Buying a house can be tough - it's expensive before the actual process of buying one has even begun. So it's no surprise that more and more people are coming up with alternative ways to spend their money.
Some people go travelling, others save their cash for a rainy day... and then there's Tom Duckworth, who bought a former British Army van and turned it into a home instead. What a LAD.
The marquee erector was just 22 when he forked out £4,350 ($5,400) on the huge truck. He has since spent approximately £10,000 ($12,400) renovating it into a place he is now proud to call home.
Tom, who is now 24, told LADbible: "I got the lorry off eBay in September 2016. I was 22 and had been paying rent for two years. I just had enough of money going out every month.
Advert
"I also had always wanted to build my own house. I couldn't get a house or land but could just afford the lorry, and it was about 10 miles from where I was living so it was perfect.
"I also wanted to downsize and try to live off-grid, which is why the lorry has a massive solar system and rain water collection as well.
"I know the diesel engine is not good but I primarily have it parked and only drive it for big trips. Also I am planing on converting it to bio diesel in the autumn."
Well, this is a man with a plan if we ever saw one.
Tom grafted in the year it took him to convert the lorry and it wouldn't have been possible without help from his friend.
Advert
He continued: "I managed to get myself in to a predicament just after I got the lorry and had to find a new workshop. Luckily I had an amazing friend, Makkai, whose mum lives in the same town I worked in.
"He had a workshop there and just the right amount of space for a lorry to tuck around the side of the house. If it was not for Makkai and his mum, there is no way I would have been able to finish the project. They kept me fed and watered while I was too focused on the build to remember to eat."
Tom has now been living in the lorry for two years and says that he misses absolutely nothing about living in an actual house.
Advert
He continued: "Inside the lorry I have everything you need: a large shower which is run from my rainwater collection system, a Chesterfield sofa and breakfast sink - which were at the top of the list during the planning stages - a wood burning stove for heating, an oven and hob, LPG instant water heater, composting toilet and a full size double bed which works on a pulley system."
And just when we thought this lorry shed couldn't get any better, it's even got its very own beer pump outside.
Tom added: "I ended up coming across a massive pallet at work and decided to build a beer terrace that came out the back of the lorry. We spent a lot of evenings drinking beers and relaxing on there."
Advert
It's all starting to make sense that he doesn't miss living in a house.
Tom documents his ongoing work and lifestyle on an Instagram page called 'The Lorry Life'. You can have a look at what he's up to by clicking here.
Got a story for us? Need to tell us about something amazing you've seen or done? Want us to investigate something? Get in touch!
Email [email protected] or head to our submissions platform - and you could even earn money for your stories or tips.
Featured Image Credit: LADbibleTopics: uk news, News, Community