Time to Move to a Smaller Home? First, Talk to Sheri Koones

May 23, 2022
Hosted by Ron Roel

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Guest Information

Episode Description

As we get older and become empty nesters, one question naturally arises: “Should we downsize to a smaller house?” It’s clear we don’t need all that space—or the continued expense and time it takes to maintain a large family home. But…we still love the idea of living in our own home. Where can we go? Better call Sheri. In today’s episode, we call on Sheri Koones, an award-winning author and recognized national authority on home construction, who explains the mass shift from expensive suburban and urban living to smaller, more affordable homes. Sheri, the author of 10 books over 20 years, has written on a wide array of housing topics, from the growing movement in “tiny houses,” to the latest trends in prefabricated, energy-efficient and sustainable homes. In her latest, recently published book, “Bigger than Tiny, Smaller than Average,” Sheri offers examples of small-house options around the country. In today’s conversation, she’ll talk about what kinds of consumers are driving the small-housing movement, in some cases driven by a desire for a different lifestyle, in other cases compelled by a need to create a smaller environmental footprint. As we move forward through the pandemic-turned-endemic, Sheri will also describe the shift toward homeowners interested in more practical spaces, including accessory dwelling units known as ADUs, and innovative designs that can make smaller houses feel larger than they are. Whether you’re thinking buying, building or renovating a smaller home, Sheri will inspire you with a dazzling range of ideas and options for your next living space.

45 Forward

Monday at 12 Noon Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel

Thanks to advances in medicine and health, most of us are just at half-life when we reach our mid-40s, with many potentially productive years ahead. But there’s no road map to prepare us for this period. That’s where 45 Forward comes in.

My show provides you with strategies to shift the traditional waiting-for-retirement model to a journey of compelling life chapters. Each show tackles an aspect of health, finance, family and friends, housing, work and personal pursuits as part of an integrated plan. Experts discuss topics like revitalizing relationships, creating mini-retirements, managing the maze of technology, finding your next homestead and caring for aging parents.

The show instills confidence, and hopefully some comfort, amid the stresses permeating today’s society. Fear of the future is not knowing how to prepare for it. 45 Forward does not proffer prefabricated answers, but helps you shape your life amid the daily anxieties of our time.

Ron Roel

I’m a veteran journalist who spent a wide-ranging career covering business, politics and social issues, the last two decades focusing on the blend of diverse life skills I call successful aging.

I have written extensively on aging topics, spoken at conferences, radio and TV shows, and launched several entrepreneurial ventures, discovering along the way that the path to aging well also requires an unexpected entrepreneurial vision. I spent 20 years as a writer and editor at Long Island’s daily newspaper, Newsday, helping to found Act 2, a weekly section for 50-plus readers. I created Roelresources.com, a website offering practical advice and inspirational essays for people ages 40 and above. I have been a volunteer and consultant to AARP Long Island, writing articles, advocating for seniors, and developing action plans for the AARP Age-Friendly Communities initiative.

I am active in programs and organizations that support seniors, such as the National Aging In Place Council and the Senior Umbrella Network. I have developed a special expertise in family caregiving, as one of four brothers who took care of their mother for almost 25 years. I regularly collaborate with many professionals who provide services and support for older Americans, and I am completing a book for caregivers on Long Island, “The Caregiving Navigator/How to Plan, What to do, and Where to Turn When Caring for you Aging Loved Ones. And Yourself,” scheduled for publication in early 2021.

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