Lifestyle

I paid $39K debt by transforming rusty ambulances into stunning mini homes

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A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.
Samantha Bond, 39, has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS
A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.
Samantha Bond, 39, has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS
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A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.
Samantha Bond, 39, has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS
A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.
Samantha Bond, 39, has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS
A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.
Samantha Bond, 39, has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS
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A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.
Samantha Bond, 39, has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS
A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.
Samantha Bond, 39, has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS
A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.
Samantha Bond, 39, has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS
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A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.
Samantha Bond, 39, has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS
A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.
Samantha Bond, 39, has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS
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A woman has cleared $39,906 debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels.

Creative Samantha Bond, 39, from Bristol, England is now a full time camper van builder and has renovated ex ambulances all over Europe, including, Wales, Spain, Portugal and France.

Samantha has since now bought eight ex ambulances to turn mini homes and they can sell from between $19k-$24k each.

She says doing so has allowed her to clear her $39k debts.

She added: “I take old tired ex service ambulances and I give them a new lease of life as a rustic reclaimed upcycled camper van sourcing local materials second hand so each one is totally unique.

“I first purchased an old ambulance in 2012 in the winter from London, I decided to rip out the interior and put my own stamp on it.

“This was the start of something that I had no idea would become a business.

Samantha Bond is now a full time camper van builder and has renovated ex ambulances all over Europe, including, Wales, Spain, Portugal and France. Samantha has since now bought eight ex ambulances to turn mini homes. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS

“A year later I found an identical ambulance that was in need of ripping out so I decided to purchase this and get a workshop and do this as a hobby over a summer, I sold this almost immediately and thought that was fun.

“By chance someone sent me another one on Facebook that was again, identical!

“I completed my third one six months later that again sold immediately.”

Samantha adds seating and sleeping areas and makes the vans look cozy. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS

Samantha has now purchased eight ambulances, five which are mid way through being finished, and three completed.

She said: “Customers have said they are often stopped by other people who want to have photos taken with their restored.

“Because these are bespoke and handmade with love. And they are all different!

“The projects gave me a whole new career. I’ve cleared all of my debts, and it has allowed me to become my own boss.

“It has changed my life, I am now able to be creative and not sit at a desk.”

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced here with permission.

A woman has cleared all of her debts thanks to renovating old ambulances into mini homes on wheels. @PROJECT_VAN_RAMBO / CATERS NEWS