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"A cottage small is all I'm after,Not one that's spacious and wide.A house that rings with joy and laughterand the ones you love inside.Some like the high road, I like the low road,Free from the care and strife.Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeed-y;Give me the simple life."

The size of homes in the United States (urban and suburban) continues to grow. According to the National Association of Realtors, in 2001 about one in eight homes exceeded 3,500 square feet, which was more than triple the average new home in 1950 (983 square feet). Since 1970 the size of the average home has increased 55 percent (to 2,330 square feet), while the size of the average family has decreased 13 percent. Meanwhile, according to the Energy Information Administration, homes exceeding 3,500 square feet use about 40 percent more energy than those between 2,000 and 2,500 square feet.

Like my brother-in-law's big truck, the houses are getting bigger in part because Uncle Sam is promoting it. The folks at the Urban Institute figure about 80 percent of the estimated $200 billion of federal housing subsidies consists of tax breaks for "upscale Americans" to buy bigger homes. That study found Federal housing benefits average $8,268 for those with incomes between $200,000 and $500,000 and $365 for those with incomes of $40,000 to $50,000. (Haven't heard many Libertarians out there whining about these government giveaways; come to think of it I've never heard ?em whine about public parking.)

Look around?perhaps it's time to scale down. Ask yourself, "Do I need all this space? Does it make my life better or easier?"

read the column in newcolonist.com