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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
We moved into a caravan in my mother-in-law's garden for a year, sure it was cramped but we saved £20k
Freya Gill says that the living conditions were 'questionable' at first YES YOU VAN We moved into a caravan in my mother-in-law's garden for a year, sure it was cramped but we saved £20k A WOMAN was able to save a £20k house deposit - after moving into a caravan in her mother-in-law's garden for a year. Freya Gill, 29, and her partner, Charlie Thackwray, 29, were living with their parents when they decided they needed their own space. 3 Freya Gill moved into a caravan in her mother-in-law's garden for a year and saved £20k Credit: SWNS 3 She and her boyfriend Charlie plan on living there for another year to boost their deposit Credit: SWNS Unable to get on the property ladder straight away, they moved into Charlie's mum's caravan - which she got for free as it already came with her home and moved it to the plot of land they are currently living on in North Allerton, North Yorkshire. The pair remained in the two-berth caravan for a year, saving £2k for the deposit to buy their next caravan. They upgraded their caravan three times, forking out £16k for a newer model with controllable heating, towel radiators in the shower, and an onboard water pump. Freya and Charlie plan to continue living in it for another year while they save to buy land to build their own home and to keep chickens, goats, and alpacas. Freya, a business owner, from North Allerton, North Yorkshire, said: "We are saving up to buy a plot of land as we want to do a field to farm, and anyone who knows that when buying land, you need a much larger deposit. "We are looking at a 25% deposit - money is a massive problem for everyone now, and this is a good alternative to save money. "The rental market is mental, but money aside, people have said they would like to live this way because of your freedom. "If we'd rented a property around here, it would cost £750 a month, and that would just not have been achievable for us. It's so hard to find a rental when you've got a dog." Before moving into their caravan, Freya lived in a three-bedroom house with her parents in North Allerton, North Yorkshire, for £250 a month. The couple always dreamed of owning some land but realised that to do that, they would need savings, so they thought a cost-effective option was living in a caravan which they say is £500 cheaper than renting in the local area. Watch as Josie Gibson tells This Morning she's living in a caravan Freya said: "The living conditions were questionable in the first caravan. "When Charlie's mum bought the house, the caravan came with the house from the 90s, and it had been there for quite a while. "Charlie renovated it, spending £200 by ripping out the floor and painting the interior, but because it was so old and a lot of the caravan didn't work, we decided to move." After a year, the pair moved out of their first caravan and lived in an Eldest Crusader bought from a local dealership for £4K for a year. Then in June 2025, the couple upgraded to an Adria Adora caravan for £16k - and they plan to live in it until they're in a position to buy their own farmland. Freya said: "It's a small space, so the bills are going to be lower anyway. We have set up our solar power system, and that has been a huge help to our savings. "The gas bills are low, and when we run low, it is £80 to get a new gas bottle. "We don't have to pay council tax or water bills, which is helpful. "We collect water and have a filtration system; we just have to pay for a new filter every month. "My friends always say to me that it is not the typical life in their twenties, but we are quite introverted people, so we like the fact that it is just us and we are in our own space." Currently, Freya and Charlie, a caravan dealer, pay £150 rent for the land they use, £55 on gas, £130 on finance, and £350 on food a month. Previously, they spent £250 a month on bills, but they now say they've saved a whopping £20k. Freya said: "We have saved so much money from living in a caravan - it is an excellent alternative to renting. 5 Tips to Get on The Property Ladder Saving for your first property is tough, but it is possible. Here are a few steps for first-time buyers. 1. Cut back on luxuries and start saving Consistent monthly saving is the best way to accumulate enough money to get on the ladder, for a deposit and purchase fees. To do this, you need to take a look at your monthly outgoings and think about what can be cut out - holidays, new clothes, weekly takeaway. Using a savings calculator can help you to establish how long you will need to save for a deposit. Based on your income, you can figure out a realistic amount to save each month. 2. Have a realistic property search Set a budget for the property price you would like to buy, and think realistically about the location and size of your property. While we all may want that house with a view or extra bedroom, can you afford it? 3. Research Help To Buy and Shared Ownership schemes The government has introduced a few ways to help first-time-buyers get on the property ladder and they're great for those on lower incomes or to buy a property in more expensive areas like London. 4. Consider buying with another person Investing with somebody else you know is a sure way to get onto the property ladder. You only need to save half the amount you would otherwise, so you can work towards getting your property sooner. You can invest with a friend, family or partner. Naturally, it is a big step and a huge commitment so be open and honest about what you expect from living together — if you haven't already. 5. Talk to a mortgage broker and get your documents in order A mortgage broker can tell you exactly how much you can borrow for a mortgage, what you will need to pay monthly and in upfront costs. "It has taken us three years to get to this stage, and we are both pleased with how much we have saved. "We are genuinely enjoying our time. I love that it is peaceful, and the sound of the rain is relaxing and helps me sleep. "Sometimes, people living in a caravan receive a common misconception, which is simply false. We want this lifestyle, and we like living this lifestyle. Freya added: "Charlie loves animals, but I have always been animal mad. I was raised on a small holding and want to return to that life. "I've always wanted to improve our place and make it our own. We have plans to build our farmhouse, and Charlie wants to build his lake. We can't wait for the future."
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
We moved into a caravan in my mother-in-law's garden for a year, sure it was cramped but we saved £20k
Freya Gill says that the living conditions were 'questionable' at first YES YOU VAN We moved into a caravan in my mother-in-law's garden for a year, sure it was cramped but we saved £20k A WOMAN was able to save a £20k house deposit - after moving into a caravan in her mother-in-law's garden for a year. Freya Gill, 29, and her partner, Charlie Thackwray, 29, were living with their parents when they decided they needed their own space. 3 Freya Gill moved into a caravan in her mother-in-law's garden for a year and saved £20k Credit: SWNS 3 She and her boyfriend Charlie plan on living there for another year to boost their deposit Credit: SWNS Unable to get on the property ladder straight away, they moved into Charlie's mum's caravan - which she got for free as it already came with her home and moved it to the plot of land they are currently living on in North Allerton, North Yorkshire. The pair remained in the two-berth caravan for a year, saving £2k for the deposit to buy their next caravan. They upgraded their caravan three times, forking out £16k for a newer model with controllable heating, towel radiators in the shower, and an onboard water pump. Freya and Charlie plan to continue living in it for another year while they save to buy land to build their own home and to keep chickens, goats, and alpacas. Freya, a business owner, from North Allerton, North Yorkshire, said: "We are saving up to buy a plot of land as we want to do a field to farm, and anyone who knows that when buying land, you need a much larger deposit. "We are looking at a 25% deposit - money is a massive problem for everyone now, and this is a good alternative to save money. "The rental market is mental, but money aside, people have said they would like to live this way because of your freedom. "If we'd rented a property around here, it would cost £750 a month, and that would just not have been achievable for us. It's so hard to find a rental when you've got a dog." Before moving into their caravan, Freya lived in a three-bedroom house with her parents in North Allerton, North Yorkshire, for £250 a month. The couple always dreamed of owning some land but realised that to do that, they would need savings, so they thought a cost-effective option was living in a caravan which they say is £500 cheaper than renting in the local area. Watch as Josie Gibson tells This Morning she's living in a caravan Freya said: "The living conditions were questionable in the first caravan. "When Charlie's mum bought the house, the caravan came with the house from the 90s, and it had been there for quite a while. "Charlie renovated it, spending £200 by ripping out the floor and painting the interior, but because it was so old and a lot of the caravan didn't work, we decided to move." After a year, the pair moved out of their first caravan and lived in an Eldest Crusader bought from a local dealership for £4K for a year. Then in June 2025, the couple upgraded to an Adria Adora caravan for £16k - and they plan to live in it until they're in a position to buy their own farmland. Freya said: "It's a small space, so the bills are going to be lower anyway. We have set up our solar power system, and that has been a huge help to our savings. "The gas bills are low, and when we run low, it is £80 to get a new gas bottle. "We don't have to pay council tax or water bills, which is helpful. "We collect water and have a filtration system; we just have to pay for a new filter every month. "My friends always say to me that it is not the typical life in their twenties, but we are quite introverted people, so we like the fact that it is just us and we are in our own space." Currently, Freya and Charlie, a caravan dealer, pay £150 rent for the land they use, £55 on gas, £130 on finance, and £350 on food a month. Previously, they spent £250 a month on bills, but they now say they've saved a whopping £20k. Freya said: "We have saved so much money from living in a caravan - it is an excellent alternative to renting. 5 Tips to Get on The Property Ladder Saving for your first property is tough, but it is possible. Here are a few steps for first-time buyers. 1. Cut back on luxuries and start saving Consistent monthly saving is the best way to accumulate enough money to get on the ladder, for a deposit and purchase fees. To do this, you need to take a look at your monthly outgoings and think about what can be cut out - holidays, new clothes, weekly takeaway. Using a savings calculator can help you to establish how long you will need to save for a deposit. Based on your income, you can figure out a realistic amount to save each month. 2. Have a realistic property search Set a budget for the property price you would like to buy, and think realistically about the location and size of your property. While we all may want that house with a view or extra bedroom, can you afford it? 3. Research Help To Buy and Shared Ownership schemes The government has introduced a few ways to help first-time-buyers get on the property ladder and they're great for those on lower incomes or to buy a property in more expensive areas like London. 4. Consider buying with another person Investing with somebody else you know is a sure way to get onto the property ladder. You only need to save half the amount you would otherwise, so you can work towards getting your property sooner. You can invest with a friend, family or partner. Naturally, it is a big step and a huge commitment so be open and honest about what you expect from living together — if you haven't already. 5. Talk to a mortgage broker and get your documents in order A mortgage broker can tell you exactly how much you can borrow for a mortgage, what you will need to pay monthly and in upfront costs. "It has taken us three years to get to this stage, and we are both pleased with how much we have saved. "We are genuinely enjoying our time. I love that it is peaceful, and the sound of the rain is relaxing and helps me sleep. "Sometimes, people living in a caravan receive a common misconception, which is simply false. We want this lifestyle, and we like living this lifestyle. Freya added: "Charlie loves animals, but I have always been animal mad. I was raised on a small holding and want to return to that life. "I've always wanted to improve our place and make it our own. We have plans to build our farmhouse, and Charlie wants to build his lake. We can't wait for the future."
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
We live in a caravan in our parents' garden – it's questionable & most of it doesn't work… but we've saved thousands
WHEEL GOOD We live in a caravan in our parents' garden – it's questionable & most of it doesn't work… but we've saved thousands A COUPLE have saved thousands by living in a tiny caravan in one of their mum's gardens. Freya Gill, 29, and her partner, Charlie Thackwray, 29, were living with their parents when they decided they needed their own space. Advertisement 4 Freya Gil and her partner have bought a caravan to save cash Credit: SWNS 4 The caravan is located in her mum's garden Credit: SWNS Unable to get on the property ladder straight away, the couple moved into Charlie's mum's caravan. She got the caravan for free as it already came with her mum's home. Shortly after, they moved it to the plot of land they are currently living on in North Allerton, North Yorkshire. The pair remained in the two-berth caravan for a year, saving £2000 for the deposit to buy their next caravan. Advertisement They upgraded their caravan three times, forking out £16k for a newer model with controllable heating, towel radiators in the shower, and an onboard water pump. Freya and Charlie say that they will continue living in it for another year while they save to buy land to build their own home and to keep chickens, goats, and alpacas. Freya said: "We are saving up to buy a plot of land as we want to do a field to farm, and anyone who knows that when buying land, you need a much larger deposit. "We are looking at a 25% deposit - money is a massive problem for everyone now, and this is a good alternative to save money. Advertisement "The rental market is mental, but money aside, people have said they would like to live this way because of your freedom. "If we'd rented a property around here, it would cost £750 a month, and that would just not have been achievable for us. It's so hard to find a rental when you've got a dog." I bought a £26k caravan, trolls say it's a mistake but my bank account disagrees Before moving into their caravan, Freya lived in a three-bedroom house with her parents in North Allerton for £250 a month. The couple always dreamed of owning some land but realised that to do that, they would need savings, so they thought a cost-effective option was living in a caravan which they say is £500 cheaper than renting in the local area. Advertisement Freya said: "The living conditions were questionable in the first caravan. "When Charlie's mum bought the house, the caravan came with the house from the 90s, and it had been there for quite a while. "Charlie renovated it, spending £200 by ripping out the floor and painting the interior, but because it was so old and a lot of the caravan didn't work, we decided to move." After a year, the pair moved out of their first caravan and lived in an Eldest Crusader bought from a local dealership for £4K for a year. Advertisement Then in June 2025, the couple upgraded to an Adria Adora caravan for £16k - and they plan to live in it until they're in a position to buy their own farmland. Freya said: "It's a small space, so the bills are going to be lower anyway. We have set up our solar power system, and that has been a huge help to our savings. "The gas bills are low, and when we run low, it is £80 to get a new gas bottle. "We don't have to pay council tax or water bills, which is helpful. Advertisement 4 The couple moved to North Allerton Credit: SWNS "We collect water and have a filtration system; we just have to pay for a new filter every month. "My friends always say to me that it is not the typical life in their twenties, but we are quite introverted people, so we like the fact that it is just us and we are in our own space." Currently, Freya and Charlie, a caravan dealer, pay £150 rent for the land they use, £55 on gas, £130 on finance, and £350 on food a month. Advertisement Previously, they spent £250 a month on bills, but they now say they've saved a whopping £20k. Freya said: "We have saved so much money from living in a caravan - it is an excellent alternative to renting. "It has taken us three years to get to this stage, and we are both pleased with how much we have saved. "We are genuinely enjoying our time. I love that it is peaceful, and the sound of the rain is relaxing and helps me sleep. Advertisement "Sometimes, people living in a caravan receive a common misconception, which is simply false. We want this lifestyle, and we like living this lifestyle. Freya added: "Charlie loves animals, but I have always been animal mad. I was raised on a small holding and want to return to that life. "I've always wanted to improve our place and make it our own. We have plans to build our farmhouse, and Charlie wants to build his lake. We can't wait for the future." 4 The pair have saved £20,000 for a deposit Credit: SWNS
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
We live in a caravan in our parents' garden – it's questionable & most of it doesn't work… but we've saved thousands
WHEEL GOOD We live in a caravan in our parents' garden – it's questionable & most of it doesn't work… but we've saved thousands Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COUPLE have saved thousands by living in a tiny caravan in one of their mum's gardens. Freya Gill, 29, and her partner, Charlie Thackwray, 29, were living with their parents when they decided they needed their own space. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Freya Gil and her partner have bought a caravan to save cash Credit: SWNS 4 The caravan is located in her mum's garden Credit: SWNS Unable to get on the property ladder straight away, the couple moved into Charlie's mum's caravan. She got the caravan for free as it already came with her mum's home. Shortly after, they moved it to the plot of land they are currently living on in North Allerton, North Yorkshire. The pair remained in the two-berth caravan for a year, saving £2000 for the deposit to buy their next caravan. They upgraded their caravan three times, forking out £16k for a newer model with controllable heating, towel radiators in the shower, and an onboard water pump. Freya and Charlie say that they will continue living in it for another year while they save to buy land to build their own home and to keep chickens, goats, and alpacas. Freya said: "We are saving up to buy a plot of land as we want to do a field to farm, and anyone who knows that when buying land, you need a much larger deposit. "We are looking at a 25% deposit - money is a massive problem for everyone now, and this is a good alternative to save money. "The rental market is mental, but money aside, people have said they would like to live this way because of your freedom. "If we'd rented a property around here, it would cost £750 a month, and that would just not have been achievable for us. It's so hard to find a rental when you've got a dog." I bought a £26k caravan, trolls say it's a mistake but my bank account disagrees Before moving into their caravan, Freya lived in a three-bedroom house with her parents in North Allerton for £250 a month. The couple always dreamed of owning some land but realised that to do that, they would need savings, so they thought a cost-effective option was living in a caravan which they say is £500 cheaper than renting in the local area. Freya said: "The living conditions were questionable in the first caravan. "When Charlie's mum bought the house, the caravan came with the house from the 90s, and it had been there for quite a while. "Charlie renovated it, spending £200 by ripping out the floor and painting the interior, but because it was so old and a lot of the caravan didn't work, we decided to move." After a year, the pair moved out of their first caravan and lived in an Eldest Crusader bought from a local dealership for £4K for a year. Then in June 2025, the couple upgraded to an Adria Adora caravan for £16k - and they plan to live in it until they're in a position to buy their own farmland. Freya said: "It's a small space, so the bills are going to be lower anyway. We have set up our solar power system, and that has been a huge help to our savings. "The gas bills are low, and when we run low, it is £80 to get a new gas bottle. "We don't have to pay council tax or water bills, which is helpful. 4 The couple moved to North Allerton Credit: SWNS "We collect water and have a filtration system; we just have to pay for a new filter every month. "My friends always say to me that it is not the typical life in their twenties, but we are quite introverted people, so we like the fact that it is just us and we are in our own space." Currently, Freya and Charlie, a caravan dealer, pay £150 rent for the land they use, £55 on gas, £130 on finance, and £350 on food a month. Previously, they spent £250 a month on bills, but they now say they've saved a whopping £20k. Freya said: "We have saved so much money from living in a caravan - it is an excellent alternative to renting. "It has taken us three years to get to this stage, and we are both pleased with how much we have saved. "We are genuinely enjoying our time. I love that it is peaceful, and the sound of the rain is relaxing and helps me sleep. "Sometimes, people living in a caravan receive a common misconception, which is simply false. We want this lifestyle, and we like living this lifestyle. Freya added: "Charlie loves animals, but I have always been animal mad. I was raised on a small holding and want to return to that life. "I've always wanted to improve our place and make it our own. We have plans to build our farmhouse, and Charlie wants to build his lake. We can't wait for the future."
Scottish Sun
24-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I quit my corporate job to go self-employed & live in an 8ft caravan – it feels huge & I'm saving to buy my own land
Read on to see how much living in a caravan really costs WHEEL NICE I quit my corporate job to go self-employed & live in an 8ft caravan – it feels huge & I'm saving to buy my own land Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN has revealed how she quit living in a house, swapping it for a caravan instead. Freya, from the UK, took to social media to share the new caravan she and her partner, Charlie, were living in as they saved up their cash to buy their own land. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Freya showed off her new caravan Credit: tiktok/@caravanlifewithfreya 2 There was a lot more space for her, her partner and the dog Credit: tiktok/@caravanlifewithfreya Recently, Freya showed off the new caravan they had bought, an Adria Adora which was much larger than their previous home on wheels. The caravan measures 8ft wide and is a four-berth, making it super roomy for Freya, her partner and their pet dog. But Freya hasn't always dreamt of following an off-grid lifestyle as she explained that she once had a corporate job while living with her mum to save for a housing deposit. Now, Freya runs her own business while living out of a caravan as she saves up to buy her own land. Showing viewers around her new home she shared that it also comes with a relatively large kitchen and living room area which had lots of secret storage hidden away. Most importantly for Freya, she now had a full-sized fridge. She said: "I was so excited about this. Look at all that room and a huge freezer as well. "There's also a cupboard at the top and the bottom of the fridge. So plenty of space, don't have to have Charlie's beers on the floor anymore." She also pointed out that the bed was a lot bigger than they expected as it was a queen-size and also had storage space underneath. Above the bed, the caravan has USB ports to plug your phone into as well as a little spotlight for reading. I bought a £26k caravan, trolls say it's a mistake but my bank account disagrees Most importantly, Freya said they went for this type of caravan as they are well insulated to stop it from getting damp in the winter. The clip of her new home soon went viral on her TikTok account @caravanlifewithfreya with over 250k views. Many were in awe of her lifestyle and loved the look of the caravan. One person wrote: "Living the dream, I'd swap my mortgage for this any day." Another commented: "That is amazing, I'm going to look for one of those for me and my family we currently have a compass rally." How much does it cost to live in a caravan? LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs: Initial Costs Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 £400 Utilities: £80 £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 £40 Internet and TV: £40 £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself. Handle minor repairs yourself. Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs. While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK. "Just wanted to say your caravan/home is beautiful," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "Looks amazing, I bet you can save so much money." "Love it, beautiful caravan,' claimed a fifth Someone else added: "Looks amazing. I'd love to live like that."
