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We are glad to have you here!

We have three missions...
1. To help you downsize and love your smaller space.

2. To talk about how to live a more simple life, doing what you love with out the "baggage".

3. To wake up one morning very soon and realize that, after years of working toward it, you have finally arrived at the Good Life. We want to celebrate that day with you!

Please post here where you are on the journey.
Have you moved to a smaller home?
Do you want to?
Do you already live simply?
Do you need to make some changes to your lifestyle in order to live in this economy or just have a more restful life?
Do you already have the good life?

Here's a lot more photos of this place in Brazil: view link

1.Use concentric circles: When we acquire objects, we place them in our house relative to their emotional value to us. Objects that are in the heart of the home, in the family room and kitchen, are those we value and use the most, so they can be packed up immediately. Those objects farthest away from these rooms, in a shed, attic or basement, may have lost their importance to us over time. That's where we should begin the culling process. Then move to other rooms farthest from the home's prime living areas, like the bedrooms. Continue culling in ever-smaller circles.

2. Focus on the items which have the largest volume and/or weight. You'll have the added benefit of saving time and money moving or storing them, plus you have the added psychological benefit of being able to visualize your progress sooner, creating momentum vs. plowing through a box of photographs.

Anybody else have good ideas?

Is the fireplace surround too white?
Are the drapes too much?
Is the coffee table too small?

What???

I'm not sure if this has been posted here before but I just came across this site:
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ProtoHaus, a tiny home of just 125 square feet, strives to challenge the viewer, artist and artwork. It explores the boundaries that define non-artistic objects, artistic objects and social issues related to home ownership. The transportable home is a “stick built” or timber framed structure that was built on a trailer bed in the summer of 2009. It was constructed mainly from reclaimed and recycled objects. The removal and disposal of waste is accessible from the separate fresh, gray, and black water systems that are incorporated into the design while a solar and wind system power the home. ProtoHaus is open to the public on specific dates of the school year as a way of sharing the experiment with the community of Alfred. In 2009 -2010, there were many collaborative workshops at Alfred University including faculty, students and different departments to attend to the project.
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Retirees aren't moving to new places as often as they have in the past. Just 3 percent of people age 65 and older relocated between 2010 and 2011, according to recently released Census Bureau data. "Their 401(k)s have taken a dive, the housing market fell, and people who once thought they might have been able to retire and move are now not doing so," says William Frey, a demographer and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. "We're at the lowest level of migrations since the end of World War II." But some seniors continue to seek retirement spots with more affordable housing, better weather, and fun things to do.

Here are 10 tips for selecting a great retirement location.
Do you agree or Disagree with these?
Would you add to the list?

Affordable housing.
Selling your current home and moving to a place where housing costs significantly less could give your nest egg a quick and significant boost.

Lower taxes.
Tax rates vary considerably by state, and moving to a place with lower taxes could increase your spending power.

Better weather.
Many retirees choose to spend the coldest winter months in a sunnier climate or permanently relocate to a place with better weather. Approximately 30,000 seniors moved in 2011 primarily to live in a better climate. The Phoenix metro area, which is sunny an average of 85 percent of the time, saw an average net gain of 14,233 people age 55 and older annually between 2008 and 2010. Riverside, Calif., the second-sunniest city in the country, brought in an average of 8,393 older residents each year over the same time period.

Recreation and culture.
Throughout much of your life, your career dictates where you live. Retirement allows you the freedom to select a desirable place to live, whether than means surrounding yourself with golf courses, art galleries, water views, or hiking trails.

Job or volunteer opportunities.
A part-time job or second career is increasingly becoming a part of the retirement years. If you plan to continue working, consider the health of the economy before moving to a new place, and look for cities with interesting part-time job or consulting opportunities.

Proximity to healthcare.
Your healthcare needs are likely to increase as you age. Some 150,000 people changed residences for health reasons in 2011, typically after age 75. Any retirement spot you are considering should have health and elder-care facilities and doctors who specialize in taking care of older patients.

Convenient transportation.
Many retirees eventually reach a point where they can't or no longer want to drive. When this happens, other methods of transportation are essential. Consider whether a city has public transportation options or affordable taxi or van services for seniors.

Amenities for seniors.
As you age, you may increasingly need assistance with errands, yard work, and household chores. Some cities have nonprofit aging-in-place communities that provide a range of services such as home maintenance, transportation, and meal services in exchange for an annual fee.

Near family and friends.
There is no substitute for living near friends and family members. Even the coldest retirement spot can be welcoming when you can watch your grandchildren play in your backyard. Living near relatives can also save you money if your children or other relatives can give you a ride to your next doctor's appointment or help with household chores you would otherwise pay someone to do.

Stay close to home.
Most people who trade places don't relocate far from home. The majority of retirees who moved between 2010 and 2011 stayed in the same county and state. Only 0.8 percent of senior citizens crossed state lines or relocated abroad. There are many benefits to staying put in retirement: You already know your way around town, you don't need to make new friends unless you want to, and you now have time to rediscover all the weekday happenings you missed while you were working. "One of the big myths about seniors is there is this huge flood of seniors who, as soon as they retire, pick up and move somewhere," says Frey. "People tend to move to places they are familiar with. Maybe their children live there or they have friends there."

More at the link
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The kind of jewelry you could give the ultimate green person



Created by Coleen Jordan from Atlanta, USA. The vase itself is 3D printed and individually made upon order. It comes with directions on how to add plants and recommendations on which work best.

As Coleen puts it:

" Why should your plants stay at home? They help clean the air you breathe, are beautiful, and create a wonderful conversation starter. Carry a sprout, a succulent, or a flower you found on your morning walk."

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Take your laundry on the road with Haier's 1.0 Cu. Ft. Pulsator Washer (HLP21N). This compact and portable washer is small enough for even the tiniest apartments and living spaces, and it's perfect for the RV, vacation home, or cabin. The stainless steel tub won't rust and is a less common feature in compact washers.

The durable white plastic body stands up to years of use, and the clear plastic lid lets you monitor the wash process. Other features include cycle status lights, quiet operation, and an end of cycle signal. This unit comes with a complete installation kit including fill and drain hoses and power cord.

This washer offers the choices of a full-size washer with handwash, sanitary, delicate, and soak cycles as well as a cycle for whites
The 120V / 60Hz plug works in most standard wall outlets, unlike many full-size washers
At only about 30 inches tall and 18 inches deep and wide, this washer is ready to go anywhere you are. Aprox $280.00



Clean clothes without electricity with the Laundry Alternative Wonderwash Portable Hand Crank Mini Washing Machine (WONDERWASH). This hand-powered, alternative laundry method requires no electricity - instead using a patented pressure system that forces detergent into the fabric at high speed for a quick and easy wash. This unique tumble wash system helps prevent soap residue that is often left on clothes when using larger, conventional washers. Ideal for dedicates such as woolens, silks, knits, and cashmere, the ulltra-efficient Wonderwash can handle up to eight dress shirts, 10 T-shirts, 30 pairs of socks or three pairs of jeans at one time. Aprox. $55.00

Okay, I am driving myself crazy. This downsizing topic is always on my mind.The problem is I really love our house, but I'm afraid to miss the chance to downsize. I know of so many elderly people who simply kept waiting for the good opportunity, missed the boat, and ended up remaining in their big house, which they couldn't keep up anymore.

So many of you have taken the step.
How do you know when it's now or never?