How This Frugal Family of 4 Paid Off $96K in Debt & Built a Custom Tiny House
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- Опубликовано: 27 янв 2018
- After finishing school, Jocelyn and Jarvis had $96,000 of debt from student loans, credit cards, and buying a small rural property. This is the story of how they paid it off in just 20 months, and then built themselves a debt-free custom tiny house for their family of 4.
After ignoring their finances for a long time, the couple finally faced reality one night when they sat down and added up all of their debts, and compared it to the revenue they had coming in.
When they realized how much they owed, they decided to make some drastic changes so they could pay it off and stop worrying about money.
To start, they moved to a smaller apartment, changed jobs, shopped second-hand, froze a credit card in a block of ice, switched to using cash only, and made a budget that allowed them to chip away at their debt.
They had a white board with a list of all their debts, which they updated every time a payment was made so they'd continue to be motivated. After 20 months, they were completely debt-free. After that, they continued with their minimalist, frugal habits and were able to save up enough money to build themselves a custom tiny house on wheels.
They've been living in the tiny house for over two years now, with their two children, and plan to continue living in it for as long as they can. They are currently saving money to buy a small acreage where they will build a larger off grid home and keep the tiny house as an income property.
We're very inspired by this young family's dedication to improve their lives by paying off their debt, by their awareness of their energy consumption, by their efforts to buy less and live a low waste lifestyle.
They're trying to make positive change in every aspect of their lives, and that's not always an easy thing to do.
Thank you, Jocelyn and Jarvis, for sharing your story with us! And for the beautiful day we spent at your place!
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
PS thank you to all of our Patrons who support us so generously and a very special thank you to our backbone supporters: The Burgess Family!
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VIDEO CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives
Construction Photo Credits:
Jocelyn and Jarvis 
Хобби
Such a beautiful house. These two really nailed the partnership bit of the marriage. Well done.
+SCD Observer thanks for your comment, happy you enjoyed hearing about their journey 🙂🙂
what a perfect match they are
yea and we know he has also nailed the wife at least twice :P
@RICH82AIRBORNE sure looked, it's as broad it's long six of one half a dozen of the other ....MY CHANNEL PHOTO IS A MILLION BILLION MILES AHEAD OF YOURS!
Debt is slavery. Learn how money is created. This house and yard is paradise.
Debt is not always bad, managed well debt can multiply wealth
It is "created" because it's fake
Amen!
slavery is slavery. It is immoral to relegate the word to having debts.
he could move to an area where you pay 100K for a 4bedroom home and a yard
I really enjoyed how real she is. She really wants everyone to know that it is not as easy as we think. Sets people up for success in the future!
Imagine if everyone lived this way and made this their standard of living. The world will be a cleaner, greener and certainly better place.
except there would be likely no jobs as wages are paid by people actually spending money
Yes!
UniCo Living no way, that’s propaganda from the corporations
The world would be a better place if so many people weren't so freaking nuts.
Ironically: Humankind did... in a period long ago, but not too long ago?
Their whole property looks so peaceful and beautiful!
def my end goal when i get a chance to begin my house build (not on wheels)
How can I make my wife realise this type of life is better than the daily grind? Life is more than paying bills.
SpacerSpasm
My husband does not understand. I am so tired of just working and paying bills. Just house tax 9,900.
Living large
Also you can invest in a home to use as an Airbnb to generate income and allow you to travel and stay in other Airbnb's while you lease out your own Airbnb giving total mobility.
FaithsFallen good luck with that, my sister won’t even give up cable!😂😂😂😂😂
R
They have an amazing perspective on life, really down to earth and I love how she still acknowledged they're privileged, even after saying they paid off almost 100k in debt lol. I wish them a lifetime of happiness, they really deserve it.
On your debt issue, I know exactly how you feel. I just paid off 10k in credit card debt this week, giving me a 0 balance. But it felt as though I had just won the lottery!! This is what being debt-free really means... FREEDOM.
Btw, I love your tiny home, one of the most beautifully designed of any I've seen on YT.
God bless you and your family on your journey...
-Tiffsaver
I'll definitely try to avoid getting into debts. That seems to be the real issue, not being poor and not having money for something you want or want to do
@@demagab
Tell me about it!! After this insane lockdown, many, many Americans will be facing not only financial hardship, but the actual the loss of their homes and apartments. It's CRIMINAL what the government did to us, while making the rich only get richer.
Already two years and they can still maintain their tiny house in tip top condition. The house is so beautiful.
3G Mom
One of the best tiny house interviews/families I’ve seen. Ty
Thanks so much Linda :) :)
I agree, wonderful interview.
It would have been nice to see the other structures on the property.
Agreed!!! Beautiful! You two appear to be so in sync it's great!
"We are architecting our life". Nicely said.
When both partners are on the same page, a lot can be realized.
The tough part is finding someone with the same goals, who can STICK with the plan.
Are they Canadian?
Where do they live?
Cost of property? How much acreage?
Cost of house (materials/labor)?
Sewer? Power source? Water?
Climate zone?
Rent?
Who built the lovely sloped garden?
I hope they write a book; there is a lot to learn from their experience.
hahaha Thats exactly what I am wondering!
Definitely Canadian, case in point monopoly money.
They also kept saying "proe-cess," they're very likely Canadian
The money in their cash jars is Canadian, so they are definitely in Canada. I noticed the bread bag is from a Vancouver company, so they are somewhere on the West Coast.
Exactly. I wish I can find a partner to do this with.
Watching this video has imspired me to pay off my $3.560.00 debt back in December I was over $6.000 in debt.
Matthew Whitted Well done 👍🏻 Congrats
Hello how did you manage it?😊
Have you paid it off? If yes, how do you feel?! 😊
$3.56 of debts then $6? I don't understand
I love your little house. I'm a minimalist myself. I can't wait to live a free life like that. No strings attached. Thanks for sharing
The very last quote from the mother of this family is very apt. The best thing you can do for your children, or for that matter for yourself right now, is to participate in society while learning the skills to maintain your happiness independently. Shelter, warmth, and some food sources... Go a long way towards maintaining your peace of mind.
I can see how peaceful this life can be. I live by an airport and a busy road, and I wake up about 6 times a night every time I hear an airplane or a car drive by. Wake up go to work come home make dinner clean and go to bed to do it all over again. I go for walks but nothing besides a walgreens and a gym is walking distance. I recently took the 40 minute drive to a beautiful park, a park i went to as a child. Immediately i was greeted with a familiar sense of calm- the fresh air of that particular park. The same air i smelled 20 years ago. felt safe, wanted, like a child with an imagination again. I felt like I knew what I wanted out of life. I want calmness. I want space and greenery. I want a reason to wake up in the morning and I want that reason to be me. One day.
Possibly my favourite video you guys have made. I love how in depth it is. What a wonderful, down to earth couple. Those kids are getting an amazing view on life.
Thanks for your feedback Shaylyn, I'm happy that you like the longer format video :) :)
Living all your life paying bills is not a trend.
Many people including me have sold our old house in morgage and live in a minimalistic way and then build a tiny/small house. Now we are debt free. After closing my debt, I felt like throwing off a huge rock.
@@0sters way to go, less is more personal freedom.
Lovely couple and a very inspirational story. And her veggie garden...I’m loving it!
Love the garden also.
This has been the best tiny house video I have seen! I love how you got out of that debt. So many people claim that it cannot be done, but you proved it! I got out of debt, too. Mine was about $70K. I had just lost my husband, and had unpaid hospital bills and two teenagers. Excuses are just excuses, and I love that you took action.
Eileen Mynes, how did you get yourself out of debt? Did you follow books, videos, programs, have a coach?
Dang that is amazing. Congrats Eileen. You are a strong woman.
Hope things are going well for you and your children now Eileen.
Amazing how well they work together. I bet they don’t even fight.
I wish I could give this more than 1 thumbs up. I love this tiny house and I love how methodical they are in their choices. Great work. Love the place!
+Traci R thanks for so much for the positive vibes Traci! Happy you enjoyed the video 👍🏻🙂
I love how you let the houses and owners star the show, they are all unique and you guys are awesome. Great videos!
+Brent Bustard thanks Brent, yeah everyone we meet as a unique story to share and sometimes it's nice to just let them talk. That's why we decided to make a longer video with this one because they both had such good insight. Thanks for watching🙂👍🏻
Super honest and informative. Love how they point out all the 'red flags' with regards to building and living in a tiny home! Excellent video! Thanks!!
I love the honesty and big thinking from this couple. Making great decisions, freeing themselves from social constructs and debt and being hugely thoughtful about their waste. 💜🌱✨
I'm glad they acknowledged that tiny houses are inaccessible to a lot of people due to cost or labor involved, and that it's really hard to build one yourself. People in the tiny house community can sometimes idealize the lifestyle and make it seem like anyone could do it if they just wanted it bad enough.
Good point. But Jacob Geldenhuys is right. We need the fire to conquer what we're afraid of.
Maybe. Constructing a building is one of the simplest things you can do in modern society.
@@Howibuiltit As a single young girl, a fire in my belly is not enough to build a house by myself.
Very true
JMAC LIVES what about someone living in extreme poverty, with a chronic illness, or with disabilities? what about those struggling with homelessness or addiction? what about the hundreds of thousands around the world fighting to escape war or other dangerous living situations? the sad reality is that the benefits of tiny house living just aren’t accessible to those people, and they perhaps need it more than anyone else.
Great video. I appreciate that they tried to give a realistic, not sugar coated, account of what they did! All the more inspiring!
Agree completely.
One of the best Tiny House shows I’ve watched. I love that you touched on land, septic, cost. You seem very grateful for this opportunity.
Dont listen to people when they discourage you just make a good plan and go for it!That is what i have done and thats what i am gonna do again.My respect to this family such a lovely place to live.congratulations.
excellant excellant excellant a really honest display of mature adult thinking
It's "excellent excellent excellent" : )
True
One of the best mini docs on living happily and conscientiously. Fantastic!
If I were younger this is what I would do. I'm 64, my home is paid for, I have no credit card debt, no vehicle payment and I live well within my means. However, this young couple really nailed it!!!!
I'm 65 and can't wait to do this! I plan on selling my house and using part of the profit to buy land, build a tiny house and have some for a nest egg. It increases my freedom and options.
this is my story also, i am 65, house paid for, cars paid for, i have a little credit card debit which i am getting paid off, i have 2 years to go to get another retirement. my neighborhood sucks as well as CAlifronia, i want out and live in a tiny home. my dad is gone and he built 2 houses by himself. i watch these videos and wish he was alive to help me build, because i have no clue and would have to hire out. as old as i am this is my dream, and to find property to put it on.
Why do you get out some equity
@@deolindarhoads5381 Find someone with the skills you need and share your labor and expertise.
@@Alice-rl7gd I just want out of california. Do it all at the same time
I love the fact that they talked about how hard they actually worked for that house and acknowledged that having a tiny home custom built is way more expensive than just outright buying a much larger already built home.
This is so perfect in many different ways.
I enjoyed this video. It was very realistic of the requirements and sacrifice of building and owning a tiny home.
I would love to live in a home similar to this.
Notice they mentioned Sacrifices. You can’t afford a tiny house while hanging on to a spendthrift life style.
Save. Curb spending. No luxuries. Work extra jobs. Too many whiners don’t want to do that.
This is a family I would love to follow. So insightful and comfortable on camera. Wonderful video.
you both are so humble. I would love to have you as friends or neighbours!!
I love the ' jar ' system !
Carpenter Family we do the same thing in envelopes.
But whst kind of money is that not America paper...
Canadian!
I think it was developed by Gail Vaz-Oxlade. If you search RUclips, Gail Vaz-oxlade TV show there's tons of videos there. She helped my family out a lot, 10 years ago, and we haven't looked back since!
GAIL VAZZZZ
Bravo to this young couple for getting out of debt! This type of freedom will allow them to do anything they want to do in life. Credit cards are the enemy, and no one should have them for any reason. Cash is king! Excellent subject and a beautiful home & family :-)
NoProGoPronto they should never had got into debt.
Blobby Blob ~ Well everyone realizes that after the fact. Plus, our economic system is set up for all of us to overspend. Either way, they should still get positive feedback for digging themselves out of that financial hole 👍🏽
NoProGoPronto we never got into debt! NEVER. Even paid our kids student fees!
Blobby Blob
Yes, you're the awesomest awesome that has ever lived. No mistakes and no extenuating circumstances ever: you were born with perfect and complete knowledge.
Blobby Blob , they said most of their debt was student loans/education costs. Without an education they would have NEVER got out of debt.
It's a love story about ..Love,,, dedication,, sacrifice,, and most of all picture perfect.. GOD bless them with a mansion...
FINALLY a tiny house that looks like the one I'd want. All wood, veranda! nice!!!!
As a student nearing the end of my studies, I really enjoyed the discussion about debt and means for 'getting out' of it. It might not be directly related to the house itself, but beyond also being part of the story/setting the scene, there was a bunch of good info there. Great video!
I like this idea love how families sitting down to eat
Great attitude and self-control! Would love to hear about your garden.
Really glad to hear them talk about their particular privilege in their journey to tiny living. No one gets anywhere without someone else as well as certain give away from this existence. So important to stay humble and really, that humility is what gives you the most freedom and the most joy in my experience.
Congrats!! You have done an amazing job with paying down the debt, instilling better values in your children and are role models for everyone including families to live a more free, simple and sustainable lifestyle!!
Loved this video. It's amazing how simple life can be with lesser things. And the amount of Happiness oozing out of this video. Thankyou Exploring Alternatives! 🙌
The thing I loved most about this family is how they prioritize kid's room 💕
Most of the tiny houses and specially bus living, I see the parents enjoying a relatively large bedroom with kids shoved in bunks or corners without any privacy or space to move around
What an awesome journey and life you have created. Proud of you and this will help so many. thank you for sharing.
They’re an inspiration.
Additionally, this video is hands down my favorite that you’ve put out. The craftsmanship, the thought, the camera work, the editing. Truly a piece to be proud of. Great job all around.
Thanks. Charming couple. Nice comfortable home and this is the quality of life. Less is definitely more.
This s one of my very favorite homes you've shown. This is my 4th time watching. These folks are so bright and lovely
Love your space. It looks so amazing and your yard is, OMG! This has inspired me to be debt free. Thank you for sharing your story.
What a beautiful family, and home....GOD Bless y'all.
Great cinematic shots, well put together!
Thanks Jose!
This is one of the best, & most honest, representations of the process I've ever seen. Especially about getting out of debt. Just wonderful. Frank about the challenges, but the rewards are so obvious.
One of the best tiny house related videos, I really do appreciate their honesty about the creation and living with a tiny house
That piece of land is incredible. The house itself is beautiful, but the site for their home is idyllic. Definitely the one part of tiny home living that is overlooked. Hopefully the piece of land that they purchase works as well.
It's okay to use the word HARD. You live in a tiny house with two children. You've earned the right to not always substitute hard for "challenging".
I love their dedication to getting rid of their debt. Such an inspiration. Love the house, and Thank you for posting!
I love their story of how they changed the way they thought of and spent money! Totally inspiring! I also am totally enamored with that box garden!
That was a great video - thanks for making it. :-)
I really appreciate how genuine they are about the whole experience. They talk a lot about how good tiny life can be, but are also transparent about the struggles. Great video!
I’ve seen hundreds of these tiny living videos and I must say that these two are the most realistic individuals I’ve seen.
Practical, down to earth and comes across so sincere. If everyone found a partner they we’re actually matched with instead of all the other petty reasons how much better this world would be. I thoroughly love the stepping stone your currently on and hopefully you will feel comfortable enough to provide us an update when you do transition to the next location. Thank you so very much!
This is the best of the best tiny house/ minimalism living video I’ve watched so far. Thank you for sharing and a lovely family 🤩
This was probably the coolest tiny house story and set up that I have seen. Brilliantly gorgeous garden, treehouse, porch. Good on these folks for their thoughtful living and awareness of building/site/cost privilege. LOTS of great info!!👌🏼
That is a very good video with an honest and realistic take and a great message. Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
Wauw. So much respect for this couple. You are awake and you did wonderful!! Enjoy your beautiful live!
Warmth and love comes through. Heart warming.
I think it would be cool to build another tiny house as an "addition" to this one. Perhaps adding just two bedrooms and a bath, with a study area for the kids as they get older. They could be very close together or connected by an enclosed breezeway, greenhouse, porch or something.
Ideoform Sun , that would be nice, but then it becomes a regular home.
Right... and then they’re spending twice as much every month, and probably paying close to, or the same price as the mortgage on the regular home.
Nice house, gorgeous property, beautiful family.
So inspiring! Thanks so much for the video.
Very well done video. Their tiny house is absolutely stunning. I also like that they talked about the reality of building a Tiny House and some of the challenges one may face. Kudos to these young parents for creating a good environment for their kids, debt free. They've given their kids a wonderful start for their future.
Beautiful family, beautiful home, beautiful garden. All around just lovely.
You guys are an inspiration. Showing us that it is possible to live simply & still be comfortable in a small living space. We don't need to go out & buy new stuff all the time, second hand stuff works just as well. Yes, you are very lucky to have someone allow to you park on their property. Hope you find yourselves a beautiful piece of property in the near future. Good luck.
Such a great video and pretty sure a remarkable one. Thank you for sharing their stories!
I love the honesty of this couple and how in sync they are.....what a team
After binging so many tiny house videos, this is by far my favorite. The narrative interspersed with nice cinematographic pans of the house/property sets this apart qualitatively than any other tiny house tour that I've seen. What value driven and principle minded people, I'm so inspired
Very inspiring video. Nice to see the family life and I love the message at the end: that we MUST teach our kids to live with less! thanks!
One of my favourite videos you have made.
THIS IS AWESOME!! You'll on it.... All the best in the future too. Continued blessings.
This is the best tiny house I have seen for relating to the land. It seems that this is due to this couple's thoughtful way of relating to their lives, their careers, their kids and each other. This piece is like a work of art about 2 lives (and presumably the kids lives, too) that are a work of art. Everyone should watch this video.
So insightful.... thank you for sharing your journey... I’m encouraged 🙃😀💕
Inspiring video and excellent editing 👍
This is inspiring. There's so much contagious vision wrapped around this family. This is the best/simplest way to teach their kids how to responsibly "architecture" their own lives. Thank you for making me realize so many things I've been doing wrong financially.
I do the cash thing too, really works! And what an inspiring family. I love how they take control of their lives by living so consciously. This channel is awesome!
You have a beautiful home and I appreciate your honest presentation. Your children are blessed to be able to learn to enjoy the peaceful value of a simple selfsustained life. I too agree that our world is about to change and most of the people I see are not prepared for this change and will have a hard time surviving much less adjusting. Thanks again.
This was really nicely edited. I really enjoyed it : )
This is my absolute favorite!! I love how they have taken control of their quality of life. It is absolutely beautiful☺
Thanks for another great video. I really enjoyed it.
This tiny house, and the setting it is in, is probably the best I’ve seen.
What a lovely young couple, as well. They are giving their children a wonderful life in this beautiful home and garden.
Cheers!
Another fabulous video! Great job Danielle & Mat. TY.
Thanks for the positive vibes! =) =)
Brilliant property and what a great balanced couple with a really positive mindset and values. Loved this.🙏
Mike
One of my favourites so far! Thanks for sharing not just the home but the mindset and methods 🙌🏻💗
I am so impressed with your resilience as a couple!! So much appreciation for you- you've had such an amazing journey- looking back on just a few years. Thank you for sharing.
I really like this kind of video, not just the the house tour but also the story we may take a lesson from
Down to earth realistic young couple!! Honest about the realities of living in a tiny house!! Kudos to them & how they are choosing to live debt free. Love how they are raising their kids.
Hello Grace how are you doing!!
Thank you for being honest with Tiny Houses. This is a good video for folks attempting to understand the cost, and privileges to build tiny homes. I find this family very motivating and honest.
So happy for you, hope you are still enjoying your Tiny House and your family is healthy and full of joy
This is a really great video, so much value packed inside of this! Thanks for sharing 🙏
Thanks so much!! We put a ton of work into this video but I think it has lots of really valuable information for people. Thanks for checking it out :)
Great story. Inspirational. Thanks for sharing
This is beautiful. Thanks for posting this video
By far one of the most down to earth, realistic and informative videos in this field.