Homeowner Builds a Tiny Yet Cozy Retirement Home in His 40s
With proper planning and budgeting, he was able to achieve a charming 7x7-meter home
After living in his Calamba home for so many years, 49-year-old quality control inspector Alvin Mamalayan realized that it might not be ideal for his retirement years.
"Yung place namin d'on medyo masikip," Alvin tells Summit Media's OG team. "Sabi ko, hindi ko ma-imagine yung sarili ko kapag edad ko, doon ako tatanda. Wala akong gagawin d'on kundi manood ng TV."
READ: A Look Inside a Couple's Dream Retirement Home
It was in 2012 when he and his wife purchased a 600 square meter lot in Laiya, Batangas. At first, people close to them were skeptical of their decision. "Nung kami ay bumili ng lote dito, nagtaasan sila ng kilay," Alvin recalls. "Sabi, 'Ba't ka bibili diyan, ang layo-layo? Wala pang bahay 'yan, ang dami pang aayusin."
Despite other people's doubts, Alvin and his wife started developing the property, putting a nipa hut in place. In 2021, after having tightened their purse strings and saved up for years, they decided it was time to finally start building their future retirement home.
"Marami akong mga na-encounter na kung kailan talaga nag-retire, 'saka lang magsisimula, e sabi ko, 'Habang bata pa, mag-start na tayo ng savings. Para 'pag nakaipon tayo, puwede tayong magpasimula.'"
READ: A Family Only Spent P350k to Build a Tiny Compound With a Tree House, Indoor Pool
Alvin and his wife drew inspiration for the tiny house's design from YouTube videos and Pinterest. They decided that a 7x7-meter home would not just be more affordable to maintain, but cozier, too. The construction took only three months, from July to October 2021.
"'Ka ko, siyempre habang lumalaki yung bahay, lumalaki rin yung gastos," Alvin shares. "E sa 'min namin, kahit hindi masyado detalyado ang bahay, 'di ga'no kalaki, basta kumportable." Alvin refers to their home as "Mamay Bino,” as he's proud to already be a grandfather.
READ: 8 Things to Consider Before Building Your Tiny Home
"Kung tawagin dito sa Batangas 'yan, ang 'Mamay', ang kahulugan ay 'lolo.' Ang tawag sa 'kin ng mga bata dito, lahat, 'Mamay Bino.'"
The house features a living room, dining area, kitchen, and a bedroom. They also set up a dirty kitchen and a nipa hut outside for entertaining guests. Visitors can also pitch tents on the lot. In the future, they plan on building a small pool at the back as well as setting up a rain catcher to reuse the water for plants and bathing pets.
"Ang uniqueness naman ng bahay namin compare natin sa iba, talagang tiny lang siya. Very functional, walang nasayang na space. Pagpasok mo, nandiyan na yung salas, nandiyan na yung kusina, yung CR, kuwarto." To further save on expenses, Alvin reused whatever he could from their home in Calamba. They spent a total of P900,000 on materials, labor, and furnishings.
To those who would like to build their retirement home, Alvin says they must do sufficient research and be prudent with their spending.
"Kung tayo ay malaki gumastos, kaunting tipid, pagkatapos ay kaunting diskarte, sideline tayo para hindi tayo masyado mahirapan after retirement," he advises.
"Siyempre habang lumalaki ang bahay, lumalaki yung gastos. Kung kaya, ngayon pa lang ay magpalit tayo ng lifestyle, mag-tipid tayo, para pagdating ng future, less gastos na lang tayo."
Learn more about Alvin's inspiring tiny home when you watch the video below:
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