Tiny Living and Money Matters

Tiny Living: Moving our family of 5 into a tiny home

/

I was in hiatus from blogging for a while because December had been such a busy time for us. As you know, we made a decision to go for Tiny Living and moved first week of December. I had to find homes for our old furniture which did not fit the size of our new place. I also had to do most of the packing, all the while trying to complete my last few articles for a marketing company I wrote articles for for almost six months.

Jay was busy as well with all the events at work while doing his regular duties. We were not able to do a lot of our annual family Christmas tradition activities except for our Thank you Jesus night which we did at KFC because half our unit was still piled up with boxes and celebrating Jesus’ birthday with a cake and a simple dinner as a family on the 25th.

IMG_2367

The only activities we were able to take the kids to were our Christmas eve dinner with my side of the family and the annual Happy Birthday Jesus party at a friends’ house in Las Pinas.

Why we decided to go for Tiny Living

It’s not our first time to go for a 21 square meter house, but unlike our first experience, we were ready this time.

It’s funny how some of our friends were quick to assume that we must be going through a financial crisis of some sort to do this, but really, we’re fine. It’s different for us this time.

We’re not in the best financial place yet, but we’re not in a bad place either. The decision came about as a realization that we were living way beyond our means.

We calculated Jay’s salary and it was just enough to cover all of our basic bills and needs. If we are serious about investing for our children’s future and for our retirement, we had to make some pretty drastic decisions.

Me bringing in income to help pay our bills didn’t work for us. I already have my hands full with the kids and their homeschooling and taking on heavy workload maxed me out.

Jay will just have to take care of that part and I go back to my original role in our team.

Big surprises in unexpected packages

We didn’t go looking for a condominium unit as that would surely cost as much or even more than our previous rent. We found the perfect unit a few streets away from the gated subdivision where we used to live. Our new neighborhood is a typical barangay in Makati where the streets are very much awake until midnight. You’ll have to pass through a narrow esquinita, walk between houses, and climb up 70 steps from the street to get to our unit.

It’s not something I’m accustomed to growing up, and I had my hesitations during our first few weeks; but now I can say this much — I think that Bayanihan is still alive this part of the city and that the people around here gave me the impression that they are more reliable than most of the neighbors we’ve had through the years.

We did get a few warnings from some people who have been living in the area for a while, but a lot of what they’re saying to us are hearsay, not actual experiences.

My take on it is for us to just be cautious but not paranoid. We do know of people who’ve lived here that have no bad experiences at all, so it’s a matter of weighing things out reasonably.

Anyway, we’ve been tiny living for more than a month now and it’s been such a joy for all of us. We are so grateful to God because not only do we have a wonderful view of the city from our balcony, our unit is also brand new.

Remember when I blogged that it’s so hard to rent because you can’t make any changes in the house? Well, I’m a woman of simple dreams and all I really wanted were freshly-painted walls and nicely-tiled floors. When we came here to check on the house the first time, the carpenters were still putting it together. That’s how new it is.

So I’m so happy here that my kids no longer walk around with dust-blackened feet, haha! Plus, the old houses we’ve lived in before must have accumulated some germs that we were all going through some skin problems that started to heal when we moved here. I kid you not!

(Read: Should we buy a house now?)

Not without expenses

Going for tiny living was a huge decision and was intended for long term. This is the only reason why we considered getting new furniture to fit the place.

This time is so unlike when we moved to our first tiny home three years ago. We only intended to stay there for a year so we only spent on the necessary – a clothes cabinet, had the main rooms repainted and installed window screens.

We made do with the stuff we had and made it work.

But here, we wanted to make it as comfortable as possible because we planned to stay until we can.

The unit had some unusual dimensions and measurement, so we paid to have a custom-sized dining table and double-deck bed built at a local furniture shop.

We also hired a carpenter to put together an 7-feet high clothes cabinet to fit our clothes.

A large bookshelf was necessary given the number of books we had to keep, but because we needed to scrimp on the budget, Jay was the one who built it himself and I’m so happy at the outcome.

He also reused our old bed’s wood to fashion a TV stand for our outdated TV set and to hold the toiletries in the bathroom.

Moving will cost you money. You have to pay for your last bills at your previous rented house, and in our case, we had to pay for the village association dues that accumulated to Php 4,000, as well. Plus, we needed to transfer our internet and cable TV subscriptions.

Then we had to pay two months in advance for the unit we were moving into.

I’m just happy that we were able to budget our finances to cover those that needed to be covered before Christmas. It was pretty hard to function in a tiny space without them.

Again, the operative word here is “long term”. We considered the expenses because we planned to use these furniture for a long time.

A Good Decision for a New Season

We just entered a new season as a family. Our children would ask us if we will ever buy this house (they like it). Sometimes they ask us why we don’t buy a house.

I tell them that they can buy properties of their own when they get older. Right now, we should all study how to be good stewards of money first before we start thinking about buying this and that.

At this point, if you ask me and my husband, we are both at peace, happy even, and relieved that we are finally going the right direction.

It’s like driving to a destination we’ve only heard about and we’re just trying to follow a map. Then after travelling for hours, we start seeing the landmarks that tell us that we’ve been steering to the right direction all along. You know what I mean?

Sure we went through a roller coaster of emotions while we were in the process of making this decision, but eventually, as things began to unfold, we realized that this may yet be one of the best decisions we have ever made.

This isn’t just about making our life as a family better. We plan to be move in alignment to God’s plans for us this year and be a blessing to those He calls for us to bless.

I have not been able to greet you a Merry Christmas last December except on Facebook, but let me greet you now a Happy New Year. Here’s to clearer roads this 2016!

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be contentwhatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:11-13.

40 Comments

  • Daisy

    January 6, 2016 at 9:46 am Reply

    Love this very much!!! How I wish I can also give up my job and just focus on the kids and homeschooling… it’s really my dream to be able to do so. I admire your courage in doing this move, in making the serious effort to be with your kids and really spend time with them. I may be working from home and I’m with the kids but I’m not really “present”. I really like you blog Mommy Mae as you truly do inspire me and I’m now contemplating on my “priorities” hehe 🙂 Help me God!

  • Celerhina Aubrey ★

    January 6, 2016 at 12:14 pm Reply

    Wow sis!!! I love this post (as usual). 🙂 Very honest and very real. Oo nga, we have to take a step back and look at the way we live our lives. Baka nga kelangan ng drastic moves if we really want to achieve our goals of financial stability and freedom. I am claiming a #Wiser2016 and this post inspired me.

    Btw, ang ganda ng house nyo ah!! The tiny kitchen is to die for!!! Ang ganda nya promise. 🙂

  • Marie

    January 6, 2016 at 2:58 pm Reply

    May, I also have made that adjusment a few years back and it’s the right decision for our family. Your family looks so happy with the new place. 🙂 I always say that I would prefer to live in a place where you can see eachother. 🙂

  • Madz

    January 6, 2016 at 3:28 pm Reply

    I love this post because we also live in a small home.It’s a challenge but with furniture that has a lot of storage and being picky with buying stuff that that will have a home in our home, it is workable 🙂

    • May De Jesus-Palacpac

      January 6, 2016 at 4:09 pm Reply

      Ah storage! We originally wanted drawers made below the double-decker bed but we couldn’t stretch our budget anymore so we settled for a big bookshelf and giving away/throwing out things we didn’t need. 🙂

  • Neri Ann

    January 6, 2016 at 4:38 pm Reply

    Good read and very timely! My family are also planning to move in to a new place this year. I also have a lot of hesitations and a lot of questions if we can do it by ourselves. On our previous house, we are neighbors with our close relatives same as with my partner’s parents and relatives and moving into a totally different place will be the major decision ever. I also like the furniture that was custom made (I follow u on IG). And mukhang nakakatakot na gastusin ang mangyayari but we are planning now one step at a time. Ayoko ding madaliin kasi kelangan ko ding ihanda ang sarili ko emotionally.

    • May De Jesus-Palacpac

      January 6, 2016 at 7:36 pm Reply

      Hindi naman nakakatakot. Usually you can request for a package price with the furniture shop if you’re having more than 1 or 2 furniture made. Malaki rin ang discount. 🙂 The less complex structures, if you can just find a local carpenter to do it for you, better.

  • Jhanis

    January 6, 2016 at 10:42 pm Reply

    My kids are used to tiny living. We’ve lived in small houses ever since (4 moves in 9 years!) and we are still living in a tiny apartment. I know we can save more if we move to the interior side of the area but I am not yet ready to let go of the convenience and accessibility.This means kayod talaga para maafford and rent. 😀

    As what they say (and we both know this to be true), a house doesn’t make a home, family makes any place a home.

    Gandang ganda ako sa kitchen mo!

    • May De Jesus-Palacpac

      January 7, 2016 at 5:53 am Reply

      Heehee…thank you Jhanis! You know that you’re always welcome here in our home. 🙂 And yes, it’s the family that makes a home.

  • Eli Caballero

    January 7, 2016 at 10:16 am Reply

    I’m inspired by how you and your husband manage your household. Especially how decisions are made. Continue being a family that reflects God’s love and grace. Happy new year from my family to you! Godbless! 🙂

  • sarah tirona

    January 7, 2016 at 11:05 am Reply

    ive been following a tv show on hgtv that features tiny spaces, its so tempting and easier to maintain! its not about the size naman its about how you style your home and the people you live with! glad to see you happy 🙂 great start for 2016!

  • Janice

    January 7, 2016 at 1:52 pm Reply

    I watched old episodes of Tiny House Nation again last night. Nakaka-inspire talaga. 🙂 It’s nice how you were able to decorate your new apartment and made it work for you. Can’t wait to visit you! So, so, so happy for you. 🙂

    • May De Jesus-Palacpac

      January 7, 2016 at 6:45 pm Reply

      Awww hugs! Can’t wait to have you over too. 🙂 Yes, kakainspire ang Tiny House Nation pero I had to also weigh it out with my own whims, heehee. kasi Tiny House Nation is a bunch of custom-made multi-functioning furniture. But I was considering the cleaning. So hard to clean beneath furniture that don’t have holes underneath and are too heavy to heave. :))

  • Louisa

    January 7, 2016 at 8:05 pm Reply

    I can relate to tiny living! We live in a condo 33sqm with 5 people as well. It can be challenging! You really have to make the most of the space. We also had to make cabinets but luckily my husband and his brother are crafty so we were able to save a ton. I love how you’ve made your space homey and light. Congrats!

    • May De Jesus-Palacpac

      January 8, 2016 at 8:00 am Reply

      Thanks Louisa! It’s a big help talaga if someone in the family is good with woodwork. We’re still trying to figure out storage. There are a few more changes we’re planning in the coming months. 🙂

    • May De Jesus-Palacpac

      January 8, 2016 at 7:59 am Reply

      That’s a good plan. It’s what I hope for my folks – to live in a property I own with our family. 🙂

  • Denice

    January 8, 2016 at 11:18 pm Reply

    I love this post, gives me a peek as to how living really is. It really isn’t necessary to live at a big house (honestly think it is a want more than a need). What is important is that your family is happy and your comfortable in where you are living. Happy New Year to you and your family!

  • Maan

    January 9, 2016 at 9:43 am Reply

    I love it! I like small spaces because the family has no choice but to see and be with each other — and it’s easier to maintain haha. Kidding aside, I’m happy for your big move! I feel like your new home is really filled with joy.

  • Jeanette E.

    January 13, 2016 at 4:04 am Reply

    It’s beautiful! I love it! The view is fantastic too! Yes, way better owning then renting especially when it comes to feeling concerned for your little ones. Congratulations!

  • Avic

    January 27, 2016 at 3:19 pm Reply

    What an encouragement! I heard a lot of good things about you through our common friend, Kay. I love this blog and will keep reading. Keep writing all your beautiful stories.

  • edelweiza

    March 8, 2016 at 5:45 pm Reply

    Hi May! I’m all for simple living and I’m a minimalist wannabe (not yet super serious about it, though). It’s good to see Pinoy families who are into tiny living. Yours is proof that it’s doable. I will be lurking around here for more inspiration. 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.