Tiny homes have really taken off in the last few years. People are joining this movement for many reasons, but the most popular reasons include environmental and financial concerns and the desire for more time and freedom.
Most Americans dedicate 1/3 to 1/2 of their income to the roof over their heads. This means Americans have to work 15 years (or more) during their lifetime just to pay for it, and because of that fact, 76% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.
With international attention on CNN, AP, Guardian, Huffington Post, NBC, Oprah, PBS and so many more, the tiny house movement has helped people learn about another way to live their lives.
Tiny Homes: Your Most Valuable Survival Tool
The Tiny Home Movement
I started thinking about another reason why the tiny home movement, in the eyes of a true survivalist, is one of the greatest ideas ever. When it all hits the fan and you and your loved ones have to escape to safety, you can literally take your home with you!
So, in my eyes, having a tiny home makes it a “survival” tool which is your most valuable tool for survival. The one place in the world where you feel safe and secure – home sweet home!
In Case of Emergency
If you have to escape to safety, where could you and your tiny home go? There are a few solutions:
- Suitable backyards for RV’s or sheds (a friend or family member’s backyard, for example).
- Renting or buying your own piece of land (some people rent or buy land ahead of time just for situations like this).
- RV parks
Some people even run a free Craigslist “Wanted” ad. When posting on Craigslist, I highly recommend using a photo of a tiny house (preferably your own tiny home) so that potential landowners see what they are working with.
Getting Started
Tiny homes are cost-effective, and there are so many great options:
- You can build it yourself. This can be the most cost-effective option. You can use salvaged materials, which will save you money.
- If you do not have the extra time or experience, then you can have one built for you. This company, Tiny Home Builders, may be able to help.
- You can also go to Tiny House Listings and browse the many great tiny homes for sale. There are lots of options when it comes to affordable tiny houses. Some of the tiny houses on this site come with land so it’s a great option if you are looking for both a tiny home and land.
- Another option, if you prefer a tiny home without wheels, is converting a portable building into a tiny home. They come in different sizes to fit your family’s needs. For example, this portable building from Home Depot is suitable for transforming into a tiny home and is perfect for a single person or even a couple without children.
If you’re new to the tiny home movement, here is a great video of a couple showing how they built their own beautiful tiny home:
When it all hits the fan, it is an awesome feeling knowing you have the option of taking your home with you! If you have a tiny home story to share, we would love to hear it and take tips and techniques from your experience.
Are you planning to build your own tiny home for survival? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 26, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
I would love a tiny home but not too tiny. l hate house work
I like this idea ,I will look into it further!
I’ve basically leave lived in what could be considered a tiny home for 15 years- a studio condo of about 500 sf with two people land two cats. No land, only one wall with windows- personally I am sick of it and want something bigger with some land around me. But as many others mentioned, wanting and the financial means to pay for it ARENT on the same page
My guess is that typical building codes do not apply since is essentially a Mobile Home. However, I wonder
how much thought has been given to utilities. It seems like the new efficient solar panels covering the entire roof might provide sufficient power and a Rainwater Harvesting system with a Reverse Osmosis filtration system might
take care of most water requirements. Regarding waste, there are some very efficient toilets that treat waste all in one unit. It seems to me that there is a great advantage to making the house as independent as possible.
I love tiny houses!
Is there any information source that’s available with all the soup to nuts information out there
I’m thinking maybe I should go this way
How much does this weigh?
While I agree with the idea and concept of utilizing a ‘tiny home’ in the event one must evac to survive a SHTF event, there are some critical considerations that must be addressed. I believe the best application of utilizing a tiny home would be to have one strategically placed on a land tract ahead of time. Provided one could afford both the home and land. Both costs are going to be prohibitive for most as the article mentions, many struggle to afford their primary home. This option though would defeat the mobility options, but then there’s the challenge of towing such a tiny home. Most weigh in well over a 3-4 tons empty without any gear or provisions, (water), and requiring an appropriate sized tow vehicle to pull, plus the fuel. Having spent over a year evaluating all the parameters and options, costs, mobility, sustainability, etc., I opted for a travel trailer with a max weight loaded of less than 5000 lbs., easily towable with my full sized SUV. To many advantages to list here, but primary are the cost, being dual energy sources (electric & propane) for heating, cooking, hot water, refrigerator, etc., plus solar for DC power use (lighting, com recharge, more) and primarily mobility to get going elsewhere if needed. I’ve added a very quiet gas modern inverter/generator sized to provide the full AC load to be used when needed. Still needs the fuel, but is a great option to have. So, for just my wife and I, this is our plan. May not work for all, but given the many tragic weather events and the potential for social breakdown, this is our plan. Additional benefit, we get to go camping ⛺️ and enjoy the great outdoors while practicing survival event scenarios!