This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
The obsession with the McMansion
Top Reasons People Buy Big Homes, According To The Money Pixie:
A big house [can] give you status
More space and more privacy
Keep up with the Jones
Your ego makes you buy a bigger house than you need
Big houses are more affordable in rustic areas
You plan on expanding your family
As we all can see, more people buy big houses because it’s the thing to do today. But the average family size in America is 3.15 (Statista). So, why are we so obsessed with oversized homes for small families? Ego.
It’s normal to buy more than we need in our society. Overindulging, hoarding, and anti-minimalism is valued in America. More is the standard.
Bigger is better.
Galore is the roar.
Status is a priority.
Appearances are everything.
We Don’t Need Bigger Houses
Believe it or not, you probably don’t need a bigger house. Believe it or not, the grass isn’t greener for those with more significant homes than you; it just looks greener.
“[…] in a society of ever-bigger houses and ever more possessions: [..] there’s a hidden cost to all of that accumulating.” – The Daily Stoic p 75
The more we accumulate, the more we burden ourselves, affecting our mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.
The Hidden Cost of Oversized Homes
For some people, that hidden cost is their financial freedom. Instead of amassing enough wealth to gain financial independence, they spend the duration of their lives struggling to pay their bills and barely affording their oversized mortgage to maintain prime status amongst their friends, family, and neighbors.
For others, the hidden cost is their mental peace and time. Maintaining their oversized house is a burden and challenging to manage, yet they keep the house and willingly throw away precious time and resources for years, all for the sake of a house.
For others, the hidden cost is loneliness, which is why they’re never home. It’s too big for just one or a few people. But it looks nice…
Some people can afford the oversized house.
Some people manage the upkeep of their oversized homes.
Some people manage to save for retirement with an oversized house.
There are always outliers.
But the question I have for those who seek the big home: What do you hope to gain from it?
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.