Let The Preparation Begin

[AWCHIEF]

I started an online Course called "Tiny Transition and Downsizing Course". Initially the purpose of the course is to help us figure out why we need to downsize and the reasons we hold onto so much meaningless stuff. As the course progresses we will evaluate our needs and goals. Most in the class seem are considering simplified tiny house living. At least a couple of us so far seem interested in downsizing with the ultimate goal of hitting the road and living in our travel trailers full time. Basically I just have to much unneeded and unused stuff that I have accumulated over the last few years. I currently have a 2400 sq ft house that about 2000 ft of it is totally wasted and only used to store my useless stuff. My goal is to rid my self of all unneeded baggage and the house. I hope to do this within 1 year. Took a drive over to Foley Airstream today. Made the mistake of walking thru a couple of new 23footers. Now all I need is a sugar mama or a rich uncle.

[John&Vicki]

Michael...

I'm also fascinated with the downsizing movement. My wife and I are in the early stages of moving out of a 3,700sf house that we've lived in for 20 years. We haven't determined exactly what size we will end up in, but I suspect it will be well under 1,000sf, a modest goal by most downsizer's (is that what they're called?) standards I know, but still a major step for us.

If everything comes together we will be building a small apartment above a family members garage. I think we would be very comfortable at anything over 600sf or so. You talk about getting rid of a lot of stuff! Married for 47 years and in this large house for 20. It's going to be quite the triage process: throw away, give away, sell and keep.

I'm definitely not very hardcore at this though as I have no plans of getting rid of my AS. But spending four months in it this winter in it demonstrated to both my wife and how just how comfortable and happy we can be in a small space. I actually prefer it over my house.

I started my first baby steps in this direction by severely restricting my buying a couple of years ago. If it's not there it doesn't take up space, you don't have to take care of it, you don't have to worry about it, and you don't have the hassle of getting rid of it when you no longer "need" it.

The less is more philosophy seems to be growing rapidly in the U.S. I imagine some of it is simply adapting to increasingly difficult economic conditions, but I think some of it is practical and philosophical in nature as well. Not for everyone, but as an old guy it appeals to me.

[J. Morgan]

Me too.

Less stuff, less headaches, fewer obligations.

[Pagey]

We have been gradually emptying our house. It is starting to echo. We are now down to the large furniture and original art - the stuff that takes much longer to sell. We will probably end up having an estate sale at the very end to get what we can get and be done with it. (Don't have any children to load up with "stuff".)

[BoldAdventure]

Same here, we are right in the middle of downsizing. We've always been minimalist, I usually only purchase durable goods we use and don't like to purchase decorations and nick naks and crap that the average person fills their homes with. But I got to much house a year ago, 2200 sqft, and ended up with a lot more things than I had realized.

We've sold off a large portion of things already and are realigning for our own move to an Airstream. Our goal right now is to sell off 3 vehicles by August, my Corvette, our Lifted Trailblazer and my Pontiac G8 GXP. Then we're going to buy a tow vehicle. After the tow vehicle, the final stretch, want to pick up an Airstream by Dec. And hit the road on Jan 1st 2015.

We'll be full-timing with a small child, she'll be 1yr old by the time we start. My wife works for a company called Basecamp, and her job is completely remote. I currently work as a front end developer, but spent 4yrs as a freelancer. My plan for myself is to go back to freelancing unless my boss agrees to allow me to go full time remote. Currently I'm allowed to work one day a week from home. But that's not going to suffice. And I think going back into business for myself is going to align to our lifestyle on the road better.