EP 108: Do you have the values worksheet? Alt-Living is Now.

Jun 19

Written By Laura Lynch, CFP® ABFP™ AAMS® CDFA®

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Welcome to the Less House More Moola podcast, where we explore unique and fulfilling housing situations beyond the conventional American dream. In this episode, Laura shares her journey of adapting her podcast studio across various unconventional spaces, from a walk-in closet to a makeshift shelf in a Colorado cabin. This adaptability mirrors the core theme of the podcast: finding housing solutions that align with personal values and evolving life stages.

Discovering Diverse Housing Options

Laura highlights the diverse array of alternative homes she encounters in Colorado, including a double adobe home, a semi-tiny house, and a straw bale house. Many of these properties are off-grid, emphasizing sustainability and self-sufficiency, a lifestyle Laura and her family are actively embracing through their new solar setup in their cabin. The ongoing renovations, from leveling the cabin to finishing drywall, underscore the hands-on nature of alternative living and the new skill sets acquired along the way.

The current housing market, characterized by rising costs and a desire for greater comfort and freedom, creates a prime opportunity to re-evaluate traditional housing. It's a time for "shuffling and jiving" to discover what truly resonates with individuals seeking alternative paths.

Aligning Housing Choices with Personal Values

A central tenet of the podcast is the importance of aligning housing decisions with deeply held values. Laura encourages listeners to look inward rather than simply envying others' lifestyles. She recounts meeting someone who traveled the globe solo after leaving the Air Force, sparking envy but also highlighting the need to assess one's own readiness and competencies for such an undertaking.

Understanding your values is crucial for determining what type of alternative living arrangement is a good fit. Laura recommends her values quiz, available at thetinyhouseadviser.com, which includes a short quiz and a comprehensive worksheet to help listeners identify their core values.

The Nomadic vs. Rooted Lifestyle Debate

Laura uses the popular "van life" as an example. While ideal for those who prioritize travel, exploration, and connecting with friends and family across different locations, it's not for everyone. Many individuals are "not driven to be nomadic" and instead desire to "put down roots and build community and relationships."

Laura herself embodies this evolution, having once loved to travel but now aspiring to "stay in one place and grow vegetables." This illustrates how life stages and evolving interests influence housing preferences. The key is recognizing what "sparks your interest and what is true to you, as opposed to what may be true for someone else."

The Benefits of a Low Cost of Living

For Laura, two key values that shape her housing choices are "exploration and seeing new things." Rather than constant nomadic travel, she achieves this by having two residences: a tiny house and the current cabin. This "low cost of living through an alternative housing setup" allows for variety and novelty, providing a sense of "spice of life" without the daily logistics of finding new parking spots. Whether it's a tiny home living, a small footprint cabin, or another innovative solution, minimizing housing expenses can unlock greater flexibility and opportunities.

Navigating Trade-offs in Alternative Housing

The journey into alternative living often involves trade-offs. It's about figuring out "what is for me and what does resonate for me and what will work for me and what are the trade-offs, what is necessary and what are areas where I might be willing to give a little in order to get a lot." This self-discovery process, again, circles back to understanding what is truly important and what is not.

Laura's recent experiences at the Colorado cabin exemplify the hands-on reality of alternative living. She's been involved in everything from plumbing and electrical work to leveling the house and fixing doors. Despite the challenges, like a vibrating washing machine, the focus is on "working with what we got" and building resilience. The prospect of cultivating vegetables in the cabin's rich soil, despite the dry environment and short growing season, highlights the continuous learning and personal growth inherent in this lifestyle.

Juggling work, the podcast, and house renovations while feeling immense gratitude for the opportunity to avoid a conventional "nine to five" routine underscores the personal fulfillment derived from pursuing alternative housing. Laura looks forward to future podcast guests who will share their own unique stories, further enriching the exploration of alternative housing solutions and sustainable living. Join Laura next week on the Less House More Moola podcast for more insights into crafting a life that truly fits you.