I moved my family-of-7 out of a four-bed home and into a caravan – downsizing is chaos but we save £2.7k a month

The Sun

17-06-2025

WE all know that moving house is a struggle, but it was even harder for Lucy Vernon as she ditched her four-bed house for a caravan.
The family of seven decided to leave the spacious home in Cheshire due to the cost of living crisis and swapped it for a mint green caravan.
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Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, Lucy, 30, a stay-at-home mum to her five children, Bella, 13, Coby, 10, Dolcie, 5, Bea, 3, Jessie, 1 1/2, revealed why she decided to downsize from her luxe Cheshire home to a tiny static caravan.
She says: "Originally, the house was a three-bed, but they turned the garage into a bedroom. So, our bedroom was downstairs and all the kids' rooms were upstairs, it was a very spacious house.
"The living room was massive. It was like a living room and a diner. The kitchen was huge, the biggest kitchen we've ever had. It was the biggest house we've been in."
The rented property, which the family had for two years, may have been the largest but it was also costing them a fortune. leading them to seek out alternative housing.
That's when the couple decided to live in a caravan, sacrificing space to keep money in their pockets to buy their own land.
Lucy says she and her partner, Scott, 31, who owns a haulage company, were paying £3,000 a month just on rent and bills.
"We were just chasing our tails all the time," she explains.
"That was the turning point for us. Because it was just too much.
"Even though it was a gorgeous house and we had the pleasure to live there. And it was a nice area, it was just too much financially."
Last month, they made the big move and the caravan is currently located on her family's land, meaning she doesn't need to pay fees to stay there.
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I wanted to give my caravan's old sofas a makeover so found a £20 way to transform them completely - they look brand new
Now, the couple only pays for gas and electric bills, which cost £300, meaning they'll save £2,700 every month.
The family had been thinking of living in a caravan for years, as they both wanted to save money and eventually buy their own land so they can raise animals and enjoy more financial freedom.
But Lucy revealed that sacrifices have been made in their downsizing, including getting rid of lots of personal items and having less space.
In the house, they had four large bedrooms but have now downsized to a three bed with a tiny kitchen and bathroom, while the parents sleeps in the front room.
Now, the youngest share rooms and Bella has her own, while Lucy and Scott sleep in the front room on the sofa that converts to a bed.
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.
The act of downsizing has meant the mum has had to shift many of their belonging.
Lucy says they have got rid of lots of clothes and toys, either selling them on Vinted or donating them to charity.
Lucy adds: "It's been quite a bit of a long process because we've had to throw a lot of our things away to fit it in because we've got five kids. So, you can imagine it's been a struggle.
"There were a lot of people who did get bargains because we were in a desperate need to sell the stuff.
"We did do the prices quite low, but altogether we probably got a thousand for all the household stuff."
"All the children have had to downsize with clothes and toys, but it's just one of those things," she adds.
Lucy says downsizing hasn't proven to be too much of a problem, but that the kitchen has been a struggle.
Close friends have said 'I couldn't do it' 'I like my own space', but this hasn't been an overnight decision.
Lucy Vernon
"Storage in the kitchen is a squeeze, I used to have loads of plates for when people came round, now I don't have that choice, it's just enough for us," she says.
"But it's been quite nice, it's less cluttered.
"We had a big telly in the old house, it was like 60 inches, now it's 38 inches, there's nowhere to put a 60 inch TV in the caravan."
Lucy also admits that when she brought the move up to friends, they were left questioning her decision to uproot her life.
"Close friends have said 'I couldn't do it' 'I like my own space', but this hasn't been an overnight decision, we've thought about this for a while," she adds.
"Being in the caravan now, feels like home, I feel more freedom.
"We can see the money stack up, we're doing strict budgeting, everything is going into savings."
While Lucy has never lived in a caravan before, she's adamant she made the right decision and has even found it to bring the family closer together, and not just in terms of space.
"The caravan has brought us all closer together," Lucy explains.
We can see the money stack up, we're doing strict budgeting, everything is going into savings.
Lucy Vernon
"The older ones, Bella and Coby, were always on the iPad or on the phone. We've noticed they actually want to sit with us now, because we're closer as there's not as much room, they can't run off to their rooms."
While she's loving the new lifestyle, Lucy says she and her family are preparing for a hard winter in the caravan.
"We haven't had a winter yet, but we're already prepping for that, oil radiators in storage, we know were going to need them, the caravan has radiators in the bedroom and a coal fire in the front room," she says.
Once the pair has enough savings, they hope to buy their own land to live on a larger caravan or a lodge where they'll have room to raise animals without worrying about rent increases.