Minimalism
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Read (100 minus your age in years) pages of a new book before deciding whether to put it down.
It encourages trying new things and helps you reach the good ones.
one person who lived it
If you have a large family, aim for at least 900 square feet of space to accommodate basic storage needs like shoes.
One person with eight people in the house found that 900 sq ft was the minimum needed to fit items like multiple pairs of shoes per child.
one person who lived it
Use wood for heating, as it costs around half of natural gas, anthracite briquettes may be even cheaper, and gathered wood is free.
Wood is cheaper than natural gas, and self-gathered wood is free.
one person who lived it
Reduce possessions to make cleaning easier in small spaces.
Less stuff means less cleaning.
- Only works if you can go without more stuff.
one person who lived it
Hire an architect or at least an engineer.
You will likely need one for a building permit.
one person who lived it
Read 'Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff' by Richard Carlson to learn how to let go of minor stresses.
One person reported it helped them tremendously.
one person who lived it
Discard or donate clothing gifts that do not match your style or wardrobe.
Keeping clothing you won't wear because you don't like it or it doesn't match is a waste.
one person who lived it
Drink fine wine now rather than aging it.
Most wines do not actually improve with age.
one person who lived it
Mount a tankless water heater on an outside wall.
It saves an interior closet.
one person who lived it
22 more on this
Be aware that unconventional housing projects may face skepticism regarding safety claims or costs.
Critics have questioned earthquake resistance in areas prone to tornadoes and scrutinized low project costs for hidden expenses like free labor or land.
- Skepticism includes questioning the validity of safety concerns (earthquakes vs tornadoes) and the realism of low budgets ($35k).
one person who lived it
Wear nice clothes and jewelry daily instead of saving them for special events.
Special occasions may never come, and clothing may stop fitting.
2 people, independently
Read about extreme minimalism to question whether you truly need a large house filled with possessions.
It helps set your direction of travel regarding how you live.
one person who lived it
Adopt a minimal mindset by decluttering physical and digital possessions to shed excess that blocks your view of what is important.
It helps shed the excess blocking your view of what's truly important in your life.
one person who lived it
Budget for custom or special-duty appliances and fixtures when calculating tiny home costs, as these drive up expenses.
It is not the space that is expensive, but the refinements.
one person who lived it
Get rid of belongings you do not use frequently.
It reduces cleaning burdens and feelings of being enslaved by consumerism.
one person who lived it
Build a box-shaped structure to simplify construction elements.
It makes all elements much easier to construct.
one person who lived it
Practice detachment by ensuring that while you own possessions, they do not own you.
one person who lived it
Lower your monthly living expenses to gain the freedom to quit unsatisfying jobs.
one person who lived it
Keep a modest lifestyle and invest income increases into assets rather than upgrading housing to build wealth.
Upgrading housing creates liabilities instead of assets.
one person who lived it
Avoid living in a dumpster in Texas if you cannot tolerate extreme heat, as it lacks insulation and ventilation.
The lack of insulation or ventilation makes the interior like an oven during the day.
one person who lived it
Recognize that this specific approach to housing is an outlier case rather than a standard model.
The individual admits to being an outlier who pushes boundaries.
one person who lived it
Expect higher house prices when the economy is good.
good economies usually mean higher house prices
one person who lived it
Define frugality as trading things others value (like space) for what you value (like location), rather than simply spending the least money possible.
one person who lived it
Avoid using shipping containers for home construction due to issues with insulation, corrosion, and structural integrity.
Shipping containers are just sheet metal boxes with short lives and poor insulation properties.
one person who lived it
Ensure tiny houses include practical amenities like storage for clothes, kitchen counters, and shower facilities to maintain self-sufficiency.
Without these, you are just shifting everyday living to another location rather than truly living small.
one person who lived it
Centralize mechanical and electrical services.
It saves space.
one person who lived it
Build or use a composting toilet to manage waste in off-grid or tiny living situations.
3 people, independently
Use expensive food, drinks, or household goods immediately to make ordinary days feel special.
3 people, independently
Identify what makes you happy and pursue it, even at the expense of your status quo, rather than following others' expectations.
one person who lived it
Consider using compressed earth blocks as a building material, as they appear affordable while maintaining the appeal of traditional housing.
They are very affordable and retain traditional aesthetic appeal.
one person who lived it
If you have perishable vegetables at home that need to be eaten, decline social engagements involving expensive meals.
one person who lived it