If you had the option to buy a home with your partner that gave you the opportunity to drastically reduce your monthly spending, reduce your carbon footprint, and give you more time to focus on what's important to you, you'd do it, right?
Now, what if that home was actually only 270 square feet and was on wheels? That's the decision Tim Davidson and Sam Cosner made nearly 3 years ago when they chose to move into a tiny home.
Before They Went Tiny
When Tim and Sam were first dating, the couple lived separately with Sam in her own apartment and Tim living in his parent's rental property in Sarasota, Florida. One day, Tim's parents gave him 6 months notice that he had to move out, which is when the couple made the decision to move in together.
Finding The Right Home
When researching apartments or houses that would work for them, Tim and Sam were trying to find something they could afford that they wouldn't feel the need to "fill with meaningless stuff" as Tim puts it, which is how the idea of a tiny house came about.
Taking The Plunge
After doing their research, the couple decided that a tiny home — specifically this tiny home, named Tiffany — would be the right option for them. Once they decided, they focussed on preparing to move into their home on wheels.
Time To Start Downsizing
While many couples or families choose to custom design their tiny homes, Tim and Sam chose to go with Tiffany and buy their home already built so all they had to focus on was downsizing. On top of getting rid of their stuff, they also said that they were "mentally preparing to lie in less space."
Utilizing The Space They Have
Part of the reason the couple opted for a tiny home is because they knew they didn't use "75% of the space we were living in at the time." A misconception about tiny houses is that you won't have any space at all, but it's just about how you use it.
Storage In Unexpected Places
In a blog post written just one week after moving into their home full-time, the couple says they were surprised at how much space they felt like they had. The most important thing is using the space you have wisely, like these built in drawers in the stairs up to their bedroom.
The Outdoor Advantage
An advantage to living in a warm state like Florida is that the couple has the option to spend a lot of time outdoors and use their outdoor space for things like eating or relaxing at night without being confined to the indoors.
Taking Space Apart
Like every couple, they've had their challenges and living in a tiny space means they spend a lot more time outdoors. The couple has admitted that obviously they love each other but "everyone needs personal time to relax and recharge" so they take advantage of being able to go outside.
Logistics Of The Lofts
In terms of areas within their home, Tim and Sam have a loft above the bathroom as their bedroom, as well as a second loft above the kitchen which can be for guests, but is also used for storage of larger items. The kitchen in the home is fully functional with a gas stove and a large fridge.
The Upkeep Is Minimal
On a daily basis, Sam says it takes around 15 minutes to clean up the house in entirety, which is basically a dream. The couple has also been open about their monthly costs, including sharing that their electric bill usually sits around $40 a month.
Making Choices
One sacrifice they've made during their time in Tiffany is the collecting of mementos and souvenirs from traveling. Tim and Sam love to travel but have to be careful about what they bring back from those trips because of limited space. Rather than see it as a negative, the couple says it helps them choose really special memories to value.
Sharing Their Next Adventure
Sam and Tim have said they plan to live in Tiffany for at least four years, but they're also taking a new project to keep them busy after purchasing some nearby property.
Welcome To Shellmate Island
Shellmate Island is a piece of property the couple recently bought, which they are now in the process of renovating and building on. The inland island sits on a 19-acre lake and is located just a few miles from downtown Sarasota.
The Purpose Of Shellmate
While Tim and Sam are still happy living in Tiffany, they wanted to invest in Shellmate Island as a way to give other people an opportunity to experience living tiny, as a "try before you buy" type of experience even for a weekend at a time.
Lights Are On But Nobody Is Home, Yet
The couple has been working away on the island while documenting their progress for their followers, and they've reached the point now where they have the structure and are working on getting it perfect inside.
Starting From The Ground Up
While they weren't involved in the building of their first tiny home, Tim and Sam are heavily involved in the design and creation of the tiny home that's being built on Shellmate Island.
You Can Learn Anything You Need To Know
One major takeaway Tim and Sam have shared since they moved to living tiny and have now taken on Shellmate Island is that you can learn about almost anything on YouTube. You don't need to be an expert to build a tiny home and you can learn things like tiling a shower, which they had their first experience with.
Slow And Steady
More than a year after purchasing their tiny island, Sam and Tim have running water and electricity on Shellmate and are well on their way to having their home ready for living.
Covering All The Possibilities
On top of the tiny home that Tim and Sam are building on the island, they've also been working on constructing a covered boat port. Though you can drive to the island, people will also want to have water access and potentially would bring their owns boats.
Continuing Their Tiny Living
Nearly three years into their living tiny experience, Tim and Sam are still loving their tiny experience and enjoy sharing it with all their followers through social media and through their blog posts.
