Should You Keep Renting or Should You Buy?
Actually Downsizing
My sister and I moved my mom and dad several years ago from our childhood home to a smaller retirement home. There was simply no way they could take everything they had acquired over the years. The key to downsizing them gracefully was in the packing. Here are some key things to think about before boxing anything.
1) Save one or two mementos from each child. Whether it be artwork or a poem book from your daughter when she was in 3rd grade, choose a few things to cherish. Before offering the rest of the items to her or putting them in the recycle bin, snap a photo of the ones you are having a hard time letting go. This can be your digital memory. Maybe you can use those on a digital photo frame in your new living room. Do this with each child and you go from needing several boxes to only using the corner of a box.
Time to Organize
2) Prior to smart phones with cameras, we tended to have a lot more printed pictures. If you have a box of photos like many people, this is a good opportunity to do something with them. Consider purchasing a few multi picture/collage frames. You can pick them up at a craft store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels for relatively cheap. Fill the slots with the most important photos and distribute the rest to your family. One less box you need to load onto the moving truck!
3) Go through your kitchen and pull out only the items you have used in the last year and box them to take to your new home. Anything that is not in good condition, throw out and anything you haven't used in the last year that is in good condition, donate. Once you unpack at your new home, and start cooking, you can determine what items you need to replace. FYI, you don't need 14 saucepans, 8 spatulas or 4 sets of measuring cups. Anyone can cook up an awesome meal with less.
4) When going through junk drawers, discard anything that you haven't used in the last year. The things you want to keep like miscellaneous pens, pads, rubber bands, paperclips...organize them in a multi slot utility container. You can find ones that have movable inserts to make compartments larger. For items that you have multiples of like batteries, votive candles, matchbooks, lighters, scotch tape..., use storage containers with a lid. Mark the contents on the side with a black magic marker and fill them up as you go through the house packing. You can also use food storage containers you already have in the kitchen for this.
5) We all have knick knacks in our homes. Some were given as gifts, some functional like candles and some just dust collectors. When packing, only take the ones that are meaningful. The rooster statue you got at Dollar General because it was in the clearance bin probably isn't something you need in your new smaller space. Try to cut your stock of knick knacks by at least 75%. If you have 20 little trinkets sitting around your house, narrow down to 5 meaningful ones and donate the rest. Consider displaying the ones you keep in your new home on a multi level shelf.
6) For clothes and linens, you just really have to be realistic. Do you have 5 sets of sheets for each bed? Narrow down to 2 for each. Do you have 40 towels and 30 hand towels? Narrow down to what you actually need, maybe 10 towels, 4 hand towels and 15 wash clothes for each bathroom. And clothing, well, nearly every one of us has more than we will ever wear. The realistic fact is we can all downsize our closets. If you only pack the items you have actually worn in the last year and donate the rest, you will probably cut your wardrobe by more than half. Do it! And, don't pack clothes you "might" be able to wear one day, no matter how cute they are, how much you paid for them or how lovely the idea of getting into them is. Donate or take to a consignment shop if they are brand name pieces.
While the task of downsizing is daunting, you will appreciate the freedom that comes with getting rid of "things". Keep your mind focused on your next stage in life and the new space you will call home. Set it up with the things you love and let go of the rest.
For my parents move, there were only a few items they had to replace once they got settled. They are happier than ever in their new home. It's easier to find the things you use daily and it's easier to keep clean. That's something everyone can appreciate!
Author: Darcy Varney
A licensed Real Estate Broker for nearly 20 years, Darcy has a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge to help agents & buyers get to a successful closing. She is committed to exceptional service to you.
