Latest news with #HerdandHive
Metro
6 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
We live off-grid at 25 and 26 with no WiFi or TV — and spend just £269 a month
A young couple have quit their day jobs to live in a caravan, and now spend just £8.87 a day. Libby Ramsden, 25, and Ollie Blackwell, 26, made the switch to live off-grid back in September 2023. They have no TV or WiFi, collect rain water, and power their home with a tractor-driven generator. In total, the pair, who lives in Silsden, Yorskhire, say they spend just £269 a month on running their home. Libby says: 'The best part is not relying on anybody at all. 'Nobody dictates to us what our electric bills are, we are not tied to any contracts in any way. 'We rely on ourselves. We have the freedom to live how we want to live.' Before moving into their caravan, Libby and Ollie each lived in their parents' homes, where they paid rent. They also had nine to five jobs: Libby worked as a laboratory assistant earning £24k, while Ollie was a farmer and tractor mechanic, making £20k a year. But the pair were also running a side-hustle, Herd and Hive, selling goat milk soap and honey. With their products beginning to sell out, they wanted to work on the business full time, but were unable to afford to do so. That is, until Ollie's farmer dad, Terry, 60, offered to rent them a piece of land where they could set up a static caravan, and live frugaly off-grid. They forked out £11,000 to buy their new home-on-wheels, and haven't looked back since. Libby says: 'It was a no brainer if we wanted to quit our jobs. 'Before we moved, we looked at renting, or getting a mortgage, and you're looking at spending around £1,000 a month.' Metro has teamed up with and Blinds 2go – proud sponsor of the Best Bedroom category in the Home Awards – to give one lucky winner the chance to win £1,000 to spend on Blinds 2go's stunning collection of made-to-measure blinds and curtains and give your windows the ultimate glow up. Enter your details below and turn your windows into the best-dressed feature in your home. You have until midnight on 19 August to enter. Good luck! Form not loading? Enter here. * Open to GB residents (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18+. Entrants must be 18 years or over at the time of entry. Promotion opens at 17:01 on 29/7/25 and closes at 23:59 on 19/8/25. Entrant must submit their first and last name, email address, telephone number, date of birth and postcode when prompted via the entry form available on (available here). 1 prize available of £1,000 to spend on Blinds 2go's or Curtains 2go's collection of made-to-measure blinds and/or curtains. The Prize is subject to the Promoter's standard terms and conditions available here. Maximum 1 entry per person. Full T&Cs apply, see here. Libby and Ollie's monthly outgoings off-grid: Total: £269 Average costs for 'regular' living in the area: Total: £1,083 Despite life being a little more rustic than in a standard house, the pair say they're not roughing it. They collect rainwater from a barn roof, filter it for the caravan and their animals, and run a tractor-powered generator for an hour each night to cook, shower and charge phones. Heating and cooking is done on a log burner. The couple are soon hoping to install solar panels, to reduce costs further. As they pay council tax, they get regular bin collections – and Ollie dug a septic tank so the couple have a flushing toilet. In total, the running costs of their home are just £8.87 a day, working out at £270 a month. Libby said: 'People think that because we live off-grid we are not connected to the world in any way or we live uncomfortably. 'People think that we go to the toilet in a bucket and carry it out.' Their day starts at 5.30am milking goats, feeding sheep, and caring for five rehomed donkeys before heading to their unit to make soap, jar honey and tend to bees. In the evening, they return to feed the animals again, light the fire, and run the generator for an hour before switching it off for the night. And, the pair say their new way of life has made their relationship stronger. Libby said: 'Most people in the evening will sit down and watch TV, we're not in that routine, so we feel a little bit more connected to each other. 'We don't have a TV so we generally read or keep each other company talking. 'We have a better relationship because we actually sit and talk in the evening. 'It's definitely improved our relationship, we feel more connected to each other than if we had a lot more distractions in our life.' But sometimes the couple do miss the ease of modern life. Libby said: 'Sometimes I miss the ease of being able to flip a light switch on or plug your phone into charge, that type of thing. Just the ease of things. More Trending Winter is the toughest time – the caravan is on top of a windy hill and keeping warm is a challenge – but the couple want to stay off-grid for good, eventually upgrading to a wooden chalet. 'We do see ourselves living off grid forever,' Libby said. 'We don't want to go back to living in a house and having bills to pay.' View More » You can follow their off-grid journey on TikTok @herdandhive . Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: The untold stories of the UK's corner shops and why we should celebrate them MORE: Body found in search for 12-year-old boy last seen going into river in Richmond MORE: Girl, 4, who died after being found 'unresponsive' at water park is named
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I live off-grid in a caravan – it might be tiny but it's cheaper than renting & has a double bed, a bath & a log burner
Plus, scroll down to find out more on the costs of living in a caravan PITCH PERFECT I live off-grid in a caravan – it might be tiny but it's cheaper than renting & has a double bed, a bath & a log burner Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A YOUNG woman has opened up on living off-grid in a static caravan. Libby, who runs a business named Herd and Hive, a family-run company in Yorkshire offering natural goat's milk soap, raw honey and beeswax products, recognised that while her home might be small, it's much cheaper than renting. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A young woman has explained that she lives off-grid in a tiny caravan Credit: tiktok/@herdandhive/ 2 While her home may be small, it has a double bed, a log burner and even a bath too Credit: tiktok/@herdandhive/ Posting on social media, the content creator gave her followers a close-up look inside her 12ft wide caravan, which is set on a large piece of land. On the land, Libby also has a 'big barn' where she keeps goats, sheep and donkeys. Standing outside her tiny home, Libby said: 'I live fully off-grid in my static caravan so let's show you around.' As well as having a 'lovely little porch' where Libby keeps her 'mucky clothes, shoes and toolboxes,' the caravan also has a kitchen that is 'small but does the job.' Libby then filmed inside her cosy home as she proudly showed off her living room, which has a huge log burner that is used to heat the caravan. 'Back to the other end of the caravan, we have a spare room that we just use for storage and into the bedroom, we've got a little ensuite here with a bath and our bedroom - just enough space for a double bed,' she continued. In a follow-up clip, Libby got candid on why she decided to live off-grid - and claimed that financially it made the most sense. She explained: 'There was one main factor as to why I wanted to live off-grid with my boyfriend Ollie and it was purely financial - I run the business Herd and Hive and I wanted to quit my full-time job, so did Ollie, so that we can run our business. 'There was no way we'd be able to quit our jobs as well as paying all the rent, electric bills, water bills, whatever else that most people pay on a monthly basis - there was no way we could do it as well as paying all those. 'It made perfect financial sense and if we hadn't have done that, if we wouldn't be able to live so cheaply, we wouldn't be able to quit our jobs and grow our business to what it is today.' We moved into a caravan in my mother-in-law's garden for a year, sure it was cramped but we saved £20k Libby's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @herdandhive, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 77,400 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 2,701 likes and 209 comments. Social media users were impressed with Libby's tiny home and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. You're living my dream TikTok user One person said: 'When someone asks me what my dream place is…. 'THIS' this is my dream.' Another added: 'Looks lovely, it's just enough and that's all you need. And the log burner is fantastic.' 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. A third commented: 'That's amazing. I would love to live like this.' Meanwhile, someone else gushed: 'You're living my dream.' At the same time, one user asked: 'How did you get permission to stay there full-time in a static, no hate just really curious.' To this, Libby responded and confirmed: 'We got planning permission as 'agricultural workers'.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
I live off-grid in a caravan – it might be tiny but it's cheaper than renting & has a double bed, a bath & a log burner
Plus, scroll down to find out more on the costs of living in a caravan PITCH PERFECT I live off-grid in a caravan – it might be tiny but it's cheaper than renting & has a double bed, a bath & a log burner A YOUNG woman has opened up on living off-grid in a static caravan. Libby, who runs a business named Herd and Hive, a family-run company in Yorkshire offering natural goat's milk soap, raw honey and beeswax products, recognised that while her home might be small, it's much cheaper than renting. 2 A young woman has explained that she lives off-grid in a tiny caravan Credit: tiktok/@herdandhive/ 2 While her home may be small, it has a double bed, a log burner and even a bath too Credit: tiktok/@herdandhive/ Posting on social media, the content creator gave her followers a close-up look inside her 12ft wide caravan, which is set on a large piece of land. On the land, Libby also has a 'big barn' where she keeps goats, sheep and donkeys. Standing outside her tiny home, Libby said: 'I live fully off-grid in my static caravan so let's show you around.' As well as having a 'lovely little porch' where Libby keeps her 'mucky clothes, shoes and toolboxes,' the caravan also has a kitchen that is 'small but does the job.' Libby then filmed inside her cosy home as she proudly showed off her living room, which has a huge log burner that is used to heat the caravan. 'Back to the other end of the caravan, we have a spare room that we just use for storage and into the bedroom, we've got a little ensuite here with a bath and our bedroom - just enough space for a double bed,' she continued. In a follow-up clip, Libby got candid on why she decided to live off-grid - and claimed that financially it made the most sense. She explained: 'There was one main factor as to why I wanted to live off-grid with my boyfriend Ollie and it was purely financial - I run the business Herd and Hive and I wanted to quit my full-time job, so did Ollie, so that we can run our business. 'There was no way we'd be able to quit our jobs as well as paying all the rent, electric bills, water bills, whatever else that most people pay on a monthly basis - there was no way we could do it as well as paying all those. 'It made perfect financial sense and if we hadn't have done that, if we wouldn't be able to live so cheaply, we wouldn't be able to quit our jobs and grow our business to what it is today.' We moved into a caravan in my mother-in-law's garden for a year, sure it was cramped but we saved £20k Libby's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @herdandhive, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 77,400 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 2,701 likes and 209 comments. Social media users were impressed with Libby's tiny home and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. You're living my dream TikTok user One person said: 'When someone asks me what my dream place is…. 'THIS' this is my dream.' Another added: 'Looks lovely, it's just enough and that's all you need. And the log burner is fantastic.' 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. A third commented: 'That's amazing. I would love to live like this.' Meanwhile, someone else gushed: 'You're living my dream.' At the same time, one user asked: 'How did you get permission to stay there full-time in a static, no hate just really curious.' To this, Libby responded and confirmed: 'We got planning permission as 'agricultural workers'.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I live off-grid in a caravan – it might be tiny but it's cheaper than renting & has a double bed, a bath & a log burner
A YOUNG woman has opened up on living off-grid in a static caravan. Libby, who runs a business named Herd and Hive, a family-run company in Yorkshire offering natural goat's milk soap, raw honey and beeswax products, recognised that while her home might be small, it's much cheaper than renting. 2 Posting on social media, the content creator gave her followers a close-up look inside her 12ft wide caravan, which is set on a large piece of land. On the land, Libby also has a 'big barn' where she keeps goats, sheep and donkeys. Standing outside her tiny home, Libby said: 'I live fully off-grid in my static caravan so let's show you around.' As well as having a 'lovely little porch' where Libby keeps her 'mucky clothes, shoes and toolboxes,' the caravan also has a kitchen that is 'small but does the job.' Libby then filmed inside her cosy home as she proudly showed off her living room, which has a huge log burner that is used to heat the caravan. 'Back to the other end of the caravan, we have a spare room that we just use for storage and into the bedroom, we've got a little ensuite here with a bath and our bedroom - just enough space for a double bed,' she continued. In a follow-up clip, Libby got candid on why she decided to live off-grid - and claimed that financially it made the most sense. She explained: 'There was one main factor as to why I wanted to live off-grid with my boyfriend Ollie and it was purely financial - I run the business Herd and Hive and I wanted to quit my full-time job, so did Ollie, so that we can run our business. 'There was no way we'd be able to quit our jobs as well as paying all the rent, electric bills, water bills, whatever else that most people pay on a monthly basis - there was no way we could do it as well as paying all those. 'It made perfect financial sense and if we hadn't have done that, if we wouldn't be able to live so cheaply, we wouldn't be able to quit our jobs and grow our business to what it is today.' We moved into a caravan in my mother-in-law's garden for a year, sure it was cramped but we saved £20k Libby's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ herdandhive, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 77,400 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 2,701 likes and 209 comments. Social media users were impressed with Libby's tiny home and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. One person said: 'When someone asks me what my dream place is…. 'THIS' this is my dream.' Another added: 'Looks lovely, it's just enough and that's all you need. And the log burner is fantastic.' 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) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 Utilities: £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 Internet and TV: £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: 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. A third commented: 'That's amazing. I would love to live like this.' Meanwhile, someone else gushed: 'You're living my dream.' At the same time, one user asked: 'How did you get permission to stay there full-time in a static, no hate just really curious.' To this, Libby responded and confirmed: 'We got planning permission as 'agricultural workers'.'
