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Financial Freedom

Our approach to finances, budgeting for a different lifestyle, and redefining wealth. Practical insights about living well with less and funding adventures.
Nov
30
Are We Actually Better Off? Tiny House Budget vs Our Old Life

Are We Actually Better Off? Tiny House Budget vs Our Old Life

Eleven months ago, I was laid off, after 14 years at my job. I started documenting our journey via this
4 min read
Nov
23
This Actually Worked | 11 Months After My Layoff in 399 Square Feet

This Actually Worked | 11 Months After My Layoff in 399 Square Feet

Eleven months ago, a layoff could have sent us into full-on panic mode. Instead, we sold our traditional house, moved into 399 square feet, and quietly changed the math of our life. This isn’t a “quit your job” story—it’s the honest version of how this actually worked for us.
5 min read
Oct
26
Tiny House Q&A: Cost, Builder, and Finding a Community

Tiny House Q&A: Cost, Builder, and Finding a Community

Answering your most-asked tiny house questions: what we paid, who built our house, and how to find a community. Real answers from our real experience.
2 min read
Oct
12
Layoff to Tiny House: Real Costs | Week 39 Post-Layoff

Layoff to Tiny House: Real Costs | Week 39 Post-Layoff

One year after a layoff announcement, we're 30 days into tiny house living. Here are the real numbers: what we spent before, what we're spending now, and the one-time costs we planned for.
5 min read
Sep
07
View from screened porch showing feet resting while looking through open French doors into tiny house living room

Not what we expected: Getting our keys and first look inside | Week 35 Post-layoff

Getting our keys and first look inside our tiny house after 76 days of waiting - plus the Labor Day surprise that changed everything. Here's the real story of utilities, orientation, and our first look inside as actual owners.
5 min read
Aug
03
Two small dogs (one white and scruffy, one black and white) lay on a concrete patio with leashes, looking out at a lake and trees in the distance.

Less Hustle, More Life: How Our Downsize GAVE Us Time (and a Lot Less Anxiety!) | Week 30 Post-layoff

Less hustle, more life. Remember those days? The ones where your calendar was jam-packed, where "free time" was
5 min read
Jun
22
White rental van in parking lot on moving day.

From Mortgage Payment to Debt-Free Overnight | Week 24 Post-layoff

We closed on our house, realized we're completely debt-free for the first time ever, and we're living in the space between our old life and new one.
5 min read
Jun
08
Vietnamese banh mi sandwich with tofu and fresh vegetables on crusty bread, served with pickled vegetables and sauce at a local restaurant.

From Mediterranean Cafes to Texas Tiny Homes: Recreating the Life We Fell in Love With | Week 22 Post-layoff

How a 2022 Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona inspired our 2025 tiny home lifestyle. From 25% housing costs to 2% - recreating European pace in America.
7 min read
May
18
Two small dogs standing on a wooden floor watching while a gray cat sits on a buffet table in the background. The dining area appears tidy and staged for a home showing.

Saints, Cats, and Tiny Homes: Finding Magic in the Mayhem | Week 19 Post-layoff

From burying a St. Joseph statue to chasing a hiding cat during house showings, we're finding unexpected magic in reinventing midlifehood.
7 min read
May
11
Interior view of a tiny home with white cabinets, wooden ceiling, open concept living area with kitchen, dining space and living room with doors to porch.

Who Knew Freedom Could Come in Such a Small Package? | Week 18 Post-layoff

We ordered our tiny home while potential buyers loved our house but weren't ready to downsize their stuff. True wealth means wanting less.
5 min read