Thoreau's cabin redux: tiny homes and happiness

[bigdaddydaveSTL]

Plant some Fruit Trees or a large garden in that yard.

[tomificationable]

This looks fun.

[guitargeek1122]

what if i wanted to put one on a trailer but I built it on the ground?

[budlight571]

Don't think ppl are getting it.. Sucks really ... I think building it yourself is a lot better then buying it off them.. That would only cost you $20,000 less then half.. So it really is a good deal...

[alexglenny]

If he really cared about space he would buy a kindle and get rid of them books.....

[dydypig]

i want this house^^ is so great

[MrOhjok]

Building plans can be had free from sources such as libraries, internet, etc. The end price is much to high. I have immense respect for the goal here, but $45,000 is extreme. Wood is not very expensive, insulation and glass also are affordable. Too much money for an ideal that seeks to get away from much; consumerism, profit, etc. There are less expensive ways.

[MickScarborough]

45k for that is unbelievable. You can buy 2 bedroom homes for that. That size cabin is worth no more than 7k and the plans for it are worth no more than $40.

[MrOhjok]

@MickScarborough Agree. This is a noble endeavor with an astronomical price tag. One can build a nice 2 bedroom cabin for $15,000. Way too much money.

[alemanfamily]

@MickScarborough. Then dont buy it. Why leave a stupid comment like that. No one asked you or is forcing you to buy it.

[guitargeek1122]

how can you fit a bed in or out if one breaks?

[timgriz1]

at one 1:40, does the oven come with the smirnoff vodka? ha

[3investigators]

This is lovely and very inspiring. Thank you.

[Kyla6592]

Not to be rude , but for 45,000 dollars I would much rather buy a home with a real facet , and a real toliet . I admire you for living the way you do . But it just seems wasteful to spend 45,000 for something that in time if you do have a family or get married , your space would no longer work . For 45,000 where I come from you can buy a 2-3 bedroom home , or if you wanted smaller space then why not just invest in a great singlewide home ?

[snowman358]

im wanting to build a house like this for a club house if i didnt add a bathroom how much would it cost? cause they could use the bathroom in th emain house but this for a club house would it be a good house?

[Valentina1975abc]

good house

[Fibr3Optix]

When your 70 your not going to climb stairs.

[3investigators]

@Fibr3Optix I didn't know there was a time limit on stair climbing...

[heykeeko]

i like his bedroom - looks cozy.

[CandyBekah]

It's like a walk-in closet on wheels

[MistaChirox55]

party at his place!

[outbackeddie]

I have lots of stuff. I need a 2,000 sq. ft. home minimum. The more stuff I get the happier I am. I'm looking forward to buying a 3,000 sq. foot home in the near future. Then I can buy even more stuff and eventually get an even bigger home. I'm doing my part to keep the economy humming.

[marcaritta]

Has the Great Gatsby taught us anything at all?

[evans1875]

45000?? no no. me and my dad just built one 18x25 for 8000.. go to a local lumber co and do it yourself..i never built one in my life and i did it. you will surprise yourself . nothin to it but to do it.

[gtrefghuk]

I`d put a small wood stove in it along with the gas stove.

[mharrop396]

$45000 for that cracker box....? I'll buy a 5th wheel for half that...

[toretto666ify]

so you only need a land to put that dreamhometoo live in?

[TheRealNickBravo]

the issue is not the amount of stuff yu own but how much money you have. I see homeless trustfund babies treated like kings, they get hungry or tired they simply pull out the charge card. Meanwhile those with no money are treated like human waste.

[StatuesBleedingGreen]

Very cool, I've always loved small spaces. Although I think a cob house would be more cost effective.

[tekeahh]

I love the idea, the only thing you are missing inside your home ( from what is shown) is a plant.

[cowbellpeaceprize]

I love the idea, but I would rather have room for my grandkids to play. Maybe when they're grown...

[JayTsunDayVis]

When you use the bathroom, how you get rid of the waste?

[kirstendirksen]

@JayTsunDayVis It all depends on whether you choose to hookup to sewage services. You can either hook up to septic or sewer and use a regular flush toilet. Or try to go off the grid and use a composting or incinerating toilet.

[JayTsunDayVis]

@kirstendirksen: thx, i think rather burn waste to ash. B-)

incinerating toilet

[strafer]

What do one of these costs?

[kirstendirksen]

@strafer Built about $45,000. Or you can buy plans for about $700 and build it yourself.

[strafer]

@kirstendirksen Thanks.  I had a feeling would be an exorbitant price for what you get. The plans seem reasonably priced though.

[neVLOGin]

@kirstendirksen where could i find such plans? do the plans cost 700 or does the finished product cost 700

[kirstendirksen]

@neVLOGin The plans cost around $700. Finished product around $45K (tumbleweedhouses . com). Though you can do it for much cheaper. Also interviewed a woman who built her own house on wheels out of trash and craigslist finds. I call it DIY home for less than $3500 youtube.com/watch?v=UB-MhZkYVo­8 Though really she only spent for the used trailer.

[ThePsycheSociety]

@neVLOGin I wish

[Raithulu]

I'd love to have one of these. I think the only thing I'd add is a washing machine.

[djkenny]

I would live here in a heart beat if I was single. However, I would need to build it with some friends that have a back ground in building because there i no way I would spend 40k on it, 15k if it was made made a rock, but that would be pushing it. 10k likely would be my max. best option would be a good quality 5th wheel motor home used for like 3-4 grand about year 2000 model. They are efficient, have about 150+ sq ft, and you can also move them.

[MyHonorTribute]

This is amazing!

[CelestialEmbodiment]

This guy is drunk.

[evrmc11]

Jay I notice your tiny wall mounted heater. Who make it and where did you get it?

[kirstendirksen]

@evrmc11 I just shot a video with Jay, but he told me he uses a boat fireplace/heater. It's called a Newport Propane Fireplace. From what I've read, It has a direct vent design and built-in blower. Dimensions are 17x9. Costs about $1000. Hope that helps.

[evrmc11]

@kirstendirksen Thanks alot

[evrmc11]

@kirstendirksen Is ur roof angels a 4-12 pitch ?

[StMeade]

less is more, for sure. This is great.

I need a bit more than 100 sf, but, I certainly don't need 5 bedrooms, or even 2.

Materailism was certainly the way since like the 1940s or so. We can do better than that.

[560e]

Good stuff. Shafer is right on target.

[shadezofgrayfulness]

You know you may have too much stuff when it's easier and faster to go out and buy something again than it is to look for the thing you already own but can't find!

[jdizzle120100]

do not ever compare yourself to thoreau, just out of respect

[shadezofgrayfulness]

@jdizzle120100 I get what you're saying; you admire Thoreau. As do I. And I may be wrong, but I think Jay shows *great* respect for Thoreau, by emulation. You'll notice too, that Jay is responding to comparisons by contrasting his ethos to that of Thoreau.

My favorite Thoreau quote: "Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end."

[5lkk]

Not for many at this point in time. As time goes one I think we can expect home sizes to shrink down do a more reasonable size. As income shrinks & the costs of utilities rise.

[TheEsotericDesi]

This guy is soooooooo 100% to the point... that if you have so much shit thrown around ur home, then it actually diminishes the quality of life, not improve it as you assume...

[TheEsotericDesi]

WoW! So nice and cozy... I love the idea as more shit means more clutter...

[911mrchevyman]

oh man i wanna see what you come up with, im looking for ideas. ok.have you seen those earth homes made of used tires????

[rumorajj]

Interesting comment by nomreremakes. Sounds like he there is no choice in the matter. Destine to be sold crap? Or destine to desire crap? Or just destine to be unhappy with either? Is there a middle or does it really matter?

[911mrchevyman]

i love your domicile. its cool. im not sure of square feet but i live an r.v 30 ft. i think its a little bit larger but i love it and wouldnt give it up for the world. i think people live way beyond their means these days,

[ahnaknits]

@911mrchevyman I have a 30 ft RV and I love mine too. My husband and I are about to build a tiny house, but if it weren't for the fact that the RV has no insulation, we'd just stay in that. :)

[SuperBrobot]

Currently living in large condo, its freakin' cold man.

Smaller place would keep heat better.

[MrVND2010]

Very nice.

In Russia it would be "dacha" :- )

[korgri]

I saw this guy in another small house video, dragging it around the country behind a Uhaul.. how many does he live in? When I watch stuff like this it makes me want to set up a home in a giant old airplane hanger. Put a bed over in one corner, the bathroom in another corner, kitchen and living area in the last two. Anytime you have to do something, it's two hundred paces to get there. Cardio living, I guess.

[SpeediZ28]

I love how organized everything is. Everything in its little jar and the pots hung up. I could, and should do this... will I have the determination to sell all my stuff...

[transplant07]

HOW CAN YOU SHAG WITH THE LADIES IN THAT HOUSE? ITS LIKE WHEN THEY WALK IN ITS STRIGHT TO THE BEDROOM.

[Masqueradia]

I get the whole living smaller and more simply thing. It's a good idea. but I've not seen one of these interviews (yet) that have a family and kids. What do you do with them? Set them on the porch and say "Have fun?" There's a point where you gotta have a little (lot) more than this... maybe not as much as some people think... but that little cottage is not gonna house a family of 4.5.

[elainebmack]

It looks much like a studio apartment, except it's a self contained house. I could do it.

[50peacegirl]

You really have the right idea. Less is always better. You don't have to worry about your home being broken into or cleaning for hours on end . You will have a lot more free time on your hands. Besides you can't take your stuff with you when you die. Plus nobody else wants to be burden with it.

[jobirgheidi]

Jay Shafer. You are an inspiration to all !!!

[jobirgheidi]

Jay Shafer. You are an inspiration to all !!!

[MorpheaCerise]

Dude, the camera lens is dirty.

[mjc725]

so freaking cool....

[pallervante]

my dreamhome

[sifsai]

"half of knowing what it is to live simply is knowing how to live happily."

that's true!

[rmaccrea]

Cool video and house. Very simpley designed and stated.

Our family of 3 lives in 460 sq.ft. Truly liberating! The BEST way to live. Ours is tightly insulated, passive solar, and bermed on the north. Total energy under $40 per month. Easy to clean, hard to lose things. Google "The Mountain Model Cabin".

I also drew from FLW's Usonian homes. His best, most simple, and efficient designs. Modern is another great way to pull off small, allowing more design freedom.

[paradiseshow1988]

I want to see someone, or a family, living in a replica of the house from Little House on the Prairie.

[k2theC2thejo]

I would love one of these. Now I wont live with my mother I'll live in her back yard. ah hahaha.

[ToriSanaa1]

I really like this. I would'nt mind getting one for my husband and I. We could get rid of all the unnecessay stuff. Yeah, it kind of reminds me "Little House On The Praire." Its looks really peaceful. If you don't like your neighborhood you can literally "Roll Out."

[andrewd081452]

i would love to have one when i get older!! i hope he comes out with some more amazing designs, and how do u wash ur clothes and power the appliences?

[tucsonlex]

Really like this house, wishing I was younger so the loft wouldn't look so intimidating! I might have to rethink the ladder placement for an easier angle!

[nancylp1111]

@tucsonlex He's actually got one house that has a tiny bedroom downstairs and the loft is still upstairs, I can't remember what name that house is I'll look it up. I'm older too and would feel unsafe climbint those stairs all the time.

[nancylp1111]

@tucsonlex I found it it's the Tumbleweed Lusby, 120sqft and has a tiny bedroom on the main floor.

[dandym2]

makes perfect sense. I'm in Thailand, all you need to do is look at a monks Kuti. they are the happiest I know.

[Briandan99]

That looks like my shed.

[copking1]

Does he have a tv

[AnimalSites]

@copking1 Probably doesn't need one. He has a laptop computer.

[NycLuvrCP]

@copking1 i don't think so... D: i would want a small one at least!

[eltajo22]

uhh can anyone tell me how they get the mattress up in the loft?

[Sashadigsweed]

@eltajo22 Most likely it's not a rigid type of mattress. Maybe more like a futon which is flexible so not too difficult to fold and get it up there.

[andrewd081452]

@eltajo22 if i were him id probally probally put a regular bed in there through the top before i put the roof on

[shadezofgrayfulness]

@andrewd081452 Or have a roof on hinges, so you can open it up like a doll's house periodically, to rearrange the furniture and pose the tiny people.

"Oh Ken!"

"Oh, B-b-b-b-BARBI!"

"Oh, Ken; not on the CREDENZA!"

LOL!

[hindview]

This the way to freedom and happiness ..!

[nomoreremakes]

The reason why acquiring more and more is the way of life in America is because the people who sell the crap we buy put pressure on us 24 hours a day to buy this crap, so they can live better than you while you lose everything you have or work yourself to death trying to afford it all.

[Rrtor]

@nomoreremakes

Yes, but it's your fault entirely for submitting to that pressure. Jay has resisted from the pressure to acquire.

[quitejaded]

@nomoreremakes Well, people who advertise for you to buy their stuff are ALSO buying stuff. Its not like they are demi gods sending stuff down here and we're puny humans. LOL Its a cycle, not a downline. Also, after a while, c'mon... like I'm 22 and I've already come to realize half the stuff I buy is crap, so I just stop buying crap. I've saved so much money and time. Like seriously... eventually you get tired of losing your money to shit you don't want.

[strafer]

@nomoreremakes That's called obsession. There is a middle ground.

[Gunnarsguns]

Styling,aesthetics and workmanship are superb. This idea would put apartment landlords outta business

[possenti]

I love the aluminum diamond plate shower. I'm stealing that idea when I build my cabin. Nice work!

[jsipma]

Kindle and hulu (or other such technostuff) make this lifestyle easier and more practical than in the past.

[Gunnarsguns]

A lot of wisdom in this short vid

[DaisyLeader2000]

WELL SAID JAY!