Downsizing can be a difficult process, no matter what. The following are a few tips that will help you with the downsizing process:
Determine what to downsize
Begin the process by taking inventory of everything you own. Create three categories that include things you must keep, things you can replace and things you can go without. Begin by identifying a list of things you must keep. One way that you can do this is by thinking of the things that you would replace first if your home were to be destroyed in a fire. It should also include irreplaceable items with sentimental value, such as family heirlooms. These are your essentials.
Once you’ve identified your essentials, you should determine what things you can do without. These are the items that you should get rid of first. If you need to downsize further, begin getting rid of the things you can replace – these are items you can always replace in the future.
Figure out what to do with the things you’re downsizing
The last thing you’ll want to do is to throw anything away. Hold a garage sale and try to sell what you can. List items that you can’t sell at your garage sale on Craigslist or eBay. The money you make selling some of your things can go towards your moving expenses. You could also use that money to buy more storage space items – like shelving – for your new home, thereby allowing you to downsize fewer items.
For items that you can’t sell, consider giving them to friends and family if they need any of them. Then donate the rest to charity. Knowing that the things you’ve downsized are going towards a good cause can help lessen the pain of having to get rid of them.
Be prepared to downsize even further
Once you move into your new home, you may find that you have less space than you thought. This means that you may need to downsize further even after you’ve moved in. Don’t get frustrated if this happens. Ask a friend or family member to come over to your new home to help you downsize further. An objective opinion on what you should keep and what you should get rid of will make the process easier.
Stay positive
Think of all of the benefits of downsizing – not only are you getting rid of things that you don’t need, but your cost of living is going to go down as well. Keep a positive attitude and the process of downsizing won’t as stressful.
If you’re moving into a smaller home, then you are going to have to downsize. Keep these tips for downsizing in mind to help make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
Stay tuned to Connecticut’s Finest Movers for more moving tips.
