Rising housing prices combined with a lack of housing have created the need for a better solution; one that is sustainable for the future.
Enter the tiny house movement; a social movement centered around living in houses that are no more than 500 square feet.
How Tiny Living Benefits your Pockets
Packed with functional features and green living capabilities, these tiny homes often offer more per square foot than your average house.
Downsizing into a tiny house also comes with a number of benefits–including the effect it has on your wallet.
Today, more and more individuals are looking to tiny houses as a way to free themselves from a mortgage and other housing-related debt. Let’s take a look at how this way of living benefits your pockets.
Build your own Tiny House, Buy Prefab or Buy a Shell
To start, there are a number of low-cost ways to own a tiny house. If you have time, building your own is a great way to save money.
You can check out local building sites or second hand shops for great finds. For instance, new windows tend to be pricey.
Finding a quality set of used windows is a helpful way to save a decent amount of money, particularly if you build to standard window dimensions.
Prefabricated tiny homes are less expensive because they are typically a set design, and can be built in a warehouse regardless of weather.
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, a tiny house shell is a great option.
You can customize your home and have it built by a professional at a reasonable cost.
Utilities
No matter what size home you own, monthly expenses such as electricity and water can really add up. Living in a smaller space means there are fewer rooms to heat or cool.
Additionally, alternative energy is a great way to save extra cash in the long run. A tiny house solar kit does the job and is kind to the environment.
Location

Apart from the price of living for free in a relative’s backyard or buying land, you need to consider the cost of rent in a decent area. Take Mt. Hood Tiny House Village for example; the cost to live in a tiny home on wheels costs around $450 per month.
Not a bad deal if you consider the cost of a rental apartment!
The Takeaway
Living in a smaller space encourages conscious consumption, or in other words, more awareness about what you’re purchasing.
Things that are important to you or provide a function will take precedence, and you’ll find that you end up spending less money because of it.
And that’s what it’s really all about–it’s about the realization that less is more.
Living tiny gives people the opportunity to become homeowners without giving up an arm and a leg to do so. By living tiny, you get the freedom to focus on the things in life that matter most.
Are you interested in tiny living? Let us know in the comments below!
Molli McGee is a U.S. citizen currently living in Cape Town, South Africa. Aside from writing about tiny house living for the Tiny House Society, she enjoys to surf and promote a sustainable way of living.
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