The duo reduced their spending by eating out less frequently and foregoing weekend trips. They also made plans to do most of the work on the trailer themselves in order to afford the move. Amanda discovered that she could take her work on the road as a travel physical therapist, and Elyse's printmaking business already allowed her to work from anywhere. With their remote careers sorted, the plan to go mobile was set.
Once the couple saw the silver vintage Airstream trailer, they were sold. The women bought the camper, named it Geraldine and got to work.
The couple updated the bathroom and the counters inside the trailer. They also did some re-tiling and reupholstering, but they kept many of the vintage touches intact. It was important for Elyse and Amanda to have space to enjoy the camper, so they got creative with storage and pared back their belongings.
“We really had to cut back to what was only entirely necessary. It was mostly clothes we had trouble with — we would pick something up, and if we hadn't worn it in a year, we'd get rid of it,” says Elyse. “Now, we only have 2 of everything,” she laughs, calling attention to 2 matching campfire mugs in the cabinet.
A few creative space-saving solutions helped with decluttering the space. Amanda fashioned an old table into a fold-out desk for Elyse to make prints, and having their dining table seats double as storage became a huge space-saver.
In terms of preparing financially, the couple made a real point to cut back on frivolous spending. The couple share all expenses, and a dual income helped cover the costs of the trailer and renovations.
“There are always unexpected expenses with something like this, when you're making something entirely your own,” says Elyse. “So, you have to have some savings to fall back on.”