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Home » Family Articles » Alternative Housing

Alternative Housing

Why alternative housing? To save money, to travel, to live creatively - there are many reasons why people choose to live in tents, RVs, cabins, underground homes, rental rooms and anything else that's less common than the houses, condos and apartments that most people call home. Below are some of these housing options, and their advantages.

Alternative Housing That Moves

Camping at a hot springs area, we sat around the campfire one night with several young men living in the desert in their old converted school bus. It cost them nothing to park it in the desert (on BLM land you have to move every two weeks, though), bathed for free in hot spring tubs that were as nice as those in nearby expensive resorts, and played guitar around the fire each night. Not such a bad life.

In Arizona there are whole communities that spring up each winter, full of people living in their RVs. Advantages of RV housing are obvious, and include moving with the seasons, trying out different places, and not paying property taxes. I've talked to people living in Rvs that cost $200,000 and ones that cost $600, so the selection of accommodations is varied, to say the least.

My wife and I lived for almost a month in our conversion van as we traveled from Arizona to Florida and then to Michigan. Advantages of a van include better mileage than an RV, and being inconspicuous. We found that could park and sleep almost anywhere.

Other Alternative Housing

In most areas where rents are high, renting rooms has become common. This makes sense for single people. Just pay a set amount each month or week, and (if it includes utilities) you have a predictable and lower cost of living. I rented out rooms in my own home for years, and even put carpet and lighting in a shed so I could get $50 per week for it in summer.

A friend of mine lived in a shack he built for $3,000 on a small piece of land he bought for $7,000. Eventually he ran into problems with the county because he had no occupancy permit. Apparently you can't live on your own land in the woods if your home is too small. However, you can camp on it, so a $2,000 used RV parked on your land makes for a cheap and legal housing alternative.

Some people live on houseboats and avoid paying property taxes. Some live in the jungle near the beaches in Hawaii, so they can afford to be in paradise. I know people who lived in a basement while slowly building the house above for cash. People live in cabins built in the national forest wilderness, moving every few years as they are discovered. Truly, your imagination is the only limit to your alternative housing options.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

What To Do If Your Business Loan IS Approved

What To Do If Your Business Loan is Approved

Your business loan is approved. Congratulations! It's one of the most exciting phone calls you can receive as a business owner. It means that your business has received the financing that you've desired for opening your new business or expanding your existing business. Obviously, a celebration is in order! However, before popping open that bottle of champagne and proposing a toast, remember a few key rules before signing on the dotted line and picking up your check.

- Thoroughly review all loan documents, and understand what they mean before you sign and accept the loan when your business loan is approved.

If you don't understand something on the loan documents when your business loan is approved, ask the lender to explain. If you feel that the explanation was not clear, ask for further explanation, or ask that you receive a copy of the paperwork to take with you so that you can review, read, and research. Consult your attorney or accountant if you have questions.

- Return all required documents to the lender on time when your business loan is approved.

When your business loan is approved, there will be a number of documents and required paperwork that the lender will need before you can close on the loan. Your proposal and ideas were obviously impressive enough to the lender for them to them to tell you that your business loan is approved. Keep up that good impression that the lender has of you by promptly responding to requests for additional documents, information, and credit references. Once your business loan is approved and your money is in your account, you're your time and review your business' situation with care.

- Turn to your business plan.

Review the goals and objectives of your business, and review the information that you gave to the lender. The lender was impressed enough to offer you the money for your business - impressed enough that your business loan was approved. Refresh your memory regarding your business. Read your business plan weekly to keep these ideas continuously in your mind so that you can stay focused. Remind yourself daily why your business loan is approved.

- Turn to your loan proposal.

Yes, turn to your loan proposal. It seems odd to consider the loan proposal now that your business loan is approved, and now that the money is in hand. However, recall the reasons why you wrote the loan proposal and why you applied for the loan. The loan proposal served the purpose of demonstrating to the lender that you are a trustworthy, business-minded, energetic, responsible individual with a great idea for your business. The proposal also stated the items that would be purchased with the money. Review the ideas behind obtaining the loan. Keep your self-esteem levels high, and work only to succeed. Purchase only the items listed in the loan proposal, and use the money for nothing else when your business loan is approved. To find business success, stick to your initial goals for the loan, and maintain financial control of the money. Remember, you have not won the lottery. This money needs to be repaid in a timely manner.

Additionally, lender communications are very important, and much appreciated by the lender, when your business loan is approved.

- Maintain close contact with the loan officer when your business loan is approved.

Before you close on the loan, keep in touch with the loan officer to let that person know of your progress in gathering your final information needed to close. After closing, check in periodically with the loan officer to fill him or her in on how things are going with your business. When your business loan is approved, the lender has a vested interest in both your personal and business success, and will appreciate your efforts in keeping communications open by offering current information about your business. Keeping the line of communication open will allow you to possibly take advantage of the lender's other services, which may be needed by your business down the road.

- Communicate any business problems to the lender immediately.

Lenders don't like surprises, particularly if it involves bad news. Be honest, and if you've run into a snag, inform the lender before anyone else. If you prosper, the bank will prosper. If you fail, the bank fails. By being open and honest if something doesn't work out after your business loan is approved, the lender may be able to offer solutions or assistance to help you resolve your problems and get back on track. Hiding the problems, or worse yet, ignoring the problems or becoming elusive will only make the lender leery of you and your business, and may jeopardize your credit scores, or worse, your reputation as a business owner.