Couple Ditch UK for European Adventure, Fund Travels by Selling Solar Panels Online

Lee Bodell, 47, and Aimee Bedford, 39, left their home in Birkenhead, Merseyside, in July to embark on a global journey with their two youngest daughters, Matilda-May, 10, and Mila, 9. The couple sold their house and possessions before traveling to Paris by train and have since visited seven European countries in three weeks, utilizing £1,800 in 60-day first-class train tickets.

Their travel expenses are funded by Bodell's remote work selling solar panels for mobile homes via eBay and his own website. He dedicates approximately 10 hours per week to this business, earning between £500 and £1,000 weekly. The family estimates their initial spending at around £6,000. They plan to budget approximately £1,500 per month once they travel to Southeast Asia. Their itinerary includes exploring more European countries until November before heading to Thailand for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Bodell, a former HGV driver, changed his perspective on life during a 10-week furlough period in 2020. He realized he wanted to spend more time with his family and pursue a lifestyle that allowed for it.

Bodell has spent several years developing his solar panel business, which now involves buying and selling on platforms like eBay and Amazon, as well as operating a Shopify store. In May 2025, the couple tested the feasibility of running the business abroad by renting a villa in Cyprus for ten days.

Upon returning home, they sold their four-bedroom house in July 2026 for £330,000, realizing £140,000 in equity. Bedford, who previously worked as a family support worker, stated that they allocated a couple of thousand pounds from the house sale towards their travels, supplemented by Bodell's earnings and savings. The proceeds from selling their belongings and cars also contributed to the trip, with the remaining house money invested with the hope of generating further income.

Bedford described their current lifestyle as "100 percent cheaper" than living in Britain. She noted that their monthly expenses in the UK, including mortgage, bills, and daily costs for four children, ranged from £3,000 to £4,000. They anticipate monthly living costs in Southeast Asia to be around £2,000. The family felt they had limited time with their children when working full-time and attending school, prompting their decision to seek more shared experiences.

Since arriving in Paris in September, the family has visited the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy. Matilda-May and Mila have been de-registered from school and are adjusting to their mobile lifestyle, though they were initially sad to leave friends and family behind. Bedford expressed a desire for her children to learn through travel experiences rather than a rigid schooling structure. While the children are curious and engaged, the parents are flexible and open to online learning options if their daughters express interest in specific subjects. They are not planning to enroll them in international schools.

The family is deliberately avoiding tourist hotspots and city centers, opting instead for less conventional travel routes. They are documenting their journey on TikTok under the handle @the.bodells, hoping to inspire other families to consider similar changes.

The couple's elder children, Billy, 18, and Lyla, 17, remained in the UK with family. They recently joined Bedford's sister, Katie, 37, to celebrate Bedford's 39th birthday in Italy. The couple hopes to eventually settle in a new country but has not yet decided on a location, viewing their travels as an opportunity to discover a potential future home.