When my husband and I bought our townhouse six years ago, we called it our “starter home.” It was meant to be a five-year plan, a practical stepping stone before we upgraded to something bigger, something that could grow with us.
Then life happened. Three kids later, we’re still here, six years into our five-year plan, in a three-bedroom townhouse that’s far from picture-perfect. Sometimes, when the baby’s toys take over the living room or I’m elbow-deep in laundry, I catch myself scrolling Zillow, daydreaming about a sprawling backyard and one more bedroom.
But every time I pull myself back into reality, I realize something: staying here has given us so much more than moving ever could. Living below our means has brought us breathing room, financially, mentally, and emotionally.
Finding Freedom in Less
There’s something quietly powerful about choosing not to upgrade. Our home isn’t fancy, but it’s comfortable. We don’t have a huge yard, which means there’s minimal lawn care to stress about. That one small detail saves us hours every weekend, time we now spend walking to the playground, biking around the neighborhood, or just sitting on the deck watching the kids play.
Because our mortgage is manageable, we’ve been able to make choices that prioritize peace over pressure. We can pay for home repairs with cash instead of credit cards. We hired a cleaner who comes every other week, and for a little extra, she folds our clean laundry (a task I will forever avoid if I can). These small investments make a huge difference in our mental load.
But the biggest gift of living below our means? Flexibility.
When I had the chance to take a job that offered more work-life balance, but came with a smaller paycheck, we were able to say yes without hesitation. It was the right move for our family. My husband feels less financial pressure, especially in times of economic uncertainty. And we both have more bandwidth to show up for our kids, each other, and ourselves.
The Beauty of Enough
Our house is full, and I mean that literally. With three kids, every closet and drawer has a purpose. The older two share a bedroom with bunkbeds, while the baby has the third room to himself for now. Once he’s ready for a bed, we’ll make the switch. The two boys will share a room, my daughter will go back to her room, and we’ll shuffle things around to make it all work.
Is it ideal? Not always. But honestly, it’s been sweet watching our older two bond through late-night giggles and whispered stories before bed. We’ve learned to get creative with space: toy rotation bins, vertical shelving, under-bed drawers. I’ve also learned that the less we have, the calmer our home feels.
Clutter makes me anxious. It’s visual noise, so I’ve made editing what we own part of my routine. If something new comes in, something old usually goes out. It’s a constant process of curating, and oddly, I find joy in it.
This intentional way of living reminds me to focus on what truly matters. Our family gathers around a small kitchen table that fits us perfectly and expands when we have company, while our dining room has become the kids’ playroom, a space filled with play and creativity instead of formality.
When I catch myself wishing for more, more rooms, more closets, more space, I try to shift my focus to what this choice allows: more presence, more laughter, more freedom.
Why Smaller Feels Simpler
There’s an unspoken pressure, especially in the age of social media, to constantly upgrade. Bigger homes, nicer cars, newer everything. It’s easy to feel behind when you see picture-perfect houses with custom mudrooms and walk-in pantries.
But living small has taught me something countercultural: more isn’t always better.
By staying put, we’ve avoided stretching ourselves thin just to keep up. Our smaller mortgage has meant less stress, less maintenance, and more space in our budget (and our minds) for what we value most: travel, experiences, and time together.
We can take family trips without worrying about credit card balances. We can say yes to spontaneous ice cream dates or a long weekend away. Our lifestyle may look modest on paper, but in practice, it feels abundant.
Location Over Luxury
Another unexpected perk of our “starter home” is where it’s located. We’re close to major cities but tucked into a family-friendly neighborhood with parks, a wonderful elementary school we can walk to, and plenty of diversity, something deeply important to us. We have quick access to shopping, restaurants, and even an airport for easy getaways.
It may or may not be our “forever home,” but it’s hard to imagine a better fit for this season of life. We’ll see where life takes us next.
Making It Fun
Instead of longing for more space, I’ve started to treat space efficiency like a creative challenge. I’ve rearranged closets three times in one year (and somehow enjoyed it). I’ve learned how to make the most of vertical shelves, multi-purpose furniture, and storage baskets that double as decor.
There’s satisfaction in seeing how far a little ingenuity can go. It’s a small reminder that home isn’t about size, it’s about how it feels when you walk through the door.
A Shift in Perspective
There’s a freedom that comes from realizing you already have enough. It doesn’t mean we’ll never move or dream bigger. But right now, this season is about contentment, about finding joy in what is, not what could be.
Living below our means has given us margin. It’s allowed us to live slowly, spend intentionally, and focus on what matters: our kids’ laughter echoing down the hallway, lazy Sunday mornings, and the kind of peace that can’t be bought.
Our townhouse may be our “starter home,” but it’s also where we’re learning what enough truly means.
Because enough, I’m realizing, is a pretty beautiful place to be.
✨Your Turn:
Do you ever feel pressure to upgrade or expand, even when what you have works just fine? How do you stay content and creative with the space you’re in? Let’s swap ideas for keeping family life simple, intentional, and joyful.
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