'I left my house-share to live in a van - and the decision saved me £4,000'

Dom Wright in a river (left picture) vs inside Dom Wright's van (right picture)
-Credit: (Image: Collect/PA Real Life)


An electrician who quit his low-paying job in a fit of frustration and opted to live in his van to save money for a house has now saved £4,000. Earlier this year, Dom Wright, 30, from Edinburgh, was renting a room for £750 per month while working gruelling 12-hour days for an EV charging installation company.

Earning less than £10 an hour at times and with monthly expenses around £850, he abruptly quit his job in March, giving just a week's notice. Prior to quitting, he had purchased a £17,000 Ford Transit van to replace his old vehicle.

With a desire for a new lifestyle, he invested between £1,000 and £2,000 on renovations and installations and decided to make the van his home. Equipped with tinted windows, a double bed, a desk, and a portable shower, Dom has been touring Scotland since April and now enjoys the luxury of choosing picturesque locations as his "back garden", including Portobello Beach.

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He buys discounted food items and uses his camping stove to cook meals like steaks or stir-fries. So far, while working as an electrician and with monthly expenses ranging from £550 to £850, he has managed to save approximately £4,000 in five months.

Dom has taken to TikTok under the handle @outside_with_ron to share his van life adventures, amassing more than 8,000 followers. His most popular video has racked up more than 750,000 views.

Dom Wright sitting inside his van
Dom would encourage others who are considering van living to 'go for it' -Credit:Collect/PA Real Life

Speaking to PA Real Life, Dom said: "I've always liked the outdoors... and there's something cosy about (living in the van). I just pull into a quiet car park or a layby, I'll turn the light on low, I'll read a book or watch some YouTube, and it just feels cosy.

"I get to live anywhere, essentially, if I'm not disrespectful, so I can go by the beach I'll pull up, make a brew, and sit literally by the beach, just like my garden.

"Sometimes I'll open the side door or the rear doors, and I'll literally say out loud, 'That's my rear garden', as a joke. You make it fun and you make it light-hearted."

Dom, who began his service with The Royal Marines in January 2015, is no stranger to different locales across the UK and has a penchant for the great outdoors.

While living in a council flat in Dundee, he invested in a three-bedroom house in Manchester in 2020 to generate extra income. It's currently home to a family of four, who pay £650 per month in rent.

Dom Wright's van
Dom has been living in his van since April -Credit:Collect/PA Real Life

After leaving the Royal Marines in May 2022, Dom embarked on a new chapter as an electrician and relocated to Belfast, Northern Ireland. However, following a disagreement with his landlady, he made a swift exit that very night and sought refuge at a campsite.

The unexpected turn of events led him to consider van life for the future. "I literally was going to work from a tent, but honestly, it was the best two weeks," Dom shared.

He embraced a simpler lifestyle during this period, saying, "Since there was no electrical power there, I made sure not to use my phone, so when it was going dark, I was going to bed or reading Lord Of The Rings at the time."

Dom appreciated the tranquillity of his temporary home, adding, "It was in the countryside as well, just outside Belfast, and it was just getting home, getting the stove on, cooking a nice meal."

Later, Dom moved to Edinburgh and secured a full-time position with an EV charging installation company by the end of 2023. Despite the job's demands, including long hours without overtime pay, and facing living expenses of around £850 per month against a rent of £750 inclusive of bills for just a spare room, he chose to leave in March 2024, seeking a more balanced life.

Reflecting on his decision, Dom explained, "I was working 12-hour days, and it was a fixed salary, and eventually I realised on some days I was earning less than £10 an hour."

Inside Dom Wright's van
Inside the van -Credit:Collect/PA Real Life

The mounting pressure and stress ultimately led him to make a drastic decision: "It was hard work as well and, with stress, I started to worry that it was too much and I rage-quit and gave them a week's notice."

Dom, who quit his job for a life on the road, has transformed a £17,000 Ford Transit van into his home to save money. Before embarking on this lifestyle change, he used the van as "a runabout" due to his previous vehicle's unreliability.

Since April, he's been renovating the van, fitting it with a double bed, desk, and tinted windows that cost £350, as well as cladding and insulation. He also invested in a large battery pack for £600.

For cooking, Dom relies on a camping stove he's had for over ten years, and for washing, he alternates between a portable shower from Decathlon and his gym's facilities. His total spend on the van ranges from £1,000 to £2,000, as he aims to keep expenses minimal.

"It's very basic because I wanted to save money... but since then I've just been driving around and travelling around Scotland," Dom explained.

His monthly living costs in the van vary between £550 and £850, but he's managing to save at least £750 each month, contributing to his savings goal of £25,000. With ambitions to gather at least £50,000 for a deposit and additional expenses for a property in Edinburgh, Dom is committed to van life after saving approximately £4,000 in five months.

He typically spends nights in car parks, ensuring there are no restrictions, and believes: "As long as you're being respectful, no-one should have an issue with it."

A sunset view from Dom Wright's van
One of the stunning views from the van -Credit:Collect/PA Real Life

At times, he grapples with feelings of loneliness and questions if he is "being silly", yet he cherishes his new lifestyle and would "totally recommend it" to others seeking a change.

"The best parts about van life are saving money, having a newfound appreciation for things, being outside, and being disciplined as I have to keep everything tidy," Dom explained.

With winter approaching, he's mindful of the potential for cold weather challenges and issues like damp and mould due to condensation, but Dom remains prepared to re-evaluate and adapt as needed.

He has discovered that living in his van has sharpened his problem-solving abilities and taught him not to "overthink things". Discussing tips for those considering a similar lifestyle, Dom shared: "When I first started doing it, I was embarrassed because you think everyone's looking at you."

"So, for example, I'd go to Asda car park, I'd go to the back and start cooking, and I'd think people are going to look at me and say, 'What's that weirdo doing?.

"But actually, if you look around, there are loads of people in cars or campervans cooking or doing other things. So, as long as you're being respectful, not leaving rubbish, and being quiet, don't be put off and don't be embarrassed or shy... just go for it."