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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would this be a waste of money?

110 replies

Whu · 11/03/2023 19:38

I recently inherited 20k. I didn’t previously have a great deal of savings (less than 5k).
I’ve had a pretty rough few years with bereavement, divorce and other smaller issues. I’ve now seen a campervan for £15k which I could spend the summer exploring the UK in (teacher, no kids). Am I being unreasonable/ insane to do this and leave my savings pot below 10k? Or do you think life is worth living and do it?

YABU - don’t buy the van, be responsible.

YANBU - buy it! Enjoy!

OP posts:
wendywoopywoo222 · 11/03/2023 19:40

Buy it and enjoy.

SquirrelRed · 11/03/2023 19:41

Buy it! And have the best time!

swapcicles · 11/03/2023 19:42

Unless you have debts and the vans in reasonable nick then go for it and enjoy the freedom!

Badbudgeter · 11/03/2023 19:42

Where’s the van coming from? They can be expensive to fix when things go wrong. Can you get a warranty? I love my camper and although we don’t tend to go terribly far it’s amazing waking up at lochs and beaches and bbqing bacon for breakfast.

LilLilLi · 11/03/2023 19:43

What would the person who left you the money want you to do?

I say buy it and enjoy every second x

nannynick · 11/03/2023 19:43

Don't buy the van.
Stay in hotels, rent a car. Rent a camper for a week or two if you really want to tour the Highlands or something like that... really decide if you like that enough to buy something that depreciates a lot.

Shinytaps · 11/03/2023 19:44

Do it! Life is for living. But make sure the campervan is in decent nick.

Unwellhousehold · 11/03/2023 19:44

Buy it! Even £10k in savings is a great amount, you can slowly add back to it in the future if you feel the need but will you ever get the opportunity to own a campervan and travel the UK again?

Sounds like you've had a rough time and deserve some happiness, this is your chance

Veryfishy · 11/03/2023 19:44

Just rent one for the summer , see how much you enjoy it and then maybe buy one next year ?

Iloveenidblyton · 11/03/2023 19:45

Go got it ! You only love once

Iloveenidblyton · 11/03/2023 19:45

Go for it ( typos)

BuffaloCauliflower · 11/03/2023 19:46

Definitely do it! A £15k camper should be in good nick. You’ll have a great time. Next year you can take it to Europe 🙂

WinterMusings · 11/03/2023 19:47

Nah, take your car & a tent.

Save the money, a bit of financial security is life changing.

MandyMotherOfBrian · 11/03/2023 19:48

The only reason I would not buy it would be if I had debts that were costing me a lot in interest, otherwise go for it!

ZekeZeke · 11/03/2023 19:49

I would rent one for the summer to make sure it's a good investment and not just a whim.

Sunshineandshowers42 · 11/03/2023 19:51

Do you rent or own a property? Aside from the savings, do you otherwise feel reasonably financially comfortable month-to-month?

HMTheQueenMuffin · 11/03/2023 19:55

I'd do it.

It's one of my dreams. Just being able to get into a van and go.

You can always sell it if it does not work out. Maybe not for the same money, but think of the rfeedom you will have in the meantime.

I am genuinely envious of you.

Choconut · 11/03/2023 19:56

I'm travel mad but I wouldn't do it. I'd hire one for the summer. There are so many ongoing costs with a camper van and you probably wouldn't use it enough for it to be worthwhile, you might not even like it and then you've got to try and sell it on again.

Useyourfork · 11/03/2023 19:56

ZekeZeke · 11/03/2023 19:49

I would rent one for the summer to make sure it's a good investment and not just a whim.

This
Things to also consider.
Fuel costs.
Narrow country lanes.
How do you plan to get ‘out and about’ when you are at your destination?

We’ve thought about it in the past and decided we might as well just stay in some beautiful cottages.

timeforchampagne · 11/03/2023 19:59

Are you already an avid camper?

if so go for it, if this is just a dream do a holiday renting one and see if you like it

PreparationPreparationPrep · 11/03/2023 20:11

This is my dream! Then travel and camp across Europe

Original poster
Whu · 11/03/2023 20:13

Thank you all! Pretty favourable so far.
I own a house, reasonable mortgage on it though.
I have hired a camper before and loved it. It’s much more dog friendly than other holiday options too.
I’m just stressing as it’s a big purchase and seems frivolous. Also, I’m not mechanically minded and don’t want to be conned in a private purchase… maybe a dealership would be better but they are so expensive!

OP posts:
WGACA · 11/03/2023 20:13

If you’ve always wanted to spend your summers this way then do it, it’s a good use of the money. If you’ve just thought of this on a whim then I’d be more cautious. You can still go away for the whole summer and have some fabulous times with the money for many years to come.

ShinyMe · 11/03/2023 20:17

How old are you? What's your pension pot like? I'd be tempted to buy the van, but not if the savings would make retirement a bit easier. My mum has an old camper van and absolutely loves it, but it is expensive to run and maintain.

readingisgreat · 11/03/2023 20:25

Should you buy a camper van: Yes.
Should you do a lot of research to ensure you buy the best for your budget: Yes.

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