Recently a family from the Midwest made news when they became inspired to downsize their lives for charity. They sold off their bigger home, moved into a house half the size of the one they were living in and donated the proceeds to the less fortunate. It’s an inspiring story about how we can have a good life with less stuff. Of course, most folks aren’t so privileged as to make a choice like that. For many of us, downsizing is a necessity. However, just because you might be moving into a smaller living space doesn’t mean it has to be permanent, and it doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.

Many Cincinnati families have been hit hard by the economic downturns that have happened all across the county. One way to tighten the family budget is to find more affordable accommodations. Deciding to move into one of the many available Cincinnati apartments is a good way to go. Although for kids who were used to having their own room, being asked to suddenly share a bedroom might become a “shock to the system.” A positive way to head off major battles is to draw clear boundary lines. If two kids are sharing a single bedroom, let them go wild with decorating their own sides. If you check with your new landlord, you might even be able to let them paint their walls with favorite colors or maybe an anime mural!

The other way to turn this move into a positive experience is to explore more of Cincinnati as part of weekly family outings. When was the last time you took everyone to a museum or a library? You’d be amazed at the variety of activities that are available beyond looking at paintings or checking out books. The more time you can spend out of the home, the more time you’ll appreciate coming back!