This is the story of a single father who wanted to simplify his life after divorce by living in a tiny house with zero debt so that he wouldn’t have to stress about money and be able to spend more quality time with his daughter.
So he converted a shed into his very own debt-free tiny home and has been living in it for over three years. He was even featured on HGTV! You can enjoy a video tour of his tiny home plus enjoy an interview with him below thanks to the folks at Our Journey to Bliss.
This is simple living story a guest post by Gaylin Weber (share yours)
This SHOULD be titled, The Accidental Small Houser, as this wasn’t really a planned thing…It was prayed for, hoped for, longed for…but never actually thought out and planned…at least, not by me!
We were busy raising our 2 daughters in the typical ticky tacky stuccoed cookie-cutter neighborhood in the burbs of South Orange County, Ca. Don’t get me wrong; it’s what I wanted! A lovely home with a tropical backyard built around a deep blue salt water pool. Five bedrooms; all the kids upstairs, master down, thank you very much! Top rated schools right down the road. Who didn’t want that? Millions of people watched my lifestyle on the TV every week and wished for what I had! Anyone of them would have traded places with me in a South County Second! But I felt restless. Wanted something more. Or less.
I recommend you take some time to watch Adam Baker’s TEDTalk in Asheville on selling your crap, paying off your debt, and doing more of what you love.
Int his talk, Adam helps you find clarity if you’re on what way towards downsizing, minimizing, and/or simplifying your life.
Starting with one question. Why are you doing all of this? What does freedom mean to you? What’s REALLY important?
Less Crap, Less Debt, More of What You Love
To me, this is what the tiny house movement is all about. To get rid of stuff (whether it’s physical clutter or even mental clutter) so that we can create space for what REALLY matters to you.
Please help us spread the word to others who may also find this lecture helpful using the share buttons below. Thank you!
If you received value out of this lecture on getting rid of your stuff you’ll absolutely LOVE our free daily tiny house newsletter with even more!
“Hi Alex, not sure this will fit into your site mainly because its an ongoing project and is unfinished. We bought 35 acres in Colorado in an area that does not have building codes. They do require septic when inhabiting a structure. This was all started in June 2013. I have not included interior photos because only one wall is done.
Man Builds 8’x12′ Tiny Cabin on Acreage
I encourage you to read the rest of the story and the rest of the tiny cabin photos below:
Every so often I enjoy doing some Q&A on tiny houses and simple living.
And what usually prompts me to do it is an email or question in the comments from other readers.
So here’s a question I got yesterday along with my thoughts. I’d love to read through your thoughts and suggestions too.
Family Desperate to Downsize/Simplify
Below is a copy of the email I received. Let’s let the sender remain anonymous.
Subject: needing to downsize and simplify with a quickness
Message: Hey Alex. I am such a fan. I have been following you on you
tube for a few months now. The Tiny house movement is everything i am
into. Here is my delima… My husband and I just moved up here to
Alaska just over a year ago. Getting a bank to back us for land and a
build, not easy. We are a family of 4. We both work and feel like
hampsters on a neverending wheel. We work to pay rent and so the cycle
continues every month. How do we get out from under it and on our way to how it ought to be?
Pretty tough question, right?
If you want, read my response/thoughts below then add your own in the comments at the bottom.
I have a feeling there are many of us who feel like this too and by us sharing our own experiences, thoughts and tips, we can really make a world of difference for others who are trying to do the same.
Photo by Alex Pino
7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Downsize, Simplify and Consider Moving Into a Smaller Home
If you currently find yourself in a house that exceeds your needs and you want to create extra time or money for yourself then this article is for you. But what would you do with the extra time and cash?
You might be tighter on money than you used to be or you might just want to increase the amount of money that you’re saving for whatever reason. Whatever your goals are, we all know that more time and money directed towards them will help you. Maybe you’re trying to save money for retirement, start your own business, or help your kids out.
So here’s how my friend saved $11,076 one year on housing alone
In 2007 my friend Mike did something crazy. He decided to go from a luxurious two-bedroom condominium to sharing a smaller and less expensive apartment with a roommate.
He went from paying $1,473 per month in house-related payments to $550 per month. That’s a savings of more than $923 a month and a total of $11,076 in one year.
That’s an extreme example but what if you went from $900 per month to about $650? That’s still $250 a month and $3,000 after one year. It’s an idea that can be pretty powerful after a while. I know, moving sucks but it’s worth it sometimes.
So what would you do with the extra money you’d have if you lowered your living expenses by more than $300 per month?
Small house in Florida, photo credit Alex Pino
