A couple sold 80 per cent of everything they owned to live on the road with their two young children in a converted bus.
Travel lover Jed Harris, 38, and baby sleep consultant, Marthe Rovik, 37, sold their home and most of its contents for $40,000 after the birth of their first child.
They learned to become minimalists and bought a bus for a quarter of that amount, before re-designing the 60-seat vehicle in a remarkable transformation.
A couple sold 80 per cent of everything they owned in favour of living on the road with their two young children in a converted bus (pictured before left and after right)
The couple’s journey to their new life began when they met in Norway – while Jed was on a working holiday visa.
When the visa ran out the two travelled Australia together for two years before getting married on the beach in Western Australia in October 2010.
After a few years of travelling the love birds had their first child, Ellida Olise Harris, four, and then two years later they had their second daughter Embla Eli Harris, two.
After having Ellida, Jed and Marthe had both been searching for ways to make money online so they could spend more time together as a family.
Ultimately, they realised they were already sitting on a lot of money.
The two sold about 80 percent of everything they owned for about $40,000.
Travel lover Jed Harris, 38, and baby sleep consultant, Marthe Rovik, 38, (pictured right and left) sold their home and most of its contents for $40,000 after the birth of their first child
When Embla was born they were ready to live a life of freedom on the roads of Australia.
The bus they purchased for $10,000 was a former 1998 MAN bus which they found at a local transport yard in Margaret River just south of Perth.
Renovations took 18 months to complete at a cost of about $40,000 and Jed continued working full time while also doing the renovations.
They learned to become minimalists and bought a bus for a quarter of that amount, before re-designing the 60-seat vehicle in a remarkable transformation (family pictured dining outside their bus)
Finally, on August 13, 2019 the family of four moved into their dream home.
‘It took us a while, but we finally realised at some point that we didn’t need money to be rich,’ Jed said.
‘All we had to do is have less expenses. We also had a lot of money sitting in our house as possessions that we didn’t really need.
After a few years of travelling the love birds had their first child, Ellida Olise Harris, four, (left) and then two years later they had their second daughter Embla Eli Harris, two (right) – which prompted them to make the lifestyle change (interior of renovated bus pictured)
‘In February 2018 we purchased a 1998 MAN bus. The bus is 12.5 meter or 40 foot long.
‘It was tough and there were some steep learning curves, but since moving on board and waking up here every morning knowing that I have all the time in the world makes it all worth it.’
The family of four have already covered 1,860 miles in their first three months of travel exploring the coastline north of Perth.
‘It was tough and there were some steep learning curves,’ Jed said. ‘But since moving on board and waking up here every morning knowing that I have all the time in the world makes it all worth it.’ (bus pictured during renovations)
The most difficult thing they have experienced so far is working out how long they need to stay in one particular place to avoid the children from burning out
The bus they purchased for $10,000 (pictured) was a former 1998 MAN bus which they found at a local transport yard in Margaret River just south of Perth
The most difficult thing they have experienced so far is working out how long they need to stay in one particular place to avoid the children from burning out.
Most of their family and friends have been incredibly supportive and inspired to take on their own adventures.
‘As we stay in areas for longer periods the girls get more confident to explore further away from where we deem safe,’ Jed said.
‘I think my mum was the only person who thought that with a young family it was best to take a more traditional path, but she soon warmed up to the idea,’ Jed said
‘Most people have been extremely supportive and in fact we have inspired some to take on similar journeys,’ Jed said
‘It is hard to convince our youngest daughter we know better, but Ellida is amazing at letting us know when Embla has breached the boundaries.
‘I think my mum was the only person who thought that with a young family it was best to take a more traditional path, but she soon warmed up to the idea. Most people have been extremely supportive and in fact we have inspired some to take on similar journeys.’
Jed said it was easy in life to want the bigger house, newer car or boat – but these desires only make people work harder to sustain their lifestyle.
‘Don’t wait for a life changing event to change your life,’ Jed said of his advice for others. Pictured: the modern bathroom inside the bus
‘It’s often only the people who have had a near death experience or a life changing event that decide to take the plunge and break away from societal “norms”,’ he said.
‘We didn’t want to wait for either of those to occur before living our dreams.
‘Hopefully our journey will inspire others with similar aspirations to act on their dreams too.
‘Don’t wait for a life changing event to change your life.’
Jed hopes his journey will inspire others with similar aspirations to act on their dreams too (mark-up of bus interior prior to renovation pictured)