I’m a mum of two under two at 21, people call me irresponsible for moving my babies into a campervan but I’ll save loads

AN ‘IMPULSIVE’ young family say people have branded them ‘irresponsible’ for flogging their home to move ‘off-grid’ into a van – but will halve their bills and escape ‘miserable’ UK weather. Paulina Gammon, 21, says she and her husband Stanley Gammon, 21, put their three-bedroom semi-detached home up for sale on July 21 and have purchased a converted campervan. Paulina and Stanley have swapped their three-bedroom home for a campervan Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media They’re planning to travel Europe with their two young sons Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media The mum-of-two says the pair will set off on their travels with their 16-month-old son Jakub Gammon and four-month-old son Albert Gammon as soon as their house sells. Paulina says the family currently pay £1,800 every month on bills, their mortgage payment and the food shop. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! But by living in the van, the full-time content creator claims they will more than half their monthly outgoings as the ‘off-grid‘ vehicle runs on solar panels so they’ll use no electricity. She says they’ll also be travelling Europe in the van, living in hot countries the majority of the time so will only need to use a gas source when cooking, further cutting costs. Another key reason for the move is so Stanley can quit his engineering job and ‘escape the rat race’ to spend more quality time with his family. Paulina says their new living setup will also allow them to escape the ‘miserable’ UK weather to enjoy more time outside exploring with their two young children. Paulina has now started documenting her family’s campervan journey on social media and, while admitting it was an ‘impulsive’ decision, says they are very excited to start travelling the world. Paulina, from Long Eaton in Derbyshire, said: “Last week we bought it [the converted campervan]. We want to travel but have the house and bills, so we put it on the market. Most read in Fabulous “My partner works full time so he doesn’t have a lot of time with the kids so this will give us the opportunity to spend more time as a family and he won’t miss out on the kids growing up as much. “It’s a full off-grid system so it has solar panels and water containers so we’ll pretty much be living off-grid. “At the moment, our bills with the mortgage and food come up to £1,800 a month so it’s going to be significantly cheaper. “We won’t be paying for electricity in the campervan and plan on using less gas as we’ll be in warmer countries. We’ll definitely more than halve it [our monthly outgoings]. “We don’t plan to sit in the van all day. We’ll use it to sleep and eat in but then the rest of the time we’ll be exploring with our kids. “We’re just going to take it slow and if we like somewhere we’ll stay for longer. The family are selling all their valuables and both cars before setting off Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media The campervan is kitted out with a fully operating kitchen Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media “There’s nothing really keeping us in England. All my family live in Poland and my partner doesn’t have a lot of family around either. “We’re going for a cheaper lifestyle and to enjoy our lives. We’re hoping we can escape the cost-of-living [in the UK]. “With our earnings and with all the bills we have and our two cars, it all adds up. “Sometimes my partner has to do overtime and then he ends up working more and doesn’t actually get to enjoy his life as he’s working. He’s stuck in that rat race.” Paulina says the campervan is kitted out with a fixed double bed, a bunkbed for the boys and a full operating kitchen and bathroom. The family-of-four plan to visit destinations along the French and Spanish coast as well as Portugal. At present, they are in the process of selling all their valuables and two cars and will then pack their whole lives up into three large suitcases to start their adventure. Paulina said: “We’re in the process of decluttering now. Things around the house that are worth money, we’re trying to sell and we’re also giving a lot of toys and clothes away to friends. “We’re going to live a minimalistic lifestyle. Between us all we’re putting our lives into three large suitcases.” While Paulina claims most people have reacted positively to their lifestyle change, she says some people have been shocked that they would give up their house and daily routine. She claims others have said they are being ‘irresponsible’ but she argues against this as she’s not taking her kids out of school to travel the world as they are both under two. At present, Paulina says the family will travel for a couple of years and when the time comes for her children to go to school, she wants to put them in education. Paulina said: “Some people are just shocked by it as they think life is just about working a nine-to-five and having a house. Nothing is stopping us going back to this lifestyle if we need to. “We’re just trying to live our life and it’s something like this that you’ll regret not doing when you’re older. “People might think it [this move] is irresponsible due to education. “With education, I can see how that could be seen as irresponsible but I’m not taking my kids out of school to do this. “I don’t think it’s irresponsible at all. They’re going to be playing around and exploring the world and having all these adventures rather than sitting in a box room in the UK all day long because they can’t even leave the house half the time because it’s raining or the weather is miserable.” Paulina says the family will still have some outgoings while living in the van such as insurance and fuel and will have to return to the UK every year to get the vehicle’s MOT. To pay for the costs on their travels the pair plan to use their social media earnings and are not going to touch any more made from their house sale. While Paulina says she is excited to make the big lifestyle jump, she admits the decision is quite ‘impulsive’ and hasn’t fully processed it yet. Paulina said: “You can speak to lots of people about buying a house or a car but not many people are doing this move. So, you’re doing it and risking it yourself. “It’s so impulsive and I don’t think the full emotions and that we’re actually doing this has hit me yet. I am really excited though but it’s crazy we’re doing it. “Our parents always say that me and Stanley are quite impulsive. We bought our first house at 19.” After posting a video on social media to announce they were selling their house to move into a campervan full time, the post racked up more than 31,000 views. One user said: “Absolutely go for it. Well done for breaking free from the ‘chains’.” Another added: “I absolutely love this for you. I’d rather be crazy than a slave to the system.” A third commented: “Great until your children start to grow up and they want to make friends and develop. Moving around all the time may not be what they need. It’s good to travel and experience things but your kids need stability and an education.” But not everyone thought it was a great idea. One said: “Wouldn’t it have been a bit better to wait until they are a bit older? They won’t remember anything at that age.” A second said: “Can’t [you] still make memories if you live in bricks and mortar.” A third added: “You’re brave. I couldn’t do this with young kids. I’d go mad.” 1 comment1