Unconventional Living with Zac Ruiz | HTH 020

06/04/19 • 53 min

This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Zac Ruiz of Den For Our Cubs. They discuss how he and his wife made the decision to leave their life in Southern California to live in a tent in New Mexico- and Zac’s philosophy on living a life you love.

LET’S CHAT!

You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!

978-709-1040

QUICK FACTS ABOUT ZAC’S HOME:

They currently live in New Mexico.

They transitioned from apartment, to camper and then to the tent.

The canvas home is 300 sq ft and 12 ft tall.

They built a platform and then a frame, then essentially just slid the tent on.

They have polycarbonate sheets on the front of the tent to let in sunlight.

They heat the tent with a propane heater. This is the one he mentioned: https://www.mrheater.com/big-buddy-portable-heater.html

They have a water well and use their Berkey to filter it. https://www.berkeyfilters.com

The house cost $5,000 to build.

They have a composting toilet. This is the one thing Zac mentioned not enjoying in terms of upkeep.

They’re not off the grid, they go into “town” for normal activities.

“If you don’t like your life- try something. If you still don’t like it- try something else!”

The Etsy Shop:

Zac sells custom lights for homes and businesses.

He builds in shipping container.

www.etsy.com/shop/MoonStoneFox

SOCIAL QUESTIONS:

Q: Did you ever have a moment where it was so overwhelming and you felt like you made the wrong choice?

A: There are always doubts/fears but he was so tired of California and ready for a change that this life is refreshing.

Q: Do you plan on homeschooling?

A: Yes. Zac and his siblings were homeschooled and they plan on doing the same.

Q: Are bugs a problem?

A: Surprisingly, NO!

Q: Do you grow your own vegetables?

A: Yes, but not a full farm lifestyle. They try to buy local as much as possible.

FIND ZAC:

Website | https://denforourcubs.wordpress.com

The Gram | https://www.instagram.com/DENFOROURCUBS/

Etsy | https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonStoneFox

Website | https://howtohome.com/

Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp

Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij

Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc

Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH

SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:

Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp

Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm

Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c

Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

LET’S CHAT!

You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!

978-709-1040

QUICK FACTS ABOUT ZAC’S HOME:

They currently live in New Mexico.

They transitioned from apartment, to camper and then to the tent.

The canvas home is 300 sq ft and 12 ft tall.

They built a platform and then a frame, then essentially just slid the tent on.

They have polycarbonate sheets on the front of the tent to let in sunlight.

They heat the tent with a propane heater. This is the one he mentioned: https://www.mrheater.com/big-buddy-portable-heater.html

They have a water well and use their Berkey to filter it. https://www.berkeyfilters.com

The house cost $5,000 to build.

They have a composting toilet. This is the one thing Zac mentioned not enjoying in terms of upkeep.

They’re not off the grid, they go into “town” for normal activities.

“If you don’t like your life- try something. If you still don’t like it- try something else!”

The Etsy Shop:

Zac sells custom lights for homes and businesses.

He builds in shipping container.

www.etsy.com/shop/MoonStoneFox

SOCIAL QUESTIONS:

Q: Did you ever have a moment where it was so overwhelming and you felt like you made the wrong choice?

A: There are always doubts/fears but he was so tired of California and ready for a change that this life is refreshing.

Q: Do you plan on homeschooling?

A: Yes. Zac and his siblings were homeschooled and they plan on doing the same.

Q: Are bugs a problem?

A: Surprisingly, NO!

Q: Do you grow your own vegetables?

A: Yes, but not a full farm lifestyle. They try to buy local as much as possible.

FIND ZAC:

Website | https://denforourcubs.wordpress.com

The Gram | https://www.instagram.com/DENFOROURCUBS/

Etsy | https://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonStoneFox

Website | https://howtohome.com/

Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp

Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij

Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc

Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH

SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:

Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp

Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm

Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c

Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

Previous Episode

Stuff They Don’t Tell You About Becoming A Home-Owner | HTH019

This week Aaron and Tracy chat with comedians Nikki Limo and Steve Green about their home buying journey , and all the stuff no one tells you about becoming a homeowner.

LET’S CHAT!

You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!

978-709-1040

FIND STEVE AND NIKKI:

Podcast | https://apple.co/2W2BpjU

The Gram | @nikkilimo, @stevegreencomedy & @shttheydonttellyou

YouTube | nikkilimo

Websites | www.nikki.limo & www.patreon.com/stikki

Website | https://howtohome.com/

Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp

Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij

Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc

Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH

SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:

Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp

Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm

Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c

Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

Next Episode

Family Budgeting with Kumiko Love, “The Budget Mom”| HTH 021

This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Kumiko Love about tips for jump starting your family budget and how to stick with it.

LET’S CHAT!

You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!

978-709-1040

KUMIKO’S METHOD:

Kumiko does the budget by paycheck method, and also implements a calendar.

She doesn’t use a predetermined dollar amount or percentage.

JUMP START YOUR BUDGET:

Learn the emotions and triggers behind your spending.

When you’re a freelancer, knowing everything about your past spending is important.

Meal plan! Food is a budget killer.

Track your spending and figure out where your money is being sucked.

Call the companies behind your monthly bills and see if you can get your costs down.

Create an allowance for spontaneous purchases.

Homeowners should have an emergency fund and a maintenance fund.

Find a financial adviser you can trust, if you don’t feel comfortable making the decisions on your own.

Kumiko thinks you’re more motivated to save if you have savings accounts labeled as your specific goal.

“If I spend the money right now, what am I giving up in the future?”

For student loans- sit down and figure out exactly what you have.

There are financial counselors out there for free! Check out non-profit organizations and banks.

TOP 5 TIPS:

Discover your why. Why do you want to start budgeting?

Track your spending. It’s the number one action step.

Look at your recurring bills and try to get them down.

Sit down and look at your debt. Write it all out.

Figure out what kind of learner you are? That’s how you have to organize your finances to stay motivated.

COMMON PITFALLS:

They can’t change their mindset surrounding what they have/need.

They feel stuck.

Food! They need to meal plan.

Not knowing where to start with debt.

CONTACT KUMIKO:

Website | https://thebudgetmom.com

The Gram | @thebudgetmom

Youtube | @thebudgetmom

Website | https://howtohome.com/

Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp

Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij

Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc

Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH

SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast:

Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp

Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm

Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c

Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

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