A COUPLE were left disappointed when they had to cut their travel plans short so they decided to take control of their adventures and buy a van.
Olivia Dickens and Adam Healy bought a run-down mobile home for £5,000 in January 2021, after their round-the-world trip was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Since then they've worked hard to transform the shabby van into a stunning mobile home, splashing out £10,000 on the works.
The camper van now has a kitchen area, a double bed and an impressive sliding window.
Olivia, 24, said: "We wanted the van so we could travel freely.
"Nothing beats waking up next to a beautiful beach or mountains and being the first ones to see the view that morning while drinking a cup of coffee snuggled up in bed."
The pair were careful with their budget to make sure it stretched to cover the whole project.
Olivia, from West Yorkshire said: "Overall we probably spent £10,000 on everything, the van, insulation, windows, vents and decoration.
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"We didn’t have to save much because between two people £5,000 each isn’t too much. But it did feel like it ate away at our wages now and again especially being in and out of work.
"We are quite sensible at saving anyway, though. We backpacked for 16 months a couple of years ago so we know how to be stringent with our money if we have to."
The couple watched "van life" influencers online for tips and tricks to get the refurbishment done well.
Olivia said: "Before buying the van we watched loads of YouTube videos of other regular people, who didn’t necessarily have a trade or skill, but managed to convert a van into gorgeous homes on wheels.
"We watched various step-by-step tutorials, taking inspiration, yet adding our own style and requirements into the build.
"I think the end result has exceeded even our own expectations of what we thought we were capable of.
"I feel proud of us. The first few weeks I didn’t even know how to use a screwdriver and by the end of it I was making shelves and cupboards."
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In other news, people never believe what’s inside our tiny van, we spent months doing it up & it’s even got a home CINEMA.
Meanwhile, I turned a rusty old caravan at the bottom of the garden into a woodland haven, it’s like going on holiday.
Also, I’ve saved hundreds after I transformed a tatty old IKEA cabinet into a swanky new one for just £15.
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