TINY homes have become a global phenomenon sweeping the world – famous for their low carbon footprint, simple living, and low consumerist lifestyle.

But they just might be a sneaky way to save money.

Ruha TaceyRuha Tacey with her wife and first child in front of their new tiny home in 2017[/caption]

Ruha TaceyFormer tiny home owner Ruha Tacey says her small house saved her $150,000 over four years[/caption]

Ruha TaceyInside Ruha Tacey’s tiny home[/caption]

That’s according to Ruha Tacey, a Louisiana woman who lived in a tiny home for over four years with her husband and two small children.

She first became interested in the tiny home lifestyle after going to her friend’s small house for Christmas dinner one year. 

“We had six of us gathered around, and it was really cozy and intimate the whole experience,” Tacey said. 

Tacey had just left her job and was a stay at home mother as her daughter had just been born.

After some time to convince her husband, the pair commissioned plans to build a tiny home in Alabama.

In February 2017, construction was underway and the house was ready just a few months later in May.

She had the home delivered to an RV park outside Athens, Alabama where they spent their summer until they had the home delivered to another RV park to be closer to her husband’s parents.

“We were right on the water, and it was so cute and homey.”

The tiny home was towed to its final destination on some land that the couple bought in Louisiana. Her in-laws were also living in an RV, so it meant they could all live on the land together.

“We had our own homes but it was also super easy for my daughter to toddle off to see her Grandma,” she said.

Tacey ended up having her second daughter in the tiny home, which they loved being so close to her kids.

“We really enjoyed it, the fact that you’re really close knit with the kids when they’re sleeping right there and you can hear them, it is really good for the soul,” she said.

But when she became pregnant with her third they knew it was time to move.

SUPER SAVERS

Reflecting on the time in the small house, Tacey said they were able to save a huge amount of money.

They bought the home for $75,000 and the land was about $40,000, meaning their housing expenses for four years was just $115,000 with no ongoing mortgage expenses or interest repayments.

Tacey estimates the family saved about $150,000 from their living arrangement.

The family now live in a “big, giant house” in Houston, Texas. She is still the primary stay at home mother while her husband is a process controls engineer. 

The mom of three says the family utilities were “rock bottom” in the tiny home as it was such a small space to hear and cool.

“We had the AC practically running around the clock in the heat of summer as it was extremely hot but it was still so cheap.

“The bills were probably about a fifth of our monthly cost now,” she said.

“That was life saving, but also the fact we owned our home and owned our land, not paying interest to anyone was also a huge money saver.”

The lack of wardrobe space meant she couldn’t buy unnecessary items, which helped the family finances.

“Also not having a lot for space to do a lot of shopping…you don’t have a lot of room for knick knacks and other junk!”

TIPS AND TRICKS

The biggest tips Tacey has for anyone thinking about investing in a tiny home are very simple.

She highly recommends having a dedicated place for dirty laundry and cleaning supplies, saying this would have made “such a big difference.”

She also said having a handy spot for shoes would have been helpful.

In the end, it was too hard living in a small space with young children given they go to bed earlier than herself and her husband.

However, she said it could be manageable if the house had a loft for the children or a way to separate the light part of the house with the dark with sound proofing or a better design.

https://www.the-sun.com/money/12856178/tiny-home-money-saving-tips-energy-bills/