Recently, my family moved across the country. We moved from a house to an apartment. Our home was rather modest to begin with, so the move to the apartment represents downsizing by about 250 square feet. We’re happy in our smaller apartment so far, although we might move into something a little bigger next time. We’re not entirely sure. But for now, this is working for us.
Downsizing is something that might work for you as well, depending on your situation. Here are some things to think about as you decide whether or not downsizing might be right for you:
Do You Need to Save Money?
One of the biggest reasons that people choose to downsize is so that they can save money. A smaller living space often comes with lower costs. This isn’t the case in my situation; we moved across the country and into a more expensive area, so our smaller apartment has a higher monthly payment than our home. (The good news is that we are saving money in other areas.)
However, there are many cases in which downsizing can save you money. Often, a smaller place does cost less. On top of that, you are likely to save money when it comes to utilities, as well as save money on maintenance and repair costs. If you sell your larger home and buy something smaller, you might also see savings on your property taxes.
We’re saving money on groceries and food costs as well. Because of our smaller space, we have to plan our meals and only buy what we know we will eat. Our freezer space is also limited because we no longer have an extra stand-up freezer in the garage to hold a bunch of frozen food we buy — but that then goes bad after sitting there for years on end.
Do You Want to Get Rid of Clutter?
Another reason many people downsize is to get rid of the clutter in their homes and in their lives. We got rid of a large amount of stuff when we moved across the country. We left a lot of our things behind, because we didn’t need the stuff — and because there isn’t room in the new place. (Plus, you can make some money off the stuff you get rid of if you sell it, or at least get a tax deduction if you donate it to charity.)
If you are looking for a way to simplify your life, downsizing can be the answer. You are forced to prioritize and make hard choices. You can start over with a cleaner home, and a cleaner life. You can make your effort to downsize a part of your overall attempt to improve your life, and that can be a big help to your lifestyle in general. I know that I am happier now that we have fewer things to worry about.
Getting rid of clutter in the home can also be a way to encourage you to get rid of clutter in your life. You can downsize your meetings and your activities, and learn to say no. That can also free you up with more time to focus on the things that are more important to you (or even to make more money).
In the end, downsizing your living situation can come with a number of benefits. From a smaller mortgage to lower living costs in general, the right move to downsize can be beneficial. Carefully consider your situation, and determine whether or not it makes sense for you. You might be surprised to discover that less really can be more.
