America is downsizing the property sizes

Due to the economic downturn and the age of austerity it has been reported in USA Today that the trend for smaller houses is on the rise. 

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-11-14-smaller-homes_N.htm

America is known for it's oversized homes, and now even though by UK standards they are enormous, the size of new properties below 2000square foot from the median of 2300 square foot.  Perhaps our American partners are embracing a version of the 100 item challenge without making a conscious decision.  The cost of heating a large home is huge, paying the mortgage for a large home is equally disenchanting, for those who want to have a family can they afford to give up a job? can they rely on the main wage earner to keep his or her job? or alternatively with our new mobile society and not necessarily living near family that can take the responsibility of child care there is that cost to cover as well.

The 100 item challenge has, for us allowed us flexibility and mobility.  Our modest 1100square foot loft apartment in Manchester adequately provides us with a home and plenty of storage for our 100 items.  We have sold off items to get down to our 100 items, and being in the fortunate situation of having no debt, not even a mortgage we have provided enough money from reducing our possessions down to allow for a year off in 2011.  We have taken an apartment in Turkey for 10 months and plan to travel around Thailand and America with the proceeds of decluttings.

We have downsized our life and been in the fortunate situation to provide ourselves with an exciting lifestyle, so the ethos of the challenge has worked, 'getting less hung up on possessions in your life and start living it'