5 Tips for Downsizing before a Move.
Tags: Downsizing Tips
Seniors, empty nesters or a drop in income, divorce, or another reason often makes financial sense to find a smaller and more economical place to live. Regardless of the reason, letting go of possessions and moving into a smaller space will come with its share of difficulties.
But if you come up with a plan before you downsize, you can make this life transition a little easier.
TIP 1: PLAN AHEAD
Start planning your downsizing early and set goals. For couples and families, make sure everyone is on the same page to eliminate conflicts. This process will inevitably take longer than you anticipate, so allow plenty of time for it. Don't try to organize your entire home in a single day or weekend; instead, take your time. A more reasonable schedule is a few weeks to a month. Take it one room at a time and take breaks throughout.
TIP 2: START SMALL
The kitchen or garage certainly already have items you want to get rid of, but hold off on starting in the largest areas. Start in a place where there aren't many emotional feelings.
The easiest spaces to start with are often:
- Linen closet
- Laundry Room
- Bathrooms
- Coat Closet
- Under the Kitchen Sink
- Cleaning Closet
- Garages
- Attics
- Basements
- Offices
- Keepsakes/Memorabilia
TIP 3: ELIMINATE ROOMS YOU WON’T HAVE IN YOUR NEW HOME
You might not have a garage or office space if you're moving into an apartment or townhouse. Almost everything in those areas will need to be moved to other rooms, sold, donated, thrown out, or sold.
4: Keep clutter out
The decluttering process can be challenging, but now’s the time to reduce the clutter.
- Get rid of duplicates
- Only make Yes or No piles — no Maybes.
5: SELL AND DONATE
With Kijiji, Facebook Market, numerous smartphone apps, yard sales, and an abundance of consignment shops, selling your belongings has never been easier. You probably won’t make a ton of money on most items, so consider how much time you want to invest. If there’s no interest in certain items as you get closer to your moving day, consider donating them to a good cause. Some non-profits and charities that accept and will pick-up home items and clothing include:
- Goodwill
- Salvation Army
- Habitat for Humanity
But if that all sounds like more than you care to deal with, hiring a firm to run an estate sale might be the simplest route.
Change can be hard for everyone, and for many, even the thought of downsizing seems overwhelming. But every journey starts with just a single step, so don’t be afraid to start small. You’ll soon be on your way to living a more simplified life, surrounded only by the items that you love. And that’s a very good place to be.
