Family-of-six ditch a third of their belongings to live on a BUS
Family-of-six ditch a third of their belongings to live on a BUS they bought for $13,000 from eBay – and they’ve already traveled across nine states within six months
- Whitney, 29, and Andrew Chardoulias, 35, from Iowa, dreamed of traveling more
- To help them achieve their aim, they bought a 45-foot bus from eBay for $13,000
- Duo have already traveled across nine states and 5,000 miles within six months
A family-of-six have revealed how they ditched a third of their belongings to live on a bus they bought for $13,000 from eBay.
Whitney, 29, and Andrew Chardoulias, 35, from Muscatine, Iowa, and their four children have already traveled across nine states and 5,000 miles within six months of buying and renovating their 45-foot vehicle.
The couple, who own dog-breeding firm Cedar Bend Labradoodles, spent $63,000 in total, with their bus costing just $13,000 from the auction site, but needing a new $30,000 engine and $20,000 worth of renovations.
Whitney was inspired to abandon her house-bound life and move her family into a home-on-wheels after browsing through Instagram feeds capturing travelling lifestyles.
Soon after, the family rid themselves of a third of their belongings and stored the rest at Whitney’s parents’ house before moving on board in July 2019 – despite warnings from relatives that they ‘would be kidnapped or mauled by bears’.
Whitney, 29, and Andrew Chardoulias, 35, from Muscatine, Iowa, and their four (pictured together) have revealed how they ditched a third of their belongings to live on a bus they bought for $13,000 from eBay
The family have already traveled across nine states and 5,000 miles within six months of buying and renovating their 45-foot vehicle. Pictured: One of the children plays in the kitchen
The couple, who own dog-breeding firm Cedar Bend Labradoodles, spent $63,000 in total, with their bus (pictured) costing just $13,000 from the auction site, but needing a new $30,000 engine and $20,000 worth of renovations
Whitney, mother to Quincy, seven, Fletcher, four, Rowe, two and River, one, said: ‘I had seen other families on Instagram living in a converted bus and travelling the country and I was so envious.
‘I remember telling Andrew I didn’t want to be old and grey and wishing we had traveled more. I told him about the buses and asked him “why not us?”
‘He bought the idea but when we told friends and family, they were against it at first.’
She added: ‘My mother was especially convinced that our kids would be kidnapped or mauled by bears. They have all come around to it now though and our friends think it’s really cool.’
Describing her moving home, Whitney said: ‘The bus is 45-foot-long and eight foot wide. It includes a full kitchen, living room, toy room, bathroom with a tub, king size bed and three bunks.
Describing her moving home, Whitney said: ‘The bus is 45-foot-long and eight foot wide. It includes a full kitchen, living room (pictured), toy room, bathroom with a tub, king size bed and three bunks
Whitney was inspired to abandon her house-bound life and move her family (pictured) into a home-on-wheels after browsing through Instagram feeds capturing travelling lifestyles
When not travelling, the bus sits on land at Whitney’s parents’ farm. Due to cold nights the family (pictured) are currently all sleeping in the farmhouse at night while sorting out the insulation on their bus
‘We have extra sleeping space on a sofa that opens into a double bed.
‘My husband has two other children Brenna, 15, and Bria, 10, who live with their mother so they don’t get to travel with us as much, but we love it when they can.’
When not travelling, the bus sits on land at Whitney’s parents’ farm.
During the day the couple work on their dog breeding business while the children attend school, but next year the duo are hoping to start home-schooling so that they can travel more frequently.
Due to cold nights the family are currently all sleeping in the farmhouse at night while sorting out the insulation on their bus – but as soon as that is fixed they intend to get back on it full time.
Next year, the couple are hoping to start home schooling their children so that they can travel more frequently. Pictured: The youngsters’ bedroom, seen left, and one of the corridors in the bus, right
The family support themselves through their own dog breeding business. Pictured: The children with one of their pets
Despite lacking a schedule and the mechanical issues they’ve experienced so far the family love travelling to new places. Pictured: The bathroom, left, and the corridor, right
The family have covered nine states and over 5,000 miles since they started their journey just a few short months ago.
Despite lacking a schedule and the mechanical issues they’ve experienced so far the family love travelling to new places.
‘Our kids have been excited every step of the way and we’ve covered more than 5,000 miles now across the states of Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky and Indiana,’ Whitney explained.
‘Sure, sometimes it’s been difficult not having a consistent schedule, and it was hard to get our two-year-old to take normal naps while travelling, and our four-year-old struggles with change.
The eight-foot wide bus includes a fully fitted kitchen, with a stylish white and black theme as well as silver appliances
The whole family – even the children (pictured) – took part in renovating the bus to transform it into a beautiful home
‘We have quickly learned not to cram too much into each day. We narrowed this down to one outing in the morning and one in the afternoon. Any more than this and our kids were overtired.
‘The best thing about this journey is travelling and seeing our children experience new things. Every time we get back “home” they ask us when we are leaving again.
She added: ‘Also I love only having to clean 360 sq. feet each day, though I must admit I don’t enjoy doing the kids bunks.
The comfortable vehicle was even decorated with Christmas decorations, seen above, when the festive period rolled around
‘For a large family it’s been very good for our budget too and I would guess that we spend only around $1,500 a month.’
Offering some tips to those who want to start a similar journey, Whitney said: ‘I think everyone starts this process by thinking that they could never do this and that it’s just not possible for them for whatever reason.
‘I think it’s possible for anyone who really wants to do it. You just have to overcome one obstacle at a time. You will hit bumps with anything you do in life all you have to do is figure out a remedy for them and move without ever giving up.
‘We consider ourselves incredibly blessed. We simply love our bus and we can’t wait to experience more adventures in it.’
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