Pulling the Tiny Trigger
From many of my conversations with The Peoples Tiny House Festival attendees this year, here is a list of reasons people
| Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. -Les Brown |
give for not Pulling the Tiny Trigger:
- What if I don’t like it?
- What if end up not liking the lifestyle?
- I need some private space to myself once in a while.
- I need financing. Can I get a loan?
- Can I get my money back out of it if I don’t like it?
- I’m trying to downsize but I don’t want to get rid of my stuff.
- I’m not sure where I would park it. I don’t want to live in an RV park.
- I want a full size washer and dryer. Will it fit?
- I need a garage or workshop.
- I have five cats, two dogs, and a reindeer. Can I keep my pets?
Going Tiny is a process. Start now.
Going tiny is a process that can take years. From the “beginning to think about it” stage to “making the move” stage takes about two years on average but can stretch to four years. Pull the tiny trigger just a little more each day.
Begin by watching Tiny House Nation. Consider if you could actually live in a tiny home. Start a Pinterest® page, join a FaceBook® Tiny House group, and delve into YouTube® videos.
You decide what you can compromise on, where you can change, and what are non-negotiables. Face your fears.
Make a list of questions that you need answered before Pulling the Tiny Trigger
Your list of questions might contain some of these:
- What would I have to give up?
- Can I manage stairs to a loft bedroom?
- Where will I keep my craft materials? Where will I keep my clothes for that matter?
- Do I have to deal with a composting toilet?
- Can I build my own?
- How do I find a competent builder?
Your questions and objections will be unique to you. There is no substitute for doing your homework.
The Tiny Life Consulting website has a lot of good information to get you started. We also have a list of relevant books to zero-in on your area of interest.
Attending The Peoples Tiny House Festival
The Peoples Tiny House Festival gives attendees the chance to see tiny homes up close and talk to those who have already jumped in to the tiny lifestyle. The huge attendance (over 60k) reflects the need for affordable housing. Tiny living offers a housing choice beyond traditional housing situations available today.
There are many Tiny Home Shows around the country. Pick one close to you and attend. I enjoyed attending the Tiny House, Simple Living Jamboree in Arlington, Texas in 2017. Each one has something unique to offer.
Financial Stress
Folks my age, nearing retirement, know their income level is about to drop drastically. They will be depending on their Social Security check, a pension for the lucky few, and possibly a part-time minimum wage job.
Young couples, just starting out, haven’t had time to build up a deposit for a mortgage or the credit score that would make them eligible. They also shy away from taking on a huge debt, frequently because they already have major college debt.
Check out the Minnesota Home Buyers Guide: pubhomebuyershandbook. This informative publication will answer many of your questions and guide you in the right direction to prepare for a home purchase.
Watch for Opportunities
My friend, Brenda Mason bought her bus for $1.00. So, her tiny house dream manifested itself as a bus.
Stay open to opportunities that might come your way. What you get might not look anything like your Pinterest® dream, but it might check all of your boxes. It might be full-time RV living. When a great opportunity comes your way, it might be time to pull the tiny trigger!
Start Decluttering Now
No matter where the tiny life journey takes you, even if you ultimately decide not to ‘go tiny,’ decluttering is always a positive thing to do.
How will I proceed?
Here are some other things you can do to get you closer to pulling the tiny trigger:
- Attend a tiny house workshop and learn from a pro.
- If you like the idea of building your own home but aren’t a “tool user” try constructing a smaller project first.
- Visit some smaller houses that are for sale to see how small you’d actually be comfortable with.
- Start looking for a legal property on which to park you tiny home.
- Put the word out to family and friends that you are looking for a new housing situation.
Here is another good blog post to help you start your tiny house journey.
In the comments below tell us what has been stopping you from Pulling the Tiny Trigger.
Other pages of Tiny Life Consulting you’ll be interested in:
Tiny Home Building Mistakes You Don’t Have To Make
Tiny House Books Comprehensive List
Living Off-Grid In A Tiny House
How to be proactive with building code and zoning officers.
Discouraging DIY Tiny House Building
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