Things like this can be very difficult.
At the moment, @mama-pepper and I have an incredibly rare opportunity. It looks like we are going to be able to design our own house to build. I know that many people do get to design their own houses and build them, but I consider this to be rare for two reasons.
First off, we are not, at least by American standards, a wealthy couple. Sure, a lot of "rich people" may get to design interesting houses and build them in the cities of their choice, but this is not a common experience among the common folk.
Secondly, we will be building it debt-free. This is part of what makes it so rare. Some people don't even purchase their gasoline or groceries debt-free these days. However, having a conviction from the Lord that debt bondage is a curse and is not a good thing to choose to get into, we ruled out that option years ago. Whether we can afford to build the house that we are working on designing or not, either way it will be without borrowing money or paying interest.
If that means that we have to eliminate some of the things in our current house plan, then we will eliminate them, at least for the time being.
HOW IN THE WORLD???
Some of you may be wondering, "How in the world can a common man afford to build a house debt-free house?" Honestly, this took a miracle. No matter how many bills and expenses we cut out, and no matter how hard I worked, we could never get ahead much. We were able to keep saving our existing savings and taking care of our expenses, but we weren't really making much progress on adding to our savings.
I would work incredibly hard almost every day, sometimes from before dawn until long after dark. I would even leave my family for days on end to travel for more lucrative jobs, all with the hope of being able to make just a little more money and have a little more to stash away for our future.
In the end, it never really worked out. It is incredibly hard to get ahead in this world, and many can testify to that. However, then something amazing happened. STEEMIT WAS CREATED!
As a complete crypto n00b and internet imbecile (meaning that I never spent any real time online, couldn't upload a photo, never had a facebook account, etc...) I joined steemit and began to try to figure this thing out. Like all of us, I made some mistakes along the way, but the opportunity was too great for me not to at least try.
After working incredibly hard for a very long time on a daily basis, steemit provided the possibility that had escaped me no matter what job I did. I cannot help but marvel at what is possible thanks to this revolutionary platform.
THE STRUGGLE
Many of you may think that it would be a huge blessing to be able to design your own house and be able to build it debt-free, and it certainly is. However, a peculiar struggle arose in the process. You see, marriages generally include two people and these people are not the same person. This may appear to be obvious, but it does bring certain difficulties to the table.
Different people have different ideas, different goals, different preferences, and different viewpoints. @Mama-pepper and I had shopped around for houses for a while before be got a mortgage to "buy" the one we had in Wisconsin. Houses that are already built can be a lot easier to agree on. There are far less variables, and it basically comes down to a "take it or leave it" style of choosing. Either you like the house that is already built or you do not.
When you are designing your own house, it can be much more difficult. This is especially true if you have no real clue what you are doing. Neither of us have ever designed houses or built them before, and, until recently, we never thought too deeply about exactly what our house would look like. Sure, we had a goal of eventually building one, but that was just a goal, and for a long time it was just more of a pipe dream.
THE PROGRESS
Not all that long ago, we found a free online house designer to help give us a general idea of some staring points. After I roughed out some stuff, @mama-pepper took over and added some more of her ideas. Then, something incredible happened.
One of our neighbors, who happens to build houses asked if we would like some help tonight. He then proceeded to copy what we had come up with into his own program, and began to offer insight and advice.
It was such a huge blessing to have someone with experience and understanding there to help walk us through the process. This was the next step forward that we needed to take. The house site is already cleared, we just needed to know what we were building.
For starters, we began with a basic idea of how we would like things to be in an ideal house. No more kitchens that are basically hallways or closets. No more walls where we wouldn't prefer them. Also, we wanted to shoot for making a house that our family would never outgrow, no matter how big it gets, and that would hopefully stand the test of time and be able to be passed on to one of our @little-peppers once we no longer needed it.
We still have some tweaking to do, and then we will have to price it out, but, for now, we are heading in the right direction.
I know that this is an amazing thing, from the beginning to end. I can't believe that things like this are actually becoming my reality. I don't share any of this to brag or boast, but instead to show what can happen to your average person in the world, when they have a goal and faithfully press on towards it. Additionally, I cannot leave out that steemit was the way that this is going to be possible.
I have always felt that this platform was a revolutionary technology with the power to liberate those in need of economic emancipation, and things like this are evidence that testifies to that truth.
Anyways, whatever happens moving forward, we'll keep you posted!
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-finally-getting-some-house-plans-together
Until next time…
Don’t waste your time online, invest it with steemit.com
I became debt free in 2013 and I would love to build a home without borrowing. For now I am renting a higher scale place, mostly thanks to Steemit. But, where I live, paying cash for a home or even a new car is reported to the government and it takes a pack of lawyers to keep yourself out of trouble. Easier to rent for now.
It has become ridiculous, even taking a few thousand out of our own bank account here can be suspicious and make you subjected to questioning. I guess that is more than the peons should have.
@sponge-bob the current system of banks and governments are so corrupted and just designed to have one winner themselves, and they are after the normal and poor people, taking the money from them, instead of really helping, and this has been like this for centuries. The good news we are on this great moment in history were decentralized blockchain technologies like steem and steemit, are bringin FREEDOM, control and power to the hnads of people that is were they belong. Thanks for this sharing your experience. Just upvoted your comment. @gold84
Wow...seriously? Sad that things have gotten this way.
brilliant! :D I am so happy to read such an amazing story. The fact that you were an internet noob is even more inspiring and goes to show that you have worked extremely hard on your steemit account to get where you are today.
I love the fact that your posts are real and not just based around info off the internet. Most of the things I come across on here are just edited posts from other onli e sources. You inspire me to keep working hard and posting things about my life, not just random info that I think may get more votes!
I can't wait to see your new house once it is built!
Thank you for appreciating my original posts. I thought that it would be better than just reposting the rest of the internet on steemit!
@papa-pepper Thank You for keeping it Real.
Have you heard of Earthships? To help keep you out of debt bondage you should also be considering how much of your design you can create to be off-the-grid entirely.
That's where I ran across this idea a while back.
Here are some sources:
http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Earthship
http://highexistence.com/10-reasons-why-earthships-are-fing-awesome/
Optional: in your design, include a large room where you can have your workshop, then invest in an industrial 3d printer, and you'd be surprised how much cool stuff you can do yourself.
http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Main_Page
Keep up the good fight. Cheers!
Thanks for all of the advice. We certainly have a lot to consider as we proceed with this. I have heard of earthships too!
Good for you. I read a lot of Mr Money Mustache, but even he wouldn't be able to buy a house on cash (at first). DIY is great, too.
It'll be an adventure for sure, but we are up for it. I'll hit you hard with an upvote to bump your off of that beginners reputation of "25."
I just love seeing this sort of thing on here:
The more I see this kind of compassion the more I love this platform! I am so thrilled to know that you have had such a huge change in your life papa-pepper. I'm sure you can attest to the fact that making that change has brought you so much more joy. Sharing and community-building is what life is all about. The more we can show that here, the better chance we have of changing society in general.
Glad that you like it! It is good to help out and bless others.
it is absolutely amazing to read about how steemit have changed soo many lives in such a outstanding way, It's even kind of hard to believe you were once a "crypto n00b" and even less a "internet imbecile" today look like you have born doing those things, I believe that's what happen when we do really focus on learn about something. This all is just too inspiring for me, every time I read steemit stories such this one i feel renewed with my power of will to keep focusing in here.
Thank you @papa-pepper and congratulation to you and @Mama-pepper for that ! =D
Thank you for your encouragement. It's a true story!
hiii @papa-pepper, nice job you done always role model for all. new comers like me take a guide line from you.i much appreciated you and also support to your plans also congratulations you and @Mama-pepper.
Thank you @rabeel. I appreciate your support and encouragement.
I'm assuming you've got the basics like a chili pepper themed kitchen or a Steemit stained glass sunlight, right?
I suppose you could make a Steemit logo out of 3 chili peppers if you wanted to, like, do something a little less conservative.
I was thinking of the three chili pepper steemit logo myself. We go together well!
Always good to hear a positive story. Good for you. Debt is slavery. Keep up the good work and congrats! Here's to cryptos...
Thanks. Debt is slavery, no doubt about that!
My friends have been building their house for 13 years, but they are building it without debts. I think it's very good. Debt is such bondage. It is better to go to the goal for a long time than not to sleep at night and to think how to repay debts.
Debt free is the way to be!
You work very hard mate and it is paying off for you. Going to be a great investment for you to use Steemit to help build your house. Looking forward to seeing it come along nicely over time!
Thank you! It is crazy to think about, but it is really happening!
All that hard work paid off. Congrats!! Upvoted and resteemed.
Thanks mate! I appreciate it very much!
Wow that's amazing ! I know your dreams will come true , you and your family are very blessed ! Best of luck to you !👍👍👍💕💕💕
Good luck with your project. I would love to do something like this. I looked into it last year and it’s not viable for me at present. Difficult to borrow money against a non existent house ( I doubly admire that you are doing it debt free). Plus planning laws in the uk are quite restrictive. I decided to move instead and look at this again in a couple of years when I’ll hopefully have more funding. Following with real interest.
What a great experience that will be. Of course, what you will build will be more of a "HOME" than simply a house.
Best of luck as you carry out your plans. Full Steem Ahead.
You are correct on that. Thanks.
@papa-pepper I always visit you following you whenever @papa-pepper mangunjung my blog what I do not @ papa-pepper assume if you want to visit my blog I am very happy and thank you very much
a very nice and useful post, what time buddy DAY 6 announcement,
Congratulations bro
Dreamit, then Steemit and then make it real!
Way to go. Keep on making your own future.
Thank you @happyme!
Amazing opportunity for you and your family to build the house. Also, for us that you and we, your followers, found our way to Steemit to experience the great virtual community your are building here!
No kidding! What a great community and opportunity, even for anonymous accounts! LOL - Thanks for joining in on the selfie contest!
Man it must be nice. Reaping the fruit of your labor. Thanks for sharing brother
It is incredible and hard to grasp. Thanks brother!
Awesome, stuff that dreams are made of! I always go back to that saying by Thomas Edison - 'If we did all that we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves!' Enjoy this journey, and thank you for the inspiration :)
Wow! Cool quote!
This is great, I'll build one soon in Nigeria
That sounds great!
Great post and one I'm following intently.
We have our own dream of building our own house and I'm slowly learning the ins and outs.
Would you be able to share the name of the free online house designer so I can have a play?
I don't really have an idea of the layout we want but I guess it would be dictated to some degree by span distances and supporting walls for the upstairs/roof.
This was the one that we started with: https://home.by.me/en/
It's the best choice to make your dreams come true without debts. I have debts since about 7 years for now. I had in one moment more than 300k usd to pay and I had big interest percent so I needed to earn a lot of money every month, I pay and debt just grow and grow, that was scary and was hard to go out from this. For now I have much less to give back but still some interest so it's not easy to pay it all. Debt is like a prison, it's long story to tell but for now I know that debt is not good choose if you like just buy something what you need or want. Dark prison where you need to fight every day to survive, it's zone of loneliness of helplessness and sadness. You do great job here, I like every thing what you add to steemit, I am sure you will bulid your house with no debt! Hope to see soon relation how it going with this, good luck!!
Too true, but too few know that ahead of time! Thanks so much for your comment!
there are some exceptions as everywhere but I know that better not have debts
i learned a lot just by reading, many many thanks.
As I read your post I'm over joy for your family! You are correct you are doing two things that are somewhat unheard of congrats!! I'm sure you are happy now that you tried something new! Many of us don't like to step out of our comfort zone..and when we do we can find ourselves in a new beautiful world. As for me I've always wanted to start a blog, and getting introduce to steemit was such a blessing. I still feel like I have so much to learn. You have become one of my favs here! and hope to keep learning from you and mama-pepper. Best wishes to you and your beautiful family! ..and congrats again on your dream home journey.
- @splendorhub
I know that I tried to comment and thank you for this, but my reply is nowhere to be seen. I guess that this will have to cover it.
Creating an architect like that is not easy. But you can do that. I am very proud of you @ papa-pepper.I have a new post. see who you like
Thank you very much. I will check it out.
Yes, thank you very much.
you are a great person @papa-pepper
Are you guys gonna build the house alone, or just design the house and hire some team to build? I build the house were my grandparents live with just the help of my father and some friends.It took almost 1 year to complete and allot of money invested as we manage to screw something and rebuild what we've done wrong.If we had some profesional asitance the proces would have been simpler and faster.
We will see, but many that I know have been in construction and several have offered to help!
First thing first, @papa-pepper congratulations for your success on steemit. Your post gave me lot of inspiration for being a one week old steemian. I loved all your posts and they are amazing and you are doing great work to inspire others on steemit.
You are only one week old? Nice rep!
Great news! Happy for your success!
Thanks man, it is very interesting and a HUGE blessing!
Looks like a house in The Sims being built haha. Keep on keeping on!
Amazing, this is a dream come true....
Many people usually have dreams of to design their own houses but dnt really never get to see it through to the end because of the stress and trouble.......
And since you are not the only one deciding makes it more.... 😯
Congratulations in advance
You are lucky ! We are lucky to we have a house what we love, i mean when i move i would like to pick it up and plant it somewhere else. But when i could design from scratch !! i know exactly what i would like different. No room shuld be too small on no wall for a big double bed, in the bathrom i want 2 sinks a stap in shower and a bath a steam room ans a sauna. In every sleeping room there needs to be the possobillity for running water . And my kitchen has to be big a square so i can put my table in the middle.
I think that when you start with the things you do not like in your own house, you know where to start designing a new .... Succes and keep us posted
Upvoted and RESTEEMED :)
Thank you.
Wow, this is amazing news! It's so inspiring to see that Steemit has actually changed your life! I'm looking forward to reading about the process of building it :)
It'll be an interesting time building whatever it is we build. We will keep you posted for sure!
Haha, I liked that pun! ;)
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story from your life. More power to you.
Thanks to steemit, steem has made many people debt free today. it is a big opportunity one can't afford to miss, kudos to you for designing your house
Congrats! Thanks to Steemit for the freedom of a leg up!
No kidding! Finally getting ahead in life!
If your marriage can survive building a house together, you two ought to get a canoe next... aka "divorce boat" lol!
Perhaps we will have to try that!
I’m relatively new to Steemit. You in particular have made my Steemit experience a good one. I love reading your posts because they are real and reflect sentiments that I can relate to. I own a summer camp where I hopefully make a difference in the way that children experience playing and socializing. So your most recent post of eating dinner as a family was spot on. My husband and I are in the process of lifting our small home due to the hurricanes we have experienced on the Jersey coast. So your home design project is also relatable.
Thanks for keeping it real and enjoyable!
Thank you @chrismiss!
Following what God teaches requires us to at times be more diligent with each dime we spend but I can say without any regrets the results are so worth it. I have 5 months left on my last single debt (truck, because it was what we needed to get where we are) and I am looking forward and plan on making a pie or cake to celebrate the last payment.
Yup you are blessed to have folks around you that can help on your path.
Well done papa-pepper.
I hope that 5 months pass quickly so you can get that pie or cake!
I am thinking beans will be a primary diet for a few months to get the yoke off me early...
Here's a minnows upvote to help your goal :p
Thank you.
This is a wonderful post @papa-pepper - wish you everything of the very best and mostly the Lord's blessing in this remarkable venture of building your debt free house
We appreciate that.
@papa-pepper loving your work as usual mate. You must check out all my aquaponics posts. I will gladly advise you whenever you wish. There really is no better way to grow fish as well as vegetables in a closed system up to 50% faster growth rates way more efficient than traditional farming, up to 90% less water etc. Cheer$:)
A few of my builds and harvests.
Cool, thank you!
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I wish I have a chance like you..
Great story :) Also, this may be a good read, I hope you like it... It's about a couple who bought their "house" for just 1 Euro! :) > https://inhabitat.com/this-amazing-cave-home-in-france-cost-just-one-euro/
Interesting!
Interesting!
May you always be blessed! I wish for the same one day!
Hey, @papa-pepper! Congratulations on making your dream a reality. It's not impossible but takes a lot of determination and fortitude not to mention perspiration. I have been in the position of building two homes. One in Canada that was overly large, cumbersome and definitely not debt free. It was a far-out dream that we couldn't really afford. The second one is debt free and suits our needs much better. Is it perfect? No. Because as you are building, plans change according to needs, funds and costs of materials which constantly go up. Everyone has advice and ideas how you can do things better. My advice is follow your heart. What feels right for you. I have never hired a builder or an architect. Go with your gut instincts and you'll do well.