It is best when things are both.
love,
melanie
Tag Archives: home
The Small Life: Amber’s TinCan
Today on “The Small Life” we have Amber’s inspiring story. After divorce and debt, Amber and her “TinCan” are picking up the pieces and in the process, making a simple and lovely home. Take it away, Amber!
Hi, I’m Amber. I am 42 years old, and I live and work in central Arkansas. I am a bookkeeper and I work in HR, Safety and Compliance. On the side I am a photographer, artist and blogger. I would love to eventually transition to do these things full-time or at least into something I can do more flexibly while traveling. For now I work for and with some great people at my day job. Since work is stationary, my home is too. I currently rent a space in a local RV/Mobile home park. It isn’t my dream location, but it works well for now. My goal is to be able to spend more time traveling in the future (either on the road in the TinCan or by using her for my home base for even further destinations). Simplifying my life and living in the TinCan is enabling these dreams to become much more attainable— hopefully in a year or two. It is amazing how much freer I feel having embraced this simple lifestyle and letting go of so many unnecessary things. I want a life full of moments and experiences not things. I think I always wanted this kind of life, but I didn’t always recognize that I did. Fear of losing my “sense of security” and asking to many negative “What ifs” held me back.
So then how did I actually end up simplifying and living in a vintage, 1970 Airstream? Let me just say it took some life upheavals to get me on the right track. Several years ago I found myself picking up the pieces after going through the dreaded d-word…divorce. I relocated to Arkansas and spent a couple of years trying to keep up a similar lifestyle to what I was used to. I made some not so great decisions and accumulated more debt than I like to admit. After a few years, I worked my way up to a better job, but I was working all the time and not happy. I realized that I could keep working ridiculous hours to achieve what society says is normal, or I could make new choices that would allow me to be much more in control of how I spend my time. I really liked the sound of those new choices. Therefore, I downsized; first to a studio apartment and then to my beloved TinCan.
I have long drooled over Airstreams, but never really thought I would be brave enough to embrace living in one full-time. That changed with a find on eBay and a quick drive to Ohio in April 2013. I had researched a lot online about full-timing, but I had no actual experience of ever even camping in an RV. Thus, the drive to get her was a little nerve-wracking. What did I get myself into? However, it was love at first sight. From the moment I stepped foot inside her, I knew I was home. Fortunately, the previous owners of my TinCan took very good care of her. She was in lovely shape for her age and didn’t need any extensive repairs. I did spend a few months painting, decorating, replacing window seals, stripping clear coat, and simply making her more my own before moving in October 2013 when my apartment lease was up. I’ve done a few more projects over the year and 4 months I have lived in her. I still have a long list of projects to be completed as time and the budget allow. I find it is a pleasure investing my time, money and energy into something that is mine instead of throwing away rent every month.
My only regret about embracing this simple life and moving into the TinCan is that I didn’t do it sooner. It has been one of the very best decisions I have ever made. My free time is much more relaxed, and I am able to spend more time on things that are important and fulfilling. I am happy to share my story in the hopes that it might help others gather the courage to simplify their lives and reach for the lives they really want. I know reading the stories of others helped me gather that courage too.
Thanks, Amber! I admire your courage, tenacity and grit! And that’s what small living is all about! If you want to hear more about Amber’s story, check out her blog, Auntie Am & Her Big Tin Can and check her out on Instagram @airstream365. And remember, if you have a small space that you want to share, email me at asmalllifemelanie at gmail. com. -Melanie
A Day In the Life of a Full-Time Airstreamer
I swear to you all that I’m not a narcissistic person, although it might seem that way just looking at the title of this post. I came up with the idea to do this post as a way for you all to get a glimpse into what day-to-day life is like in my Airstream. Funny story, I actually did this experiment on a Thursday and the entire day was so boring that I waited until Saturday to try it again. My regular work day mostly consists of me going to work and not spending time in the Airstream at all! (I hope to remedy that one day.) Anyway, I hope this post is at least marginally more interesting than watching paint dry. Here it goes… A day in the life of a full-time Airstreamer.
1/31/15
7:00am
Wake up to take Bambi out. Brr! It’s cold out there. Jump back in bed for a little while longer.
10:00am
George and I wake up again to Bambi’s smiling face. That girl has so much energy when she wakes up. I am so jealous of that quality!
10:10am
I make sure the hot water is turned off. When it’s turned on, I can’t boil water or turn on the stove or it will flip the breaker. I boil the water first since I also can’t cook while the electric tea kettle is on, it’s a balancing act, but we manage.
10:15am
Once the water has boiled, I pour the water over the ground beans to make coffee in our French Press (press it good!), then I get started on the eggs. I have two eggs on a tortilla with guacamole or hot sauce almost every morning. I like not having to think too much about breakfast.
10:30am
I know at this point, I should just do the dishes, but they’ll have to wait because this morning we are headed to our local flea market so we can scout treasures for George to sell. George works for himself as an artist, so it helps for us to have multiple income streams.
I make sure to turn the hot water back on so it’ll be hot by the time we get home. I then throw on (probably too many) layers of clothes and put Bambi in a sweatshirt and hit the road in our (new to us) van.
11:15am
We realize on the way to the flea market we have no cash. Cash is king at the flea market, so we stop at a Trader Joe’s on the way. We need coconut oil and sweetened condensed milk. George runs in while I wait in the car. Trader Joe’s has neither coconut oil nor sweetened condensed milk, so George grabs beer and chocolate. Good choices, my husband, good choices. And we’re on the road again!
12:00pm
Finally make it to the flea market. Bambi doesn’t like to walk at the flea market. I don’t know if she is scared of the big dogs or she’s just a princess, but I carry her the entire time. My arms ache, but I try to think of it as a workout. We find a few treasures, nothing spectacular, but a few things that we think will sell. We never buy anything for ourselves. It’s hard, but when we’re at the flea market we aren’t looking for ourselves, we’re looking to make money.
1:30pm
We managed to make our way around the flea market and see everything. George brought a few things with him that he sold to a friend, so we leave the flea market to drop off that stuff. I’m fully aware that it’s ironic that George makes most of his money making and selling stuff. Not everyone is a minimalist and that’s ok.
1:45pm
We drop off the stuff and since Trader Joe’s was so bare, we head to a different grocery store on the way home. I try to get most of my groceries from our CSA, but it’s the end of the month and our cupboards are bare!
3:00pm
We finally get back home. By this time, I’m getting hangry, so I fix a small snack. George says I’m stingy because I won’t share, but he can have his own! I’m on a new eating regimen and I only get so many calories a day, so each one is precious! I know it’s mean.
3:10pm
I start by tackling the huge mound of dishes. Doing dishes is one of my most hated chores. The dishes never end! Before I even get to the end, I’m out of hot water. I switch the hot water off, so I can boil some more. In the mean time, I start tackling the bathroom.
3:50pm
The bathroom is small, so it’s easy to clean. By the time the hot water is boiling, I’m finished cleaning the bathroom. I finish up the dishes and relax for a bit.
4:00pm
While I relax, George sweeps the floors. Cleaning around our house is like a dance, it requires a lot of coordination and it’s difficult for two people to be in the same space at the same time. We usually just take different tasks and try to clean and cook at different times.
4:30pm
My afternoon snack was minuscule and I’m getting hungry again. But after cleaning up, I want something fast and easy. I picked up some gluten-free chicken nuggets on my grocery store trip, so I heat those up in our mini convection oven. I also fix a salad. I know it’s not the most healthy meal, but it’s fast, easy and I don’t have to clean much.
4:45pm
We eat dinner and then George makes a couple key chains to sell.
5:15pm
We head to a friend’s house. This particular friend is fixing up an old school bus to live in. I should have taken a few pictures, but I documenting every bit of your day is sort of weird. Right? I did manage to take a picture of the fire pit?
9:45pm
We head home. It’s Bambi’s second dinner time! I fix another snack and a glass of wine. Of course, I forgot to turn on the hot water so I watch a bit of TV while it heats up. We don’t have a real TV and live happily without one. (Here’s how.)
11:30pm
I fall asleep watching Dual Survivor.
1:00am
I wake up and take a shower. I realize how lame I am.
Was this enlightening for you? My life isn’t always exciting, but it’s usually a good one.
love,
melanie
Tuesday Thoughts…
Just a little something to think about this Tuesday.
love,
melanie
New Adventures! Our Van: The Before Pictures
I’m pretty sure my (super long) tombstone inscription will say something like this: “Melanie: seasoned traveler, never able to sit down or stay in one spot too long. In the event of zombies, beware, she will rise!” George and I have the itch again. The itch to do something new. We won’t be giving up the Airstream, we love it dearly, but we’re looking on to bigger (or smaller?!) adventures in a van!
I know what you’re saying, but the Airstream is such a nice home on wheels! Yes, it is, but it would be very cumbersome for long journeys, much more expensive and probably more problematic than a van.
George bought the van for $850. I am on a Spending Diet so I didn’t contribute to the initial price of the van, but I will be using mostly my budget to fix it up. I don’t know how long we’ll be able to travel, ideally we’d be able to travel for a year or more, but that’s still up in the air. What we do know is this time we’re giving ourselves plenty of time to fix up her up. And boy are we going to need that time!
Just like the Airstream, the van has blue carpet, rust and some body work issues. Unlike the Airstream, we also have a chipped windshield, a super weird decal and a host of other issues. Let’s take a look, shall we?!
Yikes, right? It’s kind of terrifying how much work needs to be done, but I’m excited to fully remodel it to a home on wheels.
So what do you think? Are you excited to take this journey with us? Let me know in the comments!
love,
melanie
Tiny House Swoon!
I know I should just wait until tomorrow during Link Love to mention this, but I’m too excited!!! George and I were featured on the site, Tiny House Swoon yesterday. I didn’t even realize it was published until today! Do’h! But I am super excited to be up there with a few never-before-seen photos of the ol’ Airstream. Tiny House Swoon is one of those websites that I draw infinite inspiration from and I am honored to see our home with so many other lovely dwellings.
Check out the post here: http://tinyhouseswoon.com/a-small-life-airstream/
love,
melanie
The Airstream Diaries: The Holiday Season
It’s the holiday season and I can’t get that damn song out of my head. You know the one– “It’s the holiday season… With the whoop-de-do and hickory dock. And don’t forget to hang up your sock!” Does anyone else think that Andy Williams sounds completely drunk off Grandma’s eggnog during that song? No? Just me. Ok, let’s move on.
This past weekend George and I decked the Airstream out in Christmas lights. Our place isn’t big enough for a tree, but it wasn’t feeling very holiday-ish ’round these parts. My mom had given us a single string of lights so I decided, what the hey, let’s string ’em up on the outside of the trailer.
I don’t care if it is trashy. It made it feel a lot more Christmasy around here and I kind of love the way the light reflects on the Airstream.
Big thanks to my husband, George who swept off the top of our trailer and put up the lights while I comforted our terrified dog. Someone knocking and climbing all over our house is super scary– even if it is your dad. Poor little bit.
Does it feel holiday-ish around your parts? Let me know in the comments!
love,
melanie
The Small Life: The Peterson Family
I am so pumped about this post! I love to see how families make living small work for them. Today we’ve got Nick Peterson from Livin’ Lightly. Nick, his wife, and two young children live, travel and work from an Airstream! Take it away, Nick…
Hello! We are the Peterson family! My wife and two kids (daughter 3 years and son 5 months) live, travel and work in our 1966 Airstream Overlander. We’ve been living small full-time for the past two years.
For us tiny living was never about the space. (At least not entirely.) We chose to live small so that we can live large in other areas of our life. Life’s all about trade-offs.
Pre-Airstream the daily grind consisted of work, paying bills then we tried to squeeze in some family, friends and fun. After the birth of our daughter we began to rethink our existence and intentionally plan our life.
For us this meant trading a steady income + benefits, larger living space for portability, time with family and pursing work we love.
In preparation for this transition we buckled down and cut all unnecessary spending, got on a strict budget, paid off our debt and saved. We purged and sold all our stuff, bought a vintage Airstream and a big truck to pull it. We worked to build versatile and largely passive income streams to pay the bills.
Now we have the time, and ironically space to share life as a family, the freedom to travel and explore and pursue what matters to us most.
Here’s to living the small space large life dream!
Aren’t they just the cutest?! You can read more about Nick and his family on their blog, Livin’ Lightly or on IG: livinlightly. And remember, If you want to submit your own Small Life, email me asmalllifemelanie @ gmail dot com.
love,
melanie
The Airstream Diaries: Basking in Fall
Fall is my favorite season. To me, nothing is better than frolicking through a field of pumpkins, drinking PSLs to my heart’s content and wrapping up in a cozy sweater. But after my beloved fall is my dreaded winter. Winter in the Airstream isn’t very fun. Winter in the Airstream means cold feet, staying next to the space heater at all times and freezing pipes.
Before dreaded winter is upon us, I’m trying to soak up as much fall as I can get. I’ve been happy to brush the pine needles off my steps, crank up the Crockpot and on warm fall days, open up the windows. In the next few weeks we’ll need to winterize our home and pull out the heaters.
Until then, I’m raising my PSL to you, fall. I love ya.
– melanie
The Small Life: Todd & Wyatt
Happy Monday everyone! Today I am happy to announce a new feature on the blog entitled, drum roll, please, “The Small Life.” “The Small Life” will feature people from across the globe that live a small life in an Airstream, a bus, a van, a tiny house or other unconventional spaces. The first feature is from Todd. Todd is taking an unimaginably difficult time in his life and is turning it around with small living. Take it away Todd. – Melanie
Not quite a year ago, my life was turned upside down when my wife and I decided to part ways. Homeless with only a few changes of clothes and my dog, Wyatt, we started sleeping on the floor of my friends architecture studio. It wasn’t too bad; dry and warm. It was a good place to sort through emotions, let the proverbial dust settle and plot my next move.
After a couple of months, with the unconditional love and support of family, I decided to set out and find an Airstream to move in. Fortunately, one turned up in Florida and within a couple weeks I was towing it back to the mountains of Asheville.
Getting the Airstream, I hope is only the first step of many to creating a new life for Wyatt and I. As a result of moving into 153 sqft, most of my worldly possessions needed to go. After much thought, I realized that it was just stuff. Sentimental items are merely items that remind of us a specific memory. I will always have the memory, which takes up less space than the stuff. Clothes are still being widdled down to only the bare essentials. If its not my most favorite thing to wear or if I haven’t worn it in the last month, it gets donated. Even new stuff gets intense scrutiny; does buying this thing move me in the direction of getting me on the road full time, does this limit me financially from exploring, traveling and creating new adventures, is this something that I simply want? Only items that facilitate adventure and create epic memories, makes the cut into 153 sqft.
By no means am I free of “stuff”, but I’m getting down to the essentials and a couple more rounds of purging, and I will be there. Free of most clutter, allowing my mind to focus on just being.
Ironically, soon after I got the Airstream, the one thing I did want to buy was a t-shirt that exemplified the spirit of the Airstream. Unfortunately, I found none. With the help of my sister, we set out to design our own t-shirt and so “Itinerant Shirts” was born. I don’t have any grand visions of getting rich, but rather spreading and sharing the itinerant spirit with others. I hope to release new editions every so often show casing other’s art. The first edition is available on Etsy under itinerant shirts. I should mention that I’ve only had 1 sale and that was from my sister. No worries, if they don’t sell, every single one that I made is in the exact size and color that I would want to wear.
Hope my verbal “snap shot” gives you an idea of why I’m living small….to allow focus on what really matters, just being.
-Todd and Wyatt
You can find Todd on his Instagram: @rivitedtodd and @itinerantshirts. And at his shop, Itinerant Shirts.
If you want to submit your own Small Life, email me asmalllifemelanie @ gmail dot com.