Some people watch the video tours of my shiny new $150,000 Tiny House and say "Wow you're so lucky, I could never afford that."

But the fact is- when I first started Tiny life in 2018? I couldn't afford it either.

I was a newly single mum of two.

My bank account was in the red so often that I learned to "hide" funds in another bank account to keep them safe when a direct debit was due to come out, so I could afford to eat.

And when I did buy groceries, it was at Aldi- with the calculator app open on my phone (IYKYK).

I got out of the rent cycle by selling all my furniture and buying a CRAPPY old $2,000 caravan off Facebook marketplace, that I gutted and renovated to make it habitable.

Then I was able to give my landlord notice, and move into a friend's backyard til I could get back on my feet.

In 2019, I was able to upgrade to my very first, very rustic $35,000 Tiny House. 

And in 2024, I upgraded again into the Tiny House of my dreams, within walking distance of the beach!

Tiny House living, in whatever form that takes, can be the key that transforms your whole life.

If you're in a similar place right now to what I was back in 2018? Here's what I'd want to know:

1) You can start out in a caravan

It doesn't have to be new, or flashy- it just needs a bed and kitchen. There are still bargains to be had on Facebook marketplace, and you can still buy similar to what I started out with for around $5,000.

2) If you have a motorhome, bus or light van- you're ready

If you have any of the above vehicle types but don't own land, you can rent a site through ParkMyTinyHouse today!

Many of our hosts are open to hosting these, not just "Tiny Houses", so you can settle onto a block somewhere with minimal rent right away.

Why are both these options so fantastic?

• They give you a taste of Tiny living.

Learning to live in a small space is a definite eye-opener if you’ve never gone caravanning. I loved it and knew right away we’d be just fine in a Tiny House. But if it's not for you? The novelty will wear off FAST, you can strike "Tiny House life" off your bucket list, and save yourself the heartache of buying something more expensive- then realising it's a mistake.

• It could get you out of the rent trap.

With rent and utility bills gone, when I moved into my caravan, there was suddenly an extra $1600 in my bank account every month!! This was MASSIVE for us, as I was able to pay off all my debts in the first two months. Even if you had to rent land at $200 per week, this is still going to be far cheaper than renting a regular house or apartment. You're still saving big money.

• It could get you into a Tiny House.

For over a year, we lived very simply and I saved my pennies. It also meant I could take the kids out for lunch occasionally without checking my bank account. Even after this, I was able to save enough money to upgrade our home.

• It could make the transition easier

A big part of the reason people say going Tiny feels stressful, is having to blindly trust that the right parking spot will come up at the right time- just as your new home build is completed.

By moving onto a rented site in your caravan or motorhome first, you have time to settle into off grid life, get to know the land, and build rapport with your host. After a few months there, you'll know for sure whether its a spot you can see yourself living long term, and whether you and your host are a good fit.

This can give you the confidence to move forward with your Tiny House plans, and buy the actual Tiny House. That peace of mind can be priceless, and really takes the anxiety out of finding a parking spot.

3) Affordable Tiny Houses ARE a thing.

Maybe your budget stretches between $40-80k, just not the $100-150k+ you've seen at expos.

There are a couple of fantastic, budget friendly options to get you started, both were finalists in the 2025 Best Budget Build category of the Tiny House Industry Awards.

In NSW, Freedom Living Solutions build lovely, simple Tiny Homes that feel like Tiny Homes, just without some of the bells and whistles of the higher end ones. I was considering building with them myself a few years ago when I had a lower budget. They're lovely people and you'll get a great quality home built from traditional building materials, so it feels super solid. They start from under $80k. Find out more about them here: https://freedomlivingsolutions.com.au/

Or if you're starting out on a shoestring, have a look at Wheelie Rooms. They have factories in both Brisbane and Melbourne, and build smaller, simpler spare rooms and Tiny Homes from Coolroom panels. They're lightweight, can go anywhere, and are a great jumping off point you can add to later as funds allow. They have models between 4m and 8m long on skids or wheels, and start at less than $21k! More info here: https://wheelierooms.com/  

Your goal doesn't have to be an insta-worthy $200,000 Tiny House.