Building a Rustic Log Cabin: Wood Plank Flooring and the Cost of Early Retirement 

Just wanted to say a few things. I want you to know i found your videos at an interesting time in my life. When i was in my 20s i was a force of nature. Anything i ever wanted to do, i just did. I was a skinny 6'4" 180lb wave that tackeled whatever i was interested in. I was pationat about things. I got angry hard, happy hard, and loved hard. Since then i got married to a wonderfull woman and she blessed me with an exact copy of myself. And as the years passed something changed. Been grinding away at my 9-5 as a cnc programmer machinist, and been getting depressed more and more. I couldnt understand why. I had everything i could need. I didnt get angry about anything. Sad.. Or happy. I just kept plodding along. Getting more and more miserable. People kept telling me it was because being married. I couldnt accept that. I have a wonderfull family. I started just obsessing over things to fill the time. Tv series, building custom watercooled computers, playing video games. It worked for awhile. But nothing satisfied. It reached a crescendo about a month ago. I realized i was no longer living, but i was just waiting to die. Im only 32 years old. I couldnt accept anymore that this was how life was supposed to be. So i turned off the computer, bundled up my 4 yearold son. Packed us some food. And we went on a winter hike. Found a nice spot. Started a fire with flint steel (learned on youtube), and started felling sone trees with a marbles hatchet i had bought. Started building a winter shelter on our land. Just a tarp wrapped teepee. Felt like ive awoken from a long sleep. Been happier then ive been in a long time. Been bringing the family out here. Brought out the bible again, cooking some good food, and just being together..... That brings me to my long and rambling point. The mistake we make is thinking that our basic needs are just food, shelter, and water. We also need connection. Purpose. Connection to the land. Connection to those arround us. Without it we starve spiritually. We die inside. These days the connection is gone. There is only the illusion of connection that the internet provides. Where you have thousands of friends but are alone. Were people never learn social behavior because they never face consequences of mistakes, they just "block" them. The connections ARE the purpose. Without them, we die. Without real accomplishment. We die. Wether you believe god put us here with the purpose maintaining our home, or you believe that we simply spawned here and have a self serving need to preserve our home.... It cannot be denied, the satisfaction that comes from working to build and flourish in it. From observing it. From breathing in it..... That got a little wordy, but i hope you get what im talking about. Found your videos about a week ago. Just wanted you to know how much i appreciated them.

My goodness! Off grid living, self built log cabin, AND personal finance?! I think I just found my new favourite channel!!

Like you I had a business collapse and had to figure out how to survive. I began a minimalist style of living a little over 6 years ago. I now have way more of the more important things in my life. It's amazing how many things I held as essential and now have no importance at all.

I’ve lurked long enough - time to admit that not only did I subscribe long ago but I really look forward to these updates. Very inspirational! I’m only a few years behind in age but building my own place on a plot of land is on my bucket list. For now these videos will have to suffice... Thanks so much!!!

I got really excited when I saw there was a new video. It's nice to see Callie 🤗

That clip of the sun in the doorway was a great way to start the video.

The echo through a silent wood with no leaves is amazing!!

I love your videos. It's refreshing to listen to you and it's sad to say that most people do not think like you. Thanks for your wisdom.

Just watched this, although it was posted awhile ago. Your self reflection at the end is information that is timely, much appreciated and includes advice that I will strive to follow. Man, I’m glad I found this channel!

These videos are one of my highlights on Fridays!

Lookin good -love the mouse proof cooler

You are a wise wise man. You really make me think. Simplify simplify simplify.

It must be something with guys our age and our thought process but you hit the nail on the head with Black Friday and society in general. I could not agree more with everything you have been saying all through your build process. I absolutely love your videos Shawn and already look forward to the next. Keep it up, and the floor looks amazing!

Your rant was in my opinion, right on the money. Thanks for sharing your experience with us all and the wisdom you have about our society. Really enjoyed that. 👍👍

Well done, well said, on many levels. From my childhood (Depression Era parents) on a farm, learned the meaning of being frugal. Learned the discipline of trying to stay out of debt to the extent possible. For example, next to the last, car I bought, new & financed, drove it until I couldn't start it anymore without major repair work. It was a true "clunker", when it died. Still sold it for $300 US. Last new car I bought, early this year, paid cash. Barring an accident, it'll live longer than I have time remaining in this lifetime. Sad to see so much emphasis on the commercial side of the holidays. "Shop till you drop" mentality remains strong along with maxed out credit cards. Often want to ask folks how much they have in savings, when I see videos on - See my Dollar Store shopping haul! - themes. I never made big bucks at ordinary working folks jobs. Yet, I quit the 9-5 daily grind at 52 years old. Yes, I have had to live a frugal life. Worked part-time locally and on-line for a number of years. No, I'm not rich, as most folks consider it these days. Yet, 20 years later, I have no regrets that I don't have a fine house in a gated community, designer clothing in my closet nor the other trappings of the "rich and famous". Quite content (blessed), that I have deed to my home/land and ability to say I don't owe anyone at the end of the month. Wish far more people could understand, early in life, the freedom of being content with a frugal life can bring in later years. Thank you, my friend for the way you show the truth of that within your videos.

You are a ' ray of sunshine '. You should win an award for these series. Both you and your wife are fortunate to have each other, we await with great anticipation to your next week journey. Oh one more thing to say , merci for your presence on you tube.

Always checking for your latest upload. Thank you so much for taking the time to video and share your thoughts.

I love it that there is no annoying music on the background , that why it watchable !!

Awesome video!!! That axe comes in really handy!

I think you’re a great teacher. Plus your videos are calming and have reinvigorated my desire to do this at some point.

These videos are excellent, you're never allowed to stop making them ;-)

Shawn I love your videos. Your reflections on society are so insightful. If only my country had leaders of your mindset. Thank you for sharing!

Great video love all the woodworking and cabin information. can't beat a golden retriever that dog would follow you anywhere you go. I miss mine, best friend you will ever have.

Great job Sean. Love the progress on the cabin and some quality reflection.

Your amazing my friend. I've been watching since the beginning of the channel. Nothing less than amazing. Measure twice, cut once !! .

Cabin self-reliance reminds me a bit of my father's childhood on a Western New York farm: wood harvesting and processing was a daily activity for several weeks; my dad got to clean the oil lamp chimneys every day; all cooking was done on wood stoves until my grandfather moved up to kerosene; chopping ice for livestock to get access to water was a twice a day winter thing. Farm gardens and home canning were the norm for country people. My grandfather was well-to-do so things quickly moved on to a farm power generation station, bottled gas for cooking, upgraded refrigeration and massive steam powered traction engines and then gasoline powered tractors and harvesters. But for a long time, living in a farm house was probably less snug than the well-chinked, thick log cabin you are creating. You know I have enjoyed following your journey!

As I sip my coffee on break at my day job, I can only hope to be free of student loans in a few years so I can follow in your footsteps. You're truly an inspiration.

Getting back to the simplicity of life, the benefits of being so productive, so creative in self-preservation. It can be done and thank you Shawn for providing that in every episode. Nothing elevates your mind or soul like good physical output and a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. You're creating far more than your cabin Shawn and we are so appreciative of being able to share your journey. You confirm what the human spirit craves and needs...far more than Black Fridays and Cyber Mondays could ever do. I thank you.

how awesome great skills! no politics, no wars, no hassle, no wife, just you and your dog and the wilderness, i can only dream!!!

I am now 13 and I want to make a similar log house, but I can not because I'm still small, but one day I will do it!

It is truly inspirational to see you work so confidently. You are one bad ass dude. Right there with the rant too.

Just nothing but admiration for your personal drive to achieve your goals ! Whether it be finishing the cabin floor or semi retiring early! absolutely connected with you on this reflection part of the video! Amazing and very thought provoking video as always Shaun!

Living that busy unnecessary life style you just touched on; thus the reason I am just now able to fully watch your video and listen attentively to your words of wisdom. Your cabin is looking great as well as great words and hope everyone received it as I did; especially all the young next generation viewers; So true they are..... Keep it coming and God Bless.

I've been looking forward to your video all week and here it is, thank you, but I must say it looks mighty cold from here in North Queensland, Australia!

Love your "rant for the week". My sentiments exactly! Trying to get my husband to simplify and get back to the land.

....and the satisfaction of doing it by yourself, the pride of your outcome, anyways, I really enjoy your videos, even your reflections at the end of your videos. Between, you Shawn, Doug, and Joe, you guys really keep me entertained, please keep it up....Thanks!

I'm glad I'm not the only one wanting to break the chains of society! Thank you very much for sharing this process! You're awesome!

I really enjoy your channel. Great content and I look forward to it every week. Especially your self reflection. I appreciate all you share. Very inspirational! Keep up the great work. Cabin is looking amazing!

I'm a carpenter and have done a lot of log "cabin" or home work I think you've done a great job. And I think the real value is in your afterthoughts.

Love the video, especially your reflections where you are so right when you talk about us spending money and buying stuff that we think we need. Do we people really have that boring lives that we can´t see beyond whats important in life, kind of scary, and I´m not any better than the rest of people. Made me thinking deep thoughts about my own lifestyle.

Ive been following your journey for a while now and i must say finally someone who thinks like i do.We have cut our bills to 500.00 a month here.I also looked at some of the same cost like hair and razors its the little things that rob us finacially. love what your doing at the cabin.

I was homeless for 15 years after a bad divorce. I tried living from homeless shelter to shelter but I didnt like being around drug addicts and drunks because I just suffered with PTSD and Social anxiety disorder, no addictions. So I went off to the closest largely wooded area by a river. When I was a kid we built all kinds of forts so creating a shelter was no problem fresh water and food are not so easy though but I learned quickly I quickly realized I didnt have to eat every day, a matter of fact I have gone months without food and now I am back in society I still will fast for 5 days sometimes. Fasting gives your brain a sense of clarity that I cant explain but if you try a 5 day fast you will see. I learned to catch fish in the river with twine and the leavings of fishermen sinkers and hooks. Frogs were good in a pinch. I was often run off by DNR since I was on Govt land so that was a hassle nothing like being homeless and losing the only shelter you have with Winter on the way. I guess my point is for 15 years I lived on zero income and while it was hard its easily do able. You just have to for go those creature comforts. I had to get back to society because the outdoor life was taking its toll on my body and was now in my 50s. I was also beaten by 4 youths one Christmas eve. I had been kicked off my camp by DNR again and I was curled under a blanket with my dog with a fever under an overpass. Some kids stopped the car for a pee break (clearly drunk) they saw me and decided it would be great to beat me into unconsciousness and kill my dog.I lost sight in my right eye (traumatic cataract) and my left is like 20/100 so I was about to just end my life and some Christian folks saw me on the side of the road they got me help and took me in. There are good folks out there. I am still struggling after 2 years to get my life back. I still cry for my dog some days he was my only companion for 8 years. I saved him from the river, someone didnt want the litter of pups so they put all the puppies in a garbage bag and threw them in the river. When I fished it in he was the only one left alive. I still dont like most people obviously. When I watch your videos Shawn it reminds me of the peace of the woods that I so enjoyed. I didnt have anything as extravagant a shelter as yours but I was ok and at peace mostly.I would love to go back. I know I cant though but I live vicariously through you so thanks. I like your reflection parts too. We are fairly similar people. I too know what its like to look out for people and be stabbed in the back,or those folks that do things for you just to use it as emotional currency to rope you into servitude. Thee are good people though but theyre few and far between. Well this has been cathartic I guess lol.

Clever cold storage. Glorious companion, Callie! Thanks for the retirement information.

I love the "crunch" sound when you're walking through the snow. Random comment, I know lol

Cabin is looking great , much to appreciate being it was built with minimal tools and bare hands , look forward to seeing it completed

Love watching this it helps me have ideas for the cabin me and my grandpa are making, still early days but a lot of inspiration from you!! Thanks for the updates, and good luck :)

Your achievement in the cabin is stupendous - and your advice is sound. Thanks Mr Shawn. Big thumbs up!

I wish you could post a video everyday, Shawn. You and the Boss of the Swamp are two clever, classy gentlemen. I am not a woodswoman and just have romantic ideas of living in a cabin on some land but now that I'm over 70 I know that isn't going to happen, so I just greatly enjoy watching you and your endeavors. Very wise comments at the end of your video also. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us.

I always read the channel name as 'My Self Resilience'. Because, in my vision, this is your propose as well, become what you were.

I'm a new sub and I just love watching your videos . I envy you and your little piece of heaven. Keep the videos coming. By the way I'm a middle aged man who really understands your self reflections and appreciates them.

Real wisdom at the end of the video. As a person with a disability which makes building a cabin nearly impossible, but also as someone who wants nothing more than to retreat to a simple way of living, surrounded by nature, I very much appreciate the escape and hope you (even if unintentionally) provide in your videos. I kind of feel like that's how life should be lived, and how the native people who were here long before us were able to live in coexistence with nature and one another, without destroying the planet. Cabin looks amazing! I look forward to the videos to come.

Just got accepted to do a diploma in land management and conservation. Your videos are always inspiring!

Your rants are great Shawn! Please keep doing them.

I wouldnt mind if your videos were longer, they are so well done and are very pleasant to watch ! ty

You make so much sense. Really enjoy watching you build the cabin and your self reflections. Hands down one of my favorite RU-vid channels. Great job!

I was just camping in a lean to for two nights and it was similar temperatures; 7 c/20 f. I forget during the warmer months what being really cold feels like. Your cabin looks fairly well insulated though. Have you ever tried stock photography? Your photos are really good and I think the subject matter(cabin/outdoor lifestyle) would sell well. It doesn't make much, usually around 100-300 u.s. dollars a month. But is a passive income to help with retirement.

Love white winter. ...so peaceful and still.

Haha Fat makes me look fat too! Strangely addicting to watch someone else work. Thank you for allowing us to see how your cabin comes together. It’s peaceful on my end at least.

I appreciate your thoughts and insights about life. I like the fact that your videos haven't turned into sponsored commercials. Great job.

Love that you upload these on Fridays!

I love the sound of the wood as you split it the echo, it just shows how quiet of a area you are in. Self reliance, we are as you have stated dependent on things. And the majority of us depend on it. I do garden and put up my vegetables canning and freezing. I do what I can to be somewhat self reliant A broken back has left me with limited mobility, I still plod along. I retired at 48 and yes it is a struggle at times to do things even with the modest amount I have put away. I look forward to more vides and your talks are meaningful. I have reavaluated my life due to your reflections upon life..Thank You

Some people call me cheap...I call myself an expense minimalist. Most people seem to have a very hard time determining the difference between "need" and "want". I try to make my "want" items be things that can produce something for me, or save me money...things like tools, or machinery that can help me produce something of value.

I just found your channel today. You sir, have my utmost respect. There is something zen like watching you build your cabin. Cali is gorgeous- nothing beats having a Golden as a buddy!

Second best part of my Friday

The floor is beautiful and perfectly measured. Love watching the cabin become prettier each week! Your self reflection examples of eliminating the "latte factors" are spot on. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to next week.

Great video, I really enjoy watching your progress each week! 👍👍

I'm not exactly sure how I started watching your videos, its not normally my thing, but I'm glad I did. It's been quit enjoyable watching your cabin go up! And thank you for laying down all the sage wisdom! Your family must be very lucky to have you.

Your amazing I wish I had a husband like you ...your wife doesn’t know how lucky she is!!!! You can built ,cook and I believe faithful too just wow😘

Such a sweet and pretty dog. I want to give her a hug.

The floor looks really nice, and the cellar was also kind of cool

You're spot on about materialism and the perceived need to acquire things.

You might consider a mansonry heater aka a "russian stove" in your next build if you go onto do another cabin. There are lots of plans/walkthroughs on how to make them, and various designs but the idea is radiant heat throughout the day from the mass of rock heated up. They are a safe way to have heat without having a fire burning all the time, and burn fuel amazingly efficiently because of the combustible air being trapped in chambers where it can burn before being expelled. You can heat your house for the entire day and only fire up a handful of kindling twice... Maybe while cooking breakfast and lunch/dinner via the worksurface... Russians also have a tradition of hanging rugs on the walls in wintertime, that may also be a thing to think of for your particularly lovely climate. Don't know if you remember my comment on another video of yours ages ago, but my box van RV conversion is taking FOREVER! You have made much more progress than I have! I've probably spent too many days making cheese, and am stalling in cutting holes in the box and back of the van to join them up... It looks wonderful, and already quite homey with just the addition of the floor. I can't wait to see how it turns out! On your self reflections, people definitely fill their lives with some consumerist-type activities when they are more comfortable. I think this is one of the reasons (besides the increased production of goods to consume) we are where we are today as a society, with the other reasons being a greater focus on individual desires vs familial, less time away from work (workday in western societies is much longer than various other cultures and time is highly valued, but rarely spent on oneself), and in general a lack of perception that you can even go without certain goods. The look someone gives you when you say "I don't have a phone" is telling. Perhaps it's due to comfort, perhaps part of it is due to the expectation of an increase in standard of living not really being met somewhere, which is then treated with escapism into entertainment. I can say comfortably that I would consider a house in the middle of nowhere with no working toilet far superior to an urban dwelling. No noise at night, safety needs are met/ you know your neighbors a bit more because of the density/have more kinship with them, there is less "ruling over" your behavior by neighbors (no vegetables allowed here!)... And then add on to that the need for independence that people have, whether consciously or not they probably don't all feel happy with someone else managing things that they need to survive... Maybe it's just the preparedness instinct in me but knowing that your water, food, heat, and safety supply can quickly run dry (and you don't know how much is even stored) is a thing that warrants buying that extra shiny thing so that if the currency crashes you can sell/barter it for something else. I think it's not just that people have so much of everything, in short, I think it's also because people aren't in charge of the supply of that thing. They don't know how many cows are alive right this instant, or even how many will die this year to go to food. They don't know how much storage space goes to potatoes in their grocery store. If they did they would probably salute every truck that goes by and pray they stay the course. Of course this is ignoring the social grooming/sterotypical fashion shopping... I'm female but those habits never impressed themselves on me for whatever reason. Maybe I just interacted with too many boys and not enough girls as a youngun or some such thing. Goodness that was long, I do apologize if you read this! Cheers!

It's very relaxing to watch an expert at work. Other channels stress me out so much when it's noobs making countless mistakes. This is just a sheer display of skill and no drama.

Just found your videos... by accident really. Live in York Region but the southern end... love heading north to fish (french river, Lake Obabika, etc) and visit in your neck of the woods. Starting to approach retirement and wondering what to do. This video in particular has caused some further thought. I have found I am similar to many commenters in that I am just not fulfilled. I'm married, kids one of which is in Uni and the other close to it. Would love to grab a bush-lot with small home and while I find the off the grid lifestyle interesting, I cannot fool myself to think my wife would or that I have the skills to manage it. However, going as far in that direction as my skills and lifestyle would allow would be awesome. Have plenty of videos left to watch and enjoy. Keep it up!

Slow or not it looks like a home that I'd be proud to call my own. Beautiful job, your a true unsung hero to me.

Would you ever consider putting in a well closer to the cabin? You can't be that far from the water table. Would love to see a video where you have drone footage and you lay out how far everything is from eachother. LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING MAN, my dreams and goals follow a few of yours closely.

Thank you for the uploads! My son and I have been following this channel for a couple of weeks and we are really looking forward to the next one.

14:05 man even installs a panic room, you really thought of everything

Highlight of my week is your video and self reflections. thank you

Love it, really jealous

Love the floor and cold storage box. Couldn't agree more with some of those things you spoke of. Enjoying it all.

The astute observational dialogue continues in a meaningful and positive way from you! from this channel.Thinking of those close to me, I realize that the young folk are coming up in a time that is different from mine. Everything seems to be amplified. The core values are not necessarily different, but the number of hurdles to navigate is increasing in an exponential manner. Once again, you have poked the sleeping bear in a positive way. Rather than being mauled, we or they - us... need to be prepared to deal with what we must deal with. It's a whole new world, and you, bless your being, have the gift of pointing it out to those that are willing and able to understand and hear it meaningfully. Well done and keep the good vibes emanating...

Shawn James for president! Preaching so much truth that im about to cry

Excellent content as always. I don't do black Friday as for some reason that's when all of the crazies come out as opposed to say cute kids in costumes on Halloween. You know, not a lot of people even know HOW to hew a round log with quick cuts and an axe anymore. THAT was impressive.

love the way you let the viewer figure stuff out for themselves. good job!

Suggestion for power; two 300 watt monocrystalline from michagan city on Ebay 110 each. Frameless and build wooden boxes to secure them.Iinverter 120 v. Wind blue low cogging delco type wind generator. Used golf cart batteries and #8 wire. I have enjoyed watching you build this cabin so far.

I purchased a wood burning stove with a catalyst a few years back, what a difference. I can put a few 2-3 logs in and it will burn all night vs adding every few hour(s). Plus it saves your body from chopping so much wood. I’ve thought about your comment from a previous video about people-friends owing you favors for helping out. It’s too bad some people think like that, but I’m sure more often than not they don’t. I enjoy helping friends out with anything. It’s never once crossed my mind that they owe my anything. Keep the videos coming, way better than what’s on TV for sure.

Who else but you would've thought to match the cabin's color to his dog?!

Beautiful work on the Cabin! I can't wait to see more!! Your take on the whole "Black Friday/Cyber Monday" Is Very True! I can't stand the way people indulge on unnecessary items to fill voids in their lives! Thank you for putting it out there as you did! You are truly an inspiration!! Thank you Shawn!

Wow, i made it to the under 1500 club. Great video as always. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and are ready for Christmas.

Glad to see the real star of the show back out there with you! Cheers.

"The sun makes me look fat, fat makes me look fat." Amen brother!

You are my first comment ever and so worth it because of your help in simplifying. We are a 40 y/o couple with 2 infants 1.5 y/o and 20 weeks in utero, and dedicated to giving our kids a simple, healthy and content lifestyle with us available to them as much as possible. Now, in the suburbs, we both work full-time just to afford my son's childcare. I would rather give up the smog and social pressures in exchange for being there to watch my kiddos bloom and grow. I wanted to see if we could live simply ( we prefer small spaces and wide open land to concrete and car horns) in a practical way, with what we have in savings and the city-slicker learning curve we have to overcome. Thanks to your channel, we believe this is possible. I can not thank you for the gift of hope your channel has provided.

People don't realize that we're here to learn, and that often includes struggle. We shouldn't look to others for what we should do. Each person requires unique challenges and must follow their own path, develop their own inner knowing. Oftentimes that path includes much of what we don't want to do but must do. No one ever said it would be easy, only worth it, if you take on the challenges you know you must in order to grow, for we are all living beings that need challenge, motion, connection to stay alive. We are as a multi-varied garden that needs nurturing, water, and light, tender vessels. It's in the growing where we pull deep from the dormant self talents, gifts, abilities that we may have never even know resided there, but we do, and we grow, and then we reach out and down to others to lift them up and then pass the gift along, a bright gem aglow in the night.

Thanks for all you're doing Shawn. Love watching. Your sharing is something I look forward to after a long hard week.

You should try to create your own wine. It is a very rewarding journey!

Awesome self reflection today. Spot on with human instincts to store, consume, and over do everything. Made me think a lot about my life and how we live an unnecessarily comfortable life at the expense of financial, emotional, and physical well being.

We do waste so much money. We bought some acreage in the mountains a year ago and moving next year. We are 20 years older than you and retiring next year when we move. Debt free due to equity in our home and we got the land cheap and going solar/well/septic and tiny 384 square foot house from a large home now with 3 full baths and lots of outbuildings and such. It will be an adjustment so we decided that it would be better to live on less and retire. I have people working with me that are in their 70s and still don't have a house but paying for an apartment forever. We garden and can and don't do extravagant things. For instance, I have a church 30 minutes from me that allows you to bring 25 books or clothing pieces and trade for same. I do this every month. I do not buy clothes this way and dress well enough and work in a law firm. I often take books and leave with baby clothes for others. Anyway, We are looking at living a minimalist lifestyle and you are spot on, sir. Your 2010 deal turns out to probably be a blessing in hindsight. I have watched a gazillion of your videos and totally love them.

Yay! That flooring is going in well. It's going to make the place into a regular palace. Nice job.

Fantastic video Shawn. What are your thoughts on insurance and banks? I'm liking the videos. Here's a tip for a fridge, back in the day people would have a metal basket of sorts, on the bottom a pice of cloth was attached and was left to dangle in the water. The water would climb the cloth and cool the basket witch in return would cool the food. Thanks for all the great video and I hope you have a wonderful weekend. - Josh