The following questions have been asked more than once. I began making a list a while back but lost it so these are more recent ones. I may add a part 2 as time goes on.
How much did it cost?
Around $14,500. Looking back the cost could have been much higher or lower! We would have spent less if we did all the work ourselves. If we went with higher quality material it would have been way more expensive. I feel we finished in a good balance.
What do you use for power/water?
In the future we hope to have solar and wind. For now we are dependent on being plugged in for electricity. Our stove is propane and our toilet is composting so in summer we really don't need to be plugged in. We also have a generator. We still do not have a freshwater holding tank so we also need to haul water or be hooked up.
Where do you poop?
We have a composting toilet. It was made by my friend and I. We hope to one day have an incinerating toilet when our budget allows. Basically our setup is a toilet seat on a box over a bucket. We keep a layer of dry clean sawdust or peat moss over the top and it generally does not smell.
Toilet made by my friend and I over the 4th of July.
How do you dry your laundry?
I was drying it outside before the winter rain started. We do have a washer/dryer in one though. I haven't used the dryer setting as it takes a long time and wastes electricity. I still use the laundromat when we get behind. I don't mind it as we get out of the house and it usually provides entertainment!
I was drying it outside before the winter rain started. We do have a washer/dryer in one though. I haven't used the dryer setting as it takes a long time and wastes electricity. I still use the laundromat when we get behind. I don't mind it as we get out of the house and it usually provides entertainment!
Washer/dryer and kitchen.
Where do you keep shoes?
We each have a pair of boots, a pair of every day shoes and a pair of flip flops. The pair we are wearing that day stays on a mat near the door and the others are stored under a bench.
What does your dinnertime routine look like?
Pretty much like a regular house. The kids play with toys while I cook, usually. We all fit at our table. We sit, pray and eat together each night. The only chaotic part is when I'm trying to pick up and Matt and the boys want to play or go to the bathroom.
Who gets what color stuff in the house?
When the boys were first placed in our home I got orange and green of everything for them. This carried on and into our tiny house too. Javis is orange, Michael green, Matt chose blue and I picked yellow. We have color coded towels and dishes. It is nice to have your 'own' stuff even if it is just the necessaries.
Do you ever have to buy items that you wish you had not gotten rid of?
Not really! I think the only thing was a corkscrew and a can opener. We go through clothes faster only having about 5 pairs. But this way we get to change out our wardrobes more frequently. There may be a few other things we bought mini sized such as a vacuum and coffee maker. I really don't miss 'stuff'.
We each have a pair of boots, a pair of every day shoes and a pair of flip flops. The pair we are wearing that day stays on a mat near the door and the others are stored under a bench.
What does your dinnertime routine look like?
Pretty much like a regular house. The kids play with toys while I cook, usually. We all fit at our table. We sit, pray and eat together each night. The only chaotic part is when I'm trying to pick up and Matt and the boys want to play or go to the bathroom.
Who gets what color stuff in the house?
When the boys were first placed in our home I got orange and green of everything for them. This carried on and into our tiny house too. Javis is orange, Michael green, Matt chose blue and I picked yellow. We have color coded towels and dishes. It is nice to have your 'own' stuff even if it is just the necessaries.
Do you ever have to buy items that you wish you had not gotten rid of?
Not really! I think the only thing was a corkscrew and a can opener. We go through clothes faster only having about 5 pairs. But this way we get to change out our wardrobes more frequently. There may be a few other things we bought mini sized such as a vacuum and coffee maker. I really don't miss 'stuff'.
How is living in there with kids?
It is going like I had hoped. My kids are great as long as they are being entertained and now I have more time for that. We adventure more out of the house. They do say they wish we had a bigger house but it is usually when we tell them they can't have something because we do not have the space. Don't let me mislead you into thinking it's all wonderful... Just like in a regular sized house, I get overwhelmed and sometime wonder 'What the heck am I thinking trapping myself in here with them!?' Overall, it is positive. (This is just a quick answer. This subject deserves its own post with much more detail!)
How did you decide to homeschool?
The original plan was to homeschool as we traveled. Matt got a job so we came straight here. I decided to keep homeschooling because I feel that I can give them more one on one time than public school. Both of them started off delayed and I think with a little extra attention they may be able to catch up a bit more. Right now I am focusing on making sure my boys are confident in themselves just the way they are. They both LOVE learning so right now I have no regrets.
Does your family have a sort of life mission or goal?
We hope to become less dependent on an outside food source. We have a better ability to grow more food here, compared to Alaska. In the future we hope to travel more and work in missions. If God chooses to bless us with biological children that would be great too. However, right now we are focused on our boys, each other and becoming happy and content with what we have in each other.
Does the house feel too full?
I've found myself shouting that I need to be left alone more than once. It usually means I want to not be touched and just need a few minutes up in the loft or outside. In my moments like this it feels full but generally it doesn't. I have noticed that when things are not clean or put away I feel very agitated. The other time is when everyone is up and trying to walk around each other. This is why I still go through things and donate items frequently to create more space. We have developed a good 'one comes in, one goes out' rotation.
One of the frustrating moments when little people decided to run around while I delivered breakfast...
Are all of your needs met in the tiny house?
All of our needs, yes. Wants, no! Living with just the basics takes more time for sure. Everything has its own space and needs to be planned out. I miss a dishwasher. Since we all only have one set I do dishes at least 2-3 times a day. I also miss taking baths. I used to relax and have my alone time. Our 5 inch foam mattress is uncomfortable, but it's a great excuse for regular massages! The negatives are nothing compared to all of the wonderful things about living minimally. I can honestly say that I'm glad we are not doing this in Alaska because we value the time we get to spend outside each day and that would not be doable in 9 degrees!
If given the opportunity to do this again, would you?
Totally. Even in my moments of frustration I've never thought or said I wish we hadn't done this. Just in the past few months our marriage has strengthened tremendously. We are actually happier and have more patience with each other. The boys are getting the attention they deserve and we have more time to enjoy them form their little personalities.
All of our needs, yes. Wants, no! Living with just the basics takes more time for sure. Everything has its own space and needs to be planned out. I miss a dishwasher. Since we all only have one set I do dishes at least 2-3 times a day. I also miss taking baths. I used to relax and have my alone time. Our 5 inch foam mattress is uncomfortable, but it's a great excuse for regular massages! The negatives are nothing compared to all of the wonderful things about living minimally. I can honestly say that I'm glad we are not doing this in Alaska because we value the time we get to spend outside each day and that would not be doable in 9 degrees!
If given the opportunity to do this again, would you?
Totally. Even in my moments of frustration I've never thought or said I wish we hadn't done this. Just in the past few months our marriage has strengthened tremendously. We are actually happier and have more patience with each other. The boys are getting the attention they deserve and we have more time to enjoy them form their little personalities.
Our lil men <3
What would you change?
I would have gotten a longer trailer so I could have room for a bathtub. If we would have had more space our room could be on the lower level and then I wouldn't have to climb down a ladder to pee at night. We also should have looked into making our house not so heavy. The only thing that I am honestly struggling with is where we live, meaning the town. I think that I will enjoy it more after we have our own space! So I suppose I would have changed how quickly we had to move, given more time to looking into zoning and possibly visited the area before moving here.
What's it like traveling?
Refer to my Alcan post! Traveling long distance was an experience we will never forget! The shorter trips have been relatively uneventful. Our tiny house was built too heavy and was a tough load to haul. We could have benefited from sway bars as the trailer would swerve over 50 mph which was pretty terrifying. Even though I was sad we weren't going to get to travel before moving here I am glad we didn't. Our design isn't the best for frequent relocation.
I would have gotten a longer trailer so I could have room for a bathtub. If we would have had more space our room could be on the lower level and then I wouldn't have to climb down a ladder to pee at night. We also should have looked into making our house not so heavy. The only thing that I am honestly struggling with is where we live, meaning the town. I think that I will enjoy it more after we have our own space! So I suppose I would have changed how quickly we had to move, given more time to looking into zoning and possibly visited the area before moving here.
What's it like traveling?
Refer to my Alcan post! Traveling long distance was an experience we will never forget! The shorter trips have been relatively uneventful. Our tiny house was built too heavy and was a tough load to haul. We could have benefited from sway bars as the trailer would swerve over 50 mph which was pretty terrifying. Even though I was sad we weren't going to get to travel before moving here I am glad we didn't. Our design isn't the best for frequent relocation.
Last day of the 2,800 mile trip.
If I've left anything out or you'd like me to explain something further please leave a comment!
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