Many of us have never, in our entire lives, had to make the tough decisions about how to buy less, consume less, live with less, and embrace the entire concept of 'less is more'. Today, with the changes in the economy affecting our very homes and livelihoods, less is no longer a choice but a necessity. Lighten Up offers a roadmap for all those struggling with the lingering desire for too much stuff, on the one hand, and too little resources on the other which leads to a life that is essentially a financial and emotional lie. This is a book for each of us now called, by choice or force of circumstances, to make significant changes in our long-term habits of over-consumption and mindless acquisition of 'the more.' Peter Walsh starts the process by explaining that in order to know what you need, you have to know what you have. He asks readers to take three audits: a life audit (your overall goals and how close you are to them), a home audit (what do you own and what is it costing you), and a financial audit (how honest are you about what you make, what you own, and what you owe). These audits and Peter's step-by-step direction help readers to see how to clear up their financial clutter (and any emotional baggage that goes with it) so they can reframe how they view what they own, what they can afford and how to prioritize what matters most for them and their families.