Living in a Van in the UK To Save Money - How I Did It & How You Can Too

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  • Опубликовано: 25 янв 2025

Комментарии • 121

  • @NikkyGovier
    @NikkyGovier 4 месяца назад +4

    I really admire you. You decided what you wanted to do, went through the stages to get it done and you explained the process very articulately. You deserve to be happy and successful in your choice of how to live your life. You are an inspiration to young people.

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  4 месяца назад

      Thank you for your kind words. It’s nice to read something that’s supportive and positive 🙏 I wish you a happy life

  • @spectrumEDMforever
    @spectrumEDMforever 2 месяца назад +3

    Subscribed🙌 your thankfulness and selfless approach to life is admirable

  • @jedics1
    @jedics1 4 месяца назад +8

    Been living in my truck build 5 years now that I finished 2 weeks into the pandemic lockdowns which turned out to be the luckiest choice of my life and I will never live in a regular house again it has worked out just that well. Buy the best vehicle you can afford and move in with camping gear if you have to, your money instantly is going towards making your own life better rather than someone elses. Its mind blowing how few see "vanlife" as a better option than being a rent slave to a house your never at because your at work all the time to pay for it, but they do.

  • @edrisgabo915
    @edrisgabo915 Месяц назад +2

    Wow. MAGNIFICENT. WHAT A GREAT STORY.
    BY THE WAY LOVE YOUR T SHIRT. You're an Inspirational ❤ I Really I admire You. ❤

  • @jamesbarran-scott437
    @jamesbarran-scott437 4 месяца назад +6

    Great content, it’s always interesting to learn of other peoples solutions to life.
    As a mechanic the one piece of advice is to be wary of your engines egr cooler failing especially if your abroad, it causes similar coolant loss symptoms to a head gasket failing and is often mistaken for this, it is possible to blank off the egr and bypass the cooler if you needed to. Hope you’ll never have issues but It’s always better to know about something that could turn out to bite you badly when your reliant on the van so much.
    Happy travels 👍

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  4 месяца назад +2

      @@jamesbarran-scott437 appreciate the advice on this it will help a lot of people 🙏

  • @wanderlust_torz
    @wanderlust_torz 3 месяца назад +4

    Can do attitude. You had a vision and did everything to achieve it. Well done 👏🏻

  • @kellymelrose8527
    @kellymelrose8527 4 месяца назад +16

    i lived in my iveco daily for 10 weeks when i got kicked out of my room for not getting jabbed..it was mid winter but it was ok . warm and cosy ....that was the reason i bought it tbh .. i never wanted to be homeless

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  4 месяца назад +4

      @@kellymelrose8527 kicked out of your room for not getting a jab, what a joke of a time. Well done for staying strong and true to what you believe 💪

    • @Joe-yo1tm
      @Joe-yo1tm 4 месяца назад +2

      Was this in the UK? Why would someone kick you out if your home. The way people behaved over the jib is absolutely bonkers

    • @JamesSmith-qs4hx
      @JamesSmith-qs4hx 3 месяца назад

      @@Joe-yo1tm Scamdemic

  • @BO-vp4qf
    @BO-vp4qf 3 месяца назад +1

    I love the financial transparency, makes it so much easier to envision this life for myself, so thank you

  • @darrincambridge2377
    @darrincambridge2377 4 месяца назад +4

    Oddly, "the struggle" is actually the fun part. Many rock stars reminiscence about attending gigs using their Transit van. Happy days! 😊

  • @DavidClayton-t2x
    @DavidClayton-t2x 2 месяца назад +3

    Cool dude , got my van just need complete conversion ❤

  • @joeystarr4746
    @joeystarr4746 4 месяца назад +4

    Great content and I really like your transparency - keep it up mate

  • @ihogenhuis960
    @ihogenhuis960 3 месяца назад +3

    Hats of to you bro. I am very impressed. And inspired.

  • @meanqueensuperscrimper8908
    @meanqueensuperscrimper8908 4 месяца назад +19

    Lots of good ideas there. I went part time which reduced my income, and I lived on yellow stickers for a long time. I was there in the scrum waiting for them to bring the trolley out. The buzz when things were marked down to 10p. ilona

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  4 месяца назад +8

      @@meanqueensuperscrimper8908 haha brilliant! It’s the best when you see the ticket machine stamping your favourite food! Double reduced is even better!

  • @Demoocracy-c7r
    @Demoocracy-c7r 3 месяца назад +1

    Great video! Well done - good to see someone finding a creative way to navigate the seemingly impossible trap that is earnings:expenses in the UK. Intrigued about the job you got in Liverpool Street. I'll check out the other videos on your channel.

  • @jacquelinejohnson7541
    @jacquelinejohnson7541 3 месяца назад +2

    Awe bless you good luck to you hope you have a nice time ,i hope you see many placeses and meet nice people 👍🤗🙏💖🇬🇧

  • @NickRavenscroft
    @NickRavenscroft 3 месяца назад +2

    Fantastic video and insight. Legendary.

  • @MichaelWebMason
    @MichaelWebMason 4 месяца назад +2

    Awesome. We were looking for somewhere to rent and build. Thanks so so much !

  • @LearnThaiRapidMethod
    @LearnThaiRapidMethod Месяц назад +2

    Sounds amazing, but I have so many questions about practical details: internet access, electricity, water, cooking and storing food…? And what about a view? It must surely be very claustrophobic living in a box?
    And what about security? It can’t be easy to keep thieves out.

  • @United326
    @United326 Месяц назад

    Brilliant it shows what is achievable good luck will continue watching your videos

  • @tomcikjaskolka4833
    @tomcikjaskolka4833 4 месяца назад +4

    Beautiful story so inspiring.

  • @surfingsteven1624
    @surfingsteven1624 4 месяца назад +8

    Great video Si. The sea in the background makes the discount shelf worth it for sure 🤙🏻

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  4 месяца назад +2

      @@surfingsteven1624 a few stale sandwiches 🥪 for a life by the sea 🌊
      Worth it 🤭

  • @tajmahal5572
    @tajmahal5572 4 месяца назад +4

    Mashallah your very wise in saving
    We have a lovely 3 bedroom 1 attic bed room house
    nealy paid of
    We keep Tight budget never go out to restaurants we have sent enormous don't take holidays
    but Recently we have been taking holidays to Cyprus
    Don't buy any new clothes keep the one you've got

  • @offbeatwarble
    @offbeatwarble 3 месяца назад +6

    Fascinating, how did you go from plumbing to 100k investment job, be interested to hear that story ?

  • @flemingo7687
    @flemingo7687 4 месяца назад +3

    Credit to you!
    Keep doing what you're doing! 🚚👌🏻🌎

  • @mpjkea2000
    @mpjkea2000 4 месяца назад +3

    We full-time in a motorhome, but you need to be very careful about insurance.
    Full-time insurance is expensive, we pay £1600 a year including breakdown insurance.
    You CAN live in a vehicle on the streets, a caviet is it has to be parked in a safe manner.
    A uniformed police officer can ask you to move if they feel it is unsafe.
    Council by-laws can ask you to leave, this will not be a problem the first night and is a civil matter.

  • @jimmydickson8854
    @jimmydickson8854 Месяц назад

    Good for you mate you done well you stuck it out and made it ,

  • @shirleymyahs_dghtr8182
    @shirleymyahs_dghtr8182 4 месяца назад +1

    Well done for doing what you needed to to get out of debt first & foremost.

  • @saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555
    @saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555 4 месяца назад +5

    Good for you.🙂 I'm 60 now, just cycled from Leeds to King's Lynn, Boston, Skegness, Lincoln & back this week. I'm off to Jerez for 2 months next week then Vietnam in January. What pushes me on is the regret of a corporate/dismal working life and my ever shortening time left.
    Why did you build the van and not buy, say an old Hymer, take out a loan, live in it & work to pay it off?

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  4 месяца назад +4

      Sounds like you’re still living an adventurous life which is great to hear. Inspiring to read.
      Tbh regarding the build I used to work at VW and like them, I also needed something tall as I’m 6ft 4. I also like the size of this Luton van, it has enough space for everything me and my gf need.
      Keep being awesome I like reading your comments 🙏

    • @Gorguruga
      @Gorguruga 4 месяца назад +1

      Sounds like you're living quite an active and fulfilling life. I hope to get to that stage soon. I'm 48 and got a little bit saved up but don't own any property. Have just enough to buy an acre of land in Wales and a cheap mobile home. Just a private patch somewhere to myself. Would you by any chance have any thoughts about that from your experience?

    • @saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555
      @saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555 4 месяца назад +1

      @@Gorguruga l wish I'd been able to do it at 48. Sorry l don't have any advice, everybody's £ circumstances are different. But if you have enough money for land & a mobile home you certainly have enough to do what SI is doing! I watch travelling RUclipsrs who appear to be living hand to mouth but they are living life....

  • @JoeyUnderwater
    @JoeyUnderwater 29 дней назад +4

    Bro you didnt really show us the inside of the van which would have been nice

  • @vampire__uk
    @vampire__uk 4 месяца назад +1

    I'm very happy for you brother.

  • @Willz21afc
    @Willz21afc 4 месяца назад +3

    Great content keep up the good work 👍🏻

  • @robertdrinkall8947
    @robertdrinkall8947 4 месяца назад +2

    Great if you can find somewhere free to park all day/night & close to the required services. Good luck👍

  • @NarrowboatWill
    @NarrowboatWill 4 месяца назад +3

    Well done mate.

  • @cryptoknight4301
    @cryptoknight4301 Месяц назад

    Nice one mate. Good for you!
    I am looking at getting a couple year old stealth LWB to do a quality, full off grid build to live in. Going working away for a year so giving up my apartment & bills 😊 Saving for a similar lifestyle as yourself.
    I will video it all and start RUclips channel next year. PEACE ✌🏽

  • @yusufknowsit7674
    @yusufknowsit7674 4 месяца назад +1

    Every 2/3 days vanlife content. This chap💯💯

  • @rosieennis1820
    @rosieennis1820 4 месяца назад +1

    Great video. Put the busking on too 😀

  • @DarrenHannar
    @DarrenHannar 4 месяца назад +3

    Your a inspiration thankyou

  • @wilty5
    @wilty5 4 месяца назад +3

    Does your YT channel pay you enough to live on and take care of basic life necessities or do you work only when you need extra money? What is your long game financial plan to have what you need now and later in life? How do you handle medical bills, dentists, emergencies, vehicle breakdowns, equipment failures, etc? These are also important questions to ask yourself when choosing this lifestyle. I’m 66, greeting 67 next month, I became seriously interested in the Nomadic lifestyle 6 years ago. You are definitely right to choose this lifestyle instead of remaining in the rat race trap that we all seem to fall into. If I could do it over again, I would choose this lifestyle, people have told me it’s not too late but the obstacles to the Nomadic lifestyle get much harder the older you get, physically and health wise. I still may pursue it, a few of my challenges are a leg amputation and diabetes. Many countries have unnecessary barriers to alternative living even as housing prices skyrocket. I live in the USA, same barriers here but cheers to you and others who pursue and win in the Nomadic Movement. We all have more ‘stuff’ than we need and that becomes apparent as you pare down to live this lifestyle. I hope more people look into this and choose this path for a happier, less stressful life

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  3 месяца назад +6

      @@wilty5 right now money is running low. I’ve been journeying for 6 months. RUclips is going well, but it takes time unless you get viral videos. Truthfully it will be touch and go as to whether I run out of money and have to get a job again.
      As regards to future, I’m going to keep trying to make my efforts pay off. There is no plan b, I don’t want to have a job for a long time just so I can retire with a bit of comfort. Riskier outlook than most, I know, but we all choose how to play life and I’m choosing to increase the risk and downside of failure for the upside of success and the reward that will come with it. As regards to breakdowns and the rest, I hope it doesn’t happen. If it does, my money runs out sooner.
      I wish you success and happiness in whatever you choose to pursue. I love vanlife and living this way.

    • @wilty5
      @wilty5 3 месяца назад

      @@LIFEOFSIofficial good luck to you as well, I think it’s important to have a plan b and or an emergency fund, vehicles break down and things break all the time at some point you may need new tires at some point, etc., the list of things that can go wrong or need repair or replacing in an emergency, can get really long and overwhelming in a pinch, so it’s best to be prepared even if you have to work long enough in order to build a substantial emergency fund, better to have it and not need it immediately than to need it immediately and not have it. Have you looked in to remote work or maybe helping people build out their rig for a fee? Any skills you have that may be in demand can help you build an emergency fund, planning an emergency fund should definitely be included in the planning and building of a rig to live the Nomadic lifestyle, I guess you can say I like to be as prepared as I can because I don’t like surprises, but some may like to live life as it comes and tackle problems as they arise, and that’s ok too. Cheers, looking forward to following your journey.

    • @petertaylor6384
      @petertaylor6384 3 месяца назад

      ​@@LIFEOFSIofficiallove your story mate.how did you insure the van with no adress?

    • @FreyaRae1510
      @FreyaRae1510 3 месяца назад

      @@LIFEOFSIofficial. Don’t forget if you don’t pay national insurance contributions this will affect you in later life with regards to pension benefits ect

  • @Philippines-Anthony-Sandra
    @Philippines-Anthony-Sandra 4 месяца назад +4

    Smart guy 👍

  • @janiskosnikovskis6787
    @janiskosnikovskis6787 3 месяца назад +4

    How you sort out address for insurance?

  • @lt10offley
    @lt10offley 4 месяца назад +2

    Cheers dude.

  • @KTravels1
    @KTravels1 4 месяца назад +4

    legend

  • @namastesteven5655
    @namastesteven5655 4 месяца назад +3

    Brilliant , he who dares wins ........

  • @NatashaBurton
    @NatashaBurton 4 месяца назад +11

    Actually you were only paying 40% tax on 50,000 as the first 50,000 is on a lower tax bracket. 20% .. so yeah you were earning a lot!

    • @Sean0ffShotgun
      @Sean0ffShotgun 4 месяца назад +2

      Don't forget the 12.5K you can earn tax free too, definitely alot!

    • @DaveKeenan1956
      @DaveKeenan1956 4 месяца назад +1

      For take home you have to consider National Insurance and Tax deductions, as well as free pays.
      On £100,000 those deductions would be £31,439 for the current year, so 31.439%. For earlier years it would have been higher. But he did say he was only approximating.

  • @jasonwarren36
    @jasonwarren36 3 месяца назад +5

    Hi 👋🏻 where did you empty the loo 😬

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  3 месяца назад +1

      @@jasonwarren36 manhole to waste on site 🕳️

  • @lynclarke6184
    @lynclarke6184 4 месяца назад +4

    Well done for following your dream and getting out of the rat race. Good luck.

  • @a1d3nh0
    @a1d3nh0 4 месяца назад +6

    How did you escape debt to afford a van? Easy, I just got a high paid job.
    Great advice

    • @northwestcoast
      @northwestcoast 4 месяца назад +3

      It's not advice, it's an account of what happened

    • @a1d3nh0
      @a1d3nh0 4 месяца назад +4

      @@northwestcoast the title of the video is literally “how I did it & how you can too”

    • @northwestcoast
      @northwestcoast 4 месяца назад +3

      @@a1d3nh0 I think those are two different things

    • @saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555
      @saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555 4 месяца назад +2

      😂😂😂😂😂

  • @Dirt-Diggler
    @Dirt-Diggler 3 месяца назад +3

    Reductions in tesco is still 7pm for final Reductions 😂
    I live in London so the Reductions are how I have to live every day 👍

  • @CliveReeves-li1qz
    @CliveReeves-li1qz 4 месяца назад +2

    What about insurance on the van full-time because I'm getting quotes stupid prices

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  4 месяца назад +1

      Depends on the van, location and personal circumstances. Self-builds are a challenge with insurance tbh

    • @CliveReeves-li1qz
      @CliveReeves-li1qz 4 месяца назад +1

      @@LIFEOFSIofficial mines even registered as a camper though lol

    • @HikerGirl-ct3nd
      @HikerGirl-ct3nd 3 месяца назад

      @@CliveReeves-li1qzdid you find a cheap insurance

  • @Jimmybob21
    @Jimmybob21 4 месяца назад +2

    What did you do about post? Where did you get it delivered?

    • @lynclarke6184
      @lynclarke6184 4 месяца назад

      Everything’s on line these days.

    • @user-bi8ko7kc6h
      @user-bi8ko7kc6h 4 месяца назад

      @@lynclarke6184wait until when you need a proof of address.

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  3 месяца назад +2

      @@Jimmybob21 parents house

    • @Jimmybob21
      @Jimmybob21 3 месяца назад

      @LIFEOFSIofficial makes sence, what I'll do once I sell my house 🤞

  • @deansmith9232
    @deansmith9232 3 месяца назад +4

    What line of work you in?

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  3 месяца назад +2

      @@deansmith9232 atm the video you just watch is the line of work I’m in. RUclips

  • @James-ly3wf
    @James-ly3wf 2 месяца назад +7

    It’s like a giant Ponzi scheme! 1: watch @vanlife videos. Buy a van. 2: make @vanlife videos and put it all on blast for a couple of years. 3: get a mortgage off of your @vanlife videos. Sell the van

  • @TheTenof12
    @TheTenof12 4 месяца назад +2

    💟

  • @ParadisE-j1u
    @ParadisE-j1u 3 месяца назад +2

  • @Asia-yt3cg
    @Asia-yt3cg 3 месяца назад +1

    New Subbie. You are so handsome 💘. Thanks for sharing.

  • @alphabet6814
    @alphabet6814 4 месяца назад +3

    Difficult position earning 100k
    If that sales representative knew 😂

  • @tonyireland2234
    @tonyireland2234 2 месяца назад +2

    Benefits paid for holiday for life

  • @terrapyn99
    @terrapyn99 2 месяца назад +1

    What did you have to do to get the £100,000 job?

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  2 месяца назад +2

      Find a high paid job and go apply. Go through interviews and pass. I didn’t have any experience in the industry. I had prior sales experience though

  • @Amber-xe5ti
    @Amber-xe5ti 3 месяца назад

    i wish I could do it😢.

  • @theyorkshireman1973
    @theyorkshireman1973 4 месяца назад +2

    It is not illegal to live in your van don't

  • @alphabet6814
    @alphabet6814 4 месяца назад +2

    Definitely work for a year and get your 60k in the bank…

  • @stevetaylor7024
    @stevetaylor7024 4 месяца назад +2

    Where did you empty your toilet?

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  4 месяца назад +2

      @@stevetaylor7024 manhole cover to waste on site

    • @surfingsteven1624
      @surfingsteven1624 4 месяца назад +1

      @@LIFEOFSIofficialMy girlfriend asked this question too 😂

  • @tomprentice6935
    @tomprentice6935 4 месяца назад +1

    ⚔️💪👌👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧🍻(stroke)

  • @emilybakerjones9881
    @emilybakerjones9881 4 месяца назад +7

    Not everyone can get high paid jobs.....

    • @1dale1dale
      @1dale1dale 4 месяца назад +3

      The high paid job was to clear his debt on a failed business. He had £3000 in the bank to buy a van etc which is where most people would start. Stop being so miserable and hating on someone you're clearly jealous of

    • @heather333
      @heather333 4 месяца назад +2

      Cut your out goings and save, save, save. It will take longer, but if you want it, you will do it. ❤

    • @NathanMeakin-l9g
      @NathanMeakin-l9g 4 месяца назад

      He / she was only saying not everyone can get high paid job and there right

    • @LIFEOFSIofficial
      @LIFEOFSIofficial  3 месяца назад +2

      @@emilybakerjones9881 ‘Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.’ Henry Ford

    • @oliverv305
      @oliverv305 3 месяца назад

      State the obvious 😂

  • @puppets.and.muppets
    @puppets.and.muppets 2 месяца назад +1

    tramping around

  • @user-bi8ko7kc6h
    @user-bi8ko7kc6h 4 месяца назад +1

    Firstly, you need a van, a place to park. And a proof of address or you lose your job.

  • @missmagicmoore
    @missmagicmoore 4 месяца назад +1

    Curating your content. 😎

  • @dihowardwood1067
    @dihowardwood1067 4 месяца назад +2

    Or buy a caravan....

    • @DaveKeenan1956
      @DaveKeenan1956 4 месяца назад +6

      You'd still have to pay to park a caravan, and you'd need a vehicle to tow it. You have far more problems, and costs, with a caravan.

  • @Liimpy
    @Liimpy 4 месяца назад +1

    Gotta have a place to 💩..

  • @mynameis-q1d
    @mynameis-q1d 4 месяца назад +1

    Paid all that cash for a van yet couldn’t get a ulez compliant one lol and you spent 20k on the build ? Wtf
    I’ve been living in assortments of vehicles in and around London since 1984 never had any issues

  • @drewdiscovers
    @drewdiscovers 2 месяца назад +1

    Hello mate. Dropped you an email