As I was finishing the podcast this afternoon I got to thinking about how long it had been since I had written a genuine blog post regarding our own tiny house build. It seemed like forever I thought to myself. So much goes on in the day-to-day of building a home that you either disregard as being anything consequential or that you are too tired from doing to actually write about. Now that I have time to think about it though I am reminded that at the very start of Tiny r(E)volution I promised I would not gloss over those small inconsistencies. I promised I would cover everything as best I could. That brings me to this update.
It seems our last real progress post was on July 17 when we roughed in the electric for our house. By calendar that truly is forever ago. By budget it seems like yesterday and by motivation it seems like a minute or two ago. So what have we been doing since then. Allow me to explain.
First and foremost I think it is important to remind ourselves (so as to avoid personal frustration) and others that we are building cash-on-the-barrel. In this age of consumer debt, consumptive indulgence, and a weakening economy, cash-in-hand it extremely important to us. We don’t want to find ourselves living in a tiny house that isn’t even ours; one that we share with a credit lender, as a matter of fact. To date our budget in expenditures is right at $8026.49. Our sponsorships add another $5339.13 to the bill giving us a nearly $13k house that far exceeds our initial idea of a $10k or less home. But we have paid every penny of the bill and can look even now at what we have an know that there is no overhead. It is because of this ethic though that we find ourselves virtually sitting still. Our construction fund has bottomed out for now. We still have our living expenses, our current overhead bills, and a lingering debt from previous years (that still has right at 11 months to a zero balance) hanging over us. While the amount is not staggering and certainly not near what the media tells us is the national debt average per household, it is still an uncomfortable place for us to be and one that literally wrings our every spare penny out each payday. Each paycheck allows us to put a meager amount away for building but without those funds we are left to do small projects and continue to plot and plan what is next. We do have our insulation already though as well as the plastic we are going to use for a vapor barrier over top of the insulation as well as our electrical outlets, and our flooring, allowing us some proof of progress. For the most part though we feel as if mid-October will be when we can jump on the next large project; our kitchen cabinets and countertop. We are okay with it though. Why?
- Our time away from building has allowed a healthy anticipation to build. It is important, we think, to wait sometimes for quality. The goal of us building our own home without a mortgage is to live more intentionally; a little slower with a little more purpose. Without a break-neck schedule before us we can enjoy each step of this process more thoroughly!
- In the meantime we have begun training a bit for our goal of a through hike of the App Trail. While we know this may not happen right away and shorter, micro-hikes are more realistic, we haven’t given up on the idea of a through hike and walk several nights a week to stay in shape and to prepare (especially with a squirmy one-year old daughter in tow!)
- Our pop-up camper and my parents 5th wheel has gotten more use. Yes, the weekends that should/would/could be consumed by building have actually given way to some great state park camping adventures in which we get to relax and strengthen our relationship with each other and with the natural world around us (as well as drink a few beers that usually don’t get attention mid-week).
I suppose – in short – what I am saying is that each day has a new project for us. Sometimes it is on tiny house and sometimes it is cleaning the bathroom or teaching our daughter “can you say grass?” Somedays I feel like I have fallen victim to my own ambition and other days I feel like God is just showing me more about my patience and His reward.
One day soon we will be back with videos and photos and great stories. Until then though we are still just living tiny in order to live LARGE!
Great post! I love the bit about the debt. Our house is small, not tiny. Although we have a mortgage, we are debt-free otherwise, and that comes with incredible piece of mind. As we make improvements to our little house, we will cash flow. I cannot think of a reason to go back into debt–and that keeps me motivated to pay down the principal on my mortgage on top of the monthly payments.
Staying out of further debt is very important to us too One Year. In fact, it is our top priority. We feel it is the best “retirement” we can give ourselves and the best lesson we can teach our daughter. I wish more in our nation recognized the enslavement that comes with overhead and debt management.
Cash in hand! Absolutely the only way to build. It is also a extreme exercise in patience. I totally understand and support you vision.
Cash in hand! Absolutely the only way to build. It is also a extreme exercise in patience. I totally understand and support you vision
Thank you sir. I am glad you understand and I definitely appreciate the support!
I’m with you on keeping debts away. It gives you real resiliency and a much better chance to dodge those little problems life keeps throwing your way. A friend and I started off more or less equal financially but now she’s so far in debt it will take over 10 years to get out, assuming she doesn’t pile on more. And that’s just for consumer goods! We often talked about credit cards and despite several warnings from a lot of people she kept accepting the higher limits the bank allowed her. I’m saving for a tiny house, hopefully in the next year or two, but she’ll be paying every cent she makes (and then some!) just to stay in the same place. Once I get my place done I’m saving up to make one for her too. Shhh, don’t say anything, it’s a surprise!
I promise I won’t say a word Alice. HAHAHAH!!!! 😉
Drew, you are indeed a wise man to live now on less so later you can live much better than most. I wish I would have done that earlier in my life. Now I’m the slave of the lender until I’m 93. Seriously, your lifestyle now will benefit you greatly later in life. Godly wisdom I presume.
Be blessed
Nebraska Dave
Thank you so much Dave. I am so glad you are still following and living along with us. Godly wisdom indeed. Through Him all things are possible and we feel more and more blessed the more free we become!
Totally how we are doing it as well! Cash in hand is the ONLY way to go. It seems frustratingly slow at times but we remind ourselves how awesome it will be to live in a house that is truly, truly ours. Stay strong!
Thank you so much Jessica. Cash is king, huh? hahahahahaha. But seriously, you are so right. A little discipline today will lead to great freedoms tomorrow. Thank you for reading our blog and commenting.
Thank you for sharing this update with us Drew. I am happy to hear you have taken time to enjoy the outdoors and each other.
Here it is, several years later, and your Tiny Home is built. I’m still reading through this blog from the start, so am not really up to date with your current living style, but I do know you built the house. So very impressive – being able to create your own living space in this culture where so many of us don’t really know how to do *anything* hands-on.
When I was a young teen, I used to love to build stuff – I built stalls for my horses, jumps for training, put in a little corral fence – nothing fancy. I didn’t know I didn’t know how. I’m in my 40s now, and in the midst of my own Tiny House build, called Oliver’s Nest. I now know I’m not supposed to be able to do this, but I’m a rebel and am doing it anyway. HA!
I too, am building on a pay-as-you-go basis. Luckily, I planned to build a home, an underground home based on Mike Ohler’s ideas, long before I decided to build Oliver’s Nest, so have been collecting building supplies for several years. This has allowed me to advance through the first stages without many pauses. I am also blessed with three ReStores nearby to search for building treasures!
There is no way I could do any of my plans without having prepared ahead of time, as I just don’t have much money. What cash I do have is going towards paying off my debts and for a piece of property for my future little homestead. It’s so affirming to read of others’ decisions to build as they could afford it. I appreciate your sharing.
So. I’m learning how to do all this as I go, and I’m (not so) patiently waiting for each step of building as I can afford it. Knowing I’m not alone, that in fact I’m in very good company, comforts me greatly.
Thank you, Odom Family!
Parker
Thank you so much for sticking with us Parker. That means a lot to both of us.