Caravan couple who 'sold everything' and live on $150 a week: 'No more high rents'

Caravanning isn't just for your retired aunt and uncle in their 60s and 70s who pop by once a year for Christmas with some wild anecdotes about life on the road, the people they've met along the way, the amazing places they've seen, and the sporadic trouble they've ran into. In fact, the method of travelling is becoming more and more popular with Aussies, from young families to millennial couples, and of course, retirees, as everyone looks for a cost-effective way to be able to travel.

And some Aussies are now giving up on living in houses, either paying exorbitant mortgages or rental prices, to live life on the road instead. Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, two caravanning couples share how their lives are so much better on the road.

What are the benefits of living in a caravan?

Cathie has been on the road for two years with her partner and her pets — an 8-year-old cat and a 12-year-old pug. Cathie and her partner are retirees but found that when they had to evacuate their rental home, the cost of rental properties had dramatically increased, leading them to look into van life.

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"As we had a good car and 25ft Jayco caravan which was self-contained, we decided we would sell everything we possessed and live in the caravan," Cathie tells Yahoo Lifestyle. "It was a difficult decision, at the time, but we felt we had no other choice. We kept only what was essential to live modestly but comfortably."

Cathie went on to say her lifestyle has changed "dramatically".

"No more high rents, electricity bills or yard maintenance to deal with. We have been lucky to stay in small-town Showgrounds in the regions we like. We sometimes go off-grid and 'free camp', so on an average of $150 per week, it’s really affordable," she shared. "Before we were unable to pay for car and caravan insurance, we couldn’t go out to dinner or get takeaway. We don’t smoke or gamble and may have 1 or 2 drinks on special occasions. Now we have enough to budget for both insurances, the cost of living and go out for dinner or lunch occasionally. We have even been able to save a bit in the bank. Life is so much better with less worry."

How much does it cost to live full-time in a caravan?

Saving money on rent and bills sounds like a dream to all of us, but there is an expensive side to van life too.

"The most expensive part of living in the caravan is firstly, the insurance. It’s so much more than when the caravan is parked in a yard or garage. Secondly, staying in caravan parks, as they too have raised their prices," Cathie shares. "Some can be as high as $450 per week and that’s a country caravan park, that used to be $235 a week. I’d hate to think what the cost of a city or beach caravan park would be. I could say fuel might be a big expense, but we haven’t found it too bad. We have push bikes and use them often."

Living in a van has been 'worth every cent'

Some caravanners told Yahoo Lifestyle that life on the road hasn't so much saved them money, but it has enhanced their quality of life dramatically.

"There’s no doubt that accommodation is cheaper, especially with the rent from our house helping to offset costs, and we don’t spend as much on restaurants as we used to. However, groceries are about the same, and our alcohol expenses have probably gone up a little—every night feels like Saturday night!" Daz and Lee, the people behind Our Salty Life told Yahoo Lifestyle.

"In the grand scheme of things, we haven’t really saved money while travelling, but the lifestyle and experiences have been worth every cent."

Advice to for first-time caravan owners

"The biggest piece of advice is to have a contingency plan—make sure you have some money set aside for emergencies. Unexpected expenses will come up, and having a financial buffer can make all the difference," Daz and Lee said.

"Beyond that, my advice is simple: just do it! Set yourself a plan, create a goal, and figure out what works for you—what you can afford, how you want to travel, and what your priorities are. You don’t need the perfect caravan or the best car on the road to get started. It’s far better to be out there, living the lifestyle and enjoying the journey, than waiting for everything to be perfect."

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"Work out a budget and stick to it. It would be ideal if you have some savings behind you for emergencies," Cathie agreed.

"We are loving the journey, we are on. Making new friends, catching up with old friends and enjoying each other’s company and that of our fur babies. We don’t miss having a house, at all, as our quality of life is so much better."

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