Downsizing the space of our home decreases are monthly costs exponentially.
When I talk about downsizing, I mean much material, resource, space is really required to be content? Every morning as I drive my kids to school, I drive past what I call mansions. They are really just very large three story houses. Knowing there is likely just one family that lives there, I imagine that house in a third world country occupied by average citizens of that country. I then wonder how many people would move into that house. I imagine four families (at least) on each floor living in a manner they are accustomed to.
I then think about my home and contemplate my need for the space I have. I have a 5 bedroom home that holds my husband, mother, two children, a dog and two cats. Could I do with less? I know I can. Again, in my college days I lived in a studio apartment where I threw a queen bed in the walk-in closet and called that my bedroom. I’ve also paid rent for a pull out couch in someone’s living room at one time. Would that situation work now? Of course not, and I am not thinking about downsizing right now with both of my kids in school. I also have an 80 plus mother to think about as well. But, I do have plans as I realize more and more that I don’t need as much space as I have and certainly won’t need this house once the kids are out of school.
My 16 year old son who is a self proclaimed financial advisor (and quite a good one I might add), has suggested keeping the house as it is in an up and coming area with a lot of new stores and infrastructure being built, and renting it out. I am seriously considering that and purchasing some land (somewhere), and living off the grid. This will reduce my living costs while still being able to pay my mortgage with renters. It will allow me to have just enough space for the people I love while using less resources and of course, live frugally.
