EP 92: From Land to Sea: Kristin Hanes’ Journey of Tiny Homes

Feb 27

Written By Laura Lynch, CFP® ABFP™ AAMS® CDFA®

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If you’ve ever dreamed of alternative living for financial freedom, this episode of Less House More Moola is a must-listen! Laura chats with Kristin Hanes, founder of The Wayward Home, about how she transitioned from traditional housing to full-time van life and sailboat living—and how she built a sustainable income while traveling the world.

Kristin’s journey started in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she worked a conventional job and paid high rent—until she met her partner, Tom. He had already embraced an unconventional lifestyle, saving thousands by living in a Prius. Inspired by his approach, Kristin decided to ditch rent, downsize, and embrace tiny living. Now, she follows the seasons—spending winters sailing in Baja, Mexico, and summers traveling across the U.S. in a camper van.

How Tiny Living Creates Financial Freedom

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is how living in a van or boat full-time allows for financial freedom. Kristin and Tom have eliminated rent, mortgage payments, and utility bills, giving them more control over their money. Kristin shared that by cutting these expenses, she was able to pay off debt, build savings, and invest for the future—something that seemed impossible when she was stuck in the high-cost housing market.

While van life and sailboat living come with their own costs, such as maintenance and fuel, they are significantly lower than a traditional lifestyle. Kristin highlighted how anchoring a boat for free in remote locations and boondocking on public lands make alternative living an incredibly affordable choice.

Van Life vs. Boat Life: Which One is Better?

Kristin and Tom have spent years switching between tiny home on wheels and off-grid sailboat living, and each has its unique benefits and challenges.

🚐 Van Life: Great for flexibility, speed, and accessibility. Traveling by van allows them to explore national parks, camp for free on public lands, and easily relocate based on weather or personal preference. However, urban stealth camping has become more difficult, with increased restrictions in many cities.

⛵ Sailboat Living: Provides access to remote, beautiful locations that aren’t reachable by road. Kristin loves the peacefulness of anchoring in secluded bays, living off solar power, and using the wind to travel. However, boats require significant upkeep and occasional expensive repairs.

Kristin finds that transitioning between the two lifestyles gives her the best of both worlds—adventure, mobility, and financial independence.

Why More People Are Choosing Alternative Living

With rising housing costs and increasing job instability, more people are looking for ways to live affordably while maintaining a high quality of life. Kristin has noticed a surge in interest in full-time van life, off-grid tiny homes, and digital nomad lifestyles. She hears from people who want to leave behind high rents, avoid mortgage debt, and gain the freedom to travel.

At the same time, cities are cracking down on urban camping, making it more challenging for full-time van lifers to park overnight without issues. Because of this, Kristin recommends boondocking on public lands, BLM areas, and remote locations rather than trying to stealth camp in cities.

How Kristin Earns a Living on the Road

One of the biggest concerns for those considering alternative living is income. Kristin built a thriving online business through blogging and content creation, proving that making money on the road is possible.

She shared her advice for aspiring nomads:
✔ Find a passion that you can commit to for years—whether it’s blogging, freelancing, remote work, or selling digital products.
✔ Treat it like a business—learning SEO, marketing, and content strategy to grow an audience.
✔ Be patient—it took Kristin two years before she made a steady income from her blog.

Other popular ways to make money while traveling include freelance writing, virtual assisting, e-commerce, and remote tech jobs. The key is finding a sustainable income source that allows for flexibility.

Is Alternative Living Right for You? Take the Unconventional Values Quiz!

If you’re intrigued by tiny home living, full-time van life, or financial freedom through alternative living, take the Unconventional Values Quiz at thetinyhouseadviser.com. This free quiz will help you determine whether a nomadic, tiny home, or off-grid lifestyle aligns with your values and long-term goals!