Build An Elf House/Help Change a Life
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Hi Everyone!
I have two dreams I'd like to bring to reality - one personal, one community-oriented.
The first is to erect my very simple, small dwelling "“ a place to plant roots after a lifetime of renting and moving. The second is to help promote a changemaker movement that grows old-fashioned community sharing, where everyone helps each other build, paint, repair, teach, farm - like folks once did in days long ago. I feel it's one way to help shift our economy and for people to get back their lives a little more.
I have begun working toward the building of my small dwelling (16 x 20, 1.5 story), which I need to live in by October. I already have many of the pieces in place "“ doors, windows (all reclaimed materials from friends), land, possibly a woodstove from a friend, a bit of cash "“ just not yet enough to complete the whole shell.
It will be a little 'rough' this first year, doing without some niceties (it will be insulated and wired, at least, for winter), but that's how things used to be done. If we ever want to see real change occur with our economy, it may be the only way for all of us to go. It's the old 'build-as-you-go' way of doing things - a bit of old time thinking. With all the foreclosures that have left so many lost and wondering, this is one way people can reclaim their lives outside the banking industry.
I am planning to do it barn-raising style with a local tiny house builder who helps people learn to build through his workshops. He does this to help others live without a mortgage over their heads, so they can actually LIVE life with as little debt as possible.
(Meet Peter here at http://www.vermonttinyhouses.com/about-peter-king.html)
Interestingly, the cost for building a basic shell of a home this size is relatively low "“ about $6,000-7,500 - which provides the frame, sheathing, and roof, and maybe insulation - if it's done with limited outside/paid labor. There are obviously many other costs that go into building, but when one wants to build simply, eco-friendly, and on a small scale, the basic shelter can be built for very little to start.
The initial shell is what I need most help with (though more would certainly help me go further). Any help would free up my limited (disability) income enough so that I could save to finish the rest in time "“ naturally using as many recycled or reclaimed materials as possible. I am very much aware that we must save our resources in order to continue life on this planet, so I try to "˜walk the talk' in my own life as much as possible. We have several places in our area that sell good used materials relatively cheap, which keeps things out of our landfills!
For those who might wonder "“ I had, indeed, approached my credit union at one time to see about a small loan to build this home of mine, looking for a simple personal loan to cover the initial costs. I found out, however, that unless you build something of "˜regulation' size (such as a 3-bedroom, 2-bath house), they are uninterested in really helping, especially if you are seeking to live within your means. Even with land as collateral, they wouldn't do it. Banks don't want us to live within our means "“ they want us to be in debt. It's good for their business. If I learned nothing else from watching others the last few years, I learned they want us to build something they can take away, especially if they make you live larger than you really need/want to. This is why the financial bubble finally burst - and why I hope to change things in my own little way.
You see, I also believe we can and should help each other and have done my own bit in the past by helping folks after Katrina and other disasters. There was a time I had money to share, which I did - quite a bit. Now, however, my life is in a very different economic place, so I help in other ways, through sharing or helping wherever I can or with whatever I have with others.
Once my little place is built, I plan to continue the work in order to help others who "“ like me "“ want to build small dwellings but need a little starter money or a little leg up, so they can live as debt-free as possible, too. I believe all of us have the capacity to be changemakers, and I believe it is possible to take back control of ourselves and our economy by saying NO to those who want us to stay 30+ years in debt. All it takes is one person to start the ball rolling, and for everyone to consider 'paying it forward' to help others in their circle.
I would so appreciate any help bringing these dreams of mine into existence. A little help is all I need to see it come alive.
You can watch my progress and the progress of my "˜changemaker' movement at www.vtelfhouse.wordpress.com.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. May you also be blessed in bringing your own dreams to life!
I have two dreams I'd like to bring to reality - one personal, one community-oriented.
The first is to erect my very simple, small dwelling "“ a place to plant roots after a lifetime of renting and moving. The second is to help promote a changemaker movement that grows old-fashioned community sharing, where everyone helps each other build, paint, repair, teach, farm - like folks once did in days long ago. I feel it's one way to help shift our economy and for people to get back their lives a little more.
I have begun working toward the building of my small dwelling (16 x 20, 1.5 story), which I need to live in by October. I already have many of the pieces in place "“ doors, windows (all reclaimed materials from friends), land, possibly a woodstove from a friend, a bit of cash "“ just not yet enough to complete the whole shell.
It will be a little 'rough' this first year, doing without some niceties (it will be insulated and wired, at least, for winter), but that's how things used to be done. If we ever want to see real change occur with our economy, it may be the only way for all of us to go. It's the old 'build-as-you-go' way of doing things - a bit of old time thinking. With all the foreclosures that have left so many lost and wondering, this is one way people can reclaim their lives outside the banking industry.
I am planning to do it barn-raising style with a local tiny house builder who helps people learn to build through his workshops. He does this to help others live without a mortgage over their heads, so they can actually LIVE life with as little debt as possible.
(Meet Peter here at http://www.vermonttinyhouses.com/about-peter-king.html)
Interestingly, the cost for building a basic shell of a home this size is relatively low "“ about $6,000-7,500 - which provides the frame, sheathing, and roof, and maybe insulation - if it's done with limited outside/paid labor. There are obviously many other costs that go into building, but when one wants to build simply, eco-friendly, and on a small scale, the basic shelter can be built for very little to start.
The initial shell is what I need most help with (though more would certainly help me go further). Any help would free up my limited (disability) income enough so that I could save to finish the rest in time "“ naturally using as many recycled or reclaimed materials as possible. I am very much aware that we must save our resources in order to continue life on this planet, so I try to "˜walk the talk' in my own life as much as possible. We have several places in our area that sell good used materials relatively cheap, which keeps things out of our landfills!
For those who might wonder "“ I had, indeed, approached my credit union at one time to see about a small loan to build this home of mine, looking for a simple personal loan to cover the initial costs. I found out, however, that unless you build something of "˜regulation' size (such as a 3-bedroom, 2-bath house), they are uninterested in really helping, especially if you are seeking to live within your means. Even with land as collateral, they wouldn't do it. Banks don't want us to live within our means "“ they want us to be in debt. It's good for their business. If I learned nothing else from watching others the last few years, I learned they want us to build something they can take away, especially if they make you live larger than you really need/want to. This is why the financial bubble finally burst - and why I hope to change things in my own little way.
You see, I also believe we can and should help each other and have done my own bit in the past by helping folks after Katrina and other disasters. There was a time I had money to share, which I did - quite a bit. Now, however, my life is in a very different economic place, so I help in other ways, through sharing or helping wherever I can or with whatever I have with others.
Once my little place is built, I plan to continue the work in order to help others who "“ like me "“ want to build small dwellings but need a little starter money or a little leg up, so they can live as debt-free as possible, too. I believe all of us have the capacity to be changemakers, and I believe it is possible to take back control of ourselves and our economy by saying NO to those who want us to stay 30+ years in debt. All it takes is one person to start the ball rolling, and for everyone to consider 'paying it forward' to help others in their circle.
I would so appreciate any help bringing these dreams of mine into existence. A little help is all I need to see it come alive.
You can watch my progress and the progress of my "˜changemaker' movement at www.vtelfhouse.wordpress.com.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. May you also be blessed in bringing your own dreams to life!
Organizer
Wendy Heilig
Organizer
Hardwick, VT
