From NYC to 128 Sq Ft: How John Wells Escaped $12K Taxes for a $400/Year Tiny Paradise

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July 12, 2024 • 41 mins

Today's episode is a special one, several years ago, I had the privilege of interviewing John Wells, a true pioneer in the tiny house movement. John first caught my attention through his insightful comments on my Facebook posts about building my own tiny house. As I dug deeper into his profile, I realized he was the real deal - someone who had fully embraced the off-grid, minimalist lifestyle.

While we initially decided not to release our conversation, recent events have changed my perspective. Sadly, I learned of John's passing through this month's Tiny House Magazine, where he was mentioned as an early influence for Andrew and Laura Lavoie. This news prompted me to revisit our interview, and I was struck by how valuable and inspiring our discussion truly was.

In this episode, we'll explore John's remarkable journey from living in a 2800 square foot house to embracing life in a 128 square foot tiny home on the remote Terlingua Ranch in Southwest Texas. John shares practical steps he took to make this dramatic transformation, offering a wealth of tips for anyone interested in off-grid living.

Throughout our conversation, John's unique approach to simple living and his authentic personality shine through, providing invaluable insights for those considering a similar lifestyle change. Though recorded a while ago, John's wisdom remains as relevant and thought-provoking as ever.

In This Episode:

🏠 The specifics of John's off-grid home, including portable AC, propane cooking, and preference for solar power over wind energy.
🌞 Details of John's solar power system, with 1200 watts providing electricity and the benefits it brings to his off-grid living.
🚑 A recount of his compound fracture, hospital stay, and long recovery period in a wheelchair that interrupted his off-grid activities.
💡 Tips for living off-grid, such as experimenting with modular systems and the importance of self-sufficiency.
🐕 John's preference for animal interactions over human companionship and his hermit lifestyle, despite being active online.
✉️ Various income sources like odd jobs, selling merchandise, and custom silver items; his grassland and minimal cost living.
🏚️ John's process in building a tiny house for himself and for a friend, utilizing his carpentry skills and past experiences.
🍽️ Using a solar oven, shopping at remote grocery stores, and experimenting with food delivery during recovery.
💰 Monthly expenses, property taxes, and how moving to Texas drastically reduced his living costs.
🎥 Insights into his blog, YouTube channel, and why he shares his off-grid lifestyle online, turning his experiences into engaging content.

Visit the website for full show notes, photos, links and resources.

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