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Measure Twice, Cut Once: Sound advice, and not just for those working with lumber.
Building a tiny house means a lot of work and you will want to make sure you have every step planned out in detail before you begin. This includes the money you’ll need, the tools involved and the materials you’ll purchase.

Look for Recycled Materials: Talk about going green(backs). Recycled materials are a great place to start when you’re looking at building a tiny house and not only because they keep costs down. While a green lifestyle isn’t always part of the reason people get into tiny houses, minimalism and the idea of reducing waste usually are. In this case, conservation begins at home.

Rent the Tools You Need: Suffice it to say, you will need a variety of tools for this project. Just as apparent, however, is the fact that while it’s good to have a number on hand in case you need to do repairs or basic maintenance, many of said tools you will never be used again. Renting is the way to go, particularly with many such outlets also providing the hands-on instruction you need to use the tools safely and effectively.

Handle the Designs on Your Own: Many people have a professional design their tiny house but that can run into a lot of extra overhead you might not be able to afford. Fortunately, software like Google Sketchup, ProArchitect and others can make designing your dream tiny house easy. There are also a number of online tutorials to assist you in using the software, making the process easier still.

Shop Around: When you do turn to outside assistance to complete your project, be sure to shop around. One of the luxuries of many tiny houses is that they sit on a trailer and can go anywhere. If that’s the case, drive to wherever the most affordable builder is and have them get to work on the trailer instead of simply assuming a local professional is your only option.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Tips to Save Money Building a Tiny House appeared first on Other CMS.

And while it doesn’t have to be January 1^st to start something new, there’s something about entering a new year with a vision of where you hope to be 365 days from now.

Just for fun, we’ve compiled a list of new year’s resolutions especially for tiny home owners.

10. Take time for self-care. Practice mindfulness by journaling.

9. Stay active. Get outdoors for a walk daily, weather permitting. To keep it interesting, try a change of scenery, such as one of these Bay Area beaches.

8. Add new foods to your diet––or try a new cooking method for the foods you already eat. Perhaps steamed brussels sprouts aren’t your thing, but have you tried them roasted?

7. Eat a variety of foods every week. Especially for those who live alone, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of eating the same foods day after day. Aiming to eat every color of the rainbow regularly helps ensure a balanced diet with plenty of the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

6. Learn something new. Try writing poetry, tackle some home improvement projects, or learn a new language.

5. Take on a part-time job to earn extra money and meet people.

4. Set a budget. Budgets don’t have to be restrictive; in fact, setting a budget can give you the freedom to do things you enjoy without worrying about whether you have enough money for essentials.

3. Go green! Do your part for the environment by conserving energy, water, recycling, and taking care of Mother Earth.

2.  Plan a spring garden. You don’t need a big yard to make a big impact. Try these tips for gardening in a small space.

1. Get organized. Get rid of items you don’t need and manage the ones you do with these simple organization tips.

Whether it’s physical health, mental strength, or financial wellbeing you’re looking for, the new year is a great time to set new goals. Just remember to give yourself grace. Aim for progress, not perfection, and you’ll achieve everyone’s ultimate goal: to live a full and happy life.

Happy New Year from your friends at Harmony Communities!

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Tiny Home Owners appeared first on Other CMS.

While it feels like these costs just keep adding up, there are quick and easy ways to save money during this special time of year. You don’t have to spend a lot to make the holidays feel priceless for your friends and family.  

Decorations

Every year, tons of old baubles, ribbons, and packing material, as well as unwanted Christmas trees end up in landfills. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, the amount of extra waste increases by 25 percent in volume or by about 1,000 pounds of trash per household. 

Here are some ideas to make holiday decorating and entertaining sustainable and affordable:  

1. String popcorn or cranberries together to hang on your tree or around your home. Dried orange slices and beads can also be used to create a festive garland.   
2. Use the outdoors to your advantage. Collect pinecones, leaves, and evergreen branches to decorate for free! Supplies for a homemade wreath or table setting can be gathered on a single walk around the park.    
3. Consider using items you have on hand to decorate. Houseplants can make great stand-ins for Christmas trees, while paper snowflakes can serve as replacements for traditional ornaments.    

Food

Although it is tempting to make an extravagant holiday feast, excess food often ends up in the trash. The EPA estimates that food waste increases by more than 25% during the holidays. At Thanksgiving, Americans throw out $293 million in turkey alone! 

Here are some tips on how to save money on holiday meals:    

1. Cut back on volume. Try to calculate a reasonable estimate of how much each guest will eat, as planning out meals will help you create a budget and lead to less waste. You can also limit the number of side dishes you make to one or two of the favorites.  
2. Ask others to contribute a dish. You don’t have to take on all of the food costs yourself! Consider assigning each guest a side dish or a beverage item to bring with them.    
3. Seek out affordable brands. No one will notice that you used the grocery store brand canned green beans or condensed milk. Look for budget-friendly brands when buying ingredients to save money.  

Activities

It is important to remember that your guests have come to see you, not to see expensive performances. Your town likely has many exciting options for inexpensive or even free seasonal entertainment. 

Get the festivities started with these ideas:   

1. Visit the local light displays in your neighborhood or a nearby park. Your guests are sure to be filled with holiday spirit after taking in the colorful sights. 
2. Have a holiday movie night with homemade hot cocoa. You can use a movie you already own or rent one from your local library. 
3. Attend a free holiday play, concert, parade, or market. Many cities have free holiday events throughout November and December. Try checking their official website or Facebook page for more information. 

Charitable Donations

If giving to those less fortunate is part of your holiday tradition, but you don’t have a lot of cash to donate, consider these ideas: 

1. Donate items. Host a coat drive in your community to donate the coats you collect to a local shelter. You can also collect old blankets and towels for an animal shelter. 
2. Donate your time. Visit a nursing home and take time to talk with – and listen to – the residents. 
3. Be kind to nature. Pick up trash at a nearby park with friends and family as a gift to your local wildlife. You can also make simple bird feeders using pine cones, peanut butter, and birdseed. 

Experiencing the holidays to their fullest potential does not have to be elaborate or expensive. With these cost-saving ideas, you can partake in all of your favorite holiday activities and even make new family-favorite traditions. 

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

The post Making the Holidays Affordable, Part II: Decorations and Festivities on a Budget appeared first on Other CMS.