In this episode, I'm joined by Mic of Mic Talks Tiny, an expert in vetting companies, especially within the tiny house industry, to help us make more informed decisions. Mic shares invaluable insights on recognizing red flags, avoiding scams, and the importance of due diligence when choosing a builder. We dive into the transition of the tiny home market from DIY to professionally built spaces and the challenges around affordability and luxury. Mic also discusses their plans for a community focused tiny home development and the necessity of honest consumer education in this ever evolving industry. Stay tuned for an eye opening conversation that will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the tiny home world more confidently going forward.
In This Episode:
- 🏠 Tiny House Market Scams: Mic explains how some builders use fake images and testimonials.
- 📋 Due Diligence Importance: Mic emphasizes the need for thorough vetting when choosing builders.
- 💸 Unrealistic Price Expectations: Discussion on how unrealistic tiny home prices fuel scam risks.
- 🌍 Tiny House Communities: Exploration of current trends and variations in tiny home communities.
- 💼 Transition to Professional Builds: Shift from DIY tiny houses to professional builds discussed.
- 🚛 Wheels vs. Fixed Structures: Debate on the viability of tiny homes on wheels versus fixed prefab homes.
- 🛁 Luxury vs. Affordability: The impact of luxury features on the affordability of tiny homes examined.
- 🌐 Future of Tiny Homes: Speculations on the industry's direction and consumer expectations discussed.
A Special Announcement:
This will be the last regular episode of the Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast. After more than 300 episodes, I'm evolving my focus to help businesses grow through email marketing and podcasting, taking the skills and expertise I've developed here to serve others in new ways. While I may return with occasional episodes, the costs and time required for regular production no longer align with my current direction. I want to thank all of you who've been a part of this journey. Your support and encouragement have meant the world to me.
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I'm thrilled to welcome Betsy Barbour back to the show. Betsy has been living in a 200 square foot tiny house since early 2019, navigating the challenges and joys that living tiny presents. Over the past few years, she's moved her home between various locations in Florida and Pennsylvania, even enduring back to back hurricanes. Betsy has also worked in the tiny house industry as a community facilitator and lifestyle consultant, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to our conversation. We'll be diving into her unique lifestyle insights on building resilient tiny homes and the potential for tiny house communities. Stick around. This episode is packed with valuable information and inspiration for anyone curious about tiny Living.
In This Episode:
- Betsy shares her personal experience of what it’s like living in a tiny home during a hurricane including what steps she took to prepare and just how well her tiny house held up.
- The importance of creating and ensuring tiny home communities remain affordable housing options despite the rise in luxury communities.
- Betsy shares her vision of sustainable tiny home communities, including hybrid options that provide options for 55+, families and luxury resort areas that provide multigenerational living.
- Facing challenges of developing properties and rising infrastructure costs, Betsy sees this a good opportunity to repurpose land that has already been developed, creating more sustainable and affordable options.
- How Betsy’s personal experiences as a tiny home dweller has shaped how much she values creating and being part of a true community.
- Current roadblocks in the tiny house industry, including infrastructure and development, along with concerns about housing affordability.
- Designing and planning your tiny home to be supportive through, injury, illness, and retirement, leaving room for future adaptability and accessibility
- The future of tiny homes and tiny communities, including more widely accepted and normalized, zoning restrictions and code ordinances.
Find the full show notes, transcript and additional photos on the website at https://www.thetinyhouse.net/betsy-barbour-2
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Today, I'll be talking to Jaymie, a visionary who transformed his life and business during the pandemic. From bankruptcy to building a thriving tiny home community on 160 acres, Jaymie's journey is nothing short of inspirational. He co-founded Living the Off Grid Dream, a program with 9,000 students worldwide and shares practical strategies for creative real estate and business acquisition. Jaymie will share several methods and frameworks for innovative financing and his plans for a sustainable future at his homestead. Whether you're looking to live off grid, start a tiny home community or simply get inspired by an incredible story of resilience, you won't want to miss this conversation.
🔗Learn more LTOD and Jaymie's Course Offerings
In This Episode:
- 💡 Creative Financing Strategies: Using the BRRRR method (Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) this traditionally urban real estate strategy was creatively applied to rural land acquisition, enabling them to overcome credit and funding challenges despite a past bankruptcy.
- 🚀 Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS): Streamlining team meetings to reduce workload, the EOS methodology has helped Jaymie cut his management time to about two hours a week, enhancing efficiency and team alignment.
- 🌍 Intentional Tiny Home Communities: Jaymie envisions communities that go beyond traditional RV parks, providing co-working spaces, event areas, and commercial spaces for tiny home owners.
- 💵 Property Investment & Financial Self-Sufficiency: This strategy not only offers financial resilience but also supports the goal of achieving early retirement and self-sufficient living.
- 🐔 Alternative Farming Activities: Diversifying activities around the farm helps meet various needs and supports the overall sustainable lifestyle.
- 👩🏫 Teaching & Workshops: Educating over 9,000 students on off-grid living, Jaymie and his brother's knowledge-sharing initiative has grown into a comprehensive educational platform.
- 🛠 Business Acquisition Strategy: Their approach allowed them to expand quickly and effectively without initial capital outlay, leveraging investor partnerships for shared ownership.
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Today's episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring insights on decluttering and organizing your home. Joining me is renowned home organizing expert and bestselling author, Shira Gill. With 15 years of experience, Shira has developed a straightforward 4-step organizing process that can transform any space, no matter its size. In our conversation, we delve into the importance of reducing volume before organizing and how to tackle even the tiniest of spaces without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, Shira shares her wisdom on leading a minimalist lifestyle and how intentional living can create freedom and simplicity in all areas of your life. Stick around to learn Shira's proven 4-step process that you can start using today to declutter and organize your space like a professional.
In This Episode:
- 🛒 Ease of Shopping & Psychology: The simplicity of online shopping as temporary relief for anxiety.
- 📚 New Book Preview: Shira’s book "Lifestyle" expands minimalism across life areas.
- ✨ Personal Experience & Approach: Simplifying life; focus on quality projects and relationships.
- 🔍 Life Audit Process: Evaluating life satisfaction, setting priorities, minimum standards.
- ❌ Saying No & Minimalist Mindset: Declining opportunities to maintain key goals and focus.
- 📋 Organizational Tools: Batching tasks to increase efficiency and free time.
- ❤️ Dealing with People-Pleasing: Scripts for saying no, maintaining relationships.
- 🏡 Clutter & Organization: Shira's four-step process for decluttering and organizing spaces.
- 🌍 Cultural Differences: Less clutter and consumption observed outside Western cultures.
Visit the website for the full show notes, photos, and transcript.
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Dedria Kolb is a developer who's making waves in the housing industry with her innovative, community-focused projects. Dedria is the owner and cofounder of Ideal Ridge Ventures, and her latest endeavor, Poplar Creek, is the first tiny home development in Rutherford County, North Carolina. We'll be diving into how she's tackling affordable housing through sustainability, community interaction, and tiny homes. If you're considering a midlife career change or interested in real estate development for tiny homes, you won't want to miss Dedria's valuable insights and advice. Tune in to hear how Deidra left her 14-year corporate law career without a plan and transformed herself into a successful tiny house community developer.
In This Episode:
- 🌳 Intentional Community Living: Dedria supports communal engagement through sustainable activities like gardening.
- 💬 Community Communication: Residents have access to a private Facebook group to keep in touch with each other.
- 🤝 Community Facilitation: Dedria assists residents' ideas for the community without imposing rules.
- 🏡 Ideal Ridge Ventures' Mission: Focus on community, sustainability, affordability.
- 🌿 Sustainability Principles: Emphasize eco-friendly, cost-effective tiny home living.
- 🏗 Phase 2 Development: The next phase is planned for 2025; adding 20 home sites and a dog park.
- 📜 Important Certifications: NOAH and RVIA for tiny home zoning and insurance.
- ⚖ Midlife Career Change: Dedria advocates embracing new career opportunities.
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I am thrilled to welcome back a true advocate for the tiny house movement, Lindsay Wood. In this episode, we delve into the opportunities and challenges of living small in California compared to other states, exploring everything from zoning issues to the emerging interest in disaster relief applications for tiny homes. Lindsay shares her insights on finding and creating supportive communities, as well as the intrinsic flexibility and resale potential of tiny homes. We also discuss her project in Daly City aimed at providing urban experiences for potential tiny home enthusiasts. Join us as we uncover valuable tips, resources, and inspiration to help you navigate your own tiny living journey.
In this episode:
- 🏡 Legal Restrictions in Tiny Living: Tiny living enthusiasts can face legal challenges, necessitating alternatives like modular homes.
- 🚧 Modular vs. Tiny Homes: Modular constructions, less restrictive legally, often require cranes for relocation.
- 💸 Cost and Financing: Modular homes range $79K-$150K, with financing options like equity share.
- 📏 Flexibility and Size: Modular homes offer larger sizes compared to tiny homes on wheels.
- 🛠️ Panelized Systems: Systems like Studio Shed require more on-site labor, increasing costs.
- 🏘️ Zoning Challenges: Navigating local zoning is crucial for setting up tiny/modular homes.
- 🤝 Community and Connectivity: Emphasis on privacy, connection, and proximity within families and communities.
- 🌎 Nationwide Services: Lindsay’s Go Tiny Academy offers services, focusing on California.
- 🔀 Adaptability and Flexibility: Rotating living arrangements highlight modular homes' adaptability for changing needs.
For complete show notes, transcript and images, visit the show notes page!
Tiny House Decisions is the guide that I wish I had when I was building my tiny house. It comes in 3 different packages to help you on your unique tiny house journey. And if you're struggling to figure out the systems for your tiny house, like how you're going to heat it, how you're going to plumb it, what construction technique are you gonna use, like SIPs or stick framing or steel framing. Tiny House Decisions will take you through all these processes systematically and help you come up with a design that works for you. Right now, I'm offering 20% off any package of Tiny House Decisions. For listeners of the show, you can head over to thetinyhouse.net/thd to learn more, and use the coupon code "tiny" at checkout for 20% off any package.
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Today, I have a returning guest who continuously brings valuable insights into the tiny house movement, Jewel Pearson. Jewel is a tiny house educator, advocate, and community leader with nearly a decade of experience living in her self designed tiny home. She's back to talk about her latest venture, the Cooperative Communities app, which aims to make tiny house parking more accessible and safer, especially for black and brown tiny house owners. We'll delve into her motivation behind creating the app, its unique features, and how it can foster cooperative land purchasing and community building. Plus, you'll hear about the financial benefits for landowners and how this initiative could expand the tiny house movement's reach.
In This Episode:
- 🏡 Tiny House Directory: A platform for tiny house listings for sale or for rent.
- 🤝 Community Focus: Promotes a welcoming and safe environment, especially for minorities.
- 🌍 Cooperative Land Buying: Facilitates conversations and collaborations.
- 🌱 Support for Black Farmers: Addresses land retention challenges, promotes tiny house collaborations.
- 📈 Consultation Services: Offers setup resources, encourages independent arrangement management.
- 🌐 Platform Features: Connects users for intentional communities, builders can showcase work.
- 📍Parking Solutions: Aims to solve parking barriers, enhance legal acceptance.
Watch the App Demo
Visit the website for the full show notes, links and resources
Tiny House Decisions is the guide that I wish I had when I was building my tiny house. It comes in 3 different packages to help you on your unique tiny house journey. And if you're struggling to figure out the systems for your tiny house, like how you're going to heat it, how you're going to plumb it, what construction technique are you gonna use, like SIPs or stick framing or steel framing. Tiny House Decisions will take you through all these processes systematically and help you come up with a design that works for you. Right now, I'm offering 20% off any package of Tiny House Decisions. For listeners of the show, you can head over to thetinyhouse.net/thd to learn more, and use the coupon code "tiny" at checkout for 20% off any package.
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Tracey Dedicatoria’s journey into tiny living began after a 23 year marriage, and her tiny house has been a sanctuary of peace, healing, and financial stability for her over the past 8 years. In this episode, Tracey shares the transformative power of simplifying your life, the unique challenges and discoveries of living off grid, and her advice for those considering tiny living today. We also dive into the evolution of the tiny house market, including the rising costs and how to navigate the financing options. Join us as we explore Tracey's inspiring path to finding peace and strength through tiny living.
In This Episode:
- 🚽 Toilet Options: Challenges and solutions for compost and dry flush toilets.
- 🛠️ Everyday Repairs: Deck building, pest control, and appliance compatibility issues.
- 💧 Water Management: Reverse osmosis filter and efficient water tank refilling.
- ⚡ Power Solutions: Large battery packs, mini-split systems, and a shift from generators.
- 💲 Financial Insights: Costs, financing, and affordability changes in tiny house market.
- 🏠 Design Considerations: Tiny house layouts, accessibility, and aesthetic preferences.
- 📉 Simplified Living: Financial stress relief, easier maintenance, and reduced lifestyle complexity.
- 💡 Practical Advice: Appliance selection, builder recommendations, and customization tips.
For complete transcript, show notes, links and resources visit the website www.thetinyhouse.net/306.
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I am excited to welcome a guest with a powerful and eye opening story about the realities of tiny living. Cheryl, a musician and single mother, joins us to share her journey of creating a custom tiny home designed to support her musical career and her daughter's needs. However, Cheryl's story goes far beyond innovative design solutions.
We'll dive deep into the legal challenges and zoning issues that have plagued Cheryl's tiny house journey, including a harrowing experience with eviction that exposes the vulnerabilities many tiny house dwellers face. Cheryl candidly discusses the shame and secrecy that often surround nontraditional housing choices and how these factors can leave individuals open to exploitation.
Despite facing numerous setbacks, Cheryl's resilience shines as she advocates for the legalization and broader acceptance of tiny homes. Her story serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action for the tiny house community. Join us as we explore Cheryl's journey to find a supportive community, navigate complex legal landscapes, and ultimately transform her living situation.
In This Episode:
- 🚜 Land Stewardship: Cheryl advocates for a stewardship mentality in land management.
- 🏘️ Community Search: She shares her struggle in finding a community that values land stewardship over mere ownership.
- 🎨 Artist Community: Finds a suitable, supportive artistic and organic community.
- 🏡 Tiny House Advocacy: Advocates for the legalization and acceptance of diverse housing options like tiny homes, yurts, and buses to provide affordable living solutions.
- 📈 Housing Market: Highlights the high costs and unaffordability of housing in Toronto, rendering it unattainable for those like her with tiny homes.
- 🎶 Custom Tiny House: Describes her well planned customized tiny home, including a unique hitch extension to create a cello practice room essential for her music career.
- 📝 Ownership Rights: Stresses the importance of legal rights and protections for tiny homes to be considered viable investments for the future.
- 💔 Personal Struggles: Opens up about facing multiple evictions, renovictions, and dealing with the loss of her brother, emphasizing the emotional toll of housing instability.
- 🔍 Legal Battles: Discusses her intention to pursue legal action against an unjust eviction, highlighting the need for legal recourse for tiny home dwellers facing similar challenges.
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Louise Scott is a multifaceted professional organizer, designer and travel enthusiast. She has not only embraced tiny living, but has also helped many transition to a more minimalistic lifestyle through her business, All Things French. We'll dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of living small, the positive impact it has on finances and quality of life and her unique organizational tips to apply to the spaces in your life of all sizes. Plus, we'll explore her passion for French culture and how that's shaping her future business endeavors. Stay tuned as we uncover how tiny house living can truly transform your life.
In This Episode:
- 🏡 Minimalism in Tiny House Living: Insights into decluttering and minimalism benefits.
- 🧹 Organizational Skills: Tips on maintaining order in small spaces.
- 🌿 Indoor-Outdoor Connection: Design elements for seamless outdoor views.
- 💲 Cost-Efficiency: Tiny house costs and financial benefits.
- 📦 Decluttering Tips: Strategies for dealing with memorabilia and sentimental items.
- 💡 Resource-Conscious Living: Growing interest in eco-friendly, low-cost living solutions.
- 🛠 Client Assistance: Providing various organizational services for client needs.
- ⛴ Travel Influence: Traveling with a minimalist lifestyle.
- 📉 Reduced Utility Bills: Financial savings from lower utility costs.
- 🛏 Aging Challenges: Anticipated need for accessibility to loft beds and composting toilets.
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Today, we have a thought-provoking episode featuring Nate Murphy. Nate is an advocate for minimalism, environmental consciousness, and co-living, and he's here to share his insights on how these concepts intersect with van life and tiny house living. We’ll also explore his book "The Ideas That Rule Us," which dives deep into the ideologies shaping our lives and how embracing minimalism can lead to more fulfilling choices. Nate's personal journey and the practical steps he offers for aligning your life with your values are truly inspiring. So, if you've ever felt weighed down by consumerism or are curious about making radical lifestyle changes, this episode is a must-listen. Stay tuned as we uncover the benefits of eco-villages, the freedom of van life, and pathways to a more self-aware and community-focused existence.
In This Episode:
- 🚐 Van Life Simplicity: Highlighting the affordability, simplicity, and freedom compared to traditional city living.
- 🏞️ Digital Nomadism: The shift towards remote work, allowing people to live and work in rural areas with access to high-speed internet.
- 🏡 Property Appreciation: Unlike vans that depreciate, tiny houses can appreciate over time with proper care and maintenance.
- 💸 Unsustainable Property Prices: A critique on the excessive property prices and the notion that houses should serve as living tools, not just financial investments.
- 🌳 Sustainable Living: Nate’s approach to buying a house in Catalonia focuses on long-term sustainable living rather than financial profit.
- 🌐 Contributionism vs. Consumerism: Community and contribution are valued more over ownership and consumerism, promoting a richer sense of worth.
- 🏘️ Eco Villages/Co-Living: Eco villages and co-living spaces enhance the sense of community and mutual dependency, fostering tangible value exchange and improved living environments.
- 💡 Self-Awareness: Nate advises evaluating one’s behavior and time use to align actions with true values, thereby increasing self-awareness and openness.
- 🌍 Capitalism and Sustainability: A call for a shift towards a sustainable version of capitalism that includes fairness and care.
This Week's Sponsor:
This Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast is sponsored by PrecisionTemp hot water heaters. Right now, PrecisionTemp is offering $50 off their amazing hot water heaters if you use the code THLP at checkout. Head over to PrecisionTemp at precisiontemp.com and use the coupon code THLP for $50 off. Thank you so much to PrecisionTemp for sponsoring our show.
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Today's episode is a special one, several years ago, I had the privilege of interviewing John Wells, a true pioneer in the tiny house movement. John first caught my attention through his insightful comments on my Facebook posts about building my own tiny house. As I dug deeper into his profile, I realized he was the real deal - someone who had fully embraced the off-grid, minimalist lifestyle.
While we initially decided not to release our conversation, recent events have changed my perspective. Sadly, I learned of John's passing through this month's Tiny House Magazine, where he was mentioned as an early influence for Andrew and Laura Lavoie. This news prompted me to revisit our interview, and I was struck by how valuable and inspiring our discussion truly was.
In this episode, we'll explore John's remarkable journey from living in a 2800 square foot house to embracing life in a 128 square foot tiny home on the remote Terlingua Ranch in Southwest Texas. John shares practical steps he took to make this dramatic transformation, offering a wealth of tips for anyone interested in off-grid living.
Throughout our conversation, John's unique approach to simple living and his authentic personality shine through, providing invaluable insights for those considering a similar lifestyle change. Though recorded a while ago, John's wisdom remains as relevant and thought-provoking as ever.
In This Episode:
- 🏠 The specifics of John's off-grid home, including portable AC, propane cooking, and preference for solar power over wind energy.
- 🌞 Details of John's solar power system, with 1200 watts providing electricity and the benefits it brings to his off-grid living.
- 🚑 A recount of his compound fracture, hospital stay, and long recovery period in a wheelchair that interrupted his off-grid activities.
- 💡 Tips for living off-grid, such as experimenting with modular systems and the importance of self-sufficiency.
- 🐕 John's preference for animal interactions over human companionship and his hermit lifestyle, despite being active online.
- ✉️ Various income sources like odd jobs, selling merchandise, and custom silver items; his grassland and minimal cost living.
- 🏚️ John's process in building a tiny house for himself and for a friend, utilizing his carpentry skills and past experiences.
- 🍽️ Using a solar oven, shopping at remote grocery stores, and experimenting with food delivery during recovery.
- 💰 Monthly expenses, property taxes, and how moving to Texas drastically reduced his living costs.
- 🎥 Insights into his blog, YouTube channel, and why he shares his off-grid lifestyle online, turning his experiences into engaging content.
Visit the website for full show notes, photos, links and resources.
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Over the past decade, Jenna has expanded her influence through her amazingly popular YouTube channel, Tiny House Giant Journey, which showcases unique tiny house tours and stories. We'll discuss the challenges of maintaining and repairing a tiny house, especially when it's used primarily as a vacation rental, but it wasn't built as one initially. Jenna will also share the incredible stories behind some of the most remarkable tiny houses she has encountered, including one nestled in an animal sanctuary. Whether you're a tiny house veteran or just curious, you'll find plenty of inspiration and practical insights in today's episode.
In This Episode:
- 🏡 Tiny House Maintenance: Jenna shares challenges, including moving and flooring issues.
- 🚗 Tiny House Transportation: Costs and difficulties of moving and parking tiny homes.
- 👪 Minimalism with Family: Struggling to accommodate a growing family and maintain minimalism.
- 🚚 Trends in Tiny Homes: Larger homes and rise of tiny house villages.
- 🎥 Tiny House Stories: Jenna's YouTube content and focus on personal stories.
- ✨ Unique Living Spaces: Her interest in unique tiny homes like Vardo wagon.
- 📈 Popularity of Tiny Houses: Increased acceptance and legal parking options.
This Week's Sponsor:
This Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast is sponsored by PrecisionTemp hot water heaters. Right now, PrecisionTemp is offering $50 off their amazing hot water heaters if you use the code THLP at checkout. Head over to PrecisionTemp at precisiontemp.com and use the coupon code THLP for $50 off. Thank you so much to PrecisionTemp for sponsoring our show.
Visit the website for full transcript, photos, links and resources from this episode.
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Candace and her husband have a unique story, having coordinated their tiny house build in the United States while still living in South Africa entirely via WhatsApp video calls. With a background as a declutter coach, life coach, retreat leader, and yoga teacher, Candace brings us insights on how to create a life filled with intentionality and joy. We'll dive into her journey from South Africa to the United States, explore the impact of decluttering on mental and emotional well-being, and get inspired by her advice for those considering the tiny house lifestyle. Stay tuned as we learn from Candace's experience and enthusiasm for creating a life you'll love.
In This Episode:
- 🌱 Minimalism and Decluttering: Candace emphasizes the personal growth she experienced from shedding material possessions.
- 🏡 Tiny House Living: She shares about transitioning to a tiny home and its benefits.
- 🌍 Traveling Lifestyle: Traveling with their tiny house across the US and finding parking.
- 💪 Personal Growth: Candace talks about the challenges and mindset shifts that came along with the move from South Africa to the US.
- ✨ Intentional Living: She discusses how embracing new experiences lead to a fulfilling life.
- 🔄 Simplification Process: The feeling of lightness she achieved through decluttering.
- 🛠️ Building Challenges: How she managed to coordinate their entire tiny house build remotely via WhatsApp.
- 🧘 Holistic Wellness: Focusing on mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Visit the website for full transcript, photos, links and resources from this episode.
This Week's Sponsor:
This Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast is sponsored by PrecisionTemp hot water heaters. Right now, PrecisionTemp is offering $50 off their amazing hot water heaters if you use the code THLP at checkout. Head over to PrecisionTemp, that's precisiontemp.com, and use the coupon code THLP for $50 off. Thank you so much to PrecisionTemp for sponsoring our show.
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Emily Gerde and her husband Justin, son Wyatt, three cats and one dog live in a 325 square foot tiny house on wheels. Emily is the author of Minimalist Living for a Maximum Life, which provides insight on their tiny house journey and how a minimalist, organic, holistic, mindful lifestyle led to a life of their dreams.
What's it like raising a minimalist family with plans to grow in tiny house? How do you keep the intake of stuff to a minimum while creating an enriching experience for your children? I'll ask Emily those questions and more.
In this episode:
- Why did Emily settle on relatively large (325sf) tiny house on wheels?
- What’s it like to move a 20,000lb tiny house?
- Why Emily and her family started living in a camper but have decided to abandon that project?
- How to deal with the judgement you receive from choosing to live in a tiny house as a family?
- Emily’s efforts to legalize tiny house communities in Colorado
- What will you do when your young children approach teen age?
- Do you have to live in a tiny house to be a minimalist?
- How do you control the space (toys, play area, etc.) associated with kids in your tiny house?
- How do you deal with receiving gifts when most people tend to give children toys?
- How have you dealt with the need for an address to enroll your son in school?
Find the full show notes, transcript, links and resources on the website.
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Lil Wing is a metal triangle on wheels with a putting green grass landing, and it was the most unique tiny house I saw at Big Mass Festival. The builder, Chris Schapdick of Tiny Industrial, specializes in smaller tiny homes that are easy to tow. In addition, he is the author of two books about tiny house living. In this conversation, we’ll cover the ins and outs of building towable tiny houses, why Chris decided to share his process on Instructables, and what we can look forward to in his book release.
In This Episode:
- From NYC suburbia to living tiny in upstate New York: Chris’s tiny house journey
- How Chris started building other tiny houses
- The challenge of sealing plywood
- Tiny House Industrial has offerings for every budget level
- Lil Wing design inspiration
- Why are the smaller tiny houses so appealing?
- The Oculus North tiny house
- Why Chris wrote The Joy of Tiny House Living
Visit the show notes page for more photos, links, and resources.
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I am excited to introduce you to Kaylee, a passionate advocate for the tiny house movement and a biology teacher with a deep interest in sustainable living. Kaylee will share the inspiring saga of her journey building her own tiny house and how it reshaped her perspective on simple, ecological living. We'll dig into the challenges she faced from zoning laws to financial hurdles and how these experiences fueled her advocacy for tiny house legalization. Kaylee's story is not just about building a small home, but about building a life aligned with values of minimalism and sustainability. Join us as we explore the highs and lows of tiny house living and learn from Kaylee’s relentless pursuit of her dreams against all odds.
In This Episode:
- 🏡 Tiny House Lifestyle Challenges: Kaylee shares the immense difficulties in transitioning to tiny home living, including legal hurdles.
- 🌿 Environmental Passion: As a biology teacher, she highlights her commitment to eco-friendly living and how it integrates with her tiny house journey.
- 📜 Advocating for Legal Change: Her involvement in pushing for legislative changes to accommodate tiny house living, reflecting on her work with bill S 897.
- 🧰 Building Struggles: Kaylee narrates the practical challenges faced while building her tiny home, including weather setbacks and zoning conflicts.
- 💑 Relationship Dynamics: Kaylee's relationship plays a crucial role in her tiny house adventure, providing both support and a backup housing option.
- 📚 Education Evaluation: How her personal experiences have changed the way she views education and priorities.
- 🚀 Movie Inspiration: "Gattaca" acts as a motivational tool for her, symbolizing overcoming imposed limitations, similar to her struggles with tiny house living.
- 💸 Financial Struggles: Discusses the financial stress of building and maintaining a tiny house, including renting out spaces to fund her project.
- ⚖️ Navigating Local Politics: Kaylee describes contrasting interactions at state and local levels, highlighting more receptive planning board meetings.
- 🤔 Reflection on Life Choices: Despite challenges, Kaylee wouldn't change her journey, embracing her natural tendency to challenge authority and societal norms.
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MJ Boyle is a mastermind in the tiny house community and the founder of several successful tiny house businesses, including My Tiny House Village and Oregon Teardrop Rentals. MJ has not only built and rented out nine unique tiny homes but has just embarked on transforming a construction trailer into an alluring tiny home called “My Tiny Bunkhouse.”
In today's episode, MJ will share her innovative approach to waterless and odorless toilet systems that enhance both guest and staff experiences. We'll also delve into the art of rehabilitating and renovating tiny structures, a skill MJ has honed over years of experience, turning dilapidated shells into dream homes with sustainable practices. Join us for a comprehensive discussion on maintaining high occupancy rates, exceptional guest satisfaction, and the strategic intricacies of managing multiple tiny house locations efficiently. It’s a packed interview you won't want to miss!
In This Episode:
- Pet-Friendly Policies 🐾: MJ allows pets but requires a deposit and adherence to specific rules to grant a free stay, addressing the challenge of finding pet-friendly rentals.
- Flooring Choices 🏡: Luxury vinyl flooring is highlighted due to its scratch and water resistance, plus its ability to make spaces appear larger.
- Built-In Furniture 🔨: Stability and practicality are achieved through built-ins instead of traditional furniture, tailored to renter needs.
- Profitable Rentals 💸: MJ shares a success story where investing in tiny homes yielded substantial profit and emphasizes the importance of long-term planning.
- Laundry Logistics 🧺: Discusses the high costs and logistical challenges of laundry management across multiple rental properties in different states.
- DIY Composting Toilet 🚽: MJ designed a cost-effective, odorless composting toilet system using buckets, wood pellets, and cedar shavings, enhancing guest experience.
- Property Rehabilitation 🛠️: MJ transformed a dilapidated trailer into a functional and inviting tiny home, showcasing her talent in renovation.
- Business Growth During COVID 📈: The pandemic brought high demand, with rentals fully booked for an extended period, demonstrating business resilience.
- Infrastructure Challenges 🔌: MJ recounts the technical and regulatory hurdles in establishing a new site for her tiny house village.
Visit the show notes page for more photos, links and resources.
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Today, we have a very special guest, Lucy Lich, joining us from the South Coast of New South Wales Australia. Lucy is not only a dedicated tiny house dweller, but also a teacher, wellness enthusiast, and the host of the Tiny House Conversations podcast. Over the next hour, we'll dive into how living tiny has profoundly integrated with her values of minimalism, health and environmental consciousness. Lucy will share her personal journey into tiny living, her insights on designing for health and minimizing environmental impacts, and how her experiences have shaped her podcast. Join us as we explore the unique challenges and joys of tiny living with an expert who lives and breathes this lifestyle every day.
In This Episode:
- 🏡 Tiny House Customization: Lucy hired builders open to unique material customization, accommodating her health-centric needs in tiny house construction.
- 💡 Health-Oriented Lighting: The story behind trading standard bulbs with amber and red to mimic natural sunlight, promoting better sleep and relaxation.
- 🌿 Electromagnetic Sensitivity: Extra measures like non-wireless tech and special electrical wiring incorporated into the design to reduce electromagnetic fields.
- 💧 Natural Living Approach: Features like a composting toilet, rainwater tank, and solar setup installed to enhance sustainable living.
- 🤍 Mindfulness and Intentionality: Lucy's philosophy of intentionality and mindfulness permeates her tiny house living approach, focusing on eco-friendliness and connection with nature.
Visit the full show notes for additional photos, links and resources.
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Janet Thome is deeply involved in the tiny house movement, leading the Tiny House Alliance USA and serving as the membership secretary of the ASTM International Tiny House Subcommittee. In this episode, Janet will share insights into the current state of the tiny house market, the impact of recent economic shifts, and the ongoing efforts to develop standards that ensure safety, affordability, and compliance in the industry. She’ll also discuss the importance of certification for owner-builders and the essential role of inclusive regulations. Join us as we dive deep into these topics and explore the future potential of tiny house living with Janet Thome.
In This Episode:
- 🌍 Global Standardization: Janet discusses efforts with ASTM International to create a worldwide tiny house standard, streamlining safety, affordability, and compliance across different countries.
- 👷 Safety and Compliance: Emphasis on the importance of adopting ASTM standards to ensure that tiny houses are built safely and adhere to recognized industry benchmarks.
- 🏠 Affordable Housing: Keeping the tiny house industry affordable is a primary concern, facilitating support for small manufacturers and DIY builders.
- 🚚 Local vs. Transport Costs: The cost benefits of selecting local builders to prevent high transportation costs of materials and completed homes.
- 📋 Certification Needs: Highlighting the importance of certification to streamline and ensure consistency in the building and approval processes across states.
- 🛑 Fraud Alert: Warnings about the prevalence of scams within the tiny house industry, urging potential buyers to thoroughly research and verify builders' credentials.
- 🤝 Industry Collaboration: Collaboration with various stakeholders like manufacturers, engineers, and architects to create comprehensive and inclusive standards.
- 🔍 Future Trends: Emerging trends, including a push towards creating new classifications of housing to keep up with societal and economic changes.
Visit the show notes for links, resources and transcript.
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Today we delve into the story of a listener turned tiny home owner, Maegan Bell. Maegan is an active duty Army logistics officer who's going to share with us how she exchanged the blueprints of a traditional house for the compact efficiency of a custom-built tiny home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. We'll explore the challenges of setting up utilities, the joys of bringing family closer together, and how tiny homes can offer a unique solution for military families on the move. Maegan's journey is filled with insights and practical advice for anyone considering this lifestyle. So if you're curious about the tiny house movement or looking for tips on how to make it work for your family, stay tuned for this fascinating conversation.
In This Episode:
- 🏡 Embracing Tiny House Living: Maegan and her husband discovered the comfort and functionality of a tiny house.
- 💵 Military Financial Strategy: How living in an RV or a tiny house can be a clever financial decision for military families due to housing allowances.
- 🏞️ Wildlife and Remote Habitats: Maegan shares stories of wildlife encounters and her expertise in making remote locations livable from her military logistics background.
- 🔨 Smart Contractor Selection: The need to carefully vet contractors by checking credentials and reviews for building or developing a tiny house.
- 🕒 Land Development Patience: She advises taking time to understand the land before rushing into development.
- 🌄 Vacation Home to Tiny House: Faced with high building costs, Maegan chose to build a custom tiny house on her Virginia property as a nature-connected family retreat.
- 🛠️ Design Choices and Regrets: Maegan discusses aspects that worked out really well, but also shared certain regrets.
- 🛖 Multi-Use Property Planning: With the flexibility tiny houses offer, her family enjoys a stable vacation home that could also be rented out or moved if needed.
- 🌞 Off-Grid Living Exploration: Due to the high cost of setting up grid electricity, she considered off-grid solutions, such as solar panels, for their tiny house.
Visit the show notes page for more photos, links, and resources.
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Today we're exploring the cozy nooks of park model tiny homes with Cindy Ballaro. Cindy is not only a resident of a charming tiny home, but also a multipreneur who wears many hats including that of a publisher and marketer. Living in the picturesque mountains of North Carolina, Cindy has turned her sunflower-themed tiny house into a haven for both living and Airbnb guests. She's going to share with us the unique benefits and challenges of choosing a park model over a traditional towable tiny house, and how this lifestyle complements her entrepreneurial endeavors. So if you're intrigued by the community living aspect of tiny houses or are considering a park model for your own downsized life, this episode is for you.
In This Episode:
- 🏡 Park Model Tiny Homes: The differentiation between park models and towable tiny homes, including key factors that were important to Cindy when selecting her park model home.
- 🌐 Tiny House Communities: Cindy shares what it’s like to live in her tiny home community
- 🛠 Customization and Choice: Insight into the process of customization when purchasing a new build.
- 💲 Financial Aspects: Conversation on costs, value appreciation, and the advantage of selling property to finance the tiny house without needing a loan.
- 🌦️ Climate Management: The unexpected challenge of moisture control in a tiny house.
- 🛏️ Airbnb Hosting: Benefits of renting out the tiny home, managing personal space, and creating an additional income stream.
- 💵 Cost of Living: Sharing the expense of renting a lot in the tiny house community and how it supports her entrepreneurial lifestyle.
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I am thrilled to introduce our guest, Mike Crowhurst, a seasoned tiny house dweller and the creative mind behind one of the most unique tiny homes I’ve seen in a while! Mike and his wife Heidi spent three years crafting a 45-foot ex-refrigerated semi-trailer into a gorgeous tiny home. Throughout this episode, we'll dive into Mike's journey of tiny house living, exploring not just the practical aspects like custom cabinetry and space-saving features like an innovative elevator bed, but also the sustainable lifestyle that drives him. We'll also get into the nitty-gritty of converting a semi-trailer into a comfortable and functional living space, addressing the challenges and rewards such a project brings. So buckle up as we get a tour of Mike’s impressive tiny house and learn how he has optimized every inch of his home for maximum living.
In This Episode:
- 🚚 Tiny House Towing Challenges: The intricacies involved in transporting a tiny house safely, including the type of vehicle required and the importance of professional trucking expertise to avoid potential hazards.
- 🏠 Semi-Trailer Conversion Journey: Mike's personal adventure of converting a 45-foot refrigerated semi-trailer into a sustainable and innovative tiny home.
- ❄️☀️ Insulation and Climate Adaptation: The insulation options used in the semi-trailer, Mike's additional insulation efforts, and adaptation to the Adelaide climate.
- 💡 Procuring a Trailer: Insight into the process of acquiring a semi-trailer, highlighting considerations like checking for rust, maintenance history, and tips on where to find decommissioned trailers.
- 🗄️ Tiny House Storage Solutions: Mike outlines the storage enhancements in his tiny home, describing various built-in options that maximize space without creating a cramped feeling.
- 🛏️ Elevator Bed Innovation: The unique design and functionality of the elevator bed in the tiny house are explained, showcasing how space-saving features contribute to the minimalist lifestyle.
- 🤝 Online and Real-Life Communities: Encouragement for listeners to seek advice and share experiences within the tiny house community, both in-person and online, to foster collective wisdom and support.
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Judy comes to us with 36 years of experience as a custom builder and remodeler, with a passion for well-appointed, smaller living spaces. We'll dive into her expert advice on maximizing functionality without sacrificing style and comfort, and explore her journey from a 4,000 square foot dwelling to her favorite 1,100 square foot home. From Murphy beds to curated maximalism, Judy is here to share her wealth of knowledge on living intentionally within our means. So get ready to learn from Judy's inspiring experiences and practical tips on downsizing your space, but not your life.
In This Episode:
- 🏡 Judy shares her journey of downsizing and creating a simplified lifestyle by decluttering and being intentional about possessions.
- 📏 Designing small living spaces that are functional without sacrificing style or comfort.
- 🗑️ The negative effects of clutter on well-being and relationships, providing strategies for effective decluttering.
- 🤏 The distinction between minimalism and living small, stressing on the value of personal preference in arranging living spaces.
- 🛋️ Judy highlights the importance and benefits of furniture that serves multiple purposes in tiny homes.
- 💌 Advice on managing sentimental items, encouraging repurposing, donating, or letting go rather than keeping out of obligation.
- 📊 Tackling one space at a time and organizing one zone at a time instead of trying to do it all at once.
- 🚀 Judy introduces "resizing" as a way to reassess and clear out home spaces, making room for what truly matters.
- ⛓️ The common mistake of buying organizing tools before actually decluttering.
- 📚 Judy recommends books for design inspiration and discusses her own book, "Bigger Living, Smaller Space."
Full show notes, photos, links and resources available at www.thetinyhouse.net/judy-granlee-gates
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Today, I'll be talking with Elizabeth, one of the team members behind a new and innovative entry into the world of compost toilets, the Throne Composting Toilet. Throne offers both a ready made AND DIY solution to the traditional compost toilet that promises ease and simplicity. We'll delve into the nuts and bolts of building your own compost toilet using Throne’s DIY kit, tackle common problems with existing designs, and explore the benefits and drawbacks of different styles of compost toilet. Our guest Elizabeth lived full time with her family in their self-built skoolie, and went through three different compost toilet designs before finally settling on the Throne. Whether or not you’re currently in the market for a compost toilet, Stay tuned as Elizabeth shares wisdom from life on the road, and the do’s and don’ts for successful compost toilet in your home.
In This Episode:
- 🚽 Maintaining the right level of contents in the compost toilet is crucial to prevent overflow and the need to interrupt a good night's sleep.
- 💚 Elizabeth's innovative approach for urine showcases a creative way to recycle waste products sustainably.
- 🌾 Her personal trial and error with using hay and eventually sawdust in her compost pile, highlighting the necessity of finding the right balance.
- 🏡 Elizabeth's experience designing a timber frame home that included a creatively signed compost toilet offers insights on how to incorporate eco-friendly practices into residential architecture.
- 🎨 The exciting launch of Throne compost toilets, their pre-order specials, and how customers can personalize their purchases with special color options.
- ✂️ Elizabeth addresses common compost toilet complications through simplicity with a straightforward, cleanable design.
For full show notes, photos, links and resources visit https://www.thetinyhouse.net/elizabeth
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Surviving Hurricanes and Building Sustainable Tiny House Communities
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From Bankrupt to 160 Acres: How Two Brothers Are Using Creative Financing to Build a Tiny Empire
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A Professional Organizer's 4-Step Process for Decluttering Any Space with Shira Gill
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From Corporate Law to Tiny House Communities: Dedria Kolb's Journey to Poplar Creek
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From Tiny Houses to Modular Homes: Finding Your Path to Small Living
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From Renovictions to Resilience: One Musician's Journey to Tiny House Living
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Essential Tiny House Organization Tips from a Pro Organizer
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Breaking Free from Consumerism: Tiny Living and Big Ideas with Nate Murphy
38:35
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From NYC to 128 Sq Ft: How John Wells Escaped $12K Taxes for a $400/Year Tiny Paradise
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The Versatility and Challenges of Living a Tiny Lifestyle
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Secrets to a Fulfilling Tiny House Lifestyle
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011. Living the Minimalist Family Life: 3 People, 3 Cats, and a Dog in a 325sf Tiny House On Wheels
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She’s Building Her Tiny House Dream Against All Odds
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How to Transform Tiny Homes into Profitable Rental Ventures
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How to Build a Health-Conscious Tiny Home
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Inside the Effort to Develop a Tiny House Standard for the Entire World
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How a Military Family Found Connection and Serenity in Tiny House Living
42:12
Introduction to the Park Model Tiny House Lifestyle
29:30
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Transforming a Semi-Trailer into a Stylish Tiny Home
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The Art of Resizing: Living Big in a Smaller Home
43:22
Building and Using Compost Toilets for Tiny Homes
42:18