Woman embraces minimalist living and trades traditional house for tiny home finding financial freedom

Many people turn to minimalist living to cut housing costs. Elsie is one of them.

She traded her traditional home for a 192-square-foot tiny house and found financial freedom and personal fulfillment.

With a smart design, cozy living area, and efficient kitchen, her home shows how downsizing can lead to a simpler, more rewarding lifestyle.

The shift to minimalist living

Elsie’s journey into minimalist living began with a desire for financial freedom and a simpler lifestyle.

She chose to downsize drastically, moving into a tiny house measuring 8.5 feet wide and 24 feet long—about 192 square feet.

Adjusting to this lifestyle required a significant mindset shift.

“With tiny living, everything has to go down—the amount of stuff and the size of stuff—so that you feel comfortable,” Elsie explained.

She prioritized keeping only items with personal meaning, even returning a large television her son-in-law had gifted her because it was too big for the space.

“I’m only five feet away from the TV. I’m sorry, can you use this somewhere because I can’t,” she recalled.

By surrounding herself with only what she truly valued, Elsie made her tiny house feel like home.

Designing a functional tiny home

Elsie’s tiny house is carefully designed to maximize space.

The living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom are seamlessly integrated, creating an open and efficient layout.

She even customized the design, removing a wall between the bedroom and living area to expand the space from six feet to ten feet.

“In a tiny house, four feet is a lot of feet,” she noted. This change allowed for more flexibility, making the area useful for day and night activities.

Her bedroom features a daybed that doubles as guest seating and a trundle bed for her granddaughter.

The compact kitchen includes an induction cooktop, a microwave-convection oven combo, and an apartment-sized refrigerator. Cooking has become simpler as she now focuses on her favorite meals.

“After all those meals—50,000 plus—the luster of cooking has worn off,” she admitted.

The bathroom is small but efficient, featuring a 3-by-3-foot shower, a regular flush toilet, and a combination washer-dryer. A loft space provides additional storage for essentials.

The financial benefits of minimalist living

One of the biggest draws of minimalist living for Elsie was its affordability.

However, without savings or home equity, she had to find an alternative way to finance her tiny house.

“Not that it’s the best choice, but I want to be honest,” she said, explaining that she used a cash advance on a credit card.

The total cost, including upgrades, came to $67,000. Her monthly expenses now include a $625 mortgage payment and $550 for lot rent—far less than what she paid for her previous traditional home.

With these reduced costs, she can work part-time in accounts receivable while supplementing her income with Social Security.

A strong sense of community

Beyond financial savings, minimalist living has introduced Elsie to a close-knit community.

She enjoys the community garden and her friendships with like-minded neighbors.

“There’s such a sense of community when you get like-minded people together,” she said.

She describes her lifestyle as a “camp for grown-ups,” appreciating its freedom and flexibility.

Elsie recommends talking to people who have already transitioned for those considering tiny living.

“I encourage anyone thinking about tiny living to talk to other tiny dwellers and see how they feel about it—what they gave up, and whether they miss what they gave up. I don’t miss anything,” she shared.

Flexibility and future possibilities

A key advantage of Elsie’s tiny house is its mobility. Since her home is on wheels, she can relocate if she chooses.

“One reason why I bought a tiny house was so that if I ever wanted to move someplace else, I could,” she explained.

While she may never need to move, having the option gives her peace of mind.

Elsie values embracing new opportunities and living on her own terms.

“I like being able to do whatever I want to do. Nobody knows the future—some opportunity could come along, and I’ll go grab it. You never know,” she said.

Her story highlights how minimalist living can provide financial stability and a rewarding, community-focused lifestyle.

Tour inside Elsie’s tiny home and see how she enjoys minimalist living:

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You can also follow Elsie on her Facebook to learn more about her lifestyle.