plus points.
"But the best bit about living in a motorhome is the freedom.
"Being able to go where we want and when we want is an amazing feeling."
Read more: 'The slow life is amazing': Meet the mum who quit the rat race for a narrowboat
Outgoings before
Rent - £1200
Gas and electric - £120
Water - £80
Food - £250
Total - £1730
Outgoings now
Rent - free
Insurance - £50
Gas - £100
Laundry - £20
Food - £200
Diesel - £300
Total - £670
Additional reporting Caters.
