So you’ve made a decision to downsize but you have so much stuff! Downsizing can be daunting. For some, it’s easier to just put the extra stuff in storage and deal with it later. You never know you may need that stuff sometime in the future…
Five years later
all that stuff is still in storage and you haven’t needed any of it. You’ve
spent thousands of dollars for it to sit there and now you’re not sure how to
start going through it.
Instead of
waiting 5 years, start downsizing before you move. Below are 4 suggestions on
how to downsize before you move.
1. Consider the size
of your new place
Consider
what furniture will fit into your new space.
Will the dining table, six chairs and china cabinet fit into your new
dining area? If not, what can you keep and what needs to go? Will the table and
chairs fit? Or do you need a smaller table?
If you
decide not to take certain pieces of furniture, don’t store them unless they
are family heirlooms or investment pieces. Think of the money you can get from
selling your furniture instead of spending more on storage.
2. Assess your actual needs
Look around
and decide what you actually need. Do you need that treadmill? Find out more
about your new neighborhood by walking around it instead of using the
treadmill.
This can be
a difficult step but consider what your daily life is really like. Look at the
items you use every day and separate them from the items you want to use
everyday. Look at that treadmill. Do you
walk/run on it everyday? Or do you wish you used it everyday? If it’s the
latter, sell it or give it to someone else.
3. Make a decision
Go through
every room, cabinet, closet, box, everything you own. Decide what you want to
do with each item. This is the hardest
step in downsizing mainly because we have emotional attachments to most of our
stuff.
There are
various strategies to help you make a decision. One is to hold the object in
your hand or look at it intently. Do you remember when you went shopping to
find that perfect picture for the living room? Does it invoke happy, positive
feelings for you? If so, then keep it.
Or do you try to remember where and when you acquire that item? If so,
sell it or give it to someone else.
Another
strategy is to go through everything and separate duplicate items. Do you need 3 whisks? Once you removed the
extra items, look at what’s left and decide if you really need those
items. When was the last time you used
that juicer? Once in the last 3 years? Then sell it.
Another
strategy is to ask yourself what would you replace if you lost everything in a
natural disaster? Look at the things you couldn’t replace and put them aside.
If you have
items you’re storing and not really using, and you plan on giving them to your
kids or other friends and family, then do it now. Let them enjoy the items now.
Also
consider what items can be replace in a smaller version. For example, can you live with a smaller
dining set or a smaller couch or a smaller TV? If so, sell the large stuff and
buy smaller versions.
4. Sell, store and give away your stuff
Starting the
whole downsizing project early is important so you have time to sell your
stuff. Letting go of your stuff is
difficult but selling helps to lessen the pain.
At least you’re getting something in exchange.
Next, consider
how you want to sell. Yard sales are good for large items. Craigslist is good
for books, electronics and other stuff.
If you have collectibles you want to sell, try eBay. Clothing can be sold at consignment stores.
After you
move into your smaller home, consider storage by going up and not out. Put shelves on the walls and get things off
the floor. Also use some of your items
as storage containers. Use a coffee cup
to store pens and pencils in. Use a large vase or milk carton to store pictures
you need to go through. Store games or blankets inside hollow ottomans.
Go
electronic! Instead of books, get a reader. Scan pictures and important papers
and keep them in a cloud account. This will also keep them safe in case of fire
or a natural disaster. Consider downsizing your DVD/Blu-Ray, CD player, game
boxes, radio, and TV into a computer or laptop that has the capability to meet
all your electronic needs. This will also help to cut down your utility bill.
A word of
caution though. Don’t get caught up buying various boxes, baskets, containers,
etc. for storage. Carefully consider how
much room you have and what you really need to corral loose stuff. You don’t want to overfill your space with
storage containers.
As a last
resort, if you can’t live without some of your stuff and you don’t have room
for it, rent a small storage unit.
However, promise yourself you will revisit your needs in 6 months. Do
you really need the stuff you’re storing in a paid unit?
Finally, it
you can’t sell, then give it to charity.
Someone will need whatever you’re giving away.
Downsizing
is a difficult process but once it’s over, you can relax. You’re accomplished something important. Also
keep in mind why you’re downsizing. If it’s to be closer to family, remember
that. If it’s to save money, keep that in mind. If it’s to shorten your
commute, which will save you time and money, keep that in mind. When it gets hard, remember your why and keep
going.
