A YOUNG woman has revealed how she beat the cost of living crisis and saves almost £1,000 a month.
Katrina, 31, decided she’d had enough of only being able to afford bills and rent in her flat, so decided to leave it behind and buy a caravan.
Now, Katrina has lived in her static caravan home for six months, and reveals one of the biggest positives of leaving traditional living behind, how cheap it is.
Taking to social media, she revealed: “Monthly cost living in a caravan compared to a flat in September.
“This month I put £400 in a pot ready for electric and my ground rent. In comparison, my flat rent was £1,000 per month.”
For gas and electric it used to cost her £86 a month, but she wasn’t sure how much gas cost in the caravan as she bought gas six months ago and had barely touched it.
Katrina also doesn’t have to pay for water at the caravan site and pays £75 for internet.
She also had no council tax to pay as she hadn’t stayed at her residential property this month, which she has to stay in for at least one month of the year.
In the flat, council tax would cost her £224 a month.
“So my total spend on essential bills living in the caravan for this month is £475,” she added.
“In comparison, the cost of living in my flat would have been £1403, which means in total I have saved £928 this month alone.”
Katrina revealed that in six months she had been able to save £7,144 in total.
Katrina’s caravan site also comes with a sauna and pool just a walk away from her pitch.
The clip went viral on her TikTok account @katrinascaravan with over 155k views and 2,830 likes.
People were quick to take to the comments in awe of Katrina’s savings.
One person wrote: “900 quid better off, that’s off the scale. Good on you.”
Another commented: “That’s amazing!”
“Bargain,” penned a third.
How much does it cost to live in a caravan?
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.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “Wait until winter and the amount of gas you’ll go through.”
“I packed up my house for a caravan, best thing I’ve done,” claimed a fifth.
Someone else added: “How did you find somewhere like this?”
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