For as long as I can remember, I have been targeted by the media to buy this or that gadget to make my life, well, seemingly "better". I suspect you have felt the push too for the latest and greatest gizmo's. The new and improved laptop, microwave, toothbrush, car, lawnmower, whatever. Heck... even pharmaceutical companies want us to ask our Doctors, if a pill -- a mighty pill is somehow "right for us"! Really? All the hype for the "stuff" in life makes you feel like you need it. Truth is, we don't need anything! I have always done my best to turn the other way and refuse to act on the hype. I think I do pretty well avoiding the pressure as I have never been an "early adaptor" or someone who needs to acquire a lot of stuff.
Over the weekend, I happened to be driving by a neighborhood where some homes were participating in a yard sale. No! I was not looking to purchase an old book from a yard sale. Rather, over the years, I have come to realize that sometimes when you see a yard sale in progress, that is a sure sign that someone will soon be looking for a Realtor to list their home for sale.
As I sifted through a pile of old (and I mean old) books, I asked what the motivation was for the yard sale. Much to my amazement and surprise, no one on the block was planning to move. Rather, they were downsizing! Yup! Downsizing. You know. Going Green. Purging stuff. Home owner's told me that downsizing has benefits beyond the environmental, from practical, like making housecleaning easier, to psychological -- being literally less anchored to material goods is freeing to the spirit. They told me, their motivation to downsize is a combination of reducing carbon footprints, saving money, feeling more organized and passing on these simple core values to their kids. (Meanwhile, their kids were down at the corner selling lemonade and crackers).
This reminded me of something I read recently. According to the 2010 Study of the American Dream by Metlife, Generation Y is more into making friends than acquiring objects. Nearly 40% of millenials (people born in the 1980s and early 90s) say they already have what they need, up from 26% in 2008. And the number of them who feel growing pressure to buy more and better material goods has dropped almost 20 percentage points since 2006, from 66% to 47%. Young adults aren't the only ones changing and revising their priorities. The same study found that 77% of all ages surveyed now see improving quality of life as being less about money than about improving personal relationships. In addition, 58% say they define the American Dream as family and children, up from 42% in 2006. Couple this with the fact that most Americans still believe the family home is an important financial investment and a huge part of the American Dream. In the past, Atlantan's have lived in their home approximately 5 to 8 years before moving up or down for their lifestyle needs. With the economic situation as it is, we may find Atlantan's purchasing their home with growth in mind and moving less often.
A few suggestions from the sidelines on how to simplify and begin to downsize your life -- and "stuff" -- whether you are planning a move or just want to get in touch with your "green side". In her workshop boot camp, "Overstuffed", Nicole Lynskey suggests that you follow these guidelines:
1. Assess the impact your clutter or your consumption has on you. Think of the size of your home, how much you spend on new stuff, the energy put into acquiring, maintaining and storing your stuff, the time you spend searching for things.
2. Get in touch with what you really long for in life. Do you really want to work part-time? Would changing your purchase habits or moving into a smaller space make these things possible for you?
3. Start with small areas. The more you declutter, the more momentum you will get and the more you will notice things you don't really need.
Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. Sara Hibbard looks forward to answering your many questions regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying/selling process. Sara can be reached at 770-399-8108 or 404-843-2500. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!
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