Need a change in your life?
Consider downsizing with less space and fewer possessions. You can spend less time and money cleaning, organizing, and maintaining things and focus on other priorities.
10 Tips for Downsizing
1. Boomer and senior need less space. Large homes with multiple levels and a big yard represent your past, while a smaller house, condo, or apartment is the present.
2. You want space, so be selective downsizing. Choose a large master bedroom, but fewer secondary bedrooms. An open-concept kitchen but not a big dining room.
3. A smaller home or condo may cost less. If the space is right for you, even paying an equivalent or higher price may be worth it.
4. If you have less space, your utility cost should be less.
5. Moving to a smaller home usually means ridding yourself of some furniture. Some pieces won’t fit the space, so splurge on new pieces that are perfect for the new space.
6. Consider the move a fresh start cutting down on clothes, kitchen gadgets, hobby equipment, and other things you don’t use. Reducing the volume of “stuff” will make your move easier and help you get settled in your new home.
7. As the items that won’t make the move pile up, use Kijiji, garage sales. Donate all or part of it to an organization or a needy familiar.
8. If you have collectibles, jewelry, household goods, or other treasures you want to give to your kids or grandkids, distribute them as you downsize and reclaim the space.
9. If you discover you still have more than you need to move into your new home, don’t be afraid to continue the purge as you get settled to make sure your home stays uncluttered.
10. Though you might feel sad as you let go of your big house and stock of possessions, revel in the fact you are downsizing on your own terms.
Downsizing is a process but a rewarding one. It can be an opportunity to right-size your life and move onto the next chapter with more independence.
