VIDEO: Tiny House and Solar Power Means Freedom

Have you ever daydreamed about what it would be like to live your life with as few demands on your wallet and your sanity as possible?  What would it be like to be able to keep the money your earn, rather than turn around and give it away to the landlord, the bank, or the utility company's?  Many people these days are downsizing their lives and many choose to simply buy a smaller home.  But others are taking it to the extreme, even to the point that it has become a movement.

It has become known as the "tiny house movement".  But what is that, you may be wondering?

"Simply put", says The Tiny Life blog, "it is a social movement where people are downsizing the space that they live in. The typical American home is around 2600 square feet, while the typical small or tiny house is around 100-400 square feet. Tiny houses come in all shapes, sizes and forms but they focus on smaller spaces and simplified living.

This here's Brett Sutherland, a bone artist and world traveler!

Brett Sutherland, a bone-carving artist from New Zealand is a tiny house renaissance man, having built an amazing home that is both ingenious in its design and ample in its living space.  It's also paid for.  But what led to the decision to live in a tiny house in the first place?

"I was living in the Carribean for many years, on and off," Brett explains, "and I was looking at returning to New Zealand.  But the biggest thing I was trying to avoid was losing all my money as soon as I touched down.  And that's what happens when you pay rent."

"I came back with about a year and half worth of rent and I though 'hmm, let's do away with rent one time'," Brett continues.  "And I started looking around at what was available and I started designing my own because I wasn't entirely happy with what I saw people doing."

Solar panels collect light from the sun and power's Brett's tiny home!

He gets his electricity from the sun and propane powers his heating and stove.  With a flexible water tank under a bench seat, Brett has everything he needs to have a comfortable rent- and mortgage-free life.  The freedom from that monthly burden affords Brett the opportunity to explore his artistic talent as well as freeing up financial resources for other endeavors.

Bryce Langston of Living Big In A Tiny House interviews Brett as he takes us inside the beautiful 161 square feet home he designed and built himself.

Featuring a vaulted loft, a kitchen, a living and working space, a bathroom, a solar power system for electricity, and an amazing staircase to the loft bedroom, this tiny house is a sight to behold and will make you dream again of the freedom that comes with not having to pay rent or a mortgage.  Check it out!