by Lynne Hopwood
I can tell you that there is nothing like owning your own place, and either having no debt or such a small debt that you don’t even feel it!! When you are not chasing high-paying jobs to make ends meet, you can focus on any number of things: a new career, travel, relationships, getting healthy and growing a garden; getting outside and breathing the fresh air instead of the stale air of an office cubicle; or just spending more quality time with friends and family.
Paying off a mortgage often consumes decades of your life. Then there are the unexpected jobs layoffs, medical emergencies, home and car repairs, and other emergency money drains that make choices FOR you.
Earning a non-profit wage and being in debt didn’t leave me much money after the mortgage was paid. I loved my job, but was ready to move on to find a higher paying one. I desperately needed more margin in my life: less debt and more financial freedom.
How I stumbled upon the Tiny House Blog I don’t remember, but I became fixated with all the darling miniature houses and happy, free-spirited people living in them. I could not believe that houses could be built on wheels. Such a great idea! I pictured myself living in one, imaging where my furniture would go. Each day, I eagerly devoured the stories. I doodled my plans on hundreds of scraps of paper and almost sold my house and just bought one.
Plans changed and overnight I became a foster parent. The tiny house dream would have to wait. It was a huge change of plans and challenge to my 50-something never-had-kids resume. Then it hit me, show the tiny houses to this young man and see if he wants to build one. (See Ben’s Tiny House) It was obvious that he had skills and interest and I needed something “constructive” for him to do for I thought he would live with me until he was 18. Once he turned 18, I wanted him to get a good start in life and a shot at kicking the mortgage habit from the start. As it worked out he loved the idea and went on to build a 12 x 24 ft. building.
Plans changed again and he moved back home. About a year later, the dream of owning a tiny house resurfaced and I bought an awesome tiny house on wheels which I have named “Tiny Red.” An here he is:
Tiny Red is for sale. Here is the link: http://nashville.craigslist.
Tiny Red is 8 x 24 feet and 10 feet high at the peak.
I just melted when I saw the fireplace! It is a faux fireplace, but there is an opening where there could be a flue. Right now it is filled with insulation.
View of the kitchen/living area and faux fireplace.
Another view of the kitchen into the bedroom (no loft!). The bathroom is on the right.
The bathroom is opposite the kitchen and consists of a tiled shower, toilet and tiny sink.
Shower/toilet.
The bedroom is just off the kitchen and has a built-in bureau and closet. I was thinking that someday the bureau could be taken out and a stacked washer/dryer and a couple shelves could take up that space perfectly. I am standing where the bed would go. The flooring is something I put in on top of the sub floor that the house came with. I love the tiled wood look!
When the full size bed is set up, it takes up the entire room! I managed to get a tiny table and lamp on the opposite side. There are windows on three sides of the bedroom! So much cheery light!
The bed/bedroom with a poofy down comforter. It takes up space, but it works fine!
In the back of the house is the water and electric hook ups along with the black water exit. There are two spots to place propane tanks.
After much thought and two tiny houses on my property, my tiny house needs became more clear: I don’t need a tiny house on wheels, just a tiny house. My hope is to finish out Ben’s house with his help and (ahem) his expertise.