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Unfortunately, the size of the modern home for many North Americans has become a status symbol. The wealthier you are, the larger and more elaborate home you purchase. This is an unwise choice in many cases, both for the individual or family buying the property and for society at large. Here are a few of the many reasons why this is so.

Some people will buy a larger house than they can afford, merely to make an impression. To finance it, they borrow a large sum of money, often at a high interest rate. When house prices fall, as they do periodically, the purchasers may end up owing more than the house is actually worth. Often, they choose to walk away with nothing, except a huge burden of debt.

A large house requires a great deal of upkeep. If the lady of the house cannot afford outside help, she may find that so much housework robs her of time she used to spend on more pleasurable pursuits. If there are huge grounds as well, there are the costs of landscaping and gardening chores to be considered. Even cutting grass and shoveling snow are major undertakings on a large property. If the adults in the family hold down outside jobs, they need to be able to afford to hire at least part-time help for extra summer and winter tasks.

Utility costs in a large home are considerably more. All that space must be heated in winter and cooled in summer. Electricity bills will be higher, as each family member uses more rooms for his or her individual activities. Water costs will soar, as cleaning requirements expand. Many large homes boast swimming pools and hot tubs. Don't forget the expansive lawns that will need watering. You may even have an underground sprinkling system that turns off and on automatically.

If you live in a large and ostentatious home, you have to live up to the lifestyle you have chosen. There should be one or two late-model cars in the driveway. The children should be in expensive private schools and you'll be expected to entertain often and in lavish style.

You'll also need to worry about security. A high fence to discourage intruders, an alarm system and a guard dog or two would be wise precautions. Are you sure this is really the lifestyle you would willingly choose?

There are also social dimensions which argue against the purchase of larger homes than are needed for a family to live comfortably. We humans, as a species, have already squandered too many of our resources. If we want our children and grandchildren to live healthy and happy lives, we have to

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