Young family branded 'irresponsible' for selling home to live off-grid in a van and halve bills

An 'impulsive' young family have been branded 'irresponsible' for selling their home to live off-grid in a campervan – but say they will halve their bills and escape the 'miserable' UK weather. Paulina Gammon, 21, and her husband Stanley, 21, from Long Eaton, Derbyshire, put their three-bedroom semi-detached house on the market on July 21 after buying a converted campervan. The couple plan to travel Europe with their sons Jakub, 16 months, and Albert, four months, as soon as their home sells.

Currently spending £1,800 a month on their mortgage, bills and food, they believe van life will more than halve their outgoings. Their vehicle has solar panels and water containers, while travelling through warmer countries should reduce their reliance on gas. The move will also allow Stanley to quit his engineering job and escape the 'rat race' to spend more time with his young family. "My partner works full time, so he doesn't have a lot of time with the kids," Paulina said. "This will give us the opportunity to spend more time as a family."

The campervan has a fixed double bed, bunk beds for the boys and a fully functioning kitchen and bathroom. The family plan to explore the French and Spanish coasts and Portugal, staying longer wherever they like. With two cars and most of their belongings also being sold, the couple hope to fit their lives into three large suitcases.

"We're going for a cheaper lifestyle and to enjoy our lives," Paulina said. "We're hoping we can escape the cost-of-living [in the UK]." The decision has divided opinion online, with some praising the couple for breaking away from conventional living while others question whether travelling full-time is best for their children. Paulina insists the move is not irresponsible, as neither boy is old enough to attend school. They intend to travel for a couple of years before enrolling them in education.

"They're going to be playing around and exploring the world and having all these adventures," she said, arguing the boys would benefit from spending more time outdoors instead of being cooped up during Britain's miserable weather. The family will still need to cover fuel and insurance and return to the UK annually for the vehicle's MOT. They plan to fund their travels through social media earnings, leaving their house-sale proceeds untouched.

Admitting the decision was impulsive, Paulina said: "Our parents always say that me and Stanley are quite impulsive. We bought our first house at 19." Their announcement video has attracted more than 31,000 views, with one supporter commenting: "I'd rather be crazy than a slave to the system." However, another questioned whether the boys would miss out on stability, writing: "Your kids need stability and an education."