7 Steps to How we built our custom pole barn debt free || Family of 5, 1000 sq ft, NO mortgage

We've had a lot of people asking how we built our house debt free. So this video is for you. Please note that this video is how we did it and it will look different for you. The biggest key was paying off our debt FIRST so we had cash flow to work with. Then, we used those principles to save and cashflow the house. It's NOT going to be easy, but it is possible!
The backstory is that we are a family of 5 that sold about 60% of our belongings and our 1800 square foot house to downsize. Now we have a 1000 square foot house in the country that’s DEBT FREE! We hope to inspire others to do the same and get the freedom we have gotten in life!
Our floorplan: latigolife.com/our-small-home-...
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University: bit.ly/2FqvnwA
Our debt free story: • HOW BEHAVIOR IS THE ON...
Our GoDownsize feature video referenced about our story: • Debt Free Family of 5 ...
Life After Debt series: • Life After Debt
Our small home playlist: • Our small house and a ...
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Want to support our video creation to keep it going? Partner with us on Patreon and get some cool perks for doing so. We hope to see you there! / latigolife
What's Patreon you say? It's a membership platform where artists get paid for the work they create. You choose your level of involvement and commitment and we'll keep our end of the deal. Make sure to visit the link above for more information!
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Photo credits:
Tiny homes: Photo by Niv Rozenberg on Unsplash
Mansion: Photo by Vita Vilcina on Unsplash
House in the Woods: Photo by Flo Pappert on Unsplash

[@maneuschwander6394]

Very Cool - Bunk bed arrangement for your boys. Another point - The job that you have - as the sole bread winner, also determines how soon you will become debt free. It is very hard for someone who is self employed to become debt free (ie. farmers and ranchers) because so much depends on how much land you own/rent versus debt load to bring home a tiny paycheck - once a year! Love your home and what you and your family has accomplished. Thx for sharing!

[@akquicksilver]

Great video! Kenw you were a Brother as soon as you started talking. I'm 66 and been debt free for over 20 years. Retired two years ago and my wife and I just found our dream property with a fantastic mountain/river view here in Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula. We want to build a pole barn straw bale infill house/shop (I'm a wookworker/maker/fixer and she has a quilt studio). You've got your head on right young man. I wish my adult sons would start smellin what your smokin. GOD bless you and give you GRACE to raise that beautiful family.

[@jenn-leeh4355]

This was so helpful. We have dreamed of building a barn home for years. Finally are close to where we feel we can soon start that process. Family of 7 kids , homeschool as well and can’t wait to do it. Your videos are inspiring ! Thank you for sharing !

[@LatigoLife]

Aw thanks :D Congrats on being close! I wish you the best for sure!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Awesome video! You guys have done exactly what my wife and I would love to do and talk about doing all the time. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@LatigoLife]

Good to hear :D

[@jacobj.1969]

I love that some smart young Americans are deciding to NOT play the idiot game and are starting out debt free. No debt equals more freedom and less control they have on us. Great work...doing a good thing here!

[@existentialhangover1124]

Amazing! I'm fortunate enough to have parents who are going to allow me to do this on their property. (17 acres is enough room for two homes.) Me and my daughter could easily live comfortably with 4-500 sf. I've become obsessed with the beauty of modern shed roofs with tall windows and have been researching if that would make the project more or less difficult/pricey. I'm grateful how many people are sharing their ideas, it helps a lot. I'll have to do the same when the time comes.

[@ericmcginnis2097]

Great job ! Congrats to you and your family. Im happy for yall! Your home looks Beautiful !

[@LatigoLife]

Thank you! :D

[@jacobbogardus6006]

I don’t even know you from Adam and I am so very proud of you you and your wife keep up the great work you are very inspiring to myself and I’m sure a lot of other people.

[@AngieTexasRealtor]

You guys are awesome. We also did FPU. That was about 8 years ago and it made a HUGE difference for us. We believe in it so much we became FPU leaders. I wish we had been as young as y'all when we were introduced to it, but better late than never! Keep doing what you're doing - the sky is the limit!

[@LatigoLife]

Thanks for the support! Keep up the good work of passing it on to others. I've coordinated 14 classes now and I always learn something new!

[@AllPurposeMom]

Amazing so glad I found your channel!! 🙌🏼😍

[@floridadog7773]

Very Inspirational .... Bought 1.25 acres putting fill and on our way to build out own space ..Thanks again !

[@elebeu]

Great job, on the house and the video. Solid, sensible points; no nonsense delivery; and inspiring. I am debt free now but too young to retire just yet. When I retire and no longer have to commute to the city, I plan to find some land in the country and do as you have done. Congratulations.

[@DDay-vv9ec]

Love open floor plan. Looks great.

[@striderwolf687]

Nice hard work, good tips and best of luck on your journey. Two thumbs of for Financial Peace University! We paid of $28k in 18 months on a meager budget. True on the behavior change and hard work.

[@LatigoLife]

It really works if you really work it!

[@stufields5125]

Back in 1972 I built what we called a hangar home. 40x72 metal barn with a 24x40 basement under one end with a 24x40 living quarters above. This gave a 40x48 shop. We never borrowed any money. Paid for it as we built. Recently we added a 24x72 expansion for my wife's ceramic studio. We still have not borrowed money. Insulation was sprayed foam. The maintenance to date has been just a coat of paint for the roof. Taxes are low because the tax assessor is used to looking at "Better Homes & Garden" houses. We have the helicopter pad just close to enable storing the helicopter in the shop. If we left Taxifornia, we would have to do this again.

[@thinkforyourselfjohn3163]

Beautiful home and family. God continue to Bless and expand you'r territory so that you may continue to witness to other's. ✝️🙏❤

[@MegaZedlav]

Congratulations, great job!

[@cabinlifeatedensprings1710]

We have a 16x32 shed cabin. Debit free. We love it. We are on 12 acres. I think your place is gorgeous. You are so blessed. And your so smart to do this while young. We were in our 40s when we bought our land. It was two hours away by the river. Not on it. But only five minutes to the boat dock. It’s an amazing place and if we can do it anyone can. People who say it too hard or not possible. You got to want it. I tell my kids if there is a will there is a way. It’s not to late. Today is a good day to start planning. LA

[@LatigoLife]

That's true. Might as well not wait till tomorrow!

[@XepherClouds]

Any recommendations on finding land??

[@cabinlifeatedensprings1710]

Maria yes. I woke visit country towns near an area you want to be close to. Just drive and look for signs. Ask at a local stop if they know anyone selling land or property. Speak to everyone. We actually went to a local swap meet. I know there are not any of those right now but there might be local farmers selling things on the side of the road. Just let everyone know what you are looking for. Don’t give up. Because you might ask 100 times and it’s the 101 that you find someone willing to make the deal with you. And the biggest thing I can tell you to do is pray. I have no doubt that Jesus let us to our land. We named our property Eden Springs. Because it is the Eden God gave us and it has springs on it. It you find something that’s not just perfect think outside the box. If the location is good you can turn it into exactly what you want it to be. Think ahead while you ride looking at places. See what stands out. Do you want a barn. Do you need at place to keep goats or chickens. That way when you see it you will know right away if it will work or how much work you need to put into it. Be blessed! Leslye

[@Richard-vz8zu]

@@cabinlifeatedensprings1710 I visited your channel. You did an amazing job.

[@cabinlifeatedensprings1710]

RJ nation Thank you so much ! Leslye

[@trainwon5699]

Congrats guy’s 👍 Dave Ramsey is awesome thanks for sharing

[@Jchristgirl4284]

Great job it's beautiful to go with your beautiful family GOD Bless

[@LatigoLife]

Mary Willis thank you!

[@rebeccafantstegall1899]

How exciting! Oh to be young again & doing things God's way Ohhh I can't even imagine what that's like for y'all💜I just happened upon your channel, this video was suggested, so soon as I'm done typing this I'm gonna subscribe. This is MY kinda thing I watch ALL the time & when I found out y'all was Christians....wheew loved it all even more. Many blessings & much love from eastern Oklahoma🇺🇸💜

[@teter129]

Just started on the Dave Ramsey thing, that's for the inspiration!

[@howrylo]

I did the debt snowball and got outta debt, but credit isn't great because I save up pay all right there. Dave Ramsey changed the way I look at money and helped me so much

[@teter129]

@@howrylo Couple of good books on the subject: 1. Rich Dad- Poor Dad 2. Millionair Next Door

[@hawkshaunm]

Love those bunk beds!

[@jay-rus4437]

Over the past 5 years, of taking getting out of debt seriously, we have dropped $350,000 worth of debt. Sold virtually anything and everything. Sold rental houses, sold personal house, sold recreation vehicles, sold luxury SUVs, sold sports car, sold motorcycles. You get the point. Today we drive a paid for honda accord that now has 300k mikes, and a paid for tundra with 125k miles. The ONLY debt we have is on our property and house. Little over 1 acre....1400sf brick house...900sf shop for our business. Total owed $165k. We have about 12 months worth of expenses saved. Life has completely changed. I left my stressful job...my wife resigned from her teaching job....we started a home renkvations business several years back and today make WAY more than we need....and that is with 3 day work works. Our business operates 4 days per week, but none of us work more than 3 days each. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are off days for everyone. We own our trailers, equipment....everything. Gives us more family time....time to give in so many other ways....less stress....and a true appreciation for what real success is. STUFF is killing people and they dont even realize it. Even when it is paid for stuff it can add a weight to you that is having a negative impact. Simplify life....and start living.

[@LatigoLife]

Man that's an awesome story! I LOVE to hear that and glad things are going well for you! And 100% agree. People don't realize how much it's killing them until they do away with it. It's hard to see on the other side of that wall, but the experience is worth it. Thanks for watching and for the comment.

[@Arthur-Silva]

I'm on the same road. If you don't mind me asking, why did you decide to sell your rental property?

[@dennisreynolds6915]

Nice. What business do you do in your shop

[@Lilmiket1000]

Man, that sounds amazing. I did that a few years ago. Got rid of everything. My only issue was a place to sleep at night. I'm not a car kind of person. But I am a person that can be happy just living out of 1 small room. like a shed. but then you have to have a place to put the shed. which usually comes with a house or rent lol. I still have the treat of doing this but I need some direction.

[@ParkourAmour]

How the fuck did you have more than 350k worth of debt?

[@mb4lunch]

Out of debt is good! I'm there now! So worth the sacrifices... Now I am investing

[@tchrisou812]

Great job guys!

[@bethanygunther7657]

I’d love to see an updated house tour, I’m sure lots has changed over the years with how you store things

[@LatigoLife]

Oh it has. We'll try to get to that eventually. WE have a backlog of vids to edit!

[@FloridaManConstruction]

Great video! Congrats!

[@ozarkmyers6690]

impressive-- really beautiful -- congrats :)

[@GOK_333]

Fantastic!

[@joejenjust]

Congratulations to you & your wife.

[@sheilapendley1716]

Thank You!

[@pennymote7172]

Thank you.

[@regdesousa9763]

Saw you one godownsize!!We want to eventually build one of these homes ..we will prob go smallee in the house but want a garage for the rv and hobbies ...

[@parapearce3129]

Awesome

[@edwardmcclelland5519]

I like the house. I have been thinking about this type of home for years. Is this home well insulated? I really like it! Keep up the good work.

[@LatigoLife]

It is well insulated. It's spray foamed all the way around. THanks :D

[@vanessafaith8143]

“The chorse is yours

[@beth9395]

Nice job good for you

[@keywestalert6329]

Nice channel. Hope you post more informative videos. I am in florida and land is extremely expensive where I'd like to actually live and we might actually have to be driving to work for hrs. What do you advise for poor folks

[@BR1967FE]

Nice video

[@kayceegreer4418]

Cool interesting choice nice place

[@stanleysmith7600]

Thanks you 😀

[@wadeatkinson4766]

Better than Apartment!

[@CynicOfAll]

Very cool!!! How long did it take to get it livable?

[@66bigbuds]

Have to figure out what states will allow living in a pole barn structure too.

[@stephanieweiler5269]

I’m so inspired by you all! My husband and I also have three kids and are looking to downsize and do it this way. We also have similar income range and debt (almost done with that) so I feel we can almost mimic your situation! A few questions. You sold your house first and then did you rent or buy in between? I definitely plan on buying your floor plan thing you mentioned. Would that give details about how you went about getting the metal frame etc? I will check that out while I wait for your reply! Thanks so much for sharing this, it’s so inspiring.

[@LatigoLife]

Stephanie Weiler yes it gives all the details. If you still have questions you can email me. 😉 we stayed with a family member for a few months while building.

[@erniet9935]

Debt free is one thing but what did that place set you back from land to where you are in the unfinished house....I'm assuming the ceiling is yet to be done!

[@Melinda_Sue]

Hello Latigo folks! Do you have any videos or insight into if pole barns (not sure if that's the same steel homes) in 2021 are the most affordable option? I've been doing a ton of research on buying land, so i'm making good strides with that research. Then for house building (I think we would want to hire ppl to build for us, as well), I was researching log cabin kits and that didn't sound very....cheap. Then I was/am researching steel homes. If you can give me some things to think about or direct me to other videos, I would so appreciate it! We are wanting about 1,000 square foot (or a few hundred more), as well. All the steel homes I saw online were way big.

[@clarkclarke]

Beans and rice ..rice and beans .... Congratulations!!

[@sylviaflores1703]

78046

[@whitneyhall673]

How much did this cost you guys to build or a sqft price ?

[@Remrie]

So where is your out of pocket cost listed on just the finished structure before with all the plumbing and electrical done without any furniture?

[@dylandrake3231]

Hey what permits and stuff did you need to give to the city so they don’t get pisses ur living in a barn

[@LatigoLife]

Dylan Drake we’re in the county so we had to get very little. Just basic address and permit for septic. Otherwise it was nothing 👍

[@Farmer2233]

Please shbuilding, show me video of you building, youre posts are so helpful, ty!

[@Brandon_Neil]

Can you PLEASE do an update on the kids loft?

[@LatigoLife]

Eventually :( Just a lot going on and editing is at the bottom of the list right now.

[@kdentertainment2002]

Awesome! I’m meeting with a local design firm tomorrow tomorrow who has done these & timber frames. Still undecided but we will have a nice valley type view from a hill on property I own. I became debt free a couple years ago & count Dave Ramsey as a huge influence. Iv saved 30k. Putting my lake property on the market and it’s been assessed for about 30-35k. Hot market currently so they expect it to sell by spring. We plan to be married about this time next year, so we want 1500sf or so. Half loft possibly. Would it be wise to begin on this project this winter? I’m expecting to have a total of 40-45k by March, not counting what lake property brings. Current home will also be sold next year likely 35-45k. Any advice I’ll take, thanks and awesome job!

[@LatigoLife]

Hey sounds like a good plan! I think you're on track depending on how much you make of the property and how much materials are in your area. We built in the winter (mainly Oct-Jan) but we are in North Texas so even winter isn't that cold. Once we got the building dried in, it was simple to work on it even if it was raining out. Muddy and messy, but possible. :D I hope this helps. Best of luck!

[@jackhammer1748]

Hi! Great video. I read through all of the comments on here and through the other videos and forgive me if this got covered somewhere else already, but who was the building manufacturer?

[@LatigoLife]

jack hammer it’s a local custom metal building company. Email me for details. Jared at jaredlatigo.com

[@mikemartinez4009]

@@LatigoLife building manufacturer?

[@amystrzelec2316]

Hi where is the link to the plans for the house you built?

[@davethomas9499]

Brave.

[@demetriotizcareno2995]

where is this home brother God blessyou and your familly

[@craftedbyalison6592]

Dave Ramsey is happy lol

[@oh_look_bananas]

wow you really spruced up that storage container.

[@fraidypan9898]

“I know you’re not going to build exactly what we built” buddy I WANT to build what you built 😂

[@kayleew.4453]

Hi!! Your link doesn’t work anymore, do you still offer the floor plans?

[@luisvilla799]

Shit I'm looking to build something very similar to your home except I want to use steel studs and want an open floor plan only 2 bedroom and 2 baths

[@Richard-vz8zu]

Contact him on his Instagram

[@wanderinggeri8477]

Are you able to get a homeowners insurance fire policy?

[@maryeilers5695]

How did you connect your porch to the pole barn???

[@kevinjohnson7177]

great video..only thing i strongly disagree with is how to get a "good contractor" any joe blow can get on google, yelp, home advisor ect. burning up the phone untill you get someone whos available that second is a huge mistake. good contractors are busy. simple as that. my suggestion is go to the city permit office and ask them this. who comes in here alot and knows there stuff. you will be introduced to the the pablo escobar of plumbing in your area. you cant fake that

[@LatigoLife]

Great tip for sure. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for sharing!

[@garyteague9555]

i agree but also disagree with you , nothing worse than someone who will not return a phone call , i’ve found that if they are to busy to do this the. they will be too busy to finish your work on time , they will not show up but now and then and many times they start your job and then start a couple others and leave you to be aggravated

[@LoadingMeerkat]

What materials have been used on this build?

[@driveramd12]

God is good, you are God's gift

[@kw4841]

If someone wanted, say myself, to build a full 2nd story would that be possible with this type of home?

[@LatigoLife]

Yes you absolutely can. You just have to build the side walls tall enough and then build your wood frame to have a second story. My parents actually have one that has a loft on each side and staircase in the middle. It's open all the way to the ceiling in the center of the home as well. There's lots of ways to do it. Look up Barndominiums if you haven't yet.

[@doreenlane2370]

How strong is this against a hurricane or tornado?

[@nickcates4146]

I understand you were debt free when you built the house. My question is how did you come up with the money to pay cash for the house? It would take a lifetime for me to save that up.

[@LatigoLife]

Nick Cates working. I did a lot of freelance jobs at the time and God propelled that to lengths we could never have imagined!

[@gloriacedeno.2737]

That is awesome! You bought a steel shed and turned it into a home! Now, that’s a great idea!

[@LatigoLife]

:D

[@hendo0068]

Its called a CONEX, not storage container

[@dazwelding97]

25% of $75000 is $18,750. A padded budget for a $75000 home would be $93,750.

[@dustywilson5461]

Nice place. What is the name of that metal siding ?

[@LatigoLife]

It's called r-panel

[@dustywilson5461]

@@LatigoLife thanks

[@sudakara2388]

How much does it cost to build the house

[@woodiewood9920]

how do you find out what type of buildings you can or cannot put on the land?

[@LatigoLife]

Ask your city or county. They can direct you to the proper place.

[@woodiewood9920]

I dont understand what you mean by city or county? Do you mean city hall?

[@-_-unseen-_-]

Congrats on your home, but what happens when your kids get older? When they become teens.

[@dkerris]

Tiny homes?

[@JoyFay]

Also be the general contractor

[@bobbybaker4737]

How much did u spend for ur house ..

[@tomasmontenegro8831]

Quick question bud. How much altogether on that nice house. Was it 60,000? Just wondering thnks

[@butkusfan23]

E T I have seen one video where a guy built one of these pole barn homes and he spent $42,000. He said they did much of the work themselves, but their home is 1,500 square feet, and the cost included their driveway, septic system, front porch, foundation and concrete floor, and all interior walls and finishings. Only 42 grand, if you can do as much of the carpentry yourself as possible.

[@azaz...]

how much did this house cost?

[@davidpotts3844]

That was a metal building and not a pole barn

[@gypsyjane6352]

dang. i really thought you'd get to the point.

[@nparksntx]

Did you sell your previous home before building?

[@LatigoLife]

nparksntx yes we did. We used about $30k in equity and downsized to what we could afford to cash flow for the rest.

[@daphnemiller4301]

Good morning hey thanks heres what im looking for okay ? A two bedroom with a indoor swimming 🏊‍♂️ pool?Now I did try to explain this two the people that build barndominium but its like im not getting though to okay? I didn't need a shop i told them we're the shop would be just put the swimming pool in but got no response.

[@LatigoLife]

That would be cool actually. Where you located at?

[@unlikelyprophet3260]

Step 3.) Cry out to God read his book he will forgive you and with him you are like Neo in the matrix

[@buffscreativetees5760]

Who makes the metal building

[@LatigoLife]

Local metal building company. Look for them in your area, they're around.

[@LFOD7491]

Excellent advice. Of course, in America, no one actually OWNS real property. As long as you must pay tribute to the local tax authority SIMPLY because you "own" property, then YOU DO NOT OWN IT! Even worse, the amount of tribute you must pay increases in direct proportion to the audacity you demonstrate to improve your property. Bottom line, taxes based on property, estates, income or capital gains, et. al., are among the most destructive evils in all of human experience.

[@LatigoLife]

We own it more than any other country in the world. :D That's one of the many things that makes America so different. Thanks for watching!

[@RuaWaterwalker]

lFOD7491 - just curious where can one go and be able to own property without paying tribute? so I may consider moving there.

[@chopsabong]

there are ways to eemove yourself from the tax roll.. i sugjest people start learning law.. its fraud and people aernt willing to do the work

[@Bernythebear]

It's just a matter of speech when we say "we own it", because is great to be debt free not paying a mortgage for many years to come. Anyways you guys that say that you don't literally own the land and house are so on the money. Unfortunately you also don't own your car, your kids, house, land, your partner, not even your life is yours, everything you have is lended to you for a time all you have to do is manage it.

[@williamgodfrey333]

yeah taxes only give you and your kids free education k-12, pay all city employees and parks, police, fireman etc etc im not gonna argue for the government but the idea of taxes is ok just depends on how the government spends it. Usually poorly.

[@gusuribe4705]

How much did that house cost to build ?

[@LatigoLife]

I said it in the video. About $65K

[@joniray6686]

A message to those out there struggling. Since my dad passed 3 years ago I've been supporting my mom, sister, her boyfriend, and there kid, with another on the way. I went from a 18 clueless, run away, alcoholic, and a bit of a druggie, with a mental illness that almost killed me. to handy man, mechanic, carpenter, and bread winner in 5 years. I'm now 23 pulling a 700 a month mental disability check, never had a "real job" more then 4 months of my life, high school drop out. living in south GA, on a acre of land, with a triple wide mobile home, and two cars all of it in my name, and all of it payed for. No debt, and minimal bills, if I can do it, you have no excuses. Time, effort, and forethought are all you need to get your shit together.

[@chazlyle41]

75k + 25% = 93,750 if that helps anyone.

[@1976danger]

Who is the maker of the structure?

[@LatigoLife]

It's millersmetalbuildings.com

[@jonathanolsen3809]

25% more than 75,000 is 93,750. Just fyi

[@starr9dust]

Remind us where you live again? thank you!!

[@LatigoLife]

etley B we’re in the Fort Worth area.

[@Bernythebear]

@@LatigoLife WOW you guys live in North Texas area awesome. I live in fort worth myself, by looking at your video it seems you may live by the Alvarado, Cleburne, Joshua, Keene maybe, anyways my congrats to you that your debt free and have a great sense of peace financially. Me and my wife talk about this kind of life for the sake of the kids and being debt free just a couple of ?s. How much for land? Last time I checked land went up around that area, how much you guys pay for yours? I seen the barndo videos in the San Antonio area, are there codes and regulations for building a pole barn or barndo that you must watch out for or does it depend on the county? Last ? How is that pole barn holding up?

[@LatigoLife]

@@Bernythebear Yepp, you're right about the area :D The land is my in-laws that they gifted a portion to us. They bought it probably 20 years ago and yes the land prices have gone up quite a bit. It is cheaper in the Alvarado area though. We are personally in the county so we don't have codes to deal with. That was the trick to making this work; we had to find land that wasn't in any development or hoa or anything of the sort. It's getting harder to find close to town but still possible if you don't mind going out a bit further. Overall, we love the house. We've been in nearly 4 years now and are still working on it. We have plans to finish out some things and add on in the future. It's always a work in progress but we love it. :D Thanks for the questions, we wish you well!

[@shadowofthestarsdespair]

25 percent of 75 is about 18 not 25

[@shane686]

25% of 75000 is 18,750. Not 25,000

[@unlikelyprophet3260]

Step 1.) To going off grid and downsizing get a beautiful wife before you move in shack in the woods

[@Hernsama]

$93,750 not 100k