Are you absolutely buzzing with excitement at the thought of transitioning to a smaller, cozier lifestyle, but you're not quite at the point where you're ready to take the leap? That's fantastic! You're going to love what we have in store for you with this blog post.

Here at Teacup, we're no strangers to hearing from folks who are brimming with anticipation about embracing a more minimalist way of living. The only thing is, they've got a few years to go before they can make that big move.

If that situation sounds familiar, here's the scoop: your journey towards a more compact and intentional life can actually start right now. I'm serious – the earlier you begin, the smoother the ride! Our team is genuinely excited about your motivation to kick things into gear, and we're here to provide all the support you need. That's exactly why we've gathered a bunch of fantastic ideas to help you lay the groundwork for your upcoming adventure in tiny living.

And when the time is ripe and you're all set to embrace the change, rest assured that your Teacup experience will be patiently awaiting your arrival!

What Do You Value?

So, you know that whole "going tiny" deal, right? It's not just about the house – though, gotta admit, that part's pretty exciting! But before you start picking out paint colors or measuring furniture for your cozy tiny home, there's something super important you have to do. And that's defining what you truly value.

Picture this: your soon-to-be tiny cottage isn't going to have room for everything under the sun. So, it's time to put on your decision-making hat and figure out what matters most to you. Yeah, we're stoked to hand over those keys when the time comes, but before that happens, it's all about your priorities.

Now, I get it – if you're not quite ready to jump into the tiny life just yet, that's cool too. Actually, it's the perfect opportunity to do some digging around your stuff. Like, really take stock of what you've got. What do you actually need? What stuff brings a smile to your face every time you see it? And let's be real, what's just chillin' there, collecting dust?

Believe it or not, a lot of people start this process and suddenly realize they've never really sat down and thought about these things before. It's like a wake-up call for your belongings!

Oh, and here's a little secret: your trusty Teacup (that's us!) is here to nudge you to keep reevaluating as you go along. But for now, right this moment, you can kickstart this journey. Take a look around, think about what matters, and you're on your way! Your tiny adventure begins with what you value most.

Credit Scores

Have you ever wondered what your credit score is? No shame if you're in the dark about it – a lot of people are in the same boat! But here's the deal: your credit score is a behind-the-scenes number that can will impact your ability to get a loan. So, before you dive into the whole "going tiny" adventure, it's smart to check up on your credit situation. The good news? You've got time on your side!

There are websites that let you peek at your credit score for free, and the best part is, it won't mess up your score. Yup, it's true! Plus, these nifty sites shoot you emails whenever anything changes in your credit world. Basically, they've got your back so you can be a credit-savvy superstar from now on.

But hey, if your credit isn't exactly where you want it to be, don't sweat it. Seriously, there are loads of simple tricks to boost it up a notch. The nitty-gritty details? Don't worry, a money whiz can explain that better. But what you should know is that making your credit better is probably way easier than you're thinking. And guess what? Your future tiny self is gonna give you a high-five for showing up as a rockstar borrower!

Oh, and just in case you're in the mood to do a little credit detective work, we've got this handy Financing Assessment that can give you a sneak peek at where you stand right now. 

Gather Your Downpayment

So, why did we go with 'gather' instead of the usual 'save'? Well, because we're all about sparking some creative thinking for all you future Teacup owners when it comes to getting that down payment sorted. Sure, squirreling away money is one approach, but guess what? There's a whole bunch of other cool ways to make it happen too!

Try diving into a side hustle adventure. Imagine if you started walking some furry pals a few times a week and tucked all that extra cash into your tiny fund. It might not seem like a fortune, but when you're a few years away from your tiny dream, that dog-walking gig could be your secret weapon!

Or here's a thought: shake things up a bit in your everyday life. Say you're thinking, "Ugh, saving's impossible given my spending habits." Well, here's the twist – why not take a good look at where your money's going? Maybe you can swipe the cash from something you don't care about as much (like those work lunches) and funnel it toward something you're super jazzed about (ahem, Teacup tiny home!).

To put things in perspective, think about this: just by cutting back around 65 bucks each week, you'd stack up over 10 grand for your down payment in three years. No joke! Skipping out on the café lunches or giving yourself a DIY mani could rev up your tiny home savings game.

Now, here's the grand finale tip: have a rummage around your place. You know, all those extras lying around? Instead of letting them gather dust, why not start selling them off? It's like a double win – decluttering and earning some dollar bills for your tiny treasure chest.

So, whether you're hustling with side gigs, shaking up your spending, or becoming a master of the online garage sale, you're well on your way to making your Teacup dream a reality!

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There's a whole bunch of stuff to tick off your list before you make that tiny living leap. But, here's the silver lining – if you're still a couple of years away from it, there's also a few of things you can chill about right now. I mean, why stress, right?

Reseaching Local Laws

I get it, this might sound a bit odd at first. I mean, don't you need to tackle this step before diving into tiny living? Well, you're not wrong – it's on the to-do list. But here's the twist: if your tiny adventure is a few years down the road, it's actually better to give this task a rain check for now.

Here's the scoop: the world of tiny cottages is still pretty fresh, and the rules that govern them are in a constant shuffle. What's legit today might do a 180 by the time your Teacup dreams become a reality. But hang on, here's the silver lining: the tides are turning in favor of making these tiny homes all official and legal. So as time cruises on, hopping onto the tiny living train is probably gonna get even smoother!

Parking Your Tiny Home

A lot of folks who are gearing up for their tiny cottage adventure often get a tad worked up about the whole parking situation. It makes sense – it's a crucial piece of the puzzle. But here's where it gets interesting: going all out to secure that parking spot right from the get-go might not be the best move.

Why? Well, picture this scenario: you manage to lock down a parking space now, but it might come with the price tag of having to cough up cash immediately. Or let's say you decide to dive into land ownership – guess what? You'll be shelling out for taxes. And even if you go the rented land route, chances are the landowner won't be too thrilled about missing out on a few years of rent just to keep your parking spot reserved in advance.

But hold on a sec, remember what we chatted about earlier? Laws are in a constant state of shuffle, and that means more parking options are probably gonna pop up by the time you're all set to embrace the tiny life! So don't stress too much – the parking puzzle could solve itself as time rolls on.

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Want to play around and build up your dream Teacup - check out our estimate builder.

Have some questions - book a discovery call with us!

We'll talk to you next week,
-Jen