We've got big news: Real Goods founder and president John Schaeffer is selling the 12-acre Solar Living Center (also known as the EcoTerra Center) to Mendocino-based cannabis distribution company Flow Kana.

You don't have to go as far as eliminating indoor plumbing, but there are steps you can take to reduce reliance on modern infrastructure and make less of an impact on the environment. Some of the actions you can take will save money, too.

Although tiny homes can offer nearly everything a residential home does, how does a person live in such a small space for an extended period of time? Let's take a look at some reasons why tiny houses make excellent long-term homes.