For many people, the appeal of living in a tiny home means being able to live more simply, have more experiences and fewer possessions, and even gain financial freedom. My friend Alana Pulay has lived in a tiny home for two years. For this edition of TRIO, I visited with her to learn what people should think about before deciding to downsize.

1. Will It Fit Your Lifestyle?

Tiny homes are all the rage, but how do you know if moving into one is right for you? If you’re thinking about joining the tiny home movement, the first thing you should consider is your lifestyle. Can you live the life you want in a smaller space? Alana was confident that she could adjust to living in a tiny home. Her previous home was 800 square feet, so she had already had practice on living with less.

There’s not an exact definition of exactly how much space a home needs to be to qualify as a tiny house, but most tiny homes range between 60 and 400 square feet. Alana’s 165-square-foot house has a bedroom, kitchen, living area and bathroom. Like most tiny home dwellers, she’s maximized storage options and learned the difference between what she wants and what she needs. This infographic from The Tiny Life breaks down benefits that tiny home residents have experienced as a result of this lifestyle choice.

2. Payment and Protection.

The cost of living in a tiny home is appealing to a lot of tiny home residents. Alana was no exception. The Oklahoma Association of Realtors reports that the average price of houses sold in July 2017 was $187,837. Read more