Thanks for voting!Is smaller better? Is less more? Does size even matter? Dr. Ruth may want to chime in, but if you’re talking about houses, size most definitely matters. The Wisdom Journal extols 12 virtues of why a smaller home can mean a bigger wallet – and even more enjoyment out of life. If you’re in the market to buy a home, or if you’re building a new one, you may want to think small to save big.
We understand space is a necessity for some families. And maybe bungalow living isn’t quite what you had in mind for your first (or next) home. You know what qualities you are looking for in a home. It should be livable but also affordable. Ask yourself: Do you really need the bonus room on top of the three car garage when it’s just you and your Prius? Really? Just like driving a 2 door coupe wouldn’t make sense for a family of 5, neither does having a 6 bedroom McMansion for just you and the ball and chain.
Your home speaks volumes about you and the way you live your life. And manage your money. Of course you should enjoy the space in which you live. All of it, not just the west wing. It’s important to keep it manageable so it isn’t an added stress for you. Or your budget. Our final word on home size? Simplify. Think small. Save big.
Tags: Home, Homeownership
Loading ...
Good advice on keeping it simple. Isnt American Dream to do well, aspire for high and achieve the target. We should always know the limitations, but have to stretch goals. We dont have to look rich and live poor. If we always target for a simpler and easier goal, then America would not have been the best in the world.
When my partner and I were house shopping for just the two of us, I had a list of gotta haves - double sink in the master bathroom, island in the kitchen, & wood burning fireplace. We saw one that met all those criteria & was in our price range. The location wasn’t ideal but ok. Then we came to current house & it had none of the features that I thought were so important and was 1,400 square feet. But the view out back overlooked a 200 year old farm with horses in the pasture and was phenomenal. Suddenly the gotta haves weren’t important. We love our home & as small as it is, spend most of our time in 2 rooms or outside & rarely use the living room. Funny how your prospective changes on what’s really important. And luckily our home hasn’t lost value like the McMansions nearby….
I feel that if you have at least the size you need to comfortably house your family, the only other NEED - and when owning a home it is a very important NEED - is the WOW factor. You need to be able to look at your house and say “Wow, I live here”. This feeling gives a sense of accomplishment that will help you to strive on and work hard. It’s not to say that you need a mansion to feel that way but when buying a home, DON’T EVER, EVER settle (no pun intended there) - It’s the biggest purchase of your life and if you don’t feel good about what you bought then it’s not worth the hassle.
This makes a very good point. More is not better. We need to become a nation of mature adults and leave the giant status symbols behind.
That being said I must take exception to the “ball and chain” statement. It is insulting to women everywhere at every level of our society. To use such an antiquated and bigoted slur steals any credibility this might have had. Especially since a growing majority of new homeowners are women.
Since this is the ING site, I assume that ING admin must have approved this. Your bigotry is showing! I am an ING customer and I will need a mortgage in the near future, but since I am a single woman I guess I won’t be getting it from ING.
I thought this was a great post and really thought the comment above was not warranted. Who’s to say I don’t view my husband as a ball-and-chain? Bet the author of this post was a female.
Let’s focus on the topics at hand here: Net net is we all could use a little sizing down in our lives. Homes, cars, bags, food portions.
I too, was rather offended by the “ball and chain” comment in this article. The information was presented in a positive way and should be helpful to those who are intending on buying a house. Being a female home-buyer, I too will most likely look elsewhere for a mortgage.
Well, my goodness, I took it to mean the mortgage! Silly me, I guess I am just not paranoid enough.
Buy as little house as you can, so long as you are still comfortable. That way you’ll still be free to save, and live a little.
Right now its just the hubby and I, no children for a few years. I would like to go smaller next time….living room, kitchen with eat in or a dinning room and either a finished basement or family room. There is no need to have an extra bedroom for guests or an office. Unless you work from home you do not need an entire room to house your bills and computer….get a computer armoire like we did where I can close the doors and hid all the ugly electronics when I wish. As far as the extra room goes, in my sister’s home theirs is only used when certain people drink too much at parties and need to stay over….if all the space you have for overnight guests is on your couch or on an air mattress in your living room you wont have people staying over as much.
Connie, lighten up….people are way too sensitive these days….I am SURE that the author was joking.
LOL! I also took the ball and chain to mean “spouse” . Lighten up people!