Planning to Live Tiny: Part One
Tiny living is a big change from normal housing. There’s no denying that. You have to think about EVERYTHING when going into this.
While most of these step you can do mentally, I do recommend writing things down to remember and organize. There’s already been lots that I have forgotten because I haven’t been organized. I’ll jump from thinking about costs to layout and back to costs then to locations etc.
Let’s start!
In this series, I will break down the beginning planning into 5 parts.
- Part one: Is tiny living for you? (Pst! You’re here!)
- Part two: Where and when?
- Part three: Planning what to take and your size and type of vehicle.
- Part four: Planning layout of your new home
- Part five: Planning costs and how you will afford it.
Now let’s start!
Why do you want to live tiny? Can you?
I have always wanted to travel and live tiny. I want to see the ocean and eat burgers on the beach. I want to see the mountains and snowboard in Colorado. Except, I don‘t get to experience those things living here in Iowa. I get corn and soybean fields. I get hog barns and trucks carrying manure. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love Iowa. We get all four seasons in a week and most of my family lives here. However, I am turning 20 on April 1, 2020. I still live with my mom. I have followed my mom for every job I have had. I still have my mom on my bank account. My car is legally in her name since I bought it at 17. I have been wanting to do this since I was 17 as well. All that being said, that’s why I want to live tiny.
If you haven’t given much thought on WHY you want to live tiny, now is that time. Maybe you just think traveling every now and again is fun and don’t want to have to worry about a job and housing with every move and this is just to renovate a van into a camper. Maybe you’re like me and just need to escape your current reality, want to experience new things and see beautiful places. Whatever your reason, think about it. Use it as your motivation for this project. It’s big and expensive but so totally worth it.
I spent about 10 minutes brainstorming and came up with this pros and cons list for myself.
Pros
| Cons
|
|---|---|
My own job
| Weather
|
My own bank account
| Initial Costs
|
My own place
| Friends and Family
|
My own car
| Pets
|
Travel
| |
Experience new things
| |
Clear out old things
|
Yours will obviously vary. Maybe you don’t have pets to worry about. Maybe you do lots of online shopping and need a stationary mail box. Maybe you have no cons! Go you, if so!
Make sure that in this step, you not only consider if you want to do this but also if you can. Maybe you will never be able to afford it. Maybe you have physical illnesses and need to stick to one primary care provider. Consider EVERYTHING.
If you’ve done this and decided that this is a fit for you, then you are all set to continue!
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This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2020 Elyssa Brock
