according to the national association of home builders, the average american home has more than doubled since 1950. and once we’ve got that extra space, we need to buy things to put in it, right?
no wonder minimalism is such a foreign concept to us americans.
Mary-Anne says
Wonderful blog! I have been struggling with our small house- 550 squared feet- its an old workers cottage from 1930. I have been yearning and praying for a bigger house. then i found your blog. Now i know that minimalising our house will buy us time before we up grade to a bigger house ( boys turning into teenagers)- deep thank you!!!. I have also felt the pull back to growing vegetables, recycling and upcycling and buying some staples from co-ops – to reduce packaging and garbage. My husband i both independently decided that in the year coming we will go from two to only one car. We live in a city with excellent public transport- so this is easy ( but still scary) ( Sydney, Australia).
Elise says
My two-bedroom apartment is only about 800 sq. ft., but I was just thinking the other day that my husband and I (and our dog) could live with less space. We got the second bedroom mainly for guests (most of our family is 100s of miles away) and the convenience of not having to move when we decide to grow our family. Time to downsize?
both gore says
Ah, i see. Well that’s not too tricky at all!”
online accredited schools says
That’s the best answer by far! Thanks for contributing.
di says
It’s what you bring into a space, and not the size of the space, that matters.
Carina says
The average square footage of British houses is actually shrinking as there’s so much demand in a fairly crowded, densely populated country. The average terraced house in the UK is about 1,000 sq ft. This is pretty normal and many homes are much smaller. I’ve been reading with interest about the growing demand in the US for self-storage. Though demand is growing here as well, it’s nowhere near the same scale – perhaps as many people know that it’s unlikely that they’ll ever own or rent a home with the space to fit all the extra stuff. Where I live, it’s also quite common not to own a car – which limits the amount of stuff you can own and store (and by itself takes out one large and expensive possession).
di says
It may cost about $5,000 per year to own a car in America. That’s about a $1,000 for insurance, $1,000 for repairs and $3,000 to save towards a new one.
di says
Plus gas.
Priscilla says
My husband and I live in a 450 sq. ft. apartment in Brooklyn, NY. Despite our limited space, we are very comfortable because we try to keep our space clutter free. The space actually feels very open and airy. Best of all, I can clean the entire apartment in less that 30 mins. :)
Tammy says
Our family of 3 has lived more than comfortably in our 1070 sq. ft. condo for the past 19 years. The bonus is our only debt is the mortgage and we’re paying it off early! We have no intentions of moving until we retire to Florida in 10 years.
Annie says
My daughter and I live with her pets in a 720 square foot home. We love it, and at times it actually feels too big. People come to my house and marvel that we live in a small space, yet to use it does not feel small at all!
Peggy says
I just came across you blog today and must say we are in the same process. Due to financial obligations and a move across country (Alaska to Indiana) we have downsized! 1800 square feet to between 1250 to 1400 square feet (depending on how you calculate it.) Presently our garage is filled to the rafters with boxes that need to be opened, sorted, and discarded.
Oh, we are a family of 2 adults, 2 teenagers, 1 10 yr old, 1 LARGE dog, and a small dog in a 3 bdrm, 2 bath house.
And on another note, I love the fact that you bring in the biblical aspect of unwise spending, etc.
agomez says
We have two adults, one child, and two large dogs in 700 sqft. with ample room. It just takes some creativity, but it makes you think about every single purchase or piece of furniture you want to bring in.
Sam says
I bought a 1950 house in 2007 :) 864 sf.. even less than the average in 1950!