A Family of Four Living in a 234-Square-Foot Home on Wheels
For many people, the idea of living in a small space conjures up images of claustrophobia and discomfort. But Sarah Stuart-Welch, her husband Jesse , and their two children, Penelope and Liam, live comfortably in an incredibly small home on wheels. The Welch family has been living in their converted school bus on the road since 2010, and they’ve found all sorts of ways to make their tiny space feel like home. Here are just a few of their best tips for making the most out of limited square footage.
Before Conversion
When they first started their journey, the family of four lived in a regular school bus. It was comfortable enough for them, but they knew that they wanted something more. They wanted to be able to travel and see the country, without being tied down to one place. So, they began the process of converting their bus into a home on wheels.
It took about six months to convert, which meant that they spent many nights staying with friends or in hotels during this time. Nowadays, the family of four lives comfortably with everything they need at their fingertips. They have been living in this space for five years now and are still loving it!
Life After Conversion
When they decided to convert an old school bus into their home, the family didn’t know what to expect. But after living in their new home on wheels for a while, they realized that it was the best decision they ever made. Not only did they save money, but they also got to experience a whole new way of life. In this excerpt from the original blog post, you can see how much fun and adventure they had in their small space.
What Not to Do When Converting an RV
Are you thinking about converting an RV into your full-time home? Here are five things not to do when making the switch
You’ll have certain constraints working against you and certain limitations that must be observed. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to go about it—it’s all up to what works best for your family. If these lifestyle restrictions aren’t agreeable for you and yours, living in a bus conversion may not be for you. There is one exception though, if you are willing to put in the time and effort to learn how to build a tiny house.
Doing so will allow you more freedom with regards to design and building materials choices without having as many of those pesky RV limitations getting in your way.
Where to Find Extra Storage Space
- One great way to create extra storage space is to use the space under your bed. You can buy special bed risers that will raise your bed up, giving you plenty of room to store boxes or totes underneath.
- Another option is to install shelves on the walls. This can be a great way to make use of empty wall space and keep things off the floor.
- If you have a lot of books, consider getting a bookcase.
Frugal Living Tips For the Whole Family
- One way the family saves money is by living in a smaller space. The less square footage you have, the less you have to heat and cool, and the lower your utility bills will be.
- Another way they save money is by not having a car payment. They paid cash for their school bus and converted it into their home on wheels. This saved them thousands of dollars over buying a traditional home or RV.
- The family also grows their own food and raise chickens for eggs. 4. Lastly, they don’t have cable TV so that saves them another $200 a month.
