The classic aluminum icon trundling down the open road has inspired the masses since the early 1940′s. That futuristic, light weight body that tows like a dream sparks conversation every where they are found. The idea that one can see the world and have some of the comforts of home appeals to many people that hate sleeping on the ground and long for their own toilet.
We really enjoy fixing up classic cars and are generally project people. Andrew and I have spent a lifetime doing projects ranging from tree forts, classic Volkswagons, creating art from old farm equipment, pinhole cameras created from old street signs and anything else we can put our combined skills to work making .
We had been paying rent in various states on the east and west coasts respectively that ranged from $1500/month to $800/month. Adding cars, tuition, utilities, food, health care and we were extremely over extended. My wife was working multiple jobs around the clock with grueling hours. As things became increasingly difficult, we realized that we had to reevaluate our situation. Shanna has wanted an Airstream travel trailer to renovate for years but life is expensive and we always had a reason not to make the investment in this potentially huge financial commitment.
What if we didn’t pay rent for a few months and did some couch surfing and instead bought an Airstream trailer? At first we went back and forth discussing what this would really mean and how to make it happen. My wife was into the Airstream project but not the full-time living component. How do we stay warm? Cooking? Water and showers in a cold climate? How do we fit in the small space? Can we afford one? Would the 70lb dog fit? How big or how small? Resale ability? Is this what we really need to do to cut living expenses, bad credit card debt and make tuition payments? After a long coast to coast 3000 mile car ride where we listed, debated, crunched numbers, disagreed and the plan was hatched. We would eliminate our things to what we thought we would need and move home to family, sell what we could, donate what was left and to throw away and recycle the remainder. We would take that tiny egg of money and and make it grow until we had enough to hatch the plan. We bought the 1972 23ft. Airstream Land Yacht Safari at the beginning of April, 2011.
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