Our News Update. Alternative Lifestyle!
Our news update is a little alternative, an alternative lifestyle to be exact! Let’s give some context first though before we dive in.
Cost of Living Increase
Like so many other family’s across the UK we are dealing with the increasing costs of living which has led to many discussions about solutions. Getting another job on top of everything that we are already doing. This would mean less time with the girls and even less time together. Or do something completely different, I mean so far out of the box it will blow some of your minds and you will be questioning our sanity!
Alternative Lifestyle
We actually want to spend more time together not less. We would like to be able to have better quality time and so we are considering an alternative lifestyle. Vanlife. Basically selling everything we own (which is not a huge amount!). We do not have a house to sell or many assets but what we do have we are hoping will be enough once sold to buy a van and convert it into a campervan for full time living. Not just living in the van but travelling the Uk )to start with) with 4 of our 5 children.
Are we mad?
Possibly! Just bear with me for a sec though. I have spent years and I mean years, working evenings, weekends, as well as during the day. I have missed out on so much with the girls. Mark and I spend very little time together and even less as a family all together as when the girls are on holiday from school one of us will take time off to cover. We just can’t take the time off at the same time as between us we still do not have enough holiday entitlement to cover all the girls holidays.
My brother passed away a few years ago now, my ex passed away at the age I am getting too and it is all just hitting home. I really would like to be with the girls, spend time with them, make the most of the time we have together before they grow up and do not want to hang out with us anyway! So, an alternative lifestyle seems to be the solution.
Vanlife
Vanlife gives us the opportunity to reduce our costs significantly and travel the UK with the girls. Provide a different education, time together. Of course there are huge considerations and there are a few things that could stop this idea in its tracks.
- Not being able to create an income that can be earned while travelling
- Not having enough funds to create the opportunity
If I was going to be really honest though #2 is only there because the girls ages and the window of opportunity we have to make the most of them.
So #1 is the biggest concern.
I am due to re-train as an Integrated Nutritional Health Coach which I am hoping will give us the opportunity we need all whilst still providing the freedom and flexibility. Time freedom is a huge factor for us and the ability to spend that with the girls.
An alternative lifestyle is not a lighthearted decision. I appreciate many may think we have not thought this through.
- How are we going to homeschool?
- Where will we all sleep?
- How will we all cope?
- How will we do our washing?
- Where will we go to the toilet?
