Image from FLYP Magazine
Logan and I were recently interviewed, for a story in FLYP Magazine, about our tiny lifestyles. The article, How Small Can You Go, just came out and I have to say, it’s pretty darn good. 
Amy, the journalist, who put this piece together did an excellent job summarizing the small house movement and documenting our rationale for choosing a simpler more sustainable lifestyle. She also interviewed Greg Johnson, Jay Shafer, and many more small housers. Click here and read the whole article.
If you haven’t been on FLYP’s website, go check it out. FLYP is “more than a magazine,” but a fun, interactive media experience featuring podcasts, music, writing, blogging and more.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
This is awesome! I’m proud of you both for doing your part and also helping to make other people aware.
How cool is that!
I didn’t know you got rid of your TV too. Was it because of the space it took up or was there another reason?
Part of it was space, but it was really a time issue. We were spending way too much time in front of the TV, when we could have been outside or visiting with friends and family. For me, the TV is a huge time suck. It’s kind of like a drug – very bad for physical and mental health.
I haven’t had a tv since the 80s, but then I found hulu.com. So now I have to actually police myself so I don’t get into that time suck again…
I am very interested in learning more of the simplified lifestyle and am interested in the concept of paring down the things in my life. I have started this process but it sure takes time to re-learn. One thing I would like to see an article on is how someone can live on $24,000 a year. My husband just started his own business and so currently mine is the only income. The New York Times article mentioned traveling, gifts to college funds but I am incredulous how someond can cover just the basic food, utilities, housing, dental, eye dr., health insurance on $24,000 to say nothing about the traveling, etc.
Any chance an article detailing a budget breakdown could be done to help us see the areas we could change. I know we cannot do without a vehicle because we live in a rural state and I have to travel to work where there is no regular public transportation, but even with taking out all of our vehicle expense I am still amazed at a 2 person budget on $24,000. I hope you consider sharing your knowledge and more details in this area.
Thanks
~Sue
Hi Sue!
Thanks for reading! Everyone’s circumstances are different in this regard and that makes this issue so complex. We are not trained financial consultants and don’t expect everyone can or even wants to live like us, however we can relate to you our story and you can take from it what you find useful to your own situation.
Most of our financial strategies we learned from a well worn library copy of Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin’s book “Your Money or Your life”. Our friends Janaia and Robyn over at Peakmoment.tv also did a video conversation with us on the topic of transitioning to simple living and our process of getting out of debt (http://www.wordpress.peakmoment.tv/conversations/?p=361). Tammy has a blog articles on our experience with YMOYL lessons starting here: http://rowdykittens.com/2008/07/your-money-or-your-life/
The YMOYL book basically helps you define money and puts your spending habits in perspective. The book YMOYL really forced us to think critically about what we really needed (shelter, water, food, companionship) versus what our culture said we needed (big house, nice car, status e-gadgets, patriotic shopping etc).
Generally the major savings in our budget came from:
1. Selling our cars (Saved ~$8,000/year)
2. Getting out of debt (saved ~$2000/year on interest)
3. Selling our TV (Saved ~$500/year & countless hours)
4. Buying long-term food supplies in bulk from canneries during sale seasons (e.g. grains, sugar, chocolate, etc. Saved ~$1500)
5. Moving within walking/biking distance of work (Saved $ on health costs)
6. Scaling down to fewer items and a smaller, cheaper, rented space (Saved ~$2500/year in rent)
7. Cutting business overhead by working from home, the web, and collaborating with other small biz owners (Saved a lot)
8. Finding a health insurance broker to help us find and tailor an inexpensive plan that fit our needs.
9. Finding cheap travel hobbies like bike camping!
The list can go on and on but it distills down to thinking critically about what you need, what you find critically important, and ignoring what everyone else does. We looked at our biggest budget debts and asked ourselves “can we find a solution to eliminate or minimize our costs?”. You are off to a good start by asking questions! Talk to folks in your community and start gathering ideas for what works in your area and poke around rowdykittens for more frugal living advice. Some of the interviews here profile some really inspiring folks.
Cheers and good luck!
Thanks for the respose, great info and encouragement.
~Sue
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