The epic story of how we decided to change our lifestyle.
Aha, that sacred right of passage, the quarter acre with a 3-bedroom home, big mortgage, rates, electricity bills etc. We followed this paradigm for many years. It did nothing for our financial future other than give us a huge asset in the home.
The seeds get planted
We were watching the brain-sucking idiot box, saw a news special on the new breed of retirees called ‘grey nomads’. Our curiosity and desire was ignited. “Not a bad idea,” I said, my bride agreed.
Investigations
The 3-year plan was to save up for a Ford Ranger XLT and a new caravan. We visited caravan and camping shows read caravan magazines etc., and made a decision on a new Jayco Stirling 25 footer.
One thing led to another
In the spring of 2012 I became seriously ill with the arthritis and had to retire from teaching at age 62. The irony of this is that my wife was made redundant a week later. We had nowhere near enough money to cover the expense of owning a home ’til death did us part. So, the day my wife was made redundant we went to a real estate agent and put our home on the market. We then hightailed it down to the caravan sales yard and put a deposit on our new home on wheels.
Doubts, other Demons and Determination
This is crazy, we had been preparing ourselves for this lifestyle, purchasing items needed for safe camping and put ourselves in this loop, despite this the doubts still haunted us. I guess that entrenched paradigm was taking its toll. However the mould was now set, we were going to live in a caravan. It was now time to look for a caravan park. We found a beauty.
Just do it
After everything falling very neatly into place with the sale of our home and the delivery of our new wheeled home (timed to perfection) we moved, stored, sold, gave away and dumped a very large amount of belongings in garage sales. The first weeks in the van were very different, my wife and I learnt how to do the mid-aisle twist and shout, live in a small space and survive such close quarters.
Change of mindset
Some people would have major issues living like this, we decided that when we were sleeping we had a 20-foot bedroom with all the trimmings (loo, shower etc.), when we were eating it was a 20-foot dining room etc. We both fully retired at the age of 63 due to my recent knee replacement operation. We decided that once a week we would both have ‘me time’, I trundle off to the local RSL for coffee and men’s health morning and my lady shops with our eldest daughter and grandchildren. That time out is gold and keeps us on an even keel together.
The future
Our decision to be grey nomads still stands, we now live in our eldest daughter’s back yard. She and her hubby live on a winery property in country SA we pay no rent, get our electricity from the sun, water from the rain and have our Ford Ranger XL to drag our home around. We can live just about expense-free (gas, food and communications are the only costs we have).
Our lives have changed so much that we now see our grandchildren every day, can sleep in, and I don’t wear a watch any more. We are free to do what we please. Our lives together has improved and deepened. We are both looking forward to our future.
I once read that caravaners may have a small home, but the biggest back yard. The great news is if the neighbours pee you off, you can pack up and leave within a few hours.
That’s it!
Despite a few early misgivings (I can live without my saw bench and train set) we now live an ideal life, zero stress, constantly on holidays and the ability (soon) to pack up and go anyplace in this great brown land. We have adapted to the small living space and consider it to be no big deal (we have three quarters of a million litres of wine within walking distance). We have met some amazing folk in caravan parks, salt of the earth people with no hidden agenda, no pretence and people who care for each other.
Who needs a mortgage and household perpetual bills now? We now own a 20-foot Jayco Starcraft van, which we have been living in for better than 12 months. It’s warm, safe and easy to tow. We are saving money and looking forward to our big adventure.
